By djspyhunter on

I work for a non-profit with 'branches' all around the country. I would like to create a Drupal setup that can be used as a base config for those branches which would require the installer (user) minimal work to install and operate.

Stuff I think will work:


  • Hosting: I would recommend the host I am testing on (Site5) to ensure all users have the same base host parameters

  • Drupal Install: I would provide a zip file containing the pre-packaged Drupal installation, including Modules, Custom Theme. They would modify a few config files and upload via FTP.

  • Installation: I would create a Install Guide for users to follow

  • Drupal Ver: 4.6.5 - stable, with many modules available.

Issues to tackle:


  • Database: What would be the best way to take my existing DB and have it exist, fully functioning on another site?
    Can I just 'export' from phpMyAdmin and have users Import that data? I'm not too savvy on mySQL.... Sugestions?
    Obviously, settings.php would need to be modified with correct DB name/user/pass

What other issues haven't I covered? What obvious stuff am I missing?

Thanks
Kim

⋅ Categories: Drupal 4.6.x

Comments

thomherfs’s picture

thomherfs commented

Kim,

Have you checked out CivicSpace, the preconfigured Drupal distro based on 4.6.5 that grew out of DeanSpace and is aimed especially at nonprofits and political groups? A lot of the funcionality you might be looking for in what your branches are doing is built in already, including some that are somewhat hard to fit into a vanilla Drupal install (like CivicCRM contact relationship management, an installer, Events, etc.).

If you already know about CS, maybe it would help if you indicated why it won't fit your needs and how the distro you have in mind would differ.

djspyhunter’s picture

djspyhunter commented

I have looked at CivicSpace - I wasn't sure if it is possible to customize their installer to include other modules, themes...

I suppose if it is possible to create a custom theme to replace the CS one without breaking the pre-configured setup it might be do-able.... I'll do some more research on CS (set it up on my local system to see it's capabilities)

Some specifics on my requirements:
Will be using FCKEditor with customized style-sheets and ability to upload.
Custom theme with built in branding for our organization

thomherfs’s picture

thomherfs commented

Some of the current CS discussions involve including more themes in future distros and concentrating on skeleton themes that provide a good jumping-off point for theme designers.

That said, yes you can use other themes with CS. It is basically just Drupal in the 4.6 branch with modules preconfigured in. Any module in CS that would break a theme you are interested in using would break a regular Drupal install with the same module installed--it would be a module-specific problem and have to be debugged for that theme. Once the custom theme works though, it won't give any problems unless you install something down the line in your customized distro that conflicts with it.

As to the FCKEditor, I don't use that myself and don't know what problems you'd run into. Sorry I can't help. Perhaps someone else can answer that question.

One last thing on CS--the final 0.8.3 version is due out any day now and is (as I said before) based on Drupal 4.6.5 so any themes or modules that work with 4.6.5 should be able to be used with it.

djspyhunter’s picture

djspyhunter commented

Thanks for the info. Sounds like CivicSpace has some great features not included in the regular Drupal package. I suppose I could re-package their distro and omit the install.php and create an install guide based around the modules I would want to add in such as FCKeditor... I'll give it a try when I get a chance.

sangamreddi’s picture

sangamreddi commented

While exporting and importing mysql check whether both mysql versions are same or else you'll land up with problems. however phpmyadmin has the option to export db with version support.

Sunny                      
www.gleez.com | www.sandeepone.com

djspyhunter’s picture

djspyhunter commented

I was planning on creating the distro version on a specific host (Site5) and specific hosting package, and then exporting from that DB. Then I would strongly recommend that same host for people wanting to setup the distro to ensure db compatability... Good point!

robmilne’s picture

robmilne commented

Make sure that the .sql file that you export/import is less than 2Mbytes if using phpMyAdmin - especially if your fonts are utf-8. I've had to copy .bin files when moving databases larger than this.

djspyhunter’s picture

djspyhunter commented

duly noted - thanks

wellsy’s picture

wellsy commented

they may be able to help if they know they are guaranteed x amount of new hosting and it would most likely be a snap for them to organize on their own servers.

wellsy

orchidsonline.com.au

djspyhunter’s picture

djspyhunter commented

Great suggestions, however this distro wouldnt be a mandatory rollout for our whole organization - more of a grassroots effort to have more of our branches have decent, consistent web sites...

It sure is nice how your can do a one-click install of drupal on Site5 though!

wellsy’s picture

wellsy commented

is taken up more enthusiastically if your plan to make it so easy is a reality. site5 will only benefit from that...they may be interested in helping you.

You could present your branches with a preconfigured trial area that may or may not become their permamnent website.

It would most likely be relatively easy to setup.

wellsy

orchidsonline.com.au

djspyhunter’s picture

djspyhunter commented

that would indeed be an excellent opportunity... I'll be sure to keep that in mind!