In this episode I show you how to install Wordpress on your computer using MAMP for Mac or XAMPP for Windows. This lets you experiment with things in a safe environment, without worrying about messing up your live web site.
I’m trying a new host for my files – blip.tv. This is a big download, over 400mb. Please let me know if you have any trouble. Tomorrow sometime when the file finishes converting I’ll update this post so you can watch the video right on this site.
Dave, dig what you’re doing – very good stuff.
One thing that always seems to be missing from these local installs HoTo’s is how to migrate your local install to your host. I’ve read a few things from doing DB backups but I think I read it doesn’t retain your widget settings (could be wrong on that one).
Also I read somewhere that you could change your local HOSTS file to temporarily point to your domain so you wouldn’t have to change your wp-config file (I think).
Your podcasts are great and it’s definitely going to help as I build my site out.
Keep up the great work!
Hi thanks for the comments. Yes, I have changed my local HOSTS file to temporarily point to my domain before… it’s tricky especially if you don’t remember to change it back. Maybe I’ll try to do a quick howto on it.
And yes moving everything from your local machine to a web server can be messy. I usually just use my local installation to develop themes, which you can just transfer the server.
Probably your best bet would be to use the export function in Wordpress. This will export all the content, and it’s up to you to set up the web site, theme and plugins.
Great job, very calmly and matter-of-factly presentation. Very sure true to the target audience: beginners like me. Little addendum for local installation on a Mac: I had to manually change the port for apache to 81 and the add that number in the URL as well. The rest worked just as described! Thanks, keep it up!
I’m trying to get my colleagues to blog, and this is great way to reduce the fear factor. They can experiment in the privacy of their own PC! By the way, on Windows a better code editor than Notepad is SciTE.