[AGENCY-devel] New snapshot released, and install script

[Ken T. <ken...@gm...>]

I'm happy to report that the version of AGENCY known as "snapshot_2" was 
released today.  This release is a snapshot of today's Git repository, 
and thus incorporates all the changes that have been made since the 
initial release of AGENCY.

The main reason I released this is because I added an installation 
script (more below), and the script depends on certain files being in 
the AGENCY release.  Thus today's release.

"Savvy" users know the releases are all kind of arbitrary, since you'll 
probably be updating via Git anyway.  But some people might download a 
snapshot, and not do an update.  For this reason (and for good general 
Open Source practice), I will likely be aiming to make and release these 
snapshots more frequently.  "Release early and often," as they say.

As for the installation script, it's meant to make life easier for those 
looking to evaluate AGENCY.  It ideally would run on a freshly-installed 
Linux system, and get everything needed configured properly.  It's not 
quite there yet, but it's not too far away either.

The script is labeled "experimental," and it's true.  I don't really 
think it's dangerous, but don't want to be responsible if it causes you 
any problems!

Currently the script will:

*) Download and install most or all of the software needed to run AGENCY
*) Download and install AGENCY (currently via Git, but I will switch 
that to download the snapshot)
*) Create the database user
*) Create the AGENCY database, and run the superuser portions
*) Prompt the user to chose a flavor (client or donor)
*) Create the rest of the database
*) Create the agency_config_db.php file
(This is a new file that has the database connection info, and has been 
pulled out from agency_config_local.php)
*) Tighten the permissions on the agency_config.php file
*) create the log directory and file (/var/log/agency/agency_error.log), 
with appropriate permissions

The script will currently work for Fedora or Ubuntu.  If Cent OS is 
detected, it will treat it like Fedora.  I don't know if that works or not.

I did some testing of this on Fedora and Ubuntu.  It does a good job of 
creating all the AGENCY stuff, and the rest of the system config I'm not 
as sure about, because my machines were already configured and not 
starting "from scratch."

Any testing and improvement of this script would be most welcome.  
Please let me know how it goes! Thanks.

Ken

-- 
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AGENCY Software
Free and Open Source Software
For nonprofits that want to take control of their data
http://agency-software.org
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