Obviously, I wasn't looking to make this harder than it had to be, so I used the instructions for the automated install. The first step was to download the latest version of CivicSpace. I downloaded version 0.8.2 (released Dec. 1st) from the CivicSpace download page.
Next, I uncompressed the files using ZipGenius, my current favorite unzip utility. So I now had a folder called "civicspace-0.8.2" on my desktop, with about 30Mb of files in it.
The installation instructions said to upload the files, so that was the next step. With 30MB, I knew it would take a while (my cable connection's crappy at uploading) so I made sure I was using Filezilla, an FTP client that keeps my connection to the remote server alive over long downloads.
Even so, I had a few problems. As noticed before, FTP transfers of large numbers of files to HostPC (My preferred website hosting company...cheap, too) tend to time out. I had the transfer freeze on me a couple of times, but each time reconnecting solved the problem, and Filezilla went right back to processing its queue of files to be transferred.
Eventually, all the files were where they were supposed to be. I now had to find the install script. Since I was installing the files to the explorevaranasi.com site, and I wanted CivicSpace installed in the main root folder, I pointed my browser to http://www.explorevaranasi.com/install.php.
It immediately told me that I probably needed to do a few things before continuing. I opened another window and logged in to my site's control panel (DirectAdmin, for HostPC) and created a new MySQL database. (Depending on your host, you may be able to do this from within phpMyAdmin, or through a similar program, or through a seperate MySQL management utility...ask your hosting company for more detailed information.) I copied the database name, host, username, and password to a notepad file I left open on my desktop, since I was sure I'd need it later. I also went in to Direct Admin's file manager and found the files (there are 4 or 5) that CivicSpace needs you to change permissions for. This is essential to the installation process...before continuing, you have to go through and change each of those files' permissions to "777". Nothing else works. You can do this through most FTP programs or through the file manager utility provided by most website hosting companies.
I continued with the installation, and was told that my server and setup was ok so far...the installer goes through the checklist and tells you which things you've done right and which ones it has a problem with, so you can make corrections as needed. Very thoughtful.
I also took note of the fact that the CivicSpace download page specifically states not to use the "Configuration Guide" during the install, or my site would have errors. This turned out to refer to a checkbox during the install process which asked me if I'd like to install the Guide, which I gather is some sort of help utility. I left it unchecked.
Continuing, I was asked for my database information. Since I had it open, I just copied and pasted my database information in to the form, and left the form for CiviCRM blank, so it would use the same database as CivicSpace. I then clicked continue, and waited a little while for it to finish setting up my database and building all of the necessary tables.
CivicSpace informed me that the database installation had completed successfully, and the next screen said that I needed to go in and change the permissions on three files back to "755" instead of "777", as this was a security risk. CivicSpace doesn't need 777 access to those files after the initial install, so there's no point leaving it as is. I went back into DirectAdmin and used the file manager to find the right files / folders, and changed their permissions back to 755.
That was all...it took me more time to upload the files than it did to get everything working. I was then presented with a CivicSpace welcome screen, and am now ready to configure the site, via the CivicSpace Configuration Wizard.
