3 replies to this topic

[Myriam]

After doing some extensive searches, I'm not sure what the requirements for the test installation are. Here's what I've figured out:

• The test install should be kept offline (board down for maintenance message)
  
• Board registration should be turned off
  
• Guest access should be disabled (i.e. the general public cannot see any of the categories/topics of the test installation)

Am I right? Did I miss anything?

I also found a discussion in the forum where it is suggested to enter -TESTINSTALL after the license key for the test installation. In that thread, this post mentions that the skin editor was disabled. Was that an isolated case or has the issue been fixed?

[Axel Wers]

Test installation must be in offline mode and guests cannot register

OR

your test installation must be protected by .htaccess file (you must know password for access it, it's better solution because search spiders cannot reach it and your test board won't be indexed)

[Marcher Technologies]

in very frank honesty....
After having gone through non-localhost test install woes myself... i would highly recommend developing/test installs on localhost.... no muss, no fuss.

[Myriam]

Thank you both for your replies. I'm on a fairly old computer and don't know a thing about running a localhost.

However, I will definitely look into the .htaccess file and see how to get that working. I like the idea of the test site not getting indexed in the search engines. My host also allows me to password protect folders so this will most likely work.