How to Install Simple-URL-Shortener on Linux Mint

Simple-URL-Shortener is an open source web-based application that allows users to shorten long links into shorter and simpler ones. It can be installed locally on Linux Mint to use on your own server. Here is a step-by-step tutorial to install Simple-URL-Shortener on Linux Mint:

Prerequisites

• A server running Linux Mint
• Apache web server software installed on the server
• PHP version 7.2 or newer installed on the server
• MySQL or MariaDB database installed on the server

Installation

1. Open Terminal on Linux Mint.

2. Install Git by running the following command:

   sudo apt-get install git
   

3. Clone Simple-URL-Shortener repository from GitHub by running the following command:

   sudo git clone https://github.com/azlux/Simple-URL-Shortener.git /var/www/html/simple-url-shortener
   

4. Install Composer by running the following commands:

   curl -sS https://getcomposer.org/installer | sudo php -- --install-dir=/usr/local/bin --filename=composer
   sudo chmod +x /usr/local/bin/composer
   

5. Change the directory to /var/www/html/simple-url-shortener.

   cd /var/www/html/simple-url-shortener
   

6. Install dependencies by running the following command:

   sudo composer install --no-interaction --no-dev --prefer-dist
   

7. Create a new database in MySQL or MariaDB.

   sudo mysql -u root -p
   create database shortenerdb;
   

8. Import database schema by running the following command:

   sudo mysql -u root -p shortenerdb < sql/schema.sql
   

9. Create a new Virtual Host in Apache by running the following command:

   sudo nano /etc/apache2/sites-available/simple-url-shortener.conf
   

10. Add the following content to the file:

    <VirtualHost *:80>
      ServerName yourdomain.com
      ServerAlias www.yourdomain.com
      DocumentRoot /var/www/html/simple-url-shortener/public
      <Directory /var/www/html/simple-url-shortener/public>
        Options Indexes FollowSymLinks MultiViews
        AllowOverride All
        Order allow,deny
        allow from all
        Require all granted
      </Directory>
      ErrorLog /var/log/apache2/simple-url-shortener-error.log
      LogLevel error
      CustomLog /var/log/apache2/simple-url-shortener-access.log combined
    </VirtualHost>
    

11. Save and close the file by pressing Ctrl+X, then Y, then Enter.

12. Enable the Virtual Host by running the following command:

    sudo a2ensite simple-url-shortener.conf
    

13. Restart Apache by running the following command:

    sudo service apache2 restart
    

14. Set up database configuration by running the following command:

    sudo nano /var/www/html/simple-url-shortener/app/config/config.php
    

15. Edit the database configuration fields as follows:

    $config['database']['dsn'] = 'mysql:host=localhost;dbname=shortenerdb';
    $config['database']['username'] = 'root';
    $config['database']['password'] = 'yourpasswordhere';
    

16. Save and close the file by pressing Ctrl+X, then Y, then Enter.

17. Open your web browser and go to http://yourdomain.com.

18. Simple-URL-Shortener should now be installed and ready to use.

Conclusion

Installation of Simple-URL-Shortener on Linux Mint is a straightforward process. Following the above steps is easy and should result in a successful installation. By doing so, you will have your own URL shortening service that you can use on your own server for your own needs.

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!