the questions: hosting website setup your account administration email uploading files website statistics domain registration website programs miscellaneous help

here are the answers! hosting account setup your account administration email uploading files domain registration website programs miscellaneous help

TibetBridges at HostGator

general hosting questions

1. Then what are some good hosting companies?
   There are many many, with many different options. So just like anything else that is powerful, you will still need to learn something to get the most out of it.
   Nobody can recommend a web host for you unless they know what you need and what your website needs.

   Some i have used myself, or heard good things about, are:

   TibetWebGuru.com (run by Tashi Samphel)

   LatengOnline.com (run by Tenzin Norsang of Phayul.com)

   BlueHost.com (tibetgov.net, worldbridges.info are here!)

   DreamHost.com (namgyalarchive.com and tibetanbridges.net are here)

   HostGator.com (tibetbridges.com, tibetangeeks.com, tibetanwomen.org, tchrd.org, and others are here, on TibetBridges)

   Here is a page comparing these hosting companies:
   http://tibetangeeks.com/technologies/web_development/web_hosting/web_hosting-compare.html
   
   You can find more comparisons and reviews through Google:
   http://www.google.com/#sclient=psy&hl=en&q=web+hosting+reviews&fp=83f87efc6f926f13
   Search google for 'web hosting' and see what is out there. Also search for 'web hosting reviews' and see what people have to say about them.
2. How do i transfer my website to a new host?
   Howto is here.
   Links to more info is here:
   http://tibetangeeks.com/technologies/web_development/web_hosting/moving_website-links.html

Website setup getting started

Your Account on TibetBridges at HostGator you're not done yet!

your dns and quotas

1. I have changed my dns, but i am not seeing my site at TibetBridges. What's wrong?

   This is probably due to what i call "lazy dns" at your ISP.

   ISPs keep a cache (storage) of DNS records, to save their bandwidth. I am guessing that your isp hasn't updated its DNS records yet, and that you are seeing a holding page at your registrar, or your website at the old host.

   One way to verify, is to go to DomainTools.com and check your site name in the "whois" and "dns" tools. It will show you the current dns records in real time.

   If all looks ok there (that is, your dns servers are showing up there as the ones you should have for TibetBridges), then the only thing to do is to wait about half an hour, and let your ISP update its cache. This means ... don't try to access your site doing that time! Because each time you do, your ISP keeps the old DNS record for longer.

   (Check out the three legs of a website and BleepingComputer tutorial to understand more how this works.)

2. What is bandwidth? What does it mean i am over bandwidth limit?

   "bandwidth" means how much kilobytes your account is receiving and sending.

   This means, how many pages (and images, and css files, and ... and ...) people are getting from your website, and also, how many files you are uploading to your site.

   We have to set a bandwidth limit on an account, because Jeff is paying for total bandwidth, and also to protect from hacking. So when we set up the account we estimate how much bandwidth you probably need, and are happy to raise the limit when your site gets more popular!

   However, if your are not being careful about the filesizes of your images or other media files, or if your site is being attacked, raising your bandwidth will not help.

   If you think you need more bandwidth, or you have received a notice that your bandwidth is approaching the limit, go here to find out how to check and protect your bandwidth.

   Then, if you are sure you need more, contact James telling what you have done to check your bandwidth, and how you are sure you really are getting more traffic. I can raise the limit for you.

communicating

1. Do i need to tell you if i shift my website to another host? Yes! Please please do.

   You don't have to sneak away! We are happy that you are finding the right hosting for you.
   And the thing is, there's no automatic way to know that a site has moved to another host. If you tell us, we can free up that space for someone else.
   Also, it saves me a lot of time — when i do notice a site is no more active, it takes a lot of checking and emailing to make sure it is really gone! After all, you don't want me to delete an account that is being used, right?

   Please contact James by email, phone, or through this form if you shift your site.
2. Should i tell you if new staff is doing the website? Yes! Please do.

   It often happens that there is staff turnover, and new staff doesn't get all the information about the website. Sooner or later something breaks, and they call me.
   This isn't useful! It is better if they can get all the info about the site at the beginning.
   Also the reason for providing hosting, is to teach people how to make better websites. So we need to be in contact to do that.

   Please contact James by email, phone, or through this form if you are leaving the site to new staff .. or if you are the new staff!

building your website Here's your place - now what can you build there?

