Simple Machines Forum - Pre-install Questions

[lightman]

Hi!

 

After looking at the different options for a forum, it looks like SMF is the one that best fits my needs.

 

Before trying to install it, however, I want to be sure the requested software packages are already installed on the server.

 

From the SMF Installation Guide :

 

># the GNU Aspell and its dictionaries for spell checking support.
# PHP 4.3.0 or higher, with the following set in php.ini:

   * the max_input_time directive is set to a value of at least 30.
   * the post_max_size and upload_max_filesize directives are set to the size of the largest attachments you wish to be able to upload.
   * the memory_limit directive is set to at least 8M.

   * the upload_tmp_dir must be set to a valid directory.

 

Now, is Aspell installed ? With (at least) english and italian dictionaries ?

 

With regards to php, max_input_size, from phpinfo(), seems to be set at -1. I wonder, does it mean that it is set at infinity, or disabled, or what ?

Moreover, I can't seem to be able to find memory_limit in the output from phpinfo(), any idea ?

post_max_size is set at 55MB, more than enough, but upload_max_filesize is at 2MB; is it possible to have it set at, say, 5MB ?

 

And, most important (since it's the only real requirement in the above list), upload_tmp_dir is unset (that is, it has a no value value)... What about it ?

 

Thanks to everyone, and I want to say to the TCH staff that, so far , the service has been great, fast and without any problem !

 

Lightman

 

 

 

PS: Just to know, what is the total connection bandwidth from the servers to the 'net ? (ya know, I'm a sysadm, I'm curious )

Edited June 21, 2005 by lightman

[TCH-Rob]

Well,

 

I cannot say for sure on all of the questions above but other users here are running SMF. We cannot change information in php.ini as it effects all users on a shared server, however some things can be changed in your .htaccess file to make using the forum software easier.

[TCH-Bruce]

Welcome to the forums lightman

[TCH-Don]

Welcome to the forums lightman

[TweezerMan]

Welcome to the forums, lightman!

 

Now, is Aspell installed ? With (at least) english and italian dictionaries ?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You'd have to have the Help Desk look at your server to know is really installed on it. I looked at my server, and while it does technically have Aspell installed, I'm not sure if what's installed could be used with SMF, or that I'd want to use it.

 

The current version of GNU Aspell appears to be 0.60.2. The version of Aspell installed on my server is 0.33.7.1 alpha. As noted on "The Old Aspell/Pspell" page, the 0.33.7 release of Aspell is an old, dead version that is longer supported or in active development.

 

As far as dictionaries, only the English dictionary was provided with Aspell 0.33.7. Other dictionaries are available (including Italian), but I don't know if they were part of the package installed on the server or not.

 

My first concern about Aspell would be "what is the minimum version of Aspell that will work with SMF", then look at possibly getting additional dictionaries installed if needed.

 

With regards to php, max_input_size, from phpinfo(), seems to be set at -1. I wonder, does it mean that it is set at infinity, or disabled, or what ?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I think you mean the max_input_time setting.

 

It is not specifically documented what a setting of "-1" does, but assuming it works like other PHP settings, "-1" would indicate "no limit".

 

Moreover, I can't seem to be able to find memory_limit in the output from phpinfo(), any idea ?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The memory_limit is not available unless PHP was compiled with the --enable-memory-limit option. It appears that PHP is not compiled with this option on TCH servers.

 

I don't know what the server does if the --enable-memory-limit compile-time option is not used. The server may use the default memory_limit of 8MB, or it may not impose any memory limit at all.

 

but upload_max_filesize is at 2MB; is it possible to have it set at, say, 5MB ?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You can set this option in your .htaccess file on the server to whatever value you think is appropriate:

>php_value upload_max_filesize 5M

 

And, most important (since it's the only real requirement in the above list), upload_tmp_dir is unset (that is, it has a no value value)... What about it ?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

When the upload_temp_dir setting is not set, PHP will use the system's default temp directory, which I believe is /tmp.

 

PS: Just to know, what is the total connection bandwidth from the servers to the 'net ? (ya know, I'm a sysadm, I'm curious )

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I'll have to let someone who knows for sure answer this one.

[TCH-Thomas]

Welcome to the forum, lightman.

 

Now, is Aspell installed ? With (at least) english and italian dictionaries ?

I don´t have a clue what Aspell is, but I am running a Simple machine forum in swedish and it works great.

[stevevan]

Welcome to the forums.

[lightman]

Hi !

 

First off, I'd like to thanks everyone for the kind answers

 

That said,

 

You can set this option in your .htaccess file on the server to whatever value you think is appropriate:

>php_value upload_max_filesize 5M

 

Just tried it, works perfectly

 

Btw, I installed SMF 1.0.4 a couple of hours ago, and all is fine

 

 

Now, my last question (yeah, sure ) ... Do you think it'd be ok if I grab the smileys from this forum and use them with SMF ?

 

Thanks again everyone!

[TCH-Bruce]

I don't see a problem with it.

 

Glad you got it working.