Friendica is a free and open-source social network software that is designed to provide privacy, security and freedom on the internet. In this tutorial, we will guide you on how to install Friendica on FreeBSD Latest.
Before we begin, there are some prerequisites which need to be met:
Firstly, you need to update your FreeBSD system's package repository by running the following command:
# pkg update && pkg upgrade
Once the package repository is updated, you can install the required packages for the Friendica installation.
# pkg install apache24 php74 php74-mysqli php74-pdo_mysql php74-curl php74-openssl php74-mbstring php74-zip php74-json php74-gd php74-xml
Friendica requires the Apache web server to be installed and running on your FreeBSD server. We need to configure it by creating a new virtual host for Friendica in the Apache configuration file.
Run the following command to create a new Apache configuration file for Friendica:
# vi /usr/local/etc/apache24/Includes/friendica.conf
Add the following lines to the file:
<VirtualHost *:80>
ServerName friendica.example.com
DocumentRoot /usr/local/www/friendica
<Directory /usr/local/www/friendica>
Options Indexes FollowSymLinks
AllowOverride All
Require all granted
</Directory>
</VirtualHost>
Replace "friendica.example.com" with your domain name.
Next, you need to download Friendica's latest version from their website using the following command:
# cd /usr/local/www/
# fetch https://github.com/friendica/friendica/archive/refs/tags/2021.04.zip
Extract the downloaded file using the following command:
# unzip 2021.04.zip
Rename the extracted friendica folder to your domain name:
# mv friendica-2021.04 friendica.example.com
Copy the sample configuration file and customize it to match your server's configuration.
# cp /usr/local/www/friendica.example.com/.htconfig.php.sample /usr/local/www/friendica.example.com/.htconfig.php
# vi /usr/local/www/friendica.example.com/.htconfig.php
Modify the following settings in the .htconfig.php file:
$hostname = "friendica.example.com";
$db_host = "localhost";
$db_user = "friendica_user";
$db_pass = "friendica_password";
Save and exit the file.
You need to set the appropriate ownership and permissions for the Friendica files so that Apache can read it.
# chown -R www:www /usr/local/www/friendica.example.com
# chmod -R 755 /usr/local/www/friendica.example.com
Finally, start the Apache web server and test your Friendica installation by visiting your domain name in your web browser.
# service apache24 start
Congratulations! You have successfully installed Friendica on FreeBSD Latest.
If you want to self-host in an easy, hands free way, need an external IP address, or simply want your data in your own hands, give IPv6.rs a try!
Alternatively, for the best virtual desktop, try Shells!
