The MSI setup option is recommended when possible. Using the MSI, you can have Community Server installed and ready for use in less than two minutes. For upgrades from previous versions or for installing into a hosted environment, the Web Installer or manual installation option is recommended.
Many hosts now offer Community Server preinstalled or as a "one-click" installation option through the client control panel. Please check with your hosting company to see if this is an option.
Using Community Server
After installing Community Server, you will be presented with a welcome screen. To begin customizing your Community Server installation, you'll first need to sign in with the administrator account created during setup.
After signing in, you can manage all aspects of Community Server through the Control Panel (Figure 13-7).
Figure 13-7. Managing Community Server through the Control Panel
(Click image to see larger view.)
The Control Panel for Community Server allows users to manage their content as well as enabling administrators to override and manage the entire system. From the Administration tab (Figure 13-8), you can enable or disable functionality within Community Server, such as forums, blogs, photo galleries, file galleries, and other features.
Figure 13-8. Administering a site
(Click image to see larger view.)
You can also configure application behavior such as how logins are handled and how users are authenticated, view reports, and manage filters to control spam.
Managing site content
Community Server 2.1 includes many content-management capabilities, with many more to come, making it easy for nontechnical people to edit and manage content.
When you're signed in as a content manager, moving the mouse over editable content will display a tooltip indicating what type of edit action can be performed (Figure 13-9).
Figure 13-9. Flyover tooltip indicating available actions