How to set up your own wiki using MediaWiki software


Setting Up Your Own Wiki Using MediaWiki Software

If you’ve already tried the PBwiki.com solution but want to expand the functions, the look, or the feel of your wiki, or maybe you’re more of a techie geek and you want something more than PBwiki.com has to offer, then MediaWiki is for you. MediaWiki enables you to install and configure your wiki, MediaWiki. There are a number of different open source wiki software programs - MediaWiki, TikiWiki, and FlexWiki, to name a few. I am going to cover MediaWiki because it is the same software used to run Wikipedia and because it’s an excellent example of a wiki.

Information You Need Before You Begin

After you have decided to install your own MediaWiki software you need to do a few things before you begin.

MediaWiki Software Architecture

Like the WordPress software the MediaWiki software uses scripts written in PHP and MySQL for a database. .

Before Installing Your MediaWiki Software

Before starting your install of MediaWiki software, you’ll need some tools and you’ll need to do some simple things with your hosting service. Here’s what you need to do before installing the MediaWiki software:

1. Check to see that the right software is installed on your server. To run MediaWiki 1.13.2, your web hosting service has to provide:

■ PHP version 5.0 or greater (5.1.x is recommended)

■ MySQL version 4.0 or greater

2. Get a text editor. You might have to edit some text files to get your WikiMedia install up and running. A text file is simply a file with words and numbers in it that doesn’t contain formatting.

3. Get an FTP client. FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol and is a fancy name for the software that allows you to easily transfer files between machines. When you are installing software such as MediaWiki you need to be able to move files between machines easily. An FTP client is a program that helps you do this.

4. Pick a username and password. Like all usernames and passwords, yours should be unique and contain letters and numbers. Download and Install MediaWiki

You need to download the MediWiki software to your computer and install it on your web server. Follow these steps:

1. Download MediaWiki software. Go to http://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/ Manual:Downloading_MediaWiki.

2. Click the Latest Version link.

3. Navigate to the correct version directory (1.13.2).

4. A tar.gz file will be downloaded to your computer.

5. Unzip this file to your hard drive. From this point on, you can refer to the MediaWiki installation documentation to install and configure Mediawiki.

Keep an Eye on Things

MediaWiki is a dynamic wiki software program that is always changing and improving. Keep a close eye on your MediaWiki software announcements. Take part in the MediaWiki community, wiki your hearts out, and most importantly have lots of fun!

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Note: This article was sent to us by: Reggie C. Fletcher at 01152010

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