Добро пожаловать в мой новый блог, созданный на платформе Movable Type. Это первая запись, она была создана для меня автоматически, когда закончился процесс установки. Уже скоро я создам собственные записи!

Movable Type 4 installation step by step with screenshots

Quick instructions how to install Movable Type 4 publishing platform - step by step with screenshots!

The new and cool blog system is out - Movable Type 4, and i'm giving you short and clear instructions how to install that thingee. It's easy, trust me!

OK, here's what you do in order to get your MT4 blog up and running:

1. Server data
2. Download
3. Unzip
4. Upload
5. Chmod
6. Install
7. Configure
8. Log in ;)

1. Before you start,

Log into your hosting accound (your server admin panel) and create a new SQL database, copy database name, database username, database username password (and in some cases, if the 'database server' is not 'localhost' write it down too, as far as i know GoDaddy service has this issue). You will need that data to enter later installing you blog. Don't know how to get this data? Huh, ask a guru to help you, for example some geek-friend or e-mail your hosting provider, they will help.

2. Download Movable Type 4,

And make sure you've got the latest stable version of MT4, go to official website www.movabletype.com, go to "Download/Buy", click "Free Personal License" and choose the operating system you have (tar.gz for non-Windows folks, zip for Bill Gates fans) and select language you want your new shiny blog to be (i guess it's English). Don't forget to check the "I accept ..." bla bla (oh, you can read it to..). Now save that file to your computer.

3. Unzip that file,

It's about 11 mb in size when unzipped. That's OK, most of 'normal' hosting providers give you way more space than you'll ever need.
I suggest to use WinRar as a software for unzipping - it's quick and intuitive. Then you'll have a folder full of CGI files and other folders - this is the stuff you will upload to your hosting.

4. Now upload files

that are in this folder (something like "MT-4.0-en"). I use FileZilla for fast and easy FTP uploads, it's really cool soft! It supports drag-and-drop function, just log into your hosting server (the root directory "yoursite.com" or any other new directory, let's say "yoursite.com.com/blog/" ), select all files on you computer and drag'em over to server. If you don't have a broadband internet at home, it will take time to upload them eleven megabytes, so go and make some tea with cookies, would you.

5. Now chmod them files,

As you can read in the MT4 installation 'readme' file. Don't panic, 'chmod' is nothing else than just selecting files and changing properties.
You might have some problems with changing the properties of files if you server is in Pentagon or some place else where admin has put more than paranoia into security settings. If so - get in touch with your hosting provider and ask for instructions or permissions.

6. It's time to install,

Now enter you address where you uploaded files into your browser ("yoursite.com" or "yoursite.com/blog/" or whatever you did), it will bring up screen like this:

Wait some 5 or 10 seconds and it will automatically reload it to start your installation:

Now it will check is everything OK with your sever settings:

Now enter server data you have already (you have it, do you?..), and click 'test connection':

Wow, you did it, everything's OK with database, now proceed:

Now it asks for mail configuration, no problemo! Choose "sendmail" and enter YOURS e-mail so you can test if it works. Click 'send test email' and check you inbox. Now continue installation:
You're almost done. Configuration file is created and click 'continue':

7. Here you must create

your login data. You're the admin, so enter whatever you want to. Just make sure you dont misspell e-mail and remember password:
Next step you enter basic info about your blog. Name, URL - choose directory where you uploaded MT4 files, like "yoursite.com.com/blog/" (or leave only "yoursite.com" if you have no separate blog directory (delete the last part "/my-first-blog/" if it automatically shows up in URL and Publishing Path forms). You may also choose time zone. Now click "Finish install", click it!!

Something smart like this will show up:

And then it will tell you that installation is complete and you're done!

8. Now you can log in

By clicking 'sign in...", it will take you to admin area and here's where you start to explore Movable Type 4 blogging platform Movable Type admin dashboard is accessible anywhere by entering this URL - "www.yoursite.com/mt.cgi") .
Browse around, change some settings, check out cool templates it has by default, it's yours, play!

I've been using WordPress for a while, so i got curious about MT4 - is it worth to try it? Yes, it is. Is it better than WordPress? No, i'd say they're equal.

WordPress seems to have more plugins and templates, as a result of that big open source community that is involved in making of this blog platform. On the other hand, Movable Type 4 comes with some handy features already out-of-the-box, whereas on WordPress you have to install them as separate plug-ins.

You can get some bits of information about Movable Type 4 Beta .

Cheers,
Nakamura.

P.S. if the lazy monkey inside my head will not take over, i might post some more Movable Type 4 tips and tricks, feel free to bookmark me!