How to install Menalto Gallery 2
If you’re looking to start an online photo gallery, Menalto Gallery may be a good fit for you. It’s free and open-source so you don’t have to spend any money for it and you can customize it as much as you want with a little PHP skill.
Downloading
The Gallery download page has several packages that you can download. For this I’m going to use the typical version, but you can view the differences in the various packages and decide if typical is right for you.
Unless you know that you need the tar.gz file, go with the zip. Download it someplace on your computer, unzip, and upload to your server. It’ll probably take you a while to upload. The typical setup has 3,174 files totaling 24.1mb.
Creating the database
You’re going to need a database for your installation. If you need help with this check the database section of this blog or ask your host.
Welcome Screen
Go ahead and browse to where you installed Gallery. You should see a screen that looks like the following welcoming you to the installation.
The only option on this page is what language you’re going to use. Since you’re reading this tutorial in English, I assume you’re going to want English. But there are a couple dozen options if you want something else.
Click on Begin Installation to move on.
Authenticating
You now need to prove to Gallery that you have control of your server. To do this you upload a file called login.txt with the string presented to the folder where you’re installing Gallery. The easiest way to do this is to click the link “correct version of login.txt” and save the login.txt file and then upload it where it tells you.
Upload the file and press the Authenticate Me button to continue. Assuming you have successfully uploaded the login.txt file you should see the following screen. Click on Continue to Step 2 to move on.
System Checks
Now the installation script will go through several checks to make sure that your server is setup correctly to be able to run gallery. You’ll need to fix any problems that show up to be able to continue. Check with your host if you need help.
If everything shows Success click on Continue to Step 3 to move on.
Installation Type
The third step allows you to select if you’re installing a standard installation or a multiple installation. A multiple installation lets you run multiple albums using the same code base. For this tutorial we’re going to select a Standard Installation.
Storage Location
Gallery allows you to select where you want to store your image files. For this tutorial we’re just going to accept the default location, but you can select any location you want.
Database Setup
On the fifth step you need to tell Gallery how to connect to the database you created. You’ll select the database server type, hostname, username and password, and database name. The table and column prefixes allow you to use one database for multiple installations.
Click on Save and Gallery will make sure your database settings are correct. If they are you will see a screen telling you so. If not you will need to double check your settings or check with your host.
Creating the Admin User
Now you will enter the login you’ll use to administer your Gallery. Enter your username, password, email address, and optionally your real name. Click on Create to continue.
Click on Create and you should see a message that the admin user was created successfully. Now click on Continue to Step 7.
Create Config File
Step 8 doesn’t take any input from you. It just lets you know that the config file was created.
Installing the core
Like the previous step, the installation of the core goes on without any input from you. You’ll see a progress bar and when it’s done you’ll be able to go on to step 9.
Activating Plugins
If you want, you can now activate any plugins that were downloaded. I’m going to click on Continue without Activating, but if you want to use the plugins select Activate Selected Modules.
Security Check
Step 11 shows you any potential security problems with your installation. While you can ignore what it finds, you really should fix any problems.
And we’re finished!
Your installation should now be complete. Click on Go to my Gallery to login.
Question, Comments...
Do you have more questions. Please either leave a comment below or join us in our new forum.