These are instructions for people
using Unix or Linux servers

These are instructions for people using Unix or Linux servers

Before You Begin You Will Need

  1. A copy of the UBB zip file downloaded from Scriptkeeper.com
  2. Unzipping software such as WinZip
  3. An FTP Client such as WS_FTP, Leap or CuteFTP
  4. Any CGI FAQ from your web host [please read it completely before starting.
  1. Unzip the UBB Files on Your Computer

    Use your unzipping software to unzip the ubb file into a folder on your desktop or in a location you can find again easily. If you are unzipping on your own Linux or Unix machine, use the -a switch [i.e. unzip -a ubb550.zip].

    When you have finished you should have a folder containing 4 sub-folders called cgi-bin, Members, NonCGI and variable_files

  2. Log onto Your Web Server

    Open your FTP client and log into your web server with the hostname, username and password your Internet provider has given you. Look at the list of files or directories your find there.

    Look for the directory where your web pages are stored. You may already be in this directory if you find files called index.html or home.html. You *may* have to look in directories call www, htdocs or public_html to find where the web pages are stored. If in doubt ask your ISP Customer Support service.

    If there is a directory called cgi-bin or cgi-local remember where it is because you will come back to it later. If your web provider CGI FAQ requires you to use a certain directory for your scripts, find it and note the location. You will come back to it later.

  3. Upload the cgi-bin Scripts

    Use your FTP program to find the cgi-bin, cgi-local or the directory your web host requires for CGI scripts. Click to open this directory.

    If there is no such directory anywhere, create one called cgi-bin now in the main web directory. Use the FTP client to CHMOD this CGI directory 755 [owner rwx, group r-x, others r-x] now.

    Click to open it the CGI directory and set your FTP client to ASCII mode. Upload the contents of the unzipped cgi-bin folder on your computer. Select all the files you have uploaded and chmod them 755 with your FTP Client.

  4. Upload the Variables Files

    Upload the contents of the variables files to the same cgi directory as above. You must set your FTP client to upload the files in ASCII mode.

    Select all 4 of the variables files you have uploaded [UltBB.setup, Styles.file, forums.cgi, mods.file] and chmod them 777 with your FTP Client [owner rwx, group rwx, others rwx]

  5. Create a Members Directory and Upload Files

    Inside the CGI directory create a directory called Members [spelled exactly]. Click to select it and right click to find the option to chmod it 777 [owner rwx, group rwx, others rwx]. This directory can also be located above your web root for greater security.

    Open this directory. Upload the contents of the unzipped Members folder on your computer in ASCII mode.

    Click to select the file called Admin5.cgi and right click on it to find the option to chmod it 777 [owner rwx, group rwx, others rwx].

  6. Create a Directory for Your Forum Files

    Change directories to your main web directory [see step 2] Create a directory there called ubb. Click to select the directory and right click to find the option to chmod it 777 [owner rwx group rwx others rwx]

    Open the directory and upload the contents of your unzipped NonCGI folder to it. You may set your FTP client to upload in automatic. Or you may choose to upload all .html files in ASCII and all the .gif and jpg files in Binary.

  7. Edit Your cplinks.html File

    On your own computer open up the file called cplinks.html in a text editor like Notepad. You will see basic html code.

    You must edit only one link: Look for <BASE HREF = " ">. Edit in the full URL to your CGI directory between the quotation marks.

    For example: <BASE HREF="http://www.mydomain/cgi-bin/">

    Check that the URL goes between the two quotes and be sure the URL ends with a slash "/".

    Save the cplinks.html file and upload it again to the ubb directory.

  8. Open the Control Panel in Your Web Browser

    Open your web browser and go to the URL http://www.mydomain.com/ubb/cp.html [you will substitute in your domain name and directories to match the names you have chosen in the steps above]

    You will see a UBB control panel with links down the left side. Click the top link called General Settings.