1. How do i make a website? All websites are made with "code": html and css, sometimes javascript. So that's where we start.
   • There are many great websites for teach how to make the web. Just google "web development" or "building websites" or "html css" to find them.
   • Well, there are too many! :) So here's one starting point: http://tibetangeeks.com/technologies/web_development/
2. Wow this looks a lot harder than i thought!
   or: But i need my website finished in two weeks! Well yeah. Building websites is not easy. "That's why they pay us the big bucks" :)

   If it looks like you are in over your head, there are some other options for getting yourself a website:

   • Get someone to build it for you.
     There are a lot of people building websites. Their experience and abilities will vary, and so you still need to know something in order to pick a good one. Here are some Tibetans who build websites: http://tibetangeeks.com/geeks/tibetan_tech.html
   • Get a "blog" account such as at Blogger.com or WordPress.com.
     Let them worry about the html and css for you, while you use a nice WYSIWYG editor to write your web pages.
3. Will TibetBridges protect my website from getting hacked?

   Nope. You will!

   Again, it's just like having a room in a building. The building owner can make sure the walls are solid, and that there are doors, and bars on the windows. But if you don't lock your doors, or don't keep the bars closed, the monkeys can still get in! So in the end, protecting your website is up to you.

   • Here's how your website gets hacked, what happens to it, and things you can do.
   • A more complete website security checklist, at TibetanGeeks
4. What can i do to be sure my website gets hacked?!

   It's really easy. Just ...

   • Use easy passwords
   • Use the same password on many sites/accounts
   • Use MeSsIE for logging in to accounts
     (using MeSsIE at all, for anything!)
   • Use MSWindows

   Here's more ways your website gets hacked.

website administration

1. What is a "control panel"? cPanel? you can do great things for your site with your control panel Is it a CMS(content-management system)? Is it for uploading files? Your website "control panel" can be called a "Web Site Management System" or a "Site Management Program".

   To start with, you can see the status of your account: how much disk space you are using, Then – you can make subdomains, mail ids to forward, do backups, password-protect directories on your website, see how many people are viewing your web pages, etc.

   There are different control panel programs. "cPanel" and "Plesk" are two of the most used. Dreamhost has its own control panel program they built themselves.

   • Cpanel help:
     At the bottom of the left column of your Cpanel, "Documentation", click on "Click to view".
   • See more about control panels here
   • Using CPanel - Questions and Answers:
     http://support.hostgator.com/categories/cpanel
   • Using CPanel - Video tutorials:
     http://support.hostgator.com/articles/cpanel/cpanel-video-tutorials
2. Should i / Can i use https to access my cPanel? Yes! Always. Don't give your p*sw*d and precious site information away to the the bad guys.
   • Access your cPanel like this: http://yourdomain.org/securecpanel
     (Not like this: http://yourdomain.org/cpanel)
     Then you will be redirected to https://yourdomain.org:2083/
     See the "s" in https? — Now the connection is encrypted, and hackers can't read your password and other info through the connection.
   • OR
     go directly like this: https://yourdomain.org:2083/
   • You will get a "certificate warning" the first time you do that — that's ok — accept the certificate permanently, and it won't bother you again. why?
   • Other ways to access cPanel with https: http://support.hostgator.com/articles/cpanel/secure-cpanel-login
3. Can you raise my disk quota? I can, but first make sure you really need it, and also that your account is really full of files that you want. Since someone is paying for this hosting, disk space given to you, means less space for someone else! If you really need a lot of space, it is probably time to consider getting your own web hosting.
   1. Check for unused files in your home directory and your web directories.
      You can see your files and directories with
      • Your file upload program
      • Your cPanel → Files section → Disk Space Usage
        Don't forget to check your home directory!
   2. Do you really use all the files that are there?
      If not: Delete them from the server. (Download the ones you want, of course!)
   3. Are you sure all files are your files?
      Sometimes a hacker will attack your site by breaking in and filling up your disk with files, or with some malware that will hurt your users. So again, make sure that all the files are being used by your site.
   4. Make sure that you don't have mailboxes filling up with spam!
      You shouldn't be receiving any email at your account here, it should all be forwarded to some other account, such as your gmail account.

   Then, when you are sure you have only the files you really use on your site, and you really need more disk space, please contact James. and i'm happy to fix you up!

4. Who is responsible to back up my website? You are!
   • This includes your html files, any php files or databases, any mail list archives — anything that is part of your account.
   • The hosting provider does backups as a courtesy only. You should always keep your own backups. It is your information!
   • Your cPanel has a nice function to do backups, See the "Backup" icon.
5. Can i have shell access? Shell access is available. HostGator charges $10 for each shell account. You can transfer online to Jeff through PayPal, or give to me and i can transfer it to him. Then I will make the request to HostGator for shell for your account. Contact me if you want shell access.
6. Can i have shell access? Sorry, we aren't able to do shell access on a subdomain.
7. How do i make server-side includes (SSI) work on my website? You do this through your cPanel:

   Step one: Get to the setup page:

   In your web browser, go to the cPanel for your site (http://yoursite.tld/cpanel) and log in.

