GeekLog Readme
December 28, 2002

For the installation instructions please see docs/install.html

WELCOME
-------
Geeklog is the source code and database that was originally used to run 
SecurityGeeks and NewsGeeks, and has now been released under the GNU General 
Public License. It is a bona fide Open Source / Free Software project. Use 
this site to get the GeekLog source, read the latest GeekLog news, and 
participate in Geeklog discussions.  The template code Geeklog uses is from 
PHPLib, however, which is under the LGPL.

GeekLog is run by Tony Bibbs, but like all good open source projects,
depends on the community. Thanks for your continued support, and let us know
what we can do to make GeekLog better. 

A summary of GeekLog's feature are as follows:

- Easy to install.
- Full localization and locale aware.
- Threaded comment system that supports different modes.
- User-specified theming engine for custom look and feel.
- User accounts and access controls.
- HTML and key word checking in stories and comments.
- RDF/RSS import and export ability.
- Easy to use admin interface.
- Admin interface has complete configurability for all functions of the site.
- Ability to attach images to articles.
- All passwords are stored encrypted.
- Complete error logging on all forms and SQL calls.
- All admin access is logged.
- All errors are logged.
- Save story drafts until they are ready for publishing.
- Robust calendar feature with support for personalized calendars.
- Plugin support with API for developers.
- A fully configurable block system, with php-in-block support.
- Robust *nix-like security model for all objects which can be extended for 
  use in plugins
- Spam protection features and protection of user email addresses
- Well organized codebase, use of PHP's Object-Oriented features.
- Thin database abstraction layer allowing Geeklog to be ported to DBMS's other 
  than the default (MySQL).

LICENSE
-------
GeekLog is licensed under the GPL. There should be an included LICENSE file - if
it really interests you (or you having trouble sleeping) go ahead and read it.

In a nice gesture you could provide a link back to us:

http://www.geeklog.net

There is also a button that is in the release that we would appreciate you use
(in public_html/images/buttons).

SUPPORT
-------
The best support channel is a mailing list located at:

http://lists.geeklog.net/listinfo/geeklog-users

Additionally the GeekLog home page is a good source of information at:

http://www.geeklog.net


There is also a IRC channel, where we have live Geeklog chat.  Once you have
an IRC client such as mIRC (www.mirc.co.uk), or BitchX the you can log on:

Server: irc.freenode.net
Channel: #Geeklog


KNOWN ISSUES
------------
All known issus are in docs/knownbugs. If you identify a bug please
let us know by filling out a bug report at:

http://project.geeklog.net/tracker/?group_id=6&atid=105

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS AND INSTALLATION
------------------------------------
See docs/install.html

SECURITY ISSUES
---------------
It is up to you to properly secure your database, web server and host 
settings.  If you are looking for information in securing your system
some starting points I can recommend are:

http://www.php.net
http://www.mysql.com
http://www.apache.org
http://www.devshed.com
http://www.securityfocus.com
http://www.linux.com

SPECIAL THANKS
--------------

I want to send out thanks to:

Jason Whittenburg - He is the original Geeklog developer!
PHPWebLog Project - Some of the functions in GeekLog came from them!
PHPSlash Project - Some of the functions in GeekLog came from them!
thatphpware Project - Some of the functions in GeekLog came from them!
PHPBB Project - Some of the functions in Geeklog came from them!
PHPLib Project - Thanks for the great template engine!

And of course, all the members of the Geeklog mailing lists and IRC channel.

ENJOY!
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Read the documents in the /docs directory for more information, etc...
