****************************************************
**
**  BATTLE BLOG Version 1.0d Build 5
**  Installation and Notes
**
**  www.battleblog.com
**
**  Base code and original works (c) 2003 - 2006
**  David Pinero / AKA Dave the Web Guy
**
**  (813) 931-0346  
**  
**  david@davidpinero.com 
**  (Challenge Protected by Spam Arrest)
**
**
****************************************************

REQUIREMENTS

-- ASP-enabled IIS web server
-- Microsoft Access
-- Ability to adjust certain directory permissions on web server
-- ASPMail helps (or CDOS, or, if you have it, CDONTs) for e-mail
-- Working SMTP server (on-server or external)

SUPPORT

You may e-mail david@davidpinero.com.  You will receive a spam challenge message from Spam Arrest, Inc.  Respond to the challenge message and your message will get through to me.  Alternatively you may use my generic contact form at:

http://www.battleblog.com/home/request.asp

SETUP INSTRUCTIONS

Follow these instructions precisely: 

 1 ) Create root directory on server.

 2 ) Open BattleBlog folder.  Click EDIT, SELECT ALL, then paste everything you just selected into your destination folder.  Maintain the directory structure as presented.  This isn't the most sophisticated app and changing the default directory names will have unintended consequences.  

*** SEE INCLUDED SCREENSHOT1.JPG FILE IN /DOC FOR EXAMPLE OF HOW IT SHOULD ALL LOOK WHEN FINISHED. ***

 3 ) Configure CONFIG.ASP (found in /admin).  Go line by line providing all the necessary values using the original as a model for what's needed for each.  Do NOT change the order of anything or delete any line.

 4 ) Change filename of BLANKMASTER.MDB database file to one you like.

 5 ) Give read/write/modify permissions to the database directory.	

 6 ) Give read/write permissions to the RSS subdirectory.

 7 ) Give read/write permissions to the UPLOADS subdirectory.

 8 ) Create your ODBC (or DSN) name on the server and make sure it matches the name you provide for the DSN in CONFIG.ASP.

 9 ) Your Battle Blog should now be "online".  Visit your URL and see.

10 ) Click on ADMINISTRATION on the default display screen.

11 ) Log in using "admin" as both username and password (IMPORTANT: Promptly change password upon logging in).

12)  From administrator control change "editor" user's password.  (Note: All future editing users should have access level set to 10).

13 ) Proceed to customize key areas.  Customization occurs through direct and knowledgable manipulation of the stylesheet (STYLE/STYLE.CSS), and custom HTML areas located in the CUSTOM subdirectory.  These are the key custom files you may edit:

---> MASTHEAD.ASP
For the masthead.  Drop your logo and/or other masthead information here.  Content reaches top half of screen at 100 percent stretch.

--->  LEFTSIDEBAR.ASP 
For the top half of the sidebar (before stats). Another great place for a masthead.  Is also used to display key navigational hyperlinks.  Defaults (Home, etc.) are included but you may add/alter/delete these at will.

---> GOOGLEADSPOT.ASP
This is just a nickname for the spot above view controls and the masthead.  It's an ideal spot for a horizontal Google Adsense or similar advertising banner (see main Battle Blog support site), but it can be used for anything or nothing.  See www.battleblog.com for example of typical use.

*** NOTHING PREVENTS YOU FROM CUSTOMIZING AT THE CODE LEVEL IN GREATER DETAIL OUTSIDE THESE AREAS.  HOWEVER, FUTURE BUILDS AND VERSIONS HONOR ONLY THE AREAS MENTIONED ABOVE.  WHEN YOU DEVIATE YOU OFFICIALLY BEGIN YOUR OWN FORK AND CAN RELY LESS ON DIRECT BATTLE BLOG SUPPORT ***

14)  When you have everything the way you like it, BACK UP THE FOLLOWING FILES.  When there is an upgrade to the code, you can restore them in the event they get overridden.  You should make these back ups occassionally as your system evolves *and* JUST BEFORE ANY ACTUAL UPGRADE:

-- The entire CUSTOM subfolder and its contents
-- The entire STYLE subfolder and its contents
-- The entire DATABASE subfolder and its contents
-- CONFIG.ASP located in the ADMIN subfolder (I suggest you maintain a hard copy version of CONFIG.ASP as well.  Print out your CONFIG.ASP so that you can file it in a drawer or whatever for later reference if needed)

15)  Let me know about your Battle Blog!  I am interested whether or not 
anyone can ACTUALLY get this thing to run.  Use the support information above to do so.

# # #