How To Install Modules

Installing modules in MDPro is easy and there are still some things you should know about the process

1. Download the module package and open it on your local hard drive. Distributions of most programs are in a compressed format using either the .zip or .tar compression format. Often both formats are available. Some compression utility programs such as WinZip can uncompress both format types.

One reason you should uncompress it locally first is that there is no way of knowing what the top directory is otherwise. There is no standard for this and no way to get third party modules to adopt it if there were. Below are three examples that are commonly seen,. There are others.

2. Read the installation information on the module in question. Some modules have atypical installation methods and you may have to perform other tasks beyond a normal installation to get them to run.

3. Read the configuration information on the module in question. Some modules have no administrative interface (they will not appear in the admin menu) and any configuration is handled by editing certain files. Even some modules with an administrative interface have some functions that are edited manually.

4. Once you have determined the information above, you can upload the files to your MDP installation. There are a couple of ways you can do it.

• A. Upload the entire compressed package. Make note of which directory to uncompress it to and whether you may need to create that directory. Any files that may need modification can be uploaded afterwards, replacing the original files.You may want to keep copies of the originals as a precaution.
• B. Transfer each file individually via an FTP (file transfer protocol) program. Maintain the directory structure of the module and create the proper directory under the modules directory if necessary (see example 3 above). You will probably transfer any files requiring modification in the process

5. Go to your MDPro administration menu, go to Modules (probably under Settings if you use the organized menu), and click on Regenerate. You will see the new module listed. Click on Initialize and then Activate.

6. For modules with an administrative interface, if you are using the organized admin menu, click on Administration and then Edit (at the bottom of the page). You will need to assign the module to one of the tabs. Select the proper one according to your desires and save. The icon will now appear in the selected section.

7. Perform any atypical functions some modules require according to their instructions, such as initializing or populating the database.Some modules require that you chmod (change permissions) on specified files or directories.

8. Configure modules with an administrative interface as required and desired.

9. Add a link to the module on your menu so that your users may access it.

10. Set permissions for the module as you desire.

11. Check it as a user and make sure you have configured it properly and that it operates as expected.