No automatic install for 5.1?

[jcollier]

I have a brand-spanking new Drupal 5.1 instance, and I've been dropping modules in, and they automatically install when I activate them.

However, when reading the CivicCRM pre-installation notes, there appears to be advice against doing that, and following a lot of detailed manual steps.

Could someone point me toward posts that clarify this issue, and a roadmap that shows when automatic installation will become available?

[Donald Lobo]

CiviCRM does not ship with an automatic install file for drupal. This is currently not on our roadmap either. Some reasons for this include:

1. CiviCRM might need to be installed in a seperate DB. I dont think there is a way in drupal auto-install to post a form and get a response

2. CiviCRM needs write permission on sites/default/ (to write civicrm.settings.php to disk). I don think the auto-install feature allows you to validate that this is possible and if not return to the same page etc

3. Since we operate on multiple CMS's we are considering a stand alone installer similar to one found in SMF and use a small bridge between the CMS and CiviCRM

If having an auto installer is important to you, a code contribution would be great

lobo

[jcollier]

Lobo-

I think if I were capable of coding, then I wouldn't be asking for the automatic installer

I'm afraid I don't understand why the points you mentioned make such a process impossible, but I'll take you at your word.

Thanks for answering ...

jc

[Donald Lobo]

JC:

there are other ways of contributing and making things better, some ideas are listed here:

http://forum.civicrm.org/index.php/topic,15.msg2189.html#msg2189

and a few more thoughts and comments here

http://civicrm.org/node/209

lobo

[jcollier]

Thanks, Lobo.

Unfortunately, I'm such a neophyte that I don't have the expertise to do an install ... I'm simply looking for an easy way to install and test it out within my Drupal environment.

The Documentation > Plan page, appears to say that there aren't default data fields and work processes, so I can just try CiviCRM out.

http://wiki.civicrm.org/confluence/display/CRMDOC/1.+Plan

Hmmm. I don't want to fully define my work processes now. I simply want to get my hands dirty trying it out, then iterate my way deeper. Not possible?

Perhaps I'm just starting to understand that CivicCRM isn't really in the same class as a Drupal module — which I can install and use myself, without any PHP/MySQL coding experience — but that I need to hire someone to get started.

But maybe, I'm missing something.

-jc

BTW, I also can't find a feature in Simple Machines to keep track of my posts. (There is a link for replies to my posts, but not the posts themselves.) This is available, out of the box, with Drupal.

[Donald Lobo]

1. yes installing civicrm is more complicated than installing a drupal module. you dont need php/mysql skills. however having some tech knowledge and understanding makes the installation process a bit easier and smoother (IMO)

2. You can play with our sandbox and see if it meets your needs: http://sandbox.civicrm.org/drupal/

3. http://forum.civicrm.org/index.php?action=profile;sa=showPosts

lobo