   Scroll down to the "Advanced" section, and click on the "Apache Handlers" icon

   Step two: Do it

   A little form will come up.
   Notice some text underneath the words
   "System Defined handlers":

   One line says .cgi .pl   cgi-script
   Next line says .shtml   server-parsed

   Look back up a bit, at the form boxes underneath the words
   "Extension(s) Handler".

   In the first box, type .html
   In the second box (to the right) type server-parsed

   Click on "Add"

   Check the result: notice that those two words you typed will now appear underneath the '.shtml' line.

   Step three: Put some SSI on a page on your site, and reload it.

   Your server-side includes should now work!

   Explanation:

   These are called "apache handlers" because the server, named apache, "handles" the server side includes.

   The line that says .cgi .pl   cgi-script means that files ending in .cgi or .pl will be run as programs (cgi scripts).

   The line saying .shtml   server-parsed means that files ending in .shtml will be looked at by apache, to see if there are any server-side include lines inside. That is: apache has to *parse* the file.

   You have now told apache that you want it to look at (or "parse") all files ending in .html as well as .shtml.

   Want to know more?

   Cpanel help:

   • At the bottom of the left column of your Cpanel, "Documentation", click on "Click to view".
     In the left column navigation of that new page, click to open the "How do i use Cpanel" section, and scroll down to "Apache handlers".

   Other sites:

   • http://httpd.apache.org/docs/howto/ssi.html will tell you all about server-side includes.
   • http://httpd.apache.org/docs/handler.html will tell you all about apache handlers.

8. How do i make server-side includes (SSI) work on my subdomain site? Just use includes

   Your site should already be set up to enable SSI.

9. How do i find out how many people are looking at my website?

    

   1. In Cpanel, scroll down to the "Logs" section, and click on "Awstats"

   2. You will then see a list, with your domain, and subdomains if you have any.

   3. Click on the little next to the domain you want to see the stats for. (I am always wanting to click on the domain name text, silly me.)

   4. You will find many interesting things besides just how many people are looking at your site – You can see what pages they look at the most, what countries they are (maybe) coming from, what browser they were using, on what site they found your site, even what they were searching for in Google that brought them to your site!

   Want to know more?

   •  
     cPanel Video Tutorials – At the top of your cPanel page, in the "Preferences" section.
   • cPanel Text Tutorials and documentation – At the very bottom of your Cpanel page, click on the link "Documentation".
     Click on the second item in the main frame of that page, "CPanel User Guide", (which is presently at http://docs.cpanel.net/twiki/bin/view/AllDocumentation/CpanelDocs/WebHome)

   Other statistics services:

   • Google Webmaster Tools
   • Google Analytics
   • If you are using a CMS such as WordPress or Joomla, there will often be a plug-in that will give you nice statistics for your site. Search in the website for your CMS, or, of course, Google.

10. How do i find out how many people are looking at my subdomain site?
    • You can use a service like Google Webmaster Tools
    • If you are using a CMS such as WordPress or Joomla, there will often be a plug-in that will give you nice statistics for your site. Search in the website for your CMS, or, of course, Google.
11. Will my site be visible inside China?

    Probably not.

    As much as we wish it could be, it is beyond our control. The PRC government blocks sites, and even entire hosting companies, that have things they don't want their people to see.

    TibetBridges is on a large shared server, and if even part of it is unacceptable to China, the entire IP number block can't be seen in China.

    If it is really critical that your website be seen in China, you probably need to get your own "dedicated server" hosting account, with your own IP nunber ... and even then it's not guaranteed.

email and mail lists

1. How do i make email accounts?

   The best way:

   • The best way we've found to handle mail, is to have one or more mail accounts at a real email provider, such as RiseUp.net, (Gmail and Yahoo will work, but they have privacy and security issues), and then make forwarders through cPanel, and alternate identities at the target mail, so that you can write email using the forwarder address.
   • How to add a forwarder:
     • In your cPanel, go the "Mail" section, and then "Forwarders."
     • In the first section, "Email Account Forwarders", click on "Add forwarder".
     • In the next screen, put the address you want people to use. For example, if you put info, then the forwarder will be info@yourdomain.org
     • Then in "Forward to email address:", put the address where you want the mail to end up, for example: myname@riseup.net
     • Then click "Add Forwarder"
     • The email will go to the address you gave. You don't have to do anything there to make it receive it.
   • But, we would also like to send the mail using that forwarder address, as an "alternate identity." Go here to see how.

