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Last week we posted a quick video tutorial entitled, “Installing WordPress In 40 Seconds.” A few of you folks emailed in asking if there was something similar for Movable Type, so I decided to make one. With this script, you can have the latest version of Movable Type installed on your server in just 3 steps.
Things you’ll need:
- SSH Server Access
- SSH Client
If you need an SSH Client, on Windows machines I recommend PuTTY. It’s less than 1MB and doesn’t even need installation. If you are on Linux or Macintosh, you are fortunate enough to have a Terminal built right in. Now connect to your web server and login. Then browse to the folder of the domain you wish to install Movable Type. For the rest, just watch the video below!
The Code From Video:
wget http://skatter.com/files/2009/09/mtinstall.sh
chmod 700 mtinstall.sh
./mtinstall.sh
That’s just about it. Movable Type should have been installed to the proper location. Just follow wizard Movable Type provides in the web interface to configure your database settings. Once complete, you should be setup and ready to blog with Movable Type!
Links: MovableType.org | Official Install Steps
Video: Watch on Vimeo
This will work great for those using Media Temple as their host, since they don’t have a 1-Click App for Movable Type.
Quite helpful. I’ve been automating my local installs for quite some time. Here’s a few links to resources for more complex install scripts:
Shell Script Installer
Movable Type Bleeding Edge Updates Via Subversion
I’ve made quite a few updates since publishing the above. I should update with my most recent code.
It should be noted that you’ve made a few assumptions… that permissions are such that MT is able to write the mt-config.cgi file, the location of various directories, that the server has all the necessary perl modules, etc.
Thanks Beau,
I was going to add the chmod permissions to the script and a few other minor modifications, but couldn’t figure out which things need to be changed. It all seemed to work just fine on both servers I tested it on. What changes do you suggest I make to this script to make it work better, without compromising on simplicity?
Are you looking for simplicity or speed?
Does simplicity mean a short, easy to read and understand script?
If your requirement is that the user has SSH/Shell access, then “simple” can possibly be a little more advanced than what the novice user may desire.
I would prefer an instal script which:
prompts me for individual variables (offering default values)
then summarizes what the script is about to do
provides me with an option to proceed or abort
ability to configure mt-config.cgi
checking to see if files/directories to be created are already exist (error-checking during prompts)
offering choice between common install
Something like this:
$ ./mt_install.sh
--- VERSION ---------------------------------------------------------
Install MTOS 4.31? (y/n) [y]: n
MT package url [http://www.movabletype.org/downloads/stable/MTOS-4.31-en.tar.gz]: http://movabletype.org/downloads/betas/MT-5.0b2-en.zip
Directory to install MT [/cgi-bin/]: http://my-awesome-site.com/cgi-bin/
Create "mt" alias to this version of MT in install directory? (y/n) [y]:
Web root directory [/]: http://my-awesome-site.com/
Alias or move mt-static directory to web root directory? (alias/move) [alias]:
Create MT config file? (y/n) [y]:
--- CONFIGURATION ---------------------------------------------------------
CGI path to MT [/cgi-bin/mt/]:
StaticWebPath [/mt-static]:
Database type (mysql/sqlite/postgresql) [mysql]:
Database name [mt]:
Database host [localhost]:
Database user: mt
Database password? : asdfasdf
--- READY TO INSTALL ---------------------------------------------------------
Perform installation? (y/n) [y]:
* Downloading "http://movabletype.org/downloads/stable/MTOS-4.31-de.zip"...
* Decompressing MT archive...
* Moving MT to install directory...
* Creating alias...
* Aliasing mt-static to web root...
--- INSTALL COMPLETE ---------------------------------------------------------
Edit mt-config.cgi in vi? (y/n) [n]:
Visit http://my-awesome-site.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt.cgi to finish installation. Enjoy!
Even better?
An upgrade script which installs specified new version and copies all non-stock files, folders, plugins from old install to new install!
Noticed error previously submitted link. Correct link: Shell Script Installer
Nice tutorial Sahas!
You may like to know that you could evaluate movable type even before deciding to install it or not.
Check out http://www.movabletypedemo.org/
Be not angry that you cannot make others as you desire them to be, since you cannot sign yourself as you long to be