Really simple concept questions

  • Resolved Blasted

    (@blasted)


    13 years, 11 months ago

    Hi Guys,

    I’ve been trying to install wordpress and making a right mess of it. i now think I have it working on my nas, I can make a blog and put in changes. However on the nas its not very quick and its a pain to get to.

    So, after reading through the instructions, yet again, I saw a part much further down about installing on a windows machine and links for some easy loaders. I dont know much about mysql or php or coding for that matter. Tonights plan is to have another go using the windows web platform thing, apparently its a package and will require minimal fiddling by me.

    But, In the meantime I have a few really simple questions I can’t seem to get my head around.

    1, If I install wordpress to my local computer, what am I actually installing? is it a programme as such? can i build a web site, test it and then just upload the content to a host?

    2, As i build a website, what is data stored as on my computer? I have a feeling that the data that makes up the web pages is information from a mysql database, I could be wrong though, i normally am. If it is a database, can you back up by just making a copy?

    3, if i need to make changes to my website, do i just do the work on my computer and simply load the new version to my host?

    Thanks for any help you can offer, im reading so much my head is goign to burst.

Viewing 8 replies - 1 through 8 (of 8 total)
  • Rev. Voodoo

    (@rvoodoo)

    13 years, 11 months ago

    1. It’s not a programme installed to your computer as such. You would be installing some sort of local server software (I use wampserver), which basically installs apache/php/mysql for WP to run in. WP installs inside of this environment. You can build a test site, get everything set up, and move it live. The files that make WP run, as well as themes, plugins, etc are all in the file structure. Data and settings are all in the DB

    2. The data all goes into the mysql database. YOu can use the export function within mysql to dump the DB< and move it into a live site. Be warned, the URL of your test site, and your live site will not match. This requires some work… unless you edit your host file (set up virtual domain) to make your test site have the same URL as your real site ahead of time

    3. That is one way to do it. Yu would never be editing any WP files. So the local version is good for testing themes, plugins, etc. Or making new themes, or editing themes. YOu can add content online as well as you can in a test environment really.

    esmi

    (@esmi)

    13 years, 11 months ago

    If I install wordpress to my local computer, what am I actually installing?

    The full WordPress package – exactly as it would be installed on a remote server/host.

    can i build a web site, test it and then just upload the content to a host?

    Yes but it’s not a particularly straightforward process. See Moving_WordPress. Generally speaking, I’d recommend localhost installs for theme & plugin development only with the live site being built online.

    As i build a website, what is data stored as on my computer?

    All of your site’s content & settings. These are stored in the site’s database.

    and simply load the new version to my host

    No. You make the changes to the live site directly using the WP Admin interface.

    Thread Starter Blasted

    (@blasted)

    13 years, 11 months ago

    Thanks, that makes a bit more sense.

    I was going to use Micrsoft web platform installer 3.0.

    The least amount of things I have to install and configure, the better.

    Anyone use this before?

    esmi

    (@esmi)

    13 years, 11 months ago

    Have a look at http://www.instantwp.com/ I’m hearing a lot of good reports about it.

    Thread Starter Blasted

    (@blasted)

    13 years, 11 months ago

    Sorry, I didn’t see the second reply.

    It appears then, the simplest route for a noob like me is to get a domain name and host and simply build the site from their servers.

    I suppose i could then use the one on my nas as a test site/trainer and simply recreate the changes that work on the host server.

    Can i then turn the web page on and off? as in when people see it or not.

    Im planning on building a photography website to show off some of my pictures, so would I still be in control of my data?

    Thanks again peeps.

    Thread Starter Blasted

    (@blasted)

    13 years, 11 months ago

    Will have a look at the instant wp version, thanks.

    Rev. Voodoo

    (@rvoodoo)

    13 years, 11 months ago

    It appears then, the simplest route for a noob like me is to get a domain name and host and simply build the site from their servers.

    Many hosts even have 1 click WordPRess installs (although I recommend a manual insall if you can possibly manage it… this gets you used to FTP, etc. tools you will need in the future at some point)

    Can i then turn the web page on and off? as in when people see it or not

    Yes, there are a variety of maintenance plugins which allow you to see the full site when logged in as the admin, but normal visitors see whatever you have configured.. a coming soon page or whatever

    Im planning on building a photography website to show off some of my pictures, so would I still be in control of my data?

    Everything is yours. WP simply provides the tools

    Thread Starter Blasted

    (@blasted)

    13 years, 11 months ago

    Cheers guys, I’m a bit clearer now.

Viewing 8 replies - 1 through 8 (of 8 total)

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