SiteGround Tutorials
Xoops Tutorial
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XOOPS is a popular and easy to use Content Management System. With Xoops you will be able to create many different types of websites - web portals, blogs, community web sites, etc.
The Xoops CMS tutorial is intended to give you basic knowledge about this application.
The Xoops Tutorial includes:
- How to install Xoops through Fantastico;
- How to install Xoops manually;
- How to create a Xoops website and add content;
- How to install Xoops Modules;
- How to change Xoops Templates;
- How to backup Xoops;
- How to upgrade Xoops;
SiteGround CMS Hosting Account is the preferred choice for many XOOPS users. The large number of our customers, who use Content Management platforms are extremely satisfied with the performance of their websites.
Xoops Installation
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All SiteGround servers are optimized for Xoops installation and flawless running of your Xoops website. To start the auto-installation open your CPanel and click on the Fantastico De Luxe icon.
Auto-Installation of Xoops through Fantastico
Once logged into Fantastico, you will see a list of scripts in the left column of the the page. The following steps should be accomplished:
- Look for the title 'Content management' and click on 'Xoops'.
- Now click on 'New Installation'.
- Choose the Xoops installation directory.
If you want Xoops to be accessible at http://yourdomainname.com, leave the installation directory field empty. If you want Xoops to be accessible at http://yourdomainname.com/xoops, enter 'xoops' as an installation directory.
Proceed with the on-screen instructions.
If you would like to install Xoops manually, please follow the Xoops Manual Installation instructions.
Manual Installation of Xoops
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In order to install the Xoops CMS application manually, please follow the step-by-step instructions below:
Step 1: Download the Xoops installation file.
Step 2: Upload it in the public_html folder of your account. You can do that through a FTP client like FileZilla or via cPanel -> File Manager -> Upload file(s). After the installation is completed, the script will be accessible once your go to the installation directory yourdomainname.com. Alternativelly you can create a subfolder and upload there the installation file. The Xoops installation will be then available under yourdomainname.com/subfolder.
Step 3: Once you are in the File Manager, please navigate to the uploaded Xoops package and extract the Xoops package by clicking on the Extract link. It will create several subfolders. The Xoops CMS installation files will be located under the htdocs folder. If you wish, you can move the files one level up in the desired directory. The other option is to extract the file on your computer and then upload the content into the desired folder via FTP.
Step 4: Change the file permissions to 755 for all the Xoops files and folders except the following ones: uploads/, cache/, templates_c/, mainfile.php, xoops_data/, xoops_data/configs/, xoops_data/caches/, xoops_data/caches/xoops_cache/, xoops_data/caches/smarty_cache/ and xoops_data/caches/smarty_compile/. They should remain 777. This can be done through an FTP client or from cPanel -> File Manager -> File permissions.
Step 5: Now you should create a MySQL database for Xoops. You can do that from cPanel -> MySQL Databases. You should create a new database and add a new user to it - click here to learn how to create MySQL database and user.
Step 6: Navigate to the URL of your Xoops site and run the index.php file (for example http://yourdomainname.com/index.php)
Step 7: Pick the default language for your web site:
Step 8: Move the directories xoops_lib (for Xoops libraries) and xoops_data (for Xoops data) out of public_html folder and click on the Next button:
Step 9: The system will check the server configuration. If everything is correct, please click on the Next button. Otherwise the system will inform you about the problems which have occurred.
Step 10: Enter the correct path to your folders. If you have moved the xoops_lib and the xoops_data folders, you should adjust the paths to them:
Step 11: Enter the MySQL details, which you have set up in Step 5.
Step 12: Enter the database name, the desired prefix for the database tables, the collation and the charset:
Step 13: The installer will save the configuration in the mainfile.php. Click Next to continue.
Step 14: The database tables are created. Click Next to continue.
Step 15: Enter the admin login details.
Step 16: The database tables are populated. Click Next to continue.
Step 17:The Xoops installation is successfully completed:
How to install Xoops modules
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With Xoops you can easily extend the functionallity of your website by adding Xoops modules. In the folliowing section you will learn about the different types of Xoops modules.
To enable or disable Modules simply fo to the Xoops Administration area -> Modules section as shown below::
Types of Xoops Modules
Core Modules
Core modules are included in the default installer package of Xoops. After the initial installation you can find them in the Xoops Administration Menu->System->Modules. At the bottom of the page you will see a table of Xoops modules that are not yet installed. Click on the Install icon besides the module which you want to be installed and follow the instructions:
Extra Modules
Extra (non-core) Xoops modules can be downloaded as compressed files (zip, tar). Usually there are installation instructions included in the Xoops module package. You need to unzip the files on your local computer and upload them through an FTP client in the correct folders under the Xoops directory. Usually they should be places under the modules folder. However, there are modules which need some files to be uploaded in different folders. Thus we will recommend you to read carefully the installation instructions. After the upload, go to your Modules Administration Page and find the new modules which are visualised in the uninstalled modules table. Click on the Install button besides the chosen module and complete its installation.
