Thread

This has been discussed somewhat in various other threads having to do with local installs but not fleshed out as to what one considers a base or starter install…EE - Settings _ Plugins + Extensions + Modules. An install that you dupe to start every new EE site.
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I tend to start with nothing more than changes to various preferences/settings/paths and a few Global path variables. No extras.
Am interested in what others consider a good start install, what extras you throw in and why.
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Maybe we can post to a somewhat common format…
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Base Settings:
Settings here.
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Plugins:
Plugin Name - Why Installed
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Extensions:
Extension Name - Why Installed
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Modules:
Module Name - Why Installed

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Have at it gang!

I don’t have time to delve into this the way I should—but I’ll start.

First and formost, I keep three sets of EE files. One set for new clients that haven’t installed yet. No forum stuff.

In that install, I remove some of the modules, such as blogger_api, updated_sites, trackback and ip_to_nation.

I add:

Freeform
File Manager
Fresh Variables
Navigator

In the plugin space I add:

pi.markdown, pi.textile
pi.replace, pi.title, pi.trunchtml

There may be a few others that I haven’t listed.

Extensions:

ext.edit_tab_ajax, ext.ez_category_checkboxes, ext.lg_add_sitename, ext.edit_remember

I know I’m missing a few..

I also set the site to use cookies only, to allow writing to text files, setting templates to be save with 15 copies, change url title separator to - instead of _, categories set to not choose parents, and create a 404 page.

I also backup the site template so I have it for a reference, but I don’t use it.

I create a jscss folder on the site so I can just use that instead of placing my css and or js inside of EE.

I also create an eeupdates folder for the sites I need to upgrade.

I remove any folder that doesn’t have anything in it, and delete all the index.html files. If I already have a site there, why ftp those files up again?

I also remove the config.php files, the path.php file, and the install.php file. Just so I don’t accidently upload over them.

Hey Pxlated…

I add:

- Freeform
- LG Add Sitename
- LG Better Meta
- LG TinyMCE

at the very least.

Ya but Leevi, you’re biased ;_)

I’ve not ever documented this for myself and am not very disciplined with a routine, but this is what my default installation should probably be
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Base Settings:
- Create global variable for base site url
(I just got my copy of Michael’s book and learned that this is a built in variable from one’s sysem prefs, so I guess I can skip this one now.)
- Global weblog prefs: turn on convert high ASCII characters to entities - I always forget this one until I see strange characters in posts.
- Global template prefs: turn on revisions
- Enter license number!!!
- Create a template group for embeds - I used to call this ‘page_elements’ but now I call it ‘inc’
- Add quick links for site home and basecamp acct
- I’m just starting to get brave and remove index.php with .htaccess on most new installations.

There are very few add ons that I use on every installation, but these are some that I use a lot.

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Plugins:
Extract URL
Word limiter

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Extensions:
Disable pMachine News Feed - an extension dated by it’s name
Tab Forward - if a category or date selection is imperative to something displaying properly, Tab Forward is great.
File - File upload for the masses.

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Modules:
Freeform - I have created EE sites for people JUST so they could use Freeform.  Usually the site grows and then EE has provided a solid foundation.

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Other:
phpThumb - client-proof images!
SAEF checkboxes from the WIKI - this is a great bit of JS to make your SAEF category selects have checkboxes.

There is a bit of template code in the Wiki that makes a “cheat sheet”.  I always made this template on my first few sites but have gotten out of the habit.  I would add a quick link for this.

Ya but Leevi, you’re biased ;_)

I added Freeform didn’t I 😊