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Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic May 5 2009, 12:30 AM

Hi guys, I have a question regarding web design


I need to install Joomla as my engine for the web site I'm creating, and the problem is I don't have the domain and hosting yet, so I cannot install it somewhere else. Since I need to finish the site fast and present it, is it somehow possible to host some sort of virtual server on my laptop machine, install joomla there and create site offline? I hope this makes sense.. What is the easiest way to do this?

Posted by: Emir Hot May 5 2009, 01:06 AM

you need a web server. I use WAMP, it's the most popular one and it's free

http://www.wampserver.com/en/

You'll get PHP, MySQL, and Apache server. Your main domain will be http://localhost/

You need to store your website in C:\WAMP\WWW

Imagine your site is stored here in a subfolder called "IVAN". Your main page would be http://localhost/ivan/index.html or php whatever extension you are using. You can then give your IP address to the client and it will look something like http://89.45.34.56/ivan/index.html

of course your server must be running and connected to internet.

I hope this helps.

Posted by: steve25 May 5 2009, 08:57 AM

As said you need to install a server, there are some good free ones but the most popular is Apache. Also you can isntall MySQL and PHP with it alogn with other things. You don't have to use those but they are what i use. However if you use Vista good luck installing those it was a nightmare of me

Posted by: Emir Hot May 5 2009, 12:27 PM

I have Vista and no problem at all. This WAMP thing configures all that automatically.

Posted by: Skalde May 5 2009, 01:31 PM

You can use XAMPP http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XAMPP.
It's pretty easy

Posted by: Emir Hot May 5 2009, 03:49 PM

QUOTE (Skalde @ May 5 2009, 01:31 PM)

Posted by: Tolek May 5 2009, 04:05 PM

If the web server things don´t work or if you prefer something else, you can check out www.funpic.de. It´s a free host site where you can upload up to 2500 MB. You need to create an FTP connection to your webspace and you need a program like FileZilla or SmartFTP. However, there´s one big problem. It´s in German. I´d go for XAMP (which is for any PC system) or wampserver (which is only for windows).

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic May 6 2009, 11:04 AM

Hmm, OK guys, recent update, I've done everything you said, installed both WAMP and XXAMP and tried to run them. It is working on my desktop (Win XP Pro), but the Apache server doesn't seem to work on my Laptop (Win XP Home). What seems to be the problem? When I start Services, and try to run Apache manually I get the message that it cannot be started.

When the WAMP/XXAMP goes online Apache server is offline, and I cannot access the localhost address via browser.

Posted by: Emir Hot May 6 2009, 12:23 PM

QUOTE (Ivan Milenkovic @ May 6 2009, 11:04 AM)

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic May 6 2009, 12:40 PM

First I tried to install WAMP on my laptop (again it's Win XP Home Edition there), and then I tried with XXAMP as well. Both don't work, they can't run Apache service, and I've done some reading, I think it is not possible to run the server on Home Edition of Win XP. I'll try to upgrade to XP and see how it goes..

Posted by: wrk May 6 2009, 12:55 PM

A local web-server is great, but if you run in too much trouble to set this up, get a cheap or free hosting package maybe. Can be easier if you are short on time.

Posted by: Darfuria May 6 2009, 11:59 PM

Ivan, I'm happy to provide you with temporary webhosting if it's urgent - or more permanent webhosting for a very small fee.