COAP:COAP-3110/week3
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Week 3 learning goals
- Download and install WordPress
- Perform basic configuration, including choice of skin.
- Examine the table structure of some portalware.
- Document installation and configuration steps (make sure that both you and others could follow the same procedure).
Monday Part I
- Short feedback homework 1
- Questions/Answers for homework 2 (PHP/MySQL application)
- Finalizing homework 2 (about 50 minutes)
Wednesday Part I
Hands on - WordPress installation preparation
- Find the official download for WordPress
- Examine the requirements (do you have the right PHP/MySQL stack ?)
- Find the documentation and try to follow the "famous 5 minute" installation
- Decide how to create useful installation notes (both you and others could reproduce the installation in a similar context)
Hands on - Install and configure WordPress
Roughly you will have to go through the following steps
- Download the archive
- Examine the Zip file and unzip in the right place
- Edit the configuration file (it also can be created by the installation script, but we recommend doing it manually)
- Run the configuration script.
Wednesday Part II
Hands on - Identify a provisional project
Identify a subject for your term project (you will be allowed to change)
- Read COAP 3110/term project
- Identify a type of project you would like to implement
- Find 3 good examples (preferably based on WordPress)
- Discuss their features (functionality) and design in class
Hands on - Selecting the theme
- Selecting the them (skin) should be based on several criteria, at least usefulness, usability and appropriate looks.
- Discussion about User experience and user experience design
PHP/MySQL/Apache hosting
Prices for hosting start around 3 Euros / month, but you have to add fees for a domain name to that if you want your own.
Well-known free (read the fine print)
- Host-ed (free, without domain name)
- AwardSpace (free, without domain name)
Well-known cheap, HostGator is best according to PC Mag
- HostPapa (3 Euros/month)
- GoDaddy ($4-5 / month)
- Hostgator (3.5$ / month), also cheap dedicated hosting for $80/month
Recommended local (Geneva, Switzerland)
- Infomaniak (10 CHF / month). Probably one of the best in that range (quality/speed)
Homework 3
(1) Create a full installation and configuration notice for a WordPress installation
- Separate the various logical steps, i.e. distinguish between prerequisites, download, database preparation, installation and configuration
- Make sure to explain the context and limits of your notice, e.g. that you use a specific OS and Apache/MySQL/PHP stack.
- Include a little section on what could go wrong and how to handle it.
- Add a selection of important and useful documentation links.
- Make sure that you can reach the this notice from different locations and devices (come up with a solution that works and tell us which one you use)
(2) Write a short report
- It should briefly describe the design of your installation notes.
- Due:
- Wednesday week 4 before class
Resources
- The Codex. In principle all you need to install and configure WordPress
- How to Install WordPress on Localhost Using Xampp Server Blog post by WPDean, Aug 9 2016. (Many other such tutorials exist, make sure to read a more recent one....)