Installing Serendipity

Serendipity is a PHP-powered weblog application that allows users to maintain an online diary, weblog or even a complete homepage.

This article provides step-by-step instructions on installing Serendipity (v.1.6) onto your hosting account.

• Your FTP account login and server information (provided on the "Welcome" e-mail sent to you when your service was activated).

• An FTP client application installed on your local drive. For information about installing FTP client applications, refer to Using FTP Client Applications.

• A file archiving/compression tool (to extract the .zip installation file); e.g., 7-Zip and WinZip.

• As a courtesy, we try to provide the most up-to-date information involving third-party technologies; however, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of such content, nor can we guarantee the performance of the product. If the text and/or example screenshots do not match the version you're using, please refer to the documentation provided by the applicable third-party company.

Before installing Serendipity, we recommend that you create a MySQL database, which Serendipity will use to store its data. For instructions on creating a MySQL database through your SiteWorx account, refer to Creating a MySQL User and Database. Make note of the database and user information so that you can input it during the Serendipity installation.

1. Download the latest version of Serendipity from the the: Serendipity download page (Select the ZIP formatted download option).
2. Log in to your hosting account and then select the File Manager option (on the main menu).
3. Create a new directory in your web root (/html) where you want to install Serendipity.
4. On your local drive, use your preferred file compression tool to extract the serendipity-1.6 .zip file.
5. Open your preferred FTP client and then connect to your hosting account.
6. Upload the contents of the serendipity directory to the directory that you created in Step 3.

1. Open a browser window and enter the URL according to your domain name and the directory in which you installed Serendipity. For example, if your domain name was "example.com" and the directory that you created to install Serendipity is "serendipity", the URL would be:
   http://example.com/serendipity/
2. The installer examines the current setup and then presents the results in a "Pre-installation Report" (see example screenshot below).
   
3. Scroll to the bottom of the page and select Simple Installation.
   On the next page, you will specify the MySQL database that you created earlier, the admin user account, and general settings for how Serendipity should behave.
   
4. Enter your information in the appropriate fields, and then click Complete installation.
   IMPORTANT: When entering database information, be sure to enter the full name (the first eight characters of your domain name prefixed to the database/database username.).
   Example:
   • Domain name: "example.com"
   • Database name: "serendipity"
     = "examplec_serendipity"

The page indicates whether the installation was successful.
If installation was not successful, check your settings to be sure that you entered the correct information.

• Click on the Visit your new blog here link to open and begin using Serendipity.

Still need help with installation? Feel free to send an e-mail to support@nexcess.net!

• If you need additional information about installing Serendipity, refer to the Serendipity Fresh Installation page on the Serendipity website.

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