PowerGallery Getting Started Guide

PowerGallery is packaged ready for you to upload straight to your live server and start using it. Built-into the product is the Installation Wizard, which allows you to completely set up this Solution Pack in just a few steps.

This guide runs you through the process of uploading the Solution Pack files and running through the Installation Wizard.

What you need to start:

  • PowerGallery
  • Hosting Provider and MySQL database

    • You will need to have already signed up for a hosting service from a hosting provider, and have access to a MySQL server to store your database. Click here for instructions on how you can set this up.

    Step 1: Extract the files
    The Solution Pack files are stored within a compress (.zip) file. You will need to unzip the contents before you can upload the solution pack.

    Windows: Right-click the .zip file and choose Extract All...

    OSX: Double-click the .zip file to automatically extract the contents to the same location where the .zip is located.

    Step 2: Rename the folder
    Your next step is to rename the rename_and_upload_this_folder directory that was extracted from the .zip file.
    Most users will rename this folder 'powergallery' and upload the entire folder to their remote site.
     
    NOTE:When navigating to the PowerGallery admin you will need to enter this folder name as part of the URL. For example, if you upload this folder to the root of your site and it is called 'powergallery' the URL to access PowerGallery will be http://mysite.com/powergallery.
    Step 3: Upload the files
    Upload the folder and all of its contents to your remote server within your existing website's files.
    In order for your galleries to display on any PHP page of your site, this folder needs to be within the root folder of your website.

    For more information, see the Uploading Solution Packs tutorial.

     
    NOTE:If you are upgrading from an older version of PowerGallery, you will want to overwrite all the files you currently have on your live server, with the new files found in this package. The database content does not need to be updated, and you will not lose any existing galleries or gallery themes.*
    Step 4: Run the Wizard

    Once all the files are uploaded, open your web browser and navigate to the index.php file within the directory you just uploaded. For example: http://mysite.com/powergallery/index.php.

    When loading this page for the first time, you will be directed to the PowerGallery Installation Wizard.

    If upgrading PowerGallery to a newer version, the Installation Wizard will not be necessary and your upgrade is complete.

    The PowerGallery Installation Wizard is designed to help you get this Solution Pack up and running as quickly as possible. The Installation Wizard will perform various checks on your server to ensure that it is running all the necessary scripts for PowerGallery to function properly.

     
    NOTE:It is important that your server passes all the server checks in the Installation Wizard. If it does not pass these checks, functionality in PowerGallery will likely not work.

    *If upgrading to a newer version of PowerGallery, you will lose any custom content you added to the PowerGallery pages. This does not affect the galleries or images that you have created, only custom content you have manually added to pages.

    Server Settings

    The Server Settings step displays the result of the Server Diagnostic Check. This check analyzes your server and will alert you if necessary features are not enabled.

    If anything fails, resolve the issue and click Run Test Again to see if it is fixed.

     
    NOTE:If you are alerted that PHP 5 is not enabled you will need to have your Hosting Provider upgrade your service.  This is typically provided for free by Hosting Providers, you just need to ask.
    Database Info

    The database info step allows you to enter the details for the database you intend to use for PowerGallery, so that the Installation Wizard can automatically add all the database tables to your database for you.

     
    Video Tutorial: For more information on obtaining your database credentials or creating a new database see this video.
     
    NOTE:Since most servers do not allow external applications to create new databases, you will need to create the database first through your Hosting Providers control panel.  You can use an existing database, but to avoid conflicts it is advised that you start with an empty database.
    Admin Info

    The Admin Login step allows to specify the username and password that will be required in order to enter PowerGallery to manage your galleries or add images.

    Watermark

    The Watermark feature allows you to specify a watermark that would be added to the images in your gallery. You can always make changes to your watermark from within the Administrative area after completing the Installation Wizard.

    Import Images

    If you have already uploaded images to your live server, you can use the Import Images function to import those images into your PowerGallery. Images can also be imported from within the Administrative Area.

    Using the Administrative Area

    Once you have completed the Installation Wizard, you will be provided a summary of what was accomplished and directed to the PowerGallery Administrative Area. You will no longer be able to access the Installation Wizard, and can do everything you need to do from within this area.

    To access the PowerGallery Administrative Area, open your browser and enter the path to where you uploaded the files.

     
    Feedback on this tutorial?

    If you did not find this helpful or you are stuck on a particular step, click here to let us know what we can do to improve this tutorial.

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