Administrator's manual for myPHPNuke version 1.8.8_8

A Web Portal System based on PHP-Nuke 4.4.1a

Kiril Threndor

Installation guide, Theme Builder Tutorial, MPN Manual Editor

Arjan van Waay

Editor and Publisher. Conversion of submitted content to DocBook XML format. Translation guide. Frequently Asked Questions. Lay-out and example screenshots.

This manual is a work in progress. The content of this manual follows the development of MPN over several released versions. The installation part is accurate and up-to-date, however since almost every hosting provider has its own setup and configuration, we cannot guarantee that our described setup works in every environment.

Permission to use, copy, modify and distribute this myPHPNuke Administrator Guide and its accompanying documentation for any purpose and without fee is hereby granted in perpetuity, provided that the above copyright notice and this paragraph appear in all copies.

The copyright holders make no representation about the suitability of this manual for any purpose. It is provided “as is” without expressed or implied warranty.

Revision History
Revision 0.82March 27, 2004
Changed the order of items in the Administration chapters, removed paragraphs about admin options that don't exist anymore, added texts for new or missing admin options, updated some pictures. Updated the preface, removed some links to dead websites. General update to keep up current with version 1.8.8_8 RC1.
Revision 0.81November 18, 2003
Some minor corrections to typing errors.
Revision 0.80October 1, 2003
Adapted the manual for the released security fixed version 188_8.
Revision 0.73March 16, 2003
Added a new appendix on maintaining the censorlist for the foul language mechanism.
Revision 0.72March 16, 2003
Added a new section on upgrading with current version. Added advise about directory and file permissions.
Revision 0.71March 16, 2003
Added all new team members.
Revision 0.70March 15, 2003
Updated the entire manual to be compliant with the 188_8 development only release of myPHPNuke.

Table of Contents

Preface
1. Introduction
What is myPHPNuke?
Do I need to know HTML to use myPHPNuke?
What do I need to use myPHPNuke?
Why should I use myPHPNuke?
How many languages are supported by myPHPNuke?
MPN Road Map
With all the different CMS's out there, why was myPHPNuke developed?
Now that MPN 1.8.8.x is out there, what's next?
I keep hearing about this 'Ruffdogs'. Who are they and what do they have to do with myPHPNuke?
This is all fine but why does it take so long to get new versions out the door?
Now that we understand the MPN culture and development process, why should I stay with MPN versus moving to phpNuke or PostNuke?
In Closing...
2. Basic Requirements
Software and Host
Apache 1.3.xx
MySQL 3.23.xx
PHP 4.1.0
Knowledge
Web Design, Scripts, and Information Resources
Web Development Resources
Database Information
Database User Name
Database Password
Database Name
FTP Access To Your Account
3. Installation of myPHPNuke on your website
Unpacking and copying the files
Unpacking the files from the distribution kit
Copy the files to the server
Directory and File Permissions
Directory Permission details
File Permission Details
Running the Install
Hey, why do I get a warning on the first page?
When everything installs just fine...
Database Settings
Verify Database Information
Administration Setup
Verify Data
Finishing the Install
4. Upgrading your website
Upgrading your existing website with myPHPNuke 1.8.8_8
Backup database
Backup your myPHPNuke scripts
Create a local installation
Install configuration files
Verify the table prefix
Upload new system
Set directory and file permissions
Apply table modifications
Directory and File Permissions
Directory Permission Details
File Permission Details
Running the Install
Hey, why do I get a warning on the first page?
When everything install just fine...
Database Settings
Verify Database Information
Administration Setup
Verify Data
Finishing the Install
5. Customizing Your Site
Accessing the Administrative Account
MPN Administrative Menu
Nuke Administrative Menu
6. MPN administration
Preferences
My eGallery
Maintain categories
Maintain existing media
Manage File Types
Maintain templates
Add New Media
Batch build
Approve Posted Media
Guestbook
Block center
Quote of the day
Blocks
Modify Blocks Screen
Partners
E-Mail users
My Message II
On the Home page
On a special categories page
On a topic page
System Info
My Yellow Pages
Random Banners
Who is Online
Downloads
Downloads control menu
Add Category
Add Sub Category
Add Download
Modify Download
Modify Category
Configure Downloads
Downloads Control Menu
Downloads as the visitors see them
Dump database
7. Nuke Administration
Submissions
New Article
Auto Articles
Topics Manager
Edit Users
Edit Admins
Surveys/Polls
HTTP Referrers
Special Sections
Web links
Preferences
General Site Info
Banners
Footer Messages
Backend Configuration
Web Links
Mail New Stories
Comments Moderation
Comments Options
Voting Booth Options
Registration email message text
Some Graphics Stuff
Miscellaneous
Ephemerids
Headlines
FAQ's
FAQ's as the visitors see them
Forum Manager
Forum Ranking System
Forum Configuration
Forum Access System
Smiles
Reviews
Logout
Banners
8. MPN Error Messages
Installation
Forum
A. Translation guide
Introduction
Where are the language files?
Structure of the language file
Setting your default language for MPN
Localization
B. Theme Creation & Conversion
You can create your own themes!
Why are there new themes in the distro?
mpn_FreshAir2
mpn_Somara-Grey
nn4_Icey
CSS
C. Frequently Asked Questions
D. BB Code
What Is BBCode?
Available BBCodes You Can Use.
URL's
Email Links
Bold & Italics
Bullets & Lists
Adding Images
Quoting Other Messages
Code Tag
Hints & Tips
E. Foul language control
How to protect your site from foul language?
F. HTML Code
How can we use HTML Code?
G. Upgrade your code to myPHPNuke 1.8.8_8
Why should I need this appendix?
Security check in your script.
Check visitor type

List of Tables

3.1. Installation Of Administrator Settings
4.1. Installation Of Administrator Settings
5.1. MPN Administration Menu
5.2. Nuke Administration Menu Items
6.1. Preferences
6.2. myGallery Settings
6.3. Download File Description Options
6.4. Download System Parameters
7.1. New Article Entry Options
7.2. Web Links Setup Options
7.3. General Site Info Options
7.4. Banner Settings
7.5. Footer Messages Settings
7.6. Backend Settings
7.7. Web Links Settings
7.8. Mail New Stories To Admin
7.9. Comments Moderation Settings
7.10. Comment Options Settings
7.11. Voting Booth Options
7.12. Site Graphics And Fonts Settings
7.13. Miscellaneous Settings
7.14. Forum Configuration
7.15. Banner Settings
8.1. Installation Error Messages
8.2. Forum Error Messages