Tutorial: Installing Joomla 1.5 into CPanel

This is another opportunity for me to share some knowledge from being locked in a room. So in the holidays I’ve been exploring Joomla! and of course, not all servers that you signed up for provides a link to install Joomla! like GoDaddy. So here we go!

Start by logging into your CPanel (normally its http://www.myweb.com:2082 or whatever link that your host provides). This should be idiot proof and I don’t think a screenshot is required right?

Then scroll down to the Databases tab and click on MYSQL Databases.

Which will lead you to this next page.

We will need to create a new Database for Joomla! to store all its information. So as you can see, I’m working on my project, Retail Menu so the system added a ‘retailme_’ in front. In order to let me remember this is a database for Joomla! I simply  name it as ‘retailme_joomla’.Click on Create Database to continue onto your first success and then click ‘Go Back‘.

Next we’ll create a User for Joomla! to communicate with the database as shown (its on the same page as the one you created the database from)

Just choose any user name and password that you want and remember to write it down. We’ll need it later during the installation of Joomla! Do note that the system put a prefix of ‘retailme_’ in front of your chosen user name. So my user name is actually ‘retailme_admin’. Go ahead and click on ‘Create User‘ and then return back to same page.

Now we have a database and a user, we need to link it up. In the same page, look for:

Simply choose the user that you created and the Joomla! database earlier from the dropdown boxes and click ‘Add‘. In the following page, empower this user to every privilege as shown.

Click on ‘Make Changes‘ and we are done with the prep work to install Joomla! into our host. Just to check, you will see the linkage at the end of the table as such:

Not too complicated right? Hang in there for we have completed half the journey.

Now go to http://www.joomla.org/download.html and download the 1.5.x version. You will notice that there is a later version of Joomla! at the top so why shouldn’t you download that instead? My point of view is that the extensions library for the 1.5 is well developed and most of the time, I don’t see myself having trouble with finding one that fits my needs. In due time, we’ll all move on to later versions, but for now, I’m stickin with it.

Download the full package and do not unzip it, its easier to upload just one file than many using CPanel. After the download is complete, go back to CPanel and look for File Manager under the Files tab.

A pop up menu will appear for you to choose which directory you wish to open.

You will want to choose the directory that web browsers will automatically point to for the home page (aka index page). In most cases of hosting, it will be in public_html. If you have the same screen as me, choose the Web Root and click Go.

Look for the Upload button on the top menu bar and click it

You will see the Upload screen as below. Click on Choose File and point it to the Joomla! zip package we have just downloaded.

The upload status is on the bottom right and when it says ‘Complete’ as follows, we’re good to go

Go back to the File Manager screen and you should see the the following:

Highlight the zip folder by clicking on it and then click on Extract at the top. A pop up window will appear and if you have followed my guide to a tee, you can let it point to web root. In my example, it will be ‘public_html’.

Click on Extract File(s) and in a blink of an eye, everything is done! Close the dialog window that shows you the files extracted and now you should see an entire collection of folders in your web root directory like this:

Alright! We’re done with CPanel and now to see what you’ve achieved. Go to your website’s address / URL like http://www.myweb.com. Nothing special in this.

TA DA!

You have successfully installed Joomla! Choose the language of your choice and click Next. Joomla! will conduct a check for you to see if you meet the requirements and provide some solutions if you do not meet them. Go ahead and follow their guide and then click Next.

Which will lead you to Joomla’s licence page. I know you don’t read it, neither do I. So just click Next and move on to the configurations.

Remember the username, password and database name I told you to make a note of? Now is a good time to make use of it and enter it as described. The Host Name usually is ‘localhost’ and with my small experiences with host, it usually is like that. If not, go to CPanel > Databases > PHPmyAdmin and look at the top. It will indicate the host name.

Next is the FTP Configuration screen. I don’t use that and prefer to use my own FTP client to go into the Joomla! files to fine tune the looks. If you want the function, just fill in with the necessary info and click Next.

