Cannot install 4.3 on a temporary domain name but 2009 is OK

[yereverluvinunclebert]

Hello, First post here since activation.

I am trying to install Elxis 4.3 as a trial as I am writing a review on various CMS, Mambo or Joomla-derived CMS in particular will be highlighted. Elxis fits in that category as the back-end UIX is still a friendly and familiar place for Joomla/Mambo types.

So, to my problem:

I cannot install the latest version 4.3 on a temporary domain name on cpanel - it just fails from start to finish.

The temporary domain is:

http://82.147.22.2/~newvent

FTP-ing the zipfile onto the server and decompressing it there into public_html and then accessing the URL shows a broken installation page without any formatting, the page does not function as an installer and the links to install generate a 404 error.

Modification of the configuration.php file, creating the database with correct names, db_user &c, has all been done by the book as per any joomla/mambo/joostina installation. When done the database/user is recognised (no messages about incorrect privileges - all good) the installer gives nothing but a white page and generates nonsensical database errors in the log complaining about missing tables.

The strange thing is that the old 2009 installation works perfectly with all the same database and server details. It seems the 2009 installation can handle temporary URLs easily, it is slick and quick and professional and installs within 1-2 mins. In fact, the 2009 installer is very professional.

The site is up and running now as a 2009 site (good old Elxis/Mambo) as proof of concept - but my aim is to get a 4.3 site running and ready for test.

It seems that the later versions do not like to operate under a temporary domain name.
and in this respect the 4.n installations are not as good. Note the 4.2 and 4.1 installs all have the same problem so it seems the temporary URL is the common factor.

What is the solution please?

[datahell]

I already replied to your email, I will also reply quickly here.
Elxis 4.x should be installed in domain or sub-domain (preferable) or inside a folder. The tilde character (~) may create problems on SEF mechanism because Elxis 4.x has fully virtual URLs. Also tilde may be trigger Elxis Defender. In case you install it in other than domain/sub-domain open htaccess file the set the proper value of RewriteBase option. For example RewriteBase /~newvent/

[yereverluvinunclebert]

Thankyou for that, much appreciated.

As cpanel installs all its CMS offerings (via softaculous) into accounts with the same sort of temporary account names it means that all those cpanel users will be put off by Elxis' tilde weirdness.

I suggest you make changes to allow cpanel users to install 4.4 without having to go through the rigmarole of obtaining a real domain name or as part of a sub domain. After all, you can make version 2009 do it so you could do the same with 4.4 I am certain.

If the in-built SEF tool has a problem with tildes then I strongly suggest it is disabled during installation, surely that would be a more sensible option?

At the moment my review is stalled due to the fact that I have no spare domain to assign to the account, nor do I want to install in a sub domain of an existing site. My review will take into account any difficulties installing Elxis in a 'standard' fashion just as I would Joomla, wordpress &c. They can all cope, Elxis should be able to do so too.

So far I do rather like the look of Elxis, I just want to be able to actually use it! 

[datahell]

I didn't told you that Elxis cannot be used on temporary domains with tildes, I told you that it should not be used like that because it might generate problems. This type of installation is not thoroughly tested because Elxis should not be installed like that. However I just checked Elxis installation and usage under such URLs and found no problem. The screenshots I attach are from my local test sites (Windows Vista SP2 x64, Apache 2.4 x64, PHP 7.0.3 VC14 x64, Elxis 4.4 DEV r1780). Everything seems that it is working fine. I use Elxis 4.4 but the same should be for any Elxis 4.x version because this functionality is not affected by the Elxis version. The only thing I did is to set the RewriteBase to /~sample/ in htaccess file.

[yereverluvinunclebert]

OK, I never mentioned running the CMS with a tilde in the name, only mentioned it in relation to the installation. That was the confusing bit. 

I haven't got as far as running it yet. I will try the .htaccess change and see if it helps.

Please bear in mind that my comments are meant to be helpful in that all cpanel users will be encountering the same issues as me and identifying workarounds for them (and perhaps instructions for same) will be productive for you.

-oOo-

By the way I think Aphrodite 2009 was a lovely bit of software taking Mambo/Joomla 1.0 the way it should have gone. Pity Elxis did not have more Joomla 1.0.15 compatibility - if it had done so I believe Elxis would have been my CMS of choice over the last 6 years and probably the same for many others. I wasted so much time on Joomla 1.5 and subsequent iterations that I abandoned Joomla a long time ago.

I didn't pick up Elxis as my main CMS solely because it failed to install the Joomla 1.0.15 extensions I needed - no compatibility mode...

[yereverluvinunclebert]

I would strongly suggest that you change Elxis to allow it to run under temporary domain names with a tilda in the name.

All versions of Joomla and other CMS allow this functionality. It allows you to build multiple websites, host them under temporary names that will not be found by search engines, it allows you to build test and development systems that are distinct from the live. There is no need purchase extra pointless domain names and it makes sense to run it in the same way that almost all other CMS function.

I realise that since raising the post I never got round to installing and testing Elxis precisely due to this limitation. That has made me realise this is a definite flaw in Elxis. Rather than write the review I was going to write I will merely state I was unable to install Elxis due to an error in the design.

I strongly suggest you fix this deficiency especially if you want users to review your CMS positively.

[datahell]

Elxis misses this functionality? Elxis has multi-sites support! Only drupal has similar functionality, no other cms. With a single installation you can have 1000 different websites and you can set them private if you don't want to be visible in the web. As for the tilde it is very simple to be changed but I wont tell you how because I don't like your attitude.

[chongbing]

Very agree with datahell, We love Elxis CMS and support Elxis CMS.
Polite people will welcome in the world!

[yereverluvinunclebert]

As for the tilde it is very simple to be changed but I wont tell you how because I don't like your attitude.

I think you are the one that has the attitude as that was quite a petulant and childish response. If someone, anyone on the forum requests a workaround it should be provided so that it could be useful to EVERYONE that might want to install Elxis.

It matters to me not a jot as I had already abandoned the idea of reviewing Elxis when my first attempt at installing was prevented by this problem. I no longer need Elxis in any case as my late response to your post indicates...

As I said earlier I suggest you fix this issue if you want more people to install Elxis to test and trial it, the ability to install under temporary domain names is essential.

No attitude in this post, just words and suggestions. No need to load my posts with your emotional bias.