What does 'configuration' mean?

Configuration is normally to do with making specific changes in a script to enable it to connect with another script or remote computer. These changes are usually very small and are typically setting a username, password, database conection string, path and URL. Other setting are sometimes required, but will be detailed in readme/help files.

If configuration is required for any installation or setup process, it must be carried out precisely and according to the directions, or your process may not work correctly or not at all. Take care with spellings, letter cases, spaces and underscores.

If you are editing a script directly, make sure you do not delete any characters or add spaces to the left or right of your changes.

Always open files for configuration in a plain text editor, or an application suitable for the file type. Never use a word processor, or web building WYSIWYG editor. These applications often add spurious code, tags and all kinds of corruptions to the file.

Its also a good idea to make a back-up of the original file before editing.

When you begin using Xoops, your first task is to make sure your server environment is correct, before even attempting to upload files and install the system. This is all detailed in the Installation guide. Don't be tempted to rush or bypass this stage.

The next task is to gather all the configuration details required and make sure they are correct. Your webhost should make it perfectly clear what your details are, but make sure you have at least the following:

1- A login username to your webspace account
2- A password for login to your webspace account (if it's cPanal, check by going there first)
3- An SQL database.
4- Username and password for the database. (These may have to be created by you, or they may be the same as 1 & 2)
5- Your webspace URL (this may be an IP address or a domain name. Check the URL by going there to see your space)
6- Your web-root full path address. This is the server's internal path to your files. (must be correct)
7- A valid email address.
8- Your chosen administration username and password (Required for a Xoops installation)

In addition you may also need to have an FTP address so that you can upload your files. This will require the following:

09- The FTP address
10- Username
11- Password

Practice the connection process before proceeding with installation making sure all the connections work. Make sure you can open your webspace and upload files.

The Xoops installation wizard is a user friendly setup process that guides you effortlessly through the installation and configuration. If you have all the correct details and input them accurately, your installation will be easy and successful the first time.

Once your site is installed there is yet more configuration to be done in the administration section.

Under System admin icon/settings/general preferences

You will see the following settings. Each setting here is given a brief description in the second line

Site name
Name for your site. "ABC Company Home Page"

Slogan for your site
"ABC - taking it to new heights."

Admin mail address
E-Mail that you want all site reminders and notifications to go to.

Default language
The language you speak.

Module for your start page
When a user first visits your page, you can have the News module show up on the first page. If you want to use your own custom block, just leave this blank.

Server timezone

Default timezone

Default theme

Update module template .html files from themes/your theme/templates directory?
If this option is enabled, module template .html files will be updated automatically if there are newer files under the themes/your theme/templates directory for the current theme. This should be turned off once the site goes public.

Selectable themes
Choose themes that users can select as the default theme.

Default template set

Username for anonymous users

Use gzip compression?

Name for user cookies.
This cookie contains only a user name and is saved in a user pc for a year (if the user wishes). If a user has this cookie, username will be automatically inserted in the login box.

Use custom session
Select yes to customise session related values.

Session name
The name of session (Valid only when 'use custom session' is enabled)

Session expiration
Maximum duration of session idle time in minutes (Valid only when 'use custom session' is enabled. Works only when you are using PHP4.2.0 or later.)

Debug mode
Several debug options. A running website should have this turned off.

Activate banner ads?

Turn your site off?
Select yes to turn your site off so that only users in selected groups have access to the site.

Select groups that are allowed to access while the site is turned off.
Users in the default webmasters group are always granted access.

Reason for turning off the site
The text that is presented when the site is closed.

Your IP address
This IP will not counted as impression for banners.

Use SSL for login?

SSL Post variable name
The name of variable used to transfer session value via POST. If you are unsure, set any name that is hard to guess.

URL where SSL login page is located

Default Comment Display Mode

Default Comments Display Order

Enable IP bans?
Users from specified IP addresses will not be able to view your site

Enter IP addresses that should be banned from the site.
Separate each with a |, case insensitive, regex enabled.

^aaa.bbb.ccc will disallow visitors with an IP that starts with aaa.bbb.ccc
aaa.bbb.ccc$ will disallow visitors with an IP that ends with aaa.bbb.ccc
aaa.bbb.ccc will disallow visitors with an IP that contains aaa.bbb.ccc

Module-wide Cache
Caches module contents for a specified amount of time to enhance performance. Setting module-wide cache will override module item level cache if any.

If you do not yet understand any of these settings you will find reference to them in The Installation guide and the Xoops operations guide.

You can also go to the Xoops glossary for more information on many of the terms used here.

You can also use the search function to access more FAQ's about these configuration settings.

This Q&A was found on XOOPS Web Application System : https://xoops.org/modules/smartfaq/faq.php?faqid=126