The next Configuration page will allow you to update the necessary information for your own website. Have fun and give it a name, update your details as the Super Admin and if you wish, you can install the Sample Data available. I normally prefer to install the sample data to configure the look of the data before loading in my own. If you want to install the package, click on the button Install Sample Data.

Click Next and we are left with one last step!  Do not be afraid of this last screen shot I’m going to show you.

The last step you need to do is go back to CPanel and then to File Manager. I hope you remember where it is. Highlight the folder titled Installation and click on Delete as shown.

This is important as the files within the Installation folder will allow people to re-install Joomla! on your host and overwrite all the settings and data you have done.

Go back to Joomla! and click on the Site button on the right top, you should see this if you installed the sample data like I did.

To access the backend of Joomla!, just add ‘/administrator’ at the end of your URL like http://www.myweb.com/administrator. User name is Admin and the password will be what you set in the Joomla! configuration page.

Phew~ That’s quite a long one post I’m glad you made it this far. Hope this guide helped you and it definitely will serve as a good refresher for myself. Have fun with Joomla!

Webpage Not Found When Implementing Facebook ‘Like’ Box

Was trying to implement the Facebook “Like” Box using the iFrame method as there wasn’t too much interaction using Facebook’s SDK.

Ended up with the error “Webpage not found.” How could it be? There it was, Facebook staring at me and I even went to the other websites to see if it was a global catastrophe. But no, everyone’s “like” reincarnation was working fine except mine.

Spent an entire 2 whole hours figuring and here’s what happened. The following is the code generated by Facebook when you use their Facebook Developer page.

<iframe style="border: none; overflow: hidden; width: 300px; height: 558px;" src="//www.facebook.com/plugins/likebox.php?href=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fretailmenu.sg& width=300& colorscheme=light& show_faces=true& border_color=%23999& stream=true& header=false& height=558" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" width="320" height="240"> </iframe>

 

The problem lies here:

src="//www.facebook.com/plugins/likebox.php?

 

Its missing a “http:” before the two slashes “//”. What your code should look like then?

<iframe style="border: none; overflow: hidden; width: 300px; height: 558px;" src="http://www.facebook.com/plugins/likebox.php?href=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fretailmenu.sg& width=300& colorscheme=light& show_faces=true& border_color=%23999& stream=true& header=false& height=558" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" width="320" height="240"> </iframe>

 

The codes above are for my own project fan page. You may visit here to generate your own http://developers.facebook.com/docs/reference/plugins/like-box/

Hope this is helpful to anyone who encounters this problem. Think Facebook should fix the bug soon or am I the only one with this problem?

 

 

 

 

Activities within Paranormal Activity 3

 

So today, Yun Xiang and I went to watch Paranormal Activity 3 at Choa Chu Kang’s Shaw cinema. Been anticipating it ever since the first trailer came out and cannot wait to spot where the poltergeist might indicate where he/she is. The fun of the trilogy, fans would know right?

Anyway, I got more than what I bargained and here is a list of what happened.

-1-
Dennis (male character in movie) wakes up from a strange noise in the house and whispers, “You heard that?”

Me: Yeah, the man beside me is munching on Nachos very loudly! *nom nom nom*

-2-
Julie (female character in movie) shook herself up from sleep and wakes Dennis, whispering to him, “Listen.”

*Video game arcade next door has this game that goes CLINK CLINK throughout the entire movie and I hear it through the supposedly sound proof doors* -_-

-3-
*Story’s central burning question on “Whose behind all of this?” is being answered on screen*

Guy beside me, who has been narrating the entire story in Mandarin to his girlfriend says, “Neh! Told you its her right?” (`.` )”

-4-
Movie playing with noises like the ruffling of plastic bags from any direction, munching of really REALLY crispy popcorns and nachos, occasional cough and clearing of throat, some person behind me who activated his/her iPhone’s voice command and even a cell phone ringing at the peak of story.

