Step-By-Step User Guide
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In this users guide, we will take you step by step through the installation process, setting up your purchase link, and editing your purchase page to fit your needs.
But first, let's take a look at the system requirements for the PalMember™ Membership Management System to operate properly, and make sure things go smoothly once you have your script installed.
Minimum System Requirements
These are the minimum system requirements:
- Linux Type Hosting Account (Not 100% compatible with Windows based servers)
- PHP 4.4.X + / PHP 5 (May work in earlier versions but not tested)
- MySQL version 4.0.25-standard
- FTP Access To The Hosting Server
There are two hosting providers that we recommend to host PalMember™, they are of course us! You can use the hosted link to purchase a hosted version of PalMember™ or HostGator.
NOTE: Not all hosting providers are created equal! Yes, you may find hosting accounts elsewhere for $1.95-$3.95 per month, but you will find that these hosts will not have the service or resources that spending an extra $3-$5 per month will get you in the long run. If you plan to run a successful membership club, do yourself a favor and grab a hosting account either with us or with HostGator.
Ready To Install - MySQL Database Setup
OK, you now have a good hosting account setup with a good provider, and you're ready to install your membership script and get it operating.
The first step is to create a new MySQL database for your script, so let's do that now.
With most hosting providers you will find a control panel. Some use cPanel, some use DirectAdmin, some Plesk. The most widely used is cPanel but all of them work very much the same.
We are now going to walk you through setting up a MySQL database, if you're a little more familiar with setting up a MySQL database, and see that we are taking extra steps than would usually be necessary, please bear with us as we are doing this for those who may have never set up a MySQL database before.
The first step after you login to your control panel is to locate a link to the MySQL Database. Look for a link that says "MySQL Databases" and click on that link.
Next, you need to locate an input box that will say one of two things on the button next to it. One will say "Add db" and the other will say "Create MySQL database". These are both the same thing, just worded differently depending on which control panel your hosting provider is using.
Now that you have found that entry box, we're going to create our new MySQL database. To do that, simply enter a name for your MySQL database and press the button next to the entry box. For this example we're going to name this MySQL database "members" without using the quotes.
After you press the button to create your new database name, you should be presented with a screen that says that the new database was created successfully, and will show you the "FULL" name of the new database. It will look something like: username_members where username is usually the username you use to login to your control panel with.
Now, I want you to take that name and copy it, then open a text document editor such as Windows NotePad, and paste it into the new text document for the time being. Copy/Paste the whole name so you should have something like: username_members pasted into your text document.
Now we need to create a user for this new database, so click on the link there somewhere that says "Go Back" or "Return". You should then be back at your MySQL databases list where you started from.
Now, locate two entry boxes that say "Username:" and "Password:". The button below these entry boxes will say one of two things, either "Add User" or "Create MySQL user", again depending on what Cpanel skin your hosting provider is using.
Now, let's create a new user for this account. For this example, we're going to use mradmin for the username and admin123 for the password. (NOTE: This is only for this example, please create a username and password ONLY known to you!) Usernames and passwords can be 8 characters in length.
Now that you have your chosen username and password entered into the boxes, click the button to add this new user to your MySQL databases. Again, you will be presented with a screen that tells you the new user was created successfully, and again I want you to copy and paste this information into your text document along with your database name you just added a minute ago.
Your username and password should look something like: username: username_mradmin and your password: admin123, where username is usually the username you use to login to your control panel with.
OK, we have one last step here before we can move on to installing the tables into the MySQL database.
Now, I want you to go back once again to the MySQL databases list, and find an area there that has two drop-down menus, as well as a few check boxes under these drop-down menus.
In the first drop-down menu, I want you to locate the username you just created, and choose that username name so it becomes the selection in that drop-down menu.
In the other drop-down menu, I want you to choose the database name we created earlier to use with this membership script, and make it the selected choice in that drop-down menu.
Next, find the check-box that has the word "ALL" to it's right, and make sure there is a check mark in that box. If there is, then all you have to do now is press the button that says "Add User to Db" or "Grant Permissions.
After that you should receive a success message stating that the user has been given permissions for that database. Now, we can move onto the next step, adding the tables to your new database.
Purchase the PalMember™ Membership Management System right now and receive instant access to our download area after your successful payment.
Run your own membership site right now, hosted on our servers. One time setup fee/first month of only $35.00, then $15.00 per month there after.
Purchase the PalMember™ Membership Management System with custom installation on your server. Please allow up to 24 hours to complete the install.