Installation of a gallery module for Xoops
For the purpose of this tutorial we will complete a sample installation of the extGallery module.
First you need to download the Xoops module, extract it on your local computer and upload the module folder under the modules directory, located in your Xoops space. Then you should navigate to the Xoops Administration Menu->System->Modules area and click on the Install button. The installation will be completed and you will be able to use extGallery, listed under your modules list:
How to set a Xoops website
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- How to start a Xoops site?
- Logging into the Xoops Admin Area
- How to create new content?
- Manage Xoops
How to start a Xoops site?
All you need to do is open a hosting account, where you can have the Xoops application installed. Here at SiteGround we offer a FREE Xoops installation! With our Xoops hosting package you can start creating your site right away! If you already have a hosting account, you can check here how to install Xoops.
Logging into Xoops Admin Area
To log in your Xoops Admin area, after installing the Xoops application, you simply need to enter your administrator's credentials into the Login form on your main Xoops page:
How to create new content?
You can create new content on your web site from the Xoops main page->Administration Menu->System->Blocks.
At the bottom of the page you will find the option to add a new block. There you can enter the content which will be visualized in it along with its location:
The new block fields are as follows:
Block Type - You can pick between a side and a center block. Also, you can define its position.
Weight – Here you define the order of the block. The 0 value will put it on the top and the higher value will push it towards the bottom.
Visible – Set the value to yes if you want the block to be visible.
Visible In – Defines whether the block to be seen on the homepage (Top Page) or on all of the pages.
Title – Enter the title of your block.
Content – Enter your content. You can change the color, font, size, include pictures and external media.
Content Type – Select the type of the content. It can be PHP, HTML or Auto formatted text.
Cache Lifetime – Here you choose how long you want the block to be visible.
How to manage Xoops?
You can manage your Xoops CMS installation from the admin area:
There you can add new banners and blocks, manage groups and users, smilies, templates and avatars, adjust the preferences.
Xoops templates
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The Xoops templates can be installed fairly easy from the Xoops Administrator Area->System->Templates:
First you should find a suitable template in the Internet and download it on your local computer. Then you should use the "Upload a template set" functionality in Xoops. Click on the Browse button and navigate to the chosen template. Then click the Upload button.
After this you should click on the Generate buttons besides your Modules in order to create links for the new template:
Once you are ready, navigate to the Xoops Administrator Area->System->Preferences->General Settings and pick the new default template:
Then click on the Go! button and the new template will be set as default.
Xoops Backup
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In order to backup your Xoops application you have to:
Step 1: Backup all of your files and folders inside your Xoops installation. You can do that by downloading them via your favourite FTP client. You can find our comprehensive FTP tutorial here.
Step 2: Backup/Export your database. You can do that by using PHPMyAdmin. Please, check our tutorial on how to backup/restore MySQL database in order to create a backup of your Xoops database.
Please, make sure that you choose the correct database, which your Xoops application uses.
If you are unsure about the Xoops database name, you will be able to find it in the xoops_folder/mainfile.php file. You can view this file through cPanel -> File manager.
Well done! Now you have a backup copy of your Xoops system!
Xoops Upgrade
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Here we will explain how you can upgrade your Xoops script to the latest stable version in few simple steps.
Before you proceed with the upgrade procedure, please make sure that you have a full backup of your Xoops site.
We assume that your have an outdated version of Xoops installed into a sub folder of your domain (e.g. at www.yourdomainname.com/xoops)
Once the backup is ready, please follow these steps:
Step 1: Define your Xoops version. It can be found in the xoops_directory/includes/version.php file.
Step 2: Download the correct upgrade package from the official Xoops web site.
Step 3: Close your web site for visitors from the Xoops administrator menu->System-> Preferences->General Settings->Turn your site off?
Step 4: Decompress the package and upload the files from the htdocs folder through FTP. Overwrite the existing ones in the Xoops directory. Preserve the mainfile.php file. The install folder should not be uploaded since it is not necessarily. Change the file permissions to 755.
Step 5: Update the modules through the Xoops Administration menu->System->Modules. Click on the update icon besides the Xoops module which should be updated:
Step 6: Confirm the update procedure:
Step 7: The script upgrade is competed.