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How to install Dolphin with Softaculous

This guide shows you how to set up Dolphin, a community and social network site, on your hosting account in a few clicks.

CMS and Apps2 min read16 steps

What are Dolphin and Softaculous?

Dolphin is software for building a community website. Members can make profiles, share photos, chat and join groups. A CMS (content management system) is software that lets you manage a site from your browser.

Softaculous is an app installer. It is like an app store for your hosting. It puts the files in place and builds the database for you. Ask Hostvento support if Softaculous is on your plan, and whether Dolphin is in its list. Dolphin may need a licence or special set-up in some versions. Support can tell you.

Steps

  1. Log in to your hosting control panel. Your login is in your welcome email. You can also start in the client area at https://secure.hostvento.com/clientarea.php.
  2. Click Softaculous Apps Installer.
  3. Type Dolphin in the search box.
  4. Click Dolphin in the results.
  5. Click Install Now.
  6. Choose the protocol. Use https:// if your site has an SSL certificate, which keeps visits private. If not, use http://.
  7. Choose your domain name.
  8. In In Directory, leave the box empty to use the main address. Type a folder name to use a sub-folder.
  9. Type your Site Name.
  10. Under Admin Account, pick an admin username and a strong password. Add your email address. Write them down in a safe place.
  11. Click Install.
  12. Wait for the progress bar to finish. Softaculous then shows links to your site and its admin area.
Warning: If the folder already holds a website, the install may overwrite files. Make a backup first.

After the install

  1. Open the admin link from Softaculous. It usually ends with /administration.
  2. Log in with your admin details.
  3. Look at the settings, such as site name, email and language.
  4. Open your main site and test it by making a test member.

If the install fails

Dolphin can need a certain PHP version and some extra PHP parts called extensions. If you see an error, note the message. Open a ticket at https://secure.hostvento.com/submitticket.php and include it.

Tip: Social sites collect personal details. Use https, a strong admin password and regular backups.

Quick recap

  • Dolphin builds a community site. Softaculous installs it for you.
  • Search for Dolphin and click Install Now.
  • Pick the domain, folder and admin details.
  • Click Install.
  • Log in at the admin link and test your site.