   Other ways:

   • If you think you really need a mail account on your hosting, in your cPanel, go the "Mail" section, and then "Email Accounts."
     Some things to remember:
     • Email will use up some of your disk quota. Probably a *lot* of your disk quota.
     • We can't give more disk quota if the only purpose for the increase is mail.
     • Whenever you move the site to new hosting, you will need to move the mail also.
   • Another way to handle email is at Google Apps This can be very useful if you want to tie your people's emails in with Google Calendar, Docs, and other apps. But there are also some things to think about before you choose this.
2. How do i send email from from some other account, like my Gmail or Thunderbird, so that it looks like coming from my domain (like "From: info@mydomain.org")?
   This is done by:
   1. In your mail client, (such as Yahoo, Gmail, Thunderbird, Outlook Express — wherever you get your mail) find the option to set up "alternate identities" or "other accounts" or some similar name.
      Add your domain mail address there, and whatever information your mail client needs.

      Some clients, such as Gmail, will test the address to make sure it belongs to you, by sending mail to it. You will reply to the mail from your mail client since it is forwarded to there. Then Gmail (or whatever service it is) will know you own that mail id.
      So you need to set this up *before* you delete the accounts at tibetbridges.

      Then you will be able to choose that address for sending your mail from.

   2. Then in my mail client, don't i have to use TibetBridges server to send the mail?

      No. Your mail client is using the mail server of its main mail account.

      When you do it from Thunderbird it is just the same as doing it in Gmail ... it is not a real account, and it doesn't use TibetBridge's mail (smtp) server. You set it up as a "virtual account" or "alternate identity" or whatever they call it in the app. And you are using the same mail (smtp) server that you would be using for your main mail account in your Thunderbird (or Eudora, or Outlook Express, or ...).

3. How do i set up at Google Apps (or some other service) for my email?

   (Note: using Google Apps fully for everyone involved in the website, means that everyone has to have a Gmail account. Also, there are security and privacy concerns in using Gmail and Google Apps. Just so you know.)

   Ok, so you really want to use Google Apps! Here's how:

   1. You: get an account at the service, (such as at Google Apps)
   2. You: Download or POP any mail you already have at your account at TibetBridges
      cPanel → → Email Accounts → Do NOT make any email accounts here.
      If you have any mail accounts there from the past:
      1. If you have past email from these accounts, and you want it, download those mails.
      2. Then delete all accounts. You don't have any "real" mail accounts on TibetBridges when you have your domain email handled elsewhere.
   3. Me: chang the "MX record" for your account at TibetBridges so that all your domain mail goes to the new service.
   4. Detailed how-to is here
4. How do i make mail lists?
   • In your cPanel, go the "Mail" section, and then "Mailing Lists."
   • Remember that mail lists archives will use up some of your disk quota.
   • One good place to get mail lists is at Riseup.net
   • Another way is with Google Groups or Yahoo Groups . . . but . . . then all the people on your list have to have a gmail or yahoo email address.
     And ...
5. What is something to think about when using Gmail, Yahoo mail, Google Apps, Google Groups, Yahoo Groups, FaceBook, ...?
   • All your email, documents, everything, is in their databases. That's how it works.
     But anything can happen in future to your info in their databases.
   • They are known to violate people's privacy.
   • They cooperate with totalitarian governments in violating human rights and contributing to imprisonments and torture. More info is here.

uploading files to the website

1. How do i upload files to my website?

   We send our files to our website with a "file upload program".

   (This is actually the easiest part of making a website!)

   The file upload program is usually an "FTP program", and there are many programs that can do this. Some of these are FileZilla, CuteFTP, or Voyager for Windows, CyberDuck for Macintosh, FileZilla or GFTP for Linux.

2. What is "FTP"? "Filezilla"? What is "WinSCP"?

   These are some programs to upload your web files to your website. (There are many others.)

   FTP program: Usually you would use an "ftp program" like FileZilla, CuteFTP, or Voyager.

   • Remember that the login name must include the domain name: myname@mydomain.tld.
   • After you log in, you will be in your web directory.
   • Now just drag and drop to upload your files.

   SCP or SFTP: If you have shell access, you can use an "scp program" like WinSCP, or the 'sftp' mode of an ftp program such as Filezilla. (These are both secure ways to send your files, that don't show your password or your data to hackers on the line.)

   • For the 'hostname' or 'server', type in your domain name.
   • The login name and password are the ones given for your website account.
   • (You were given some additional info when your account was created.)
   • When you log in, you will see the "home directory". This is NOT the website. Click on 'public_html' to get to the website directory.
   • Now just drag and drop to upload your files.
   • Learn more about using WinSCP at the WinSCP FAQ.

3. My ftp account is not working with winscp (or other scp program)

   Your ftp account is not working in scp because it is not an scp account. It is an ftp account.

