Sridhar Katakam

Genesis and WordPress Tutorials

Install and manage WordPress websites on your localhost with DesktopServer

by 14 Comments

DesktopServer from ServerPress is a software available for both PC and Mac which is similar to MAMP, WAMP and XAMPP. It installs Apache, PHP, MySQL and other useful tools like phpMyAdmin using a step by step installation wizard so you can have a fully functional web server in your computer.

Where DesktopServer shines over the others is how easy, simple and fast it makes the whole process of installing, cloning, deploying WordPress websites. I have been using MAMP Pro till yesterday and these are the steps I take in it for installing a WordPress site on my localhost:

  1. Extract WordPress zip file. Move the folder to my Sites folder and rename it per the project.
  2. Create a new virtual host.
  3. Go to phpMyAdmin and create a new database.
  4. Rename wp-config-sample.php to wp-config.php and edit it to enter database connection parameters. Go to security SALT keys page, copy the values and paste them in.

DesktopServer does all the above itself seamlessly in the background. And, it has other unique features like Blueprints, export-import and deploying.

I recorded a screencast in which I go over installing WordPress, creating a blueprint site having all my favorite plugins and theme that I am going to re-use as a starting point template, exporting this blueprint site and using it to create a new one.

Watch it below:

The premium version costs $50 a year and is totally worth it.

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  • Thank you for the write-up and video! You nailed it on the head with how simple it is to create blueprints on DesktopServer. This is one of its many strengths and we are happy that you chose to highlight this features in your video!

    Incidentally, be on the lookout for v3.5.7 to be released any day now! We are in the final testing stages and it should be available really soon!

    Thanks again!

    Marc Benzakein
    serverpress.com

    Reply

      • Sridhar, I have never personally done it and Steve, who is the lead developer is knee-deep in trying to get 3.5.7 built and out there. But, from what I understand, if the dev site was created with that file structure, it will deploy in that way. I hope that helps!

        -marc

        Reply

  • sadly, i can’t seem to download it to my Win 8 PC. i followed their trouble shooting guide but no luck. (didn’t have any of the programs that they said could be the reason i have the port 80 error.)

    i’d be curious if this is a Win 8 issue or a my computer/me issue. guess i’ll keep developing on my host server til then.

    i’ll let you know if i figure it out! thanks for the write up!

    Reply

      • marc –

        it worked!! i went into skype and unclicked the “use port 80 and 443 as alternatives for incoming connections”. i reset skype. and the install works perfectly.

        i’d highly recommend add that to the support tutorials.

        thanks again to you both.
        elizabeth

        Reply

        • Elizabeth, the information is actually on the site BUT we are a ware that under the current design, a lot of the topics are hard to find. Currently in the works is website 2.0 which will have much better accessibility and searchability to all of our topics, white sheets, updates, etc creating a better end user experience. As you can see, we have a lot on our plate, but we’re working through it.

          Of course, most importantly, we are THRILLED to hear that you got it up and running. Sorry for any frustration it might have caused!

          Reply

    • Elizabeth, I saw that you submitted a support ticket. We got a bit backlogged yesterday. Mondays are always tough.

      Many times, a port 80 issue has to do with Skype or the Web services running. In Windows 8, you can turn the web services off by swiping to the upper right-hand corner, do a search for “services” (make sure that settings is selected) and then when you open the services, turn off (disable) Internet Connect Sharing and Web Services.

      To see if Skype is running on port 80, Select Tools –> Options and then select the Advanced tab on the left sidebar, Connection, and then pick a port other than port 80.

      Typically, with port 80 conflicts, it’s one of these two things. I know that on one of my Windows 8 machines, I ran into the same issue.

      Hope that helps!

      -marc

      Reply

  • Hi Sridhar, What a coincidence, I bought the product the weekend and think it’s great.

    I am know trying to work out how to get a workflow setup with DesktopServer, Coda2 and GitHub so I can sync the local site with the remote.

    Is this in your workflow? What setup do you use?

    Kevin

    Reply

    • Kevin,

      At this time I am not looking to keep local and remote in sync.

      I use Sublime Text 2 as my code editor and Transmit for (s)FTP. Any file I open in Transmit for editing gets opened in Sublime Text. I make the needed changes and save and it gets automatically uploaded to the server.

      Reply
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