Installing Typo Blog Engine and mod_rails for Multiple Accounts

I decided my to use Typo for my new blog, but I wasn’t satisfied to install it in the usual way because I want multiple blogs. This is also my first hands-on experience with mod_rails, so it’s a nice opportunity to play.

The following instructions work for Ubuntu 7.10 (gutsy gibbon), and I’m assuming some level of familiarity with Ubuntu and/or Debian. Same ideas should apply elsewhere though (YMMV). If I’ve glossed over too much, leave a comment and I’ll try to clarify.

Install these packages using apt-get

mysql-server
ruby
libmysql-ruby
rdoc1.8
ri1.8
apache2-mpm-prefork
ruby1.8-dev
build-essential
apache2-prefork-dev
libapr1-dev
libopenssl-ruby1.8

Install RubyGems

Download the latest RubyGems from RubyForge
Unpack and cd into the created directory
Install with: ruby setup.rb
I created a symbolic link, but it’s not a requirement: cd /usr/bin; ln -s gem1.8 gem
Add to your path, or append to ~/.bashrc:

export PATH=$PATH:/usr/lib/ruby/gems/1.8/bin

Install these using gem

passenger
rcov

Configure Apache

passenger-install-apache2-module
Create /etc/apache2/mods-available/rails.load

LoadModule passenger_module /usr/lib/ruby/gems/1.8/gems/passenger-1.0.1/ext/apache2/mod_passenger.so

Create /etc/apache2/mods-available/rails.conf

<IfModule passenger_module>
  RailsSpawnServer /usr/lib/ruby/gems/1.8/gems/passenger-1.0.1/bin/passenger-spawn-server
  RailsRuby /usr/bin/ruby1.8
</IfModule>

a2enmod rails
a2enmod rewrite
/etc/init.d/apache restart

Get Typo

Download the latest and stash it somewhere, like /var/tmp perhaps.

Per-Blog Setup

Create a standard user to own the site.
In mysql as root

create database macksmind;
grant all on macksmind.* to macksmind identified by 'dontyouwish';

su – username
unpack the copy of typo that you stashed
create <typodir>/config/database.yml

login: &login
  adapter: mysql
  socket: /var/run/mysqld/mysqld.sock
  username: macksmind
  password: dontyouwish

development:
  database: macksmind_dev
  <<: *login

test:
  database: macksmind_tests
  <<: *login

production:
  database: macksmind
  <<: *login

Create /etc/apache2/sites-available/username

<VirtualHost *>
  ServerName macksmind.net
  ServerAlias www.macksmind.net
  DocumentRoot /home/macksmind/typo/public
</VirtualHost>

a2ensite username
/etc/init.d/apache reload

That should be it. Enjoy!

4 Responses to Installing Typo Blog Engine and mod_rails for Multiple Accounts

Mack Earnhardt says:

April 23, 2008 at 1:04 am

From the search queries I’m getting, it seems like most of the folks who are landing on this page really aren’t interested in installing Typo. Look for a cleaned-up post focusing on mod_rails on Debian/Ubuntu in the next couple days. I’ll throw in what I know about Capistrano as well.

Moch. Arip says:

May 7, 2008 at 2:32 am

Mack,

I am personally willing to thank you. Your guide is useful to me. It’s just simply what I need, straight to the point, clear and yet, easy to follow.
I have made it installed on my eeepc 900(2nd generation of) asus mini laptop. The same task I have been trying, struggling for almost one week, I did in less than an hour, with one and only gotcha. I had to restart the laptop, reloading the servers (apache and mysql) won’t work.
I am an Indonesian guy who just bought the laptop directly from the street vendor here in Taiwan, and enjoying it while still doing sightseeing around Taipei.
Now the typo is running on localhost on my mini laptop. I am so glad to see it. Again, thank you for the guidance and can not wait for your next one with capistrano.

Peace,

Moch. Arip

Pingback: 28 mod_rails / Passenger Resources To Help You Deploy Rails Applications Faster
Tyler Oderkirk says:

July 25, 2008 at 10:30 pm

Hi Mack.

Thanks for the tutorial :]

I think I saw a tiny misspelling: “create /config.database.yml” -> “create /config/database.yml”

-Tyler