Install a *nix-based operating system (OS)

Follow the installation directions that come with the distribution.

There are generally 2 strategies at this point:

1. Install an OS with minimum programs, or
2. Install a suite of programs, for example choose between a developer set or desktop set.

Precaution

For a quick installation, we recommend the two scripts at naviserver-openacs. These will install OpenACS from scratch on a variety of systems (including Debian/RHEL Linux or Mac OS X). Detailed dependencies are listed during the build process.

For other ways to install or try OpenACS See openacs-system-install.

Steps for manually installing OpenACS

We recommend installing only the OS to minimize the chances of conflicts resulting from installing 2 or more copies of one of the OpenACS system components (openacs-system).

Many additional programs, such as a build environment (gcc), Mail Transport Agent (MTA), and source control system, are also needed for a fully operational installation. Most of these are included with a basic OS installation.

Install some helper software

You might want to install some of these after a minimum OS install, since OpenACS administration usually assumes you have these (or alternates) installed:

• wget
• emacs or vi/vim
• bash shell (usually automatically installed with Linux distributions)
• gcc or equivalent (along with standard distribution source libraries) - if you plan to install software from source.
• ImageMagick or GraphicsMagick - used by some packages for server side image processing
• aspell - used to offer spell checking in forms

*nix install guides

some helpful documentation for installing *nix flavors

• Official Debian Guide
• FreeBSD Documentation
• Redhat Manuals
• SuSE documentation

Next, secure your system: system-security