OK, I've downloaded the latest code set.

No where on the front page or off the front page is anything listed relating to installation instructions. That's OK, they'll be in the zip file.

But they're not there. There's a cryptic abbreviated install that doesn't give you much, but, ah, there's the link to the full installation instructions right there:

http://www.zenphoto.org:8080/confluence/display/DOC/Installation

But it doesn't work, does it?

Is there an installation guide to Zen Photo somewhere? Do you have to create the /albums and /cache directories manually?

Couldn't the full installation guide that explains things lucidly and in correct order be posted as a sticky note in this forum?

Looks like an anonymous person modified it and removed the instructions.
I have reposted them on the Wiki
http://www.zenphoto.org/trac/wiki/ZenphotoInstall

@thebert-

When you download the full version (1.0.8.2) from the zenphoto.org site, and extract the files from the zip on your local machine, there should be two directories within that archive entitled albums and cache. So, they shouldn't have to be created manually.

You MUST create a MySQL database instance before trying to install zenphoto, and specify the DB parameters in the zp-config.php file before uploading it.

You then just need to edit the files that the INSTALL file suggests, upload the files and chmod the albums and cache directory to 777. Then connect to the specified link (http://www.yoursite.com/zenphoto/zen/setup.php) and follow the instructions.

I think the developer already knows about the bad link to the old wiki directory, but since he is midway between 1.0.8.2 and the new 1.0.9 version, I believe that has been fixed in the latest SVN code (testing code).

Thank you both very much. I appreciate it and will try to proceed.

As for the instructions to the current version being unavailable because of the upcoming release of a newer version, this means that in the interim, those who try to install Zen are fated to a needlessly frustrating, if not impossible experience, save for the few helpful souls such as yourselves, and that can't be good for anyone, the new users, the support contributors, the developer, or the product.

Again, thank you both for the help.

Still dead, still got "Error: The 'albums' directory cannot be found or is not readable."

Double checked file rights on /Cache and /Albums directories.

Same error.

Deleted all ZP code from webserver.

Killed sql database and user on host. Created new (different) DB name and (different) user name. Added user name to DB as normal.

Modified zp-config.php appropriately.

Ftp'ed everything back up to server. Set file rights on /Cache and /Albums directories.

Waited a while. Tried the install URL again:

"zenphoto setup
database connected

We're all set to create the database tables: `albums`, `images`, and `comments`.

Go!"

[hit 'Go']

"zenphoto setup
Creating tables...
Done!

You can now View your gallery, or administrate."

Then...

"Error: The 'albums' directory cannot be found or is not readable."

***

That's it guys. Thanks much for the help. At this point I don't have faith that this particular version of the code actually works.

I'm out. I've wasted 4 hours. I'll keep looking for a decent, lightweight gallery that installs smoothly and looks good once installed.

most errors are very simple. If you are still interested, if you post a url to your gallery, we are able to find out your problems pretty quickly, there are normally only a couple of things that stop this gallery from working.

If you change your mind, come on back, post a URL and we can take a look at it.

if you dont want to post a URL on a public board, you can email it to me at
danfrei [at] gmail.com and I will gladly take a look at it.

While I agree the setup routine and checks and balances for the install need some work, the script is very stable, powerful and far better than anything else out there(IMO)and I have tried a lot.

Give us another chance, we'll make a believer out of you yet.