This is a tutorial on how to set up Joomla in Ubuntu. The set up examples based on Linux Ubuntu desktop 8.04. You can use this as a guide to learn Joomla cms. If you are planning to set up a web server and Joomla as a production server, this tutorial also applicable in Ubuntu server as well (some of it where x-window is not required). However, the tutorial does not cover the web server security and other issues. That's different topics and you can find them in their respective category.

If you are ready, here is the list of what we are going to do:

• Set up and configure LAMP server.
• Set up MYSQL database for Joomla cms.
• Install Joomla cms.
• Test Joomla cms.

Set up LAMP server in Ubuntu desktop

Open command terminal by clicking 'Applications - Accessories - Terminal'. Change to root environments using 'sudo su' command. See step by step example below:

kucing@ubuntu-laptop:~$ sudo su
[sudo] password for kucing: 
root@ubuntu-laptop:/home/kucing# tasksel

Choose LAMP server and OK to install. See screenshot example below:

When LAMP server installation is finished, we can start Apache web server using '/etc/init.d/apache2 start' command. Then, we can start configure Apache web server.

Change directory to /etc/apache2.

root@ubuntu-laptop:/home/kucing# cd /etc/apache2/
root@ubuntu-laptop:/etc/apache2# ls
apache2.conf  envvars     mods-available  ports.conf       sites-enabled
conf.d        httpd.conf  mods-enabled    sites-available

Copy 'sites-available/default' file configuration for Joomla virtual host.

root@ubuntu-laptop:/home/kucing# cp sites-available/default sites-available/joomla-basic

Run 'a2ensite' to enable site:

root@ubuntu-laptop:/etc/apache2/sites-available# a2ensite joomla-basic
Enabling site joomla-basic.
Run '/etc/init.d/apache2 reload' to activate new configuration!
root@ubuntu-laptop:/etc/apache2/sites-available# /etc/init.d/apache2 reload
 * Reloading web server config apache2                                          
apache2: Could not reliably determine the server's fully qualified domain name, 
using 127.0.1.1 for ServerName
                                                                         [ OK ]
root@ubuntu-laptop:/etc/apache2/sites-available# cd ..
root@ubuntu-laptop:/etc/apache2# ls sites-enabled/
000-default  joomla-basic
root@ubuntu-laptop:/etc/apache2# 

Set up MYSQL database for Joomla cms

Create a database for Joomla. See example steps below:

root@ubuntu-laptop:/home/kucing# mysql -u root -p
Enter password: 
Welcome to the MySQL monitor.  Commands end with ; or \g.
Your MySQL connection id is 66
Server version: 5.0.67-0ubuntu6 (Ubuntu)

Type 'help;' or '\h' for help. Type '\c' to clear the buffer.

mysql>

Create a new database:

mysql> create database joomladb;
Query OK, 1 row affected (0.07 sec)

mysql>\q

Quit mysql and we can begin the Joomla installation.

Install Joomla in Ubuntu

1) Download latest joomla 1.5.x from official Joomla website:

http://www.joomla.org/download.html

2) Extract joomla 1.5.x and move it to web server home directory. Here is an example on how to transfer Joomla to web server root directory in Ubuntu desktop:

root@ubuntu-laptop:/home/kucing# cd /var/www/
root@ubuntu-laptop:/var/www# mkdir joomla-basic
root@ubuntu-laptop:/var/www# cd joomla-basic/ 
root@ubuntu-laptop:/var/www/joomla-basic# cp -R /home/kucing/Documents/kursus-joomla/Joomla_1.5.14-Stable-Full_Package/* .
root@ubuntu-laptop:/var/www/joomla-basic# cd ..
root@ubuntu-laptop:/var/www# chown -R www-data.www-data joomla-basic/ 

3) Open web browser and key in “localhost/joomla-basic” in the url.

4) Follow joomla installation steps.

Choose language:

Pre-installation check:

Joomla license agreement:

Joomla database configuration:

FTP configuration:

Main configuration:

Finish:

5) Remove “installation” directory.

root@ubuntu-laptop:/var/www# rm -r /var/www/joomla-basic/installation

Test Joomla cms

Open your new website's administration page by entering the address such as 'localhost/joomla15/administrator' in the web browser url. Replace the 'joomla15' with the name of your joomla's directory name.

Key in joomla's administrator username and password.

Here's Joomla administration menu page:

That's all. What you have to do next is to set up your website. Joomla provides sample data that you can use as an example on how your website can be. You can use that as a guide. My personal opinion, to set up a website using Joomla cms is quite difficult and confusing. It is also hard to find a simple step by step tutorial on how to create a Joomla website out there. Many tutorials just confused you more. Anyway, good luck!

There is a simple explanation about Joomla cms and a step by step guide for a new user in How to create a new website Joomla 1.5 tutorial for beginner tutorial. I hope the tutorial is useful for anybody planning to build a new website based on Joomla.