So, the entire movie experience wasn’t that great so what about the movie? I would say, it still packs quite a scare but wasn’t as good as the first two. However, if you have watched the previous 2, please do watch the last one to wrap it all up for a good story ending. Hopefully they don’t go make another prequel or sequel and let the trilogy die gloriously in the minds of fans.

Did you watch it?

PS: Cinemas should have their food packaging made from biodegradable paper instead of plastic. It saves the Earth and the movie experience.

Overflowing Goodness

School reopened last week and our iOS game is undergoing production at full speed. Can’t wait to show to you all the final product (or at least Beta version).

I’m busy with concept art for most part of the game and also the cut scenes. This might appear weird as I’m kind of a programmer but now dwelling with the arts department. As they say, school is the best place to make mistakes, I’m doing just that.

Anyway, Lady Luck seems to be smiling really bright at me because now, my desk is piled with 3 projects. Each one with database integration, one with a new CMS system, two with designs to do. Seems good right?

However, two of them are based on partnership, which means I might not get paid a single cent…and the other is for a family member’s business…which also might turn out to be charity project.

Hopefully, today’s hard work will bring me rewards later. Fingers crossed.

How It Feels Like to be Siri

If you are not already aware, my aunt is on an overseas trip for 10 days. Leaving behind her senile husband (aka uncle) in the house with me.

One characteristic of my uncle is that he loves asking questions to obvious answers / instructions / directions on a standard playlist with Shuffle switched on. In a nutshell, I’m his Siri.

So like an iPhone 4s, my uncle simply needs to say “Sheng” (which is my Chinese name) to start up the application.

Below is a list of my favorites.

“I just dialled my own mobile number on my mobile phone, it doesn’t ring.”
No one calls their own number from the very same phone the number belongs to -_-

“Can you buy me food?”
Grandma cooked and its all ready to eat
“That’s for lunch and dinner.”
Its 4pm!

“Shouldn’t you be going to school?”
Its Sunday! -_-

“Who just made this coffee?”
You did…like 1 minute ago

“Did aunt return home last night?”
She left just 15 minutes ago to the market -_-

“There’s no sound from the phone receiver!”
You are holding the tv remote to your ears

I’m sure I can think of / collect more in time to come. Overall, it does sucks to be Siri but when you are the only family member around for the elderly, you don’t have much of a choice.

Any stories to share?

Yamaha Fino Original Rear Handrail

Selling this original Fino handrail from my old bike as I sold it with a box instead. Some minor scratches from pillion’s rings but looks still fine.

Selling for $25. Please email or leave a comment if interested. Thanks for viewing!

Manulife Team Web Development

Manulife team manager, Jocelyn Ang’s website

This project right here is probably the reason how I’m getting into the freelance business. Started like any other dinner chit chats when my old time buddy, Jackson asked me about my diploma studies. Then one thing led to another and I landed my first paid freelance job!

I couldn’t thank Jackson enough for opening up this door for me as it landed me some other projects and making it possible for me to earn some extra cash while being locked in my room (joke intended).

Anyway, the team wanted an online presence where they could have an online portfolio with testimonials, achievements, services and quick contact information for potential clients.

Jocelyn’s team achievements is also hers to share here

an easy view of all testimonials collected

The web uses a really simple and straightforward approach for clients to easily find the information they want easily. Therefore, in order to contact the agent, all they need to do is use the form to send an email to them instead of the standard “mailto:” function.

Actually, the “mailto:” function is one that is underused by the visitors but overused by developers. I personally do not use any email client program on my computers and never knew anyone who did. So when they click on the email link and it pops open the email client, everyone will simply close them and perform a Copy n Paste in their web email client.

an optimized contact form by me

Before development of any website, I would make it a point to discuss with the client what would suit their needs and their customers’ needs. This is a phase that I believe can never be overlooked and is what web developers live for, making the web a better place for everyone. Sounds too great a task? It never is as we develop and improve one website at a time.