    Look on the right for a new page saying 'Your absolute paths need to be configured ...'. Click the link to open up a page of blank general settings.

    The first section is called 'Absolute Paths'. There may be paths entered there automatically by UBB. Leave them for now.

  9. Set the General Settings Absolute Paths

    A quick explanation: The path is the full path from your server root, for example /home/usr/htdocs/yourname [the exact path will be different in each server]

    You can often find this path exactly if you click on the environmental variables link at the top of your page. Within the list look for one variable called Script_Filename. This will be the path to your script. Cut off the "/cpanel.cgi" from the end and you will have the absolute path to your CGI directory.

    Use this path as a reference

    There are 4 absolute paths to fill in

    Absolute path to your CGI directory [i.e. /home/usr/docs/yourname/cgi-bin
    Absolute Path to your UBB directory [i.e. /home/usr/docs/yourname/ubb
    Absolute Path to your Members directory [usually the CGI path with /Members added on the end]
    Absolute path to your Variables files [usually identical to the CGI path]

    There are no trailing slashes in an absolute path.

  10. Set the General Settings URLS

    The second section is called URLS.

    These will all begin with http:// ... If UBB has already filled in an URL, leave it.

    But check that each URL ends with a directory name corresponding to the directory names on your web server. For example the CGI URL in a common installation will end with /cgi-bin or /cgi-local

    The NonCGI URL will also end with a directory name i.e. /ubb

    There are no trailing slashes on any of these URLS.

    The web site URL should be the main URL for your web site.

  11. Choose Your Options

    Below the absolute paths and the urls are many choices about the names, addresses and functions of your UBB.

    Fill them in accurately or leave the defaults. Choose the 'sendmail' email option in the Licensed version.

  12. Submit Your 'General Settings'

    At the bottom of the general settings page fill in the default username Admin5 and the password 4tugboat. Spelling and case must be exact.

    Click submit. If your paths and permissions are correct, your will receive a message saying the settings gave been updated.

    If your get a blank screen or an error message see the troubleshooting suggestions.

  13. Submit your Styles Settings [licensed version only]

    Click 'Styles' on the left hand side of your control panel. You may change any of the options listed or leave the defaults until your installation is tested completely. Check that your Admin5 name and password are filled in at the bottom and click submit.

  14. Submit your Forums Settings

    Click 'Forums' on the left hand side of your control panel. You may change any of the names and options there or leave them to change later. Check that your Admin5 name and password are filled in at the bottom and click submit.

  15. Submit your Moderators Settings

    Click 'Moderators' on the left hand side of your control panel. You may add only Admin5 as a moderator until other users are registered [only a valid registered user can be a moderator]. Check that your Admin5 name and password are filled in at the top and click submit.

  16. Open your Bulletin Board for the First Time

    Click 'Your UBB' on the left hand side of your control panel. A new window will open with a list of forums. Click the first forum name to open it. Looking for a link to 'post new topic'. Click it and use the Admin5/4tugboat login to post a new message.

    Click Register at the top right of your UBB page. Register yourself and make sure you can post and reply to messages.

  17. Secure Your Bulletin Board Admin Name

    After you have registered your own name successfully, go back to the control panel and click on 'User Info and Permissions' on the left hand side. Login with Admin5/4tugboat and search for your own name. Use the option check box to make yourself an administrator. Test that your own name is accepted for administrative functions.

    Use the 'User Info and Permissions' link to to delete the Admin5 user for security reasons. If you wish to keep the Admin5 user, you must change the password by clicking the 'profile' link on any regular UBB Page.

  18. Bookmark the UBB Technical Manual for 'How to' Questions

    A technical manual is available from your Control Panel main page or at http://www.ultimatebb.com/manual/index.shtml There are also support forums at http://www.scriptkeeper.com/cgi-bin/Ultimate.cgi where most questions have been answered before. Be sure to use the appropriate forum and the search function for greater speed.