   Only the main (site owner) (cpanel) account, with shell enabled, is able to use scp. This is because scp needs a unix shell to work. And only the main account can have a unix shell,

4. Are there other ways to send files to the website?
   • At the command line, you can use one of these:
     scp (unix), pscp (mswindows), or ftp (unix and mswindows).
   •  
     With a main hosting account, is also possible to edit and upload files through the Cpanel "File Manager", but that is usually too slow and not efficient.
5. What is the command in putty to upload files?

   Sorry, putty can't upload files!

   Putty is an ssh program – its purpose is to connect your keyboard to the remote system. All the comands you type then, occur on the remote system. That's all it does, and it does it really well. But it can't transfer files from one system to another.

   While you are connected to a remote system through Putty, you can use commands such as ftp or scp to transfer files to another remote system.
   You can't transfer files back to your own Windows system because Windows doesn't know how to do that, unless you get an ssh server ... (and if you're thinking about that ... you are already beyond this question ... :)

6. I uploaded my files to my website, but i don't see them in the browser!

   Check the following things first!

   If you are the site owner: If you uploaded your files into your "home directory", you can't see them on the web.

   When you use an scp or ftp program to upload your files, it will first show you your "home directory".

   • You will see two folders in your home directory called www and public_html. (The first is just a shortcut to the second.)
   • So — change into one of those directories, and upload your files there.
   • (If you did accidentally upload files into your home directory, you may want to delete those. They will apply to your disk space quota. Also they may confuse you the next time you are uploading files.)

   If you are not the site owner (that is, you are an ftp user, or have a subdomain):

   You may have just uploaded them into the wrong directory! Look in the other directories, and try again.

   For everyone:

   1. Look around the window of your file upload program, and read the error messages, they will really help you!
   2. Check in the "server-side" window of your ftp program.
      • Can you see the files there that you uploaded?
      • Are they in the directory that you meant them to be? (that is, the same directory that you are looking for them in the browser?)
      • Are the permissions on the files ok? (This shouldn't be a problem, but if you've tried everything else, it's worth checking.) For example, in Filezilla, look in the next-to-last column on the "server-side" window: files should be rw-r--r--.
   3. "Shift-reload" - Force your browser to really reload (refresh) the pages: Hold down the shift key while you press F5 or Ctrl-R, or while you click on the reload/refresh button.

   If you are still having problems, contact me and we'll figure it out. (I will need these things to be able to help.)

7. The server is down! I can't upload my files! There are different things that could cause this problem. Read the error messages, they are put there to explain what is going wrong.
   • If the error message says something like "cannot connect" or "server is not responding":
     check if your internet connection is working. It is very unlikely that your site is down ... if it is, HostGator itself is down! (And i doubt that :)
   • If the error message says something like "authentication failed":
     then the server is up, and your ftp program is connecting. There is something wrong with the username and/or password:
     • So – check that you typed (or pasted) the username and password correctly.
     • If you are using an ftp account created in the Cpanel (this includes subdomain accounts), remember that your full login name includes your domain name.
       Example: If your ftp account is 'myname' and your domain is 'bigwebsite.org', your ftp login name is myname@bigwebsite.org.
     • If you have only an ftp account, and are trying to use an scp program (like WinSCP) – that won't work. You need to use an ftp program (like Filezilla).
     • If you are using an scp program (like WinSCP) remember that there was additional security information sent to you in email.
   • If you are still having problems, contact me and we'll figure it out. (I will need these things to be able to help.)
8. I can log in with ftp, but i don't see any file listings.

   The ftp program must be set to "passive".

   (It usually is already set that way, so this rarely happens.)

   • In Filezilla or other graphical ftp program, check your settings.
   • In command-line ftp, type pasv

9. How do i make another account that can upload files?

   This is called an "ftp account".

   It is more secure to have one or more ftp accounts to be used for uploading files to a website: showme
   
   Here's how to make an ftp account:

   • In your main cPanel → "Files" section → click on the "FTP Accounts" icon
   • In the first section, "Add FTP Account":
     1. User name: Make an account name
     2. Password: with a nice secure password.
     3. Folder path/name: The next box will give you a place to type in the directory for the account — to point to only where you want that person to have access. more
        cPanel will create a folder with that name, if it doesn't exist already.
        Examples -
        • An account for uploading to the main website:
          make the directory be www
        • An account for uploading to the images folder:
          make the directory be www/images
        (You can leave the box empty if you want them to be able to upload files everywhere on the website - probably not a good idea!)
     4. Disk Quota: Give a nice amount of space as quota. You can always raise it if needed. Unlimited quota?
   • Examples of ftp accounts:
     See the "Account Management" section lower down on the cpanel FTP accounts page.
   • Remember that their ftp login will be the username you typed in, together with your domain name, like this: username@yourdomain.tld
     username by itself won't work!
   • Remember that they can't use SFTP on this account — it will have to be plain FTP (the only drawback).
   • Remember not to send them their ftp account info in an email!

domain registration More information about how registration, dns, and hosting work is here

1. How do i register a domain name?

   There are many official "registrars" throughout the world where you can register your domain name. You register through a form on their website, and pay online. It is all online, and all automatic!

