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WiP: Seven reasons why you shouldn't use any one-click installer

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ApplianceJunk:
I first heard of SMF through godaddy.com about 5 years ago. At that time I did not know anything about ftp, mysql and php, but godaddy had a one click install for SMF. I used it and started learning about SMF.

About six months into godaddy.com I had learned enough to move. ;)

But from what I remember I had access to my files and database.

The one click install may not be the best thing you can do, but it has probably helped introduce SMF to a lot of people.

agridoc:
The initial post is a mix of
- Possible problems of a free host, with limited permissions to FTP, database, backup, restore etc. and
- Problems  that might occur with an automatic SMF installation.

They must be separated.

--- Quote from: 医生唱片骑师 on April 11, 2012, 11:28:25 AM ---So, you're totally new to SMF and you would like to install SMF. You don't know anything about ftp, mysql and php. You found out that there are several tools available to install SMF within one click. This might sound pretty good, but.. it's not. Why not?
--- End quote ---

Unfortunately these automatic SMF installation scripts are the only just a few clicks way. Webinstall is not so easy always, I prefer standard installation.

There is a general SMF recommendation to avoid automatic SMF installations and install from original files. Not all scripts are the same and they are not controlled by SMF, all get better with time. We don't want war against them but a warning that, as these scripts are not controlled by SMF might cause problems. I don't know if anything has changed with the new licence.

Fantastico caused quite some problems in the past. I have no access anymore, my host changed it in favor to Simple Scripts. In Greek support board I had made a sticky topic for Fantastico installations and how to fix problems (link with Google translation to English).

I believe that anyone that wants to start an SMF installation should spend some time before to learn at least some basics. Not only technical but general knowledge as well for behavior, rights, privacy, copyright etc. An admin is a captain and nobody can be made captain with just a few clicks.

Automatic installations have the advantage that they can give a wannabe captain a ship to play with minimal effort. As ApplianceJunk wrote, many have found SMF from these auto installers after trying and seeing that they liked it.

Software is becoming more and more user friendly. This is good but also gives an illusion of strength and power that doesn't exist in real. We don't want to frighten people but they must also be informed that administration is something that needs training and knowledge, the experience will come later.

AngelinaBelle:
Thanks for working on this information.  There is some good stuff that could go in the wiki.

I would like to see it improved for several reasons
* The overall tone just sounds biased -- its like the opposite of advertising.
* as agridoc said, different types of problems are mixed together.
* as a "how-to" article, it does not present enough information about troubleshooting the problem.  How can a user know if the problem is really with the one-step installer, or if the problem is caused by limited permissions.
* It does not cover the cases given in the above testimonials -- one-click installs is a very easy way for newbies to get started with SMF.

医生唱片骑师 (I am sure I know you, but don't recognize your current username), please work on this.  It could be a good addition to the wiki.

Thank you for your help

Doctor Deejay:
Thanks for the suggestions all :) I don't know if I can improve this today, but I will improve it tomorrow :)


--- Quote ---医生唱片骑师 (I am sure I know you, but don't recognize your current username), please work on this.  It could be a good addition to the wiki.
--- End quote ---
I will do :) Oh btw, I'm Dr. Deejay :P

AngelinaBelle:
Of course you are! So many name and avatar changes. It is hard to keep up!

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