1. Unzip the software

Unzip the downloaded file to a folder on your computer's hard drive.

2. Modify web.config

Edit /pt/web.config with a plain text editor (eg. Notepad) and change the settings as indictated. The most import setting is cfgConnect.

3. Upload software to web server

• /pt - Upload the entire /pt folder to your web server. You would typically upload the /pt folder to your web site's root directory, but it can also be uploaded to a sub-directory.
• /bin - Upload the files in this folder to the /bin folder in your web site's root directory (if none exists, create it)
• /App_Code - Upload the files in this folder to the /App_Code folder in your web site's root directory (if none exists, create it)
• /App_Data - If you will be using MS Access, upload presstopia.mdb to the /App_Data folder on your web site (or any folder with read and write permissions). NB: presstopia.mdb is empty - the tables will be created in a later step.

4. Folder permissions

Make sure that the /feeds and /uploads folders on your web server have read and write permissions so you can upload images and create XML feeds. If you will be using an Access database the folder in which the .mdb file is located must also have read and write permissions.

5. Run the Installer utility

You are now ready to connect to your database and create the database tables :

1. Using your web browser, browse to the /admin/install.aspx page on your web server.
2. Click the Begin Installation button to run the installer utility.
3. The software will now perform various checks on your installation. If this is a new installation, it will also create the database tables.
4. Fix any errors reported by the Installer utility. The installer can be run as many times as required untill all errors are resolved.

6. Logon to admin area

Once the Installer has successfully finished, click the Admin Logon link in the top right corner (or browse to /admin/Default.aspx) and logon with the default admin User ID (user) and password (password).

7. Change default admin UserID and Password

This step is very important. Click the List Users link in the navigation bar, then click the Edit link of the Default Admin user. Change the default admin's UserID and Password to prevent unauthorized access.

8. Verify and update configuration settings

Click on the Configuration link in the navigation bar. Review each configuration setting and modify the default values as required.

9. Delete the Installer utility

Enter a post or two to see if everything is working OK, then for extra security, delete the /admin/install.aspx file used to install the software.

10. Done!

Congratulations. The software should now be fully functional.

Presstopia Blog is highly customizable. You can change almost every visual aspect of the application. There are 4 files that control the look and feel of the blog. These files are all located in the /themes/default folder :

1. Style.css

This is a standard CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) file and it plays a major role in the appearance of the software. Many aspects of the appearance, such as font type, font size, font color, borders, background and so forth, can be changed by changing the relevant CSS attributes. 

2. Main.ascx

This is the main template file and determines the general layout of each page. It therefore holds the elements that are displayed on every page view, such as the header, logos, latest items, profile, archives, etc. Please do not remove the Powered By Presstopia message in this file. It helps us gain visibility and grow, which ultimately benefits you as well.

3. PostFunctions.ascx

This file determines how post related elements are displayed, such as when posts are displayed on the home page, viewing an individual post, commenting on a post, etc.

4. UserFunctions.ascx

The file determines how user related elements are displayed, such as registration, logon, password reminder, etc.

5. Changing the logo

The logo file is located at themes/default/images/Logo.gif. To change the logo, simply replace the logo file with your own logo file. Alternatively, you can change Main.ascx to point to another logo image file.