   All registrars are not the same, some are better than others. You pay for what you get. My favorite safe, secure, and efficient registrar is Register4less

   More information about registration and hosting is at TibetanGeeks.com - Three Legs of a Website

2. I don't know where my domain is registered! You are the technical person. Why can't you tell me?

   Domain registration is not a technical matter. Just like paying your office rent is not a construction matter! It is a business matter: It records who owns the domain name. So you keep those records with your other important papers. I am not your business person, and i don't keep those records. I only know about web technical things!

   There are many websites which have a tool called "whois". You can enter your domain name and find out where it is registered (and other info). One good one is domaintools.com

3. I don't know my domain registration password! You helped me register it. Why can't you tell me?

   I showed you how to register domain names, so that you would have the power. The information about your domain is yours. Just like a worker may help you build your office. But he does not have the key! So you keep those records with your other important papers.

   If you have lost your record of your password, you can go the registrar website and fill out a "lost password" form there, or contact them.

website programs

general questions

1. How do i install programs like CMS, chat or forums?
   1. The program will usually need a database.
      • If you have your own domain, you set up the database in your cPanel.
        Go here for excellent instructions on how to set up a database: http://helpdesk.bluehost.com/index.php/kb/article/000006
        (This is from BlueHost, but all CPanels are the same.)
      • If your site is a subdomain (you don't have your own hosting), contact me to set up the database for you.
   2. Download the program from its home website, and unzip them on your own machine.
   3. Upload those unzipped files to your site.
   4. In your web browser, go to the url where you uploaded the program files. There will be a page to help you configure the program.
   5. Note: you will really need to know more to install and use the programs. To get help and support for the programs, go to the website shown in the information about the program.
2. What about this "Fantastico" thing for installing web programs (on my own domain)?

   Yes, you can install web programs through the Cpanel. In the cPanel, click on one of the icons as explained below, and then follow the instructions it will give you:

   Fifth row:	Chatroom, PHP Chat, and Bulletin Board are three programs you can install on your website.
   Last row	Fantastico	installs many other programs on your website.

   BUT:
   1) You may not be able to update the program, extensions and other things may not work properly, etc.
   So it is usually better to install the programs "manually", that is, by uploading and configuring the programs files.
   2) You still need to know more to install and use the programs.

   To get help and support for the programs, go to the website shown in the information about the program.

3. I can't remember my admin password to my gallery / photos / etc web program.

   If your program was installed manually:

   Go to the admin section of the program – there is probably a link somewhere which will send the password to your email address, or have you go through some procedure in order to change the password.

   If your program was installed through "Fantastico":

   Log in to your Cpanel, then go to Fantastico and your web program to the part where you can "change password", and change it.

programming

1. Can i install a program that i wrote?

   Yes of course

   Just upload your program files.

   If your program needs a database, see answer above.

2. Can i change configuration for PHP?

   Yes – there's two ways to do this:

   Make a php.ini file, and upload it to your public_html directory. The settings here will be added to the site-wide php.ini, so you can add or override settings in this custom file.

   OR

   Use cPanel → EzConfig tool to make the change

3. Will you help me debug my web program?

   I will be happy to, since what i am here for is to teach. I will need these things — you can send to me in an email or contact me.

database

1. How do i make a database on my domain? In your cPanel:
   1. Scroll down to the "Database" section.
   2. Click the first icon, "MySQL databases".
   3. Now there are three steps to creating the database:
      1. Create the database
      2. Create a user with password
      3. Add the user to the database
   (Note that you can't make a database in the phpMyAdmin on your domain, like you do on your local machine. You have to make it in the cPanel.)
2. How do i make a database on my subdomain? Just email or contact me and let me know you want a database

   I will need to know what it is for, and username/password you want.

   We can discuss this over phone or Skype, and i can set it up right away.

3. I tried to make a database in my cPanel, but it won't let me. The most likely problem is, that you have used up your allowed databases.

   If you look on the left column in your cPanel, you will see what you are allowed to do on your website. You will see that "MySQL Databases" is set to a minimum. This is because web programs and databases open a security risk into the server. So we want to keep track of who is doing them.

   Just email or contact me and let me know you need another database, and what it is for. I can change your quota right away.

