in this post you will find some quick instructions on how to install phpBB XS on your server.
What you need:
- Hosting service with PHP support
- MySQL database
- FTP client or something similar
- Web Browser
- Text Editor (better if with programming tools)
- Local web server package to make some tests
Fist of all you should try to install a local web server package on your pc, so you can test the installation process and make some tests or customization on phpBB XS before installing it on the web.
A good server package is WM Server Tools (http://www.wmcreation.it/index.php?action=wmservertools) which I use personally, and I like partcularly because of its easy of use.
After having tested your phpBB XS locally, you may want to install it on your web server.
First of all you should take note of your accounts data, and server specs (such as PHP version, MySQL version, GD Libraries), just to check that you have everything you need before starting the install.
Then you can use a FTP client to upload all the files included in the package in your web server. A good and free FTP client is FileZilla (http://filezilla.sourceforge.net/).
From this point on, you should follow the instructions included in the docs folder of phpBB XS (file readme_english.html) especially taking care of setting the right permissions on all files and folder.
When you have your board set up, it should be a good thing going in ACP, lock the board and customize it. Keep the board locked until you have done a minimum setup (remember that when the board is locked, only admins may be able to use the site, while other users don't).
Most of the customization may be achieved in ACP... but you may want to modify a bit the board... in which case you need a text editor for editing phpBB XS files.
Enjoy your newly installed phpBB XS.