This is my first attempt at a freelance job and there are places I definitely want to improve. So plans are underway to revamp it!

Visit their site from www.jocelynang.com

Doing House Chores at 4am because…

WARNING: RANTING AHEAD

a dysfunctional family on tv…mine could do better!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
For starters, I am a 28 years old guy who (made some regrettable moves in life and now) still lives on pocket money from mum and dad till the day I complete my diploma in February 2012.

Next, we have my uncle who is getting better at being senile everyday and trying to fill his bottomless pit stomach.

To finish things off, there is this 37 years old son of my uncle who couldn’t give a turd for what is happening to his family and prioritizes his hobbies above anything else.

My aunt has given up most of what she loved in order to take care of my uncle and get annoyed by his relentless assault of questions (there are about 50 in a playlist with Shuffle and Repeat All switched on). Then the other son of my uncle has given up so much for the family that he is stuck in a job he doesn’t really like. Only reason to stay is for financial stability.

Dysfunctional enough? According to me, it simply couldn’t get much worse. Anyway, this is just some senseless ranting that will not catch the attention of the appropriate people to wake them up from their dreams and plant their face on the grounds of reality.

To complete the sentence:

Doing house chores at 4am because the people who cares for the family are not around

My Grandma “啊婆” is Awesome

I was standing in the kitchen having a nostalgic lunch cooked by my dear grandma. Ever since moving out from Grandma’s, the only time I get to taste her cooking has become an annual event. But because my aunt goes on a 10 day trip to Taiwan, she needs to come over everyday to cook for my already senile uncle. Weird but lucky for me.

delicious lunch by Granny

My grandma is 83 years old this year and she is still in the pink of health. Her daily routine will involve visiting the Casinos on the sunny island of Sentosa and then some shopping. She’s not a gambling addict but she does play the Slots Machine almost daily. (She know her limits) I can understand her. What else would you expect her to do other than indulge in her favorite hobby?

I think my family should be thankful that she’s such a low maintenance old lady. Look around Singapore and you can see how many elderly are in bad shape (my uncle included).

I wish I could do more for her. So if you have an awesome elderly with you, learn to appreciate and return their kindness. Or share your story with me through comments!

家有一老，如有一宝。An elderly in the home, is like a treasure within.

How I Decided My Career Path

saw this on 9gag and inspired this post

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
I always wanted to be a designer of something…anything. Believe me, I’ve tried Graphics, Interior, Game, Interface, Product, Fashion, Advertising, Communication design.

Why a designer you may ask. Its easy, I always thought is sounds cool in a conversation like this:

Stranger: SO what do you do?
Me: I’m a ________ designer.
Stranger: O.O Thats so COOL~

Or rather, that is how I imagine their reaction to be. So I enrolled myself into Multimedia and thought I could try my luck at a wide spectrum of design! No matter what, I’ll still be designer of something right? It MULTI-media for goodness sake!

WRONG! I went in and couldn’t understand a single turd on how to achieve better design visually despite signing up for extra elective classes on design. Its not my lecturers’ fault, just my right brain problem. Instead, I aced my programming modules and understood the logic behind design. So now, this is how the conversation goes:

Stranger: SO what so you do?
Me: I’m a _________ developer / author / programmer.
Stranger: *frowns with a smile at you*
Me: Let me explain…*goes through a whole dictionary of lingo and technical terms*
Stranger: Oh I see *fake smile and ascertains you are a geek*

I’m not saying its a bad thing but just, sometimes fate deals you a difficult hand and not the cards you exactly wished for. But a good player will be able to make use of every card to his advantage and eventually win. Be the good player.

In fact, I think its all good considering all the horror workplace stories I heard of from those design interns. Well, I’m quite looking forward to entering a new workplace soon as a proud programmer / developer. What about you? You proud of what you do?