4. I tried to make a database in PHPMyAdmin, but it won't let me. Yup. You can't do that there. You can't make a database in the phpMyAdmin on your domain, like you do on your local machine. You have to make it in the cPanel.
5. My program is giving error when it tries to connect to the database. It could be one of several reasons – So first thing to check is, exactly what error is it giving?
   • In php, you can set your program to show errors. error_reporting(E_ALL) is one of your best friends. See what it says, your answer is there!
   • Is the password correct?
     • If you made a good, secure, password, it would have capital and lowercase letters, numbers, and punctuation. So it is easy to make a mistake when typing in this kind of password!
     • If you pasted the password into your program, make sure you didn't accidentally include a space in front of or after the password.
   • Is the db username correct?
     • It will be something like yourdomain_username.
     • You created it in the cPanel, like username, but then the cpanel puts yourdomain_ in front of it (so that it will be unique!).
   • Is the server name correct?
     • The server name should be localhost
     • Yes, that's right ... the same as when you are connecting to database on your own machine!
     • This is because every machine in the world, is localhost to itself. Just like every person in the world is me to themself.
     • Your program is on the TibetBridges server. And the database is on the TibetBridges server. So, your program still connects to the database at localhost.

CMS programs

1. What is a CMS?

   CMS is short for "Content Management System".

   It is a program that lives on your web server, and makes it easier to add web pages.

   However, like anything powerful, the program itself is more complicated to install and maintain.

   There is more about CMS programs at TibetanGeeks.com

2. Which CMS is better: WordPress, Joomla, Drupal, ... ?

   Again, like anything powerful, it is diffcult to say which is "better". It depends on what you need, and even on what your personal likes are.

   So again, there's no escape from learning some things, so you can find out what you need ... and what you like.

   Some ways to compare CMSs, at TibetanGeeks.com

   (I like WordPress. A lot.)

3. How do i upgrade my (Joomla, Wordpress, ...)?

   WordPress can be upgraded through the admin page.
   Joomla needs to be upgraded manually (uploading the new files).
   Other CMS may have different ways.

   Fantastico (in the Cpanel) provides a way to do upgrades - BUT

   when i tried it i had some problems. Did a google, and apparently it is some problem in Fantastico upgrade scripts.
   So i wouldn't recommend upgrading through Fantastico.

   So bottom line is, you need to consult the documentation for your CMS.

   • You should always do upgrades. They fix security problems, as well as add features.
   • You should always back up your database and customised files, before doing the upgrade. Most of the time everything will go fine. But if the rare problem happens ... you will still be ok, after restoring.
4. How can i find out more about how to use CMSs?

   CMSs are great, but like all powerful things it takes some learning and exploring to be good at them.

   • The documentation that comes installed with your CMS. You will see a link to it in your admin page.
   • The documentation and other helpful resources at the home page for your CMS.
   • Search Google: there are many great websites supporting the major CMSs.
   • Some starting points and links pages are at TibetanGeeks.com

5. Will TibetBridges protect my CMS from getting hacked?

   We wish we could! But you know what?
   The main things that start the process of a website getting hacked are,

   • easy passwords
   • viruses on Windows computers

   And, i'm sorry to say, both those things are in the hands of the web developer — this means you.

   • Here's how your website gets hacked, what happens to it, and things you can do.
   • A more complete website security checklist, at TibetanGeeks

Gallery

1. What is Gallery?

   Gallery is a specialised CMS for "photo galleries" or "photo album organizer" program

   • It can be used for a small photo gallery, or for a very big one with many photos.
   • It can be set up to use many languages.
   • You can change Gallery in many ways: how it looks, the kinds of things it does.
   • It is fairly easy to use, and there is much help online for it.

2. Which Gallery is better: version 1 or version 2?

   Overall, version 2 is "better". It will be the one going on into the future.
   but Gallery v1 is perfectly fine.

   For the purposes of most of our websites, version 1 may actually be better for you to use right now, because:

   v2 needs a MySQL database — Most of us don't need that complication.

   v1 does useful things that v2 doesn't do yet.

   v1 has lots of languages and v2 doesn't have them yet.

   Here is a summary of the differences:

   1. Database: Gallery v2 uses a MySQL database. So it's a little more complicated to set up and to back up.
   2. Very large albums: Gallery v2 is better if your gallery is going to be really large - thousands of photos. (Most of us don't have galleries that large, so not a problem.)
   3. Interface (how you do things): In Gallery v2 the whole interface has changed. It is very good, but it is different. So it will take a little time to relearn how to do things.
   4. Install and configure: Gallery v2 is easier to configure. BUT – you don't have all the options (yet) that you do in Gallery v1.
   5. 'hidden images' and 'hidden albums': You can do these with Gallery v1. Gallery v2 will do this, later.
   6. Themes: Gallery v2 has much nicer designs.
   7. Voting: Only Gallery v1 has voting. Gallery v2 will do this, later. (Most of us don't use this feature in our galleries, so it doesn't matter.)
   8. Languages: "G1 and G2 both fully support alternate languages. G1 has an extensive set of languages available already, fully translated and ready to go. G2 is a little worse off in this regard, with only a few translations fully done, more fairly done and a lot that are mostly not done. Fortunately, all it takes is someone who speaks both languages and has some time. Maybe you could help?"
   9. The future: Eventually (a year or two?) Gallery v2 will be the only one. Gallery v1 will go away.

