How to Install GoatCounter on POP! OS Latest

GoatCounter is a free web analytics platform available to use as a self-hosted software. Here, we will look at how to install GoatCounter on POP! OS Latest.

Prerequisites

• A VPS or dedicated server with POP! OS Latest installed
• A non-root user account with administrative privileges

Step 1: Update Packages

Before installing any software, it is recommended to update the system packages to their latest versions. Run the following command to update the packages:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

Step 2: Install Dependencies

GoatCounter requires a few dependencies to be installed before proceeding with installation. Run the following command to install the required packages:

sudo apt install git curl postgresql libpq-dev

Step 3: Install Golang

GoatCounter is written in Go language, and thus, it requires Golang to be installed. In case you don't have Golang installed on your machine, follow the below steps to install Go:

3.1: Download and Install Golang

Download the latest Golang package that matches your system architecture from the official Golang website.

wget https://golang.org/dl/go1.17.linux-amd64.tar.gz
tar -C /usr/local -xzf go1.17.linux-amd64.tar.gz

3.2: Add Golang to the System Path

Next, set the Go environment variables by running the following commands:

export GOROOT=/usr/local/go
export GOPATH=$HOME/go
export PATH=$PATH:$GOROOT/bin:$GOPATH/bin

Step 4: Clone the GoatCounter Git Repository

Go to your home directory using the following command:

cd ~

Clone the GoatCounter Git repository using the following command:

git clone https://github.com/zgoat/goatcounter.git

Step 5: Build and Run GoatCounter

Navigate to the GoatCounter directory using the following command:

cd goatcounter

Build the GoatCounter binary file using the following command:

go build

Start the GoatCounter web server using the following command:

./goatcounter serve

You have now successfully installed and started GoatCounter on your machine. You can verify the installation by visiting http://localhost:8080/count in your browser.

Conclusion

In this tutorial, we have seen how to install GoatCounter on POP! OS Latest. With GoatCounter installed, you can gain valuable insights about your website users, without having to rely on external analytics services.

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!