   There is a full comparison of the two at codex.gallery2.org/index.php/G1-G2_Comparison There is a nice chart at the end, showing features side-by-side.

3. How do i upgrade my Gallery to the new version?

   It is recommended to migrate manually,

   Directions are at codex.gallery2.org/index.php/Gallery2:migration
   If it looks like a foreign language to you, contact me and i will help you learn how to do it.

   Fantastico (in the Cpanel) provides a way to do this upgrade - BUT

   when i tried it i had some problems. Did a google, and apparently it is some problem in Fantastico upgrade scripts.

   Install or upgrade through CVS: (Advanced way)

   The best way to install Gallery and stay up to date if you have shell access to your webserver is to use CVS.

   $ cvs -d:pserver:anonymous@cvs.sf.net:/cvsroot/gallery login
   (if it asks for a password, just hit enter)

   $ cvs -d:pserver:anonymous@cvs.sf.net:/cvsroot/gallery co gallery2

   SourceForge's CVS connection can be slow at times. But this approach is great because then any time you want to update your Gallery install all you have to do is do:
   $ cd gallery2
$ cvs update -Pd

4. How can i find out more about how to use Gallery?

   Gallery is a great program, but like all powerful things it takes some learning and exploring to be good at it.

   • A complete manual for gallery is installed with your Gallery.

   To find it, log in as administrator and look at the top row of icons. You will see a blue icon "i" with the words "documentation".

   If you wish you can download all the files in that directory to read offline!

   • Many helpful resources are at codex.gallery2.org/index.php/Main_Page
   • The FAQ for Gallery v1 is at codex.gallery2.org/index.php/Gallery1:FAQ
   • The FAQ for Gallery v2 is at codex.gallery2.org/index.php/Gallery2:FAQ

phpBB

1. What is phpBB?

   phpBB is a free "message board" or "bulletin board" program.

   “phpBB is a high powered, fully scalable, and highly customizable Open Source bulletin board package. phpBB has a user-friendly interface, simple and straightforward administration panel, and helpful FAQ.”

   • phpBB has many features for doing many things.
   • It can be used for a small message board, or for a very big one with many topics.
   • It can be set up to use a language other than English.
   • You can change phpBB in many ways: how it looks, the kinds of things it does.
   • It is fairly easy to use, and there is much help online for it.

2. How can i find out more about phpBB?

   The website for phpBB is www.phpbb.com

   A list of many helpful resources is at www.phpbb.com/support/

   Especially useful are

   • the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) at www.phpbb.com/support/documents.php?mode=faq
   • and the User Guide documentation at www.phpbb.com/support/guide/

miscellanous other things

1. What does "tld" mean? What is "yourdomain.tld"?

   "tld" means "Top Level Domain" (like .com, .org, etc.).

   "yourdomain.tld" is just a shorthand way to say: "use your own domain name here".

2. What is a "domain" or "domain name"?

   The domain is main web address of a site. For example, the domain of this site is tibetbridges.com

   It's like a building, which may have many homes and shops in it.

3. What is a "subdomain"?

   A subdomain is like a section of a domain, which can act as its own website. For example, the main TibetBridges website is at www.tibetbridges.com, and this faq is at help.tibetbridges.com.

   Here www and help are subdomains.

   It's like different people's rooms or shops in a building.

4. What does "faq" mean?

   "faq" means "Frequently Asked Questions".

5. My cPanel icons don't look like the ones you show here. or, My cPanel features aren't where you describe them.

   There are different versions of cPanel, and also different "skins".

   So your cPanel may be arranged differently, and the icons may be different.

   So if you're not seeing what i am describing, just use your good brain and see what you can find!

6. I want my website to be really good, but i don't want to have to learn all these things. Why can't some program just do everything for me?

   No problem! Choose any or all:    1    2    3    4    5

here is some more help

Plato, who wrote one of the original manuals on living life and on the working of the mind, says,

"...Then anyone who leaves behind him a written manual, and likewise anyone who receives it, in the belief that such writing will be clear and certain, must be exceedingly simple-minded..."

I shall continue to be simple-minded, to try to be clear, to hope that all of you care as much about the web and about your own websites as we do, and to hope that you want to learn as much as you can about them.