In this tutorial, we will show you how to install GoToSocial, an open-source social networking platform, on Windows 10 using Github.
First, navigate to the Github repository of the GoToSocial project at https://github.com/superseriousbusiness/gotosocial. Next, click on the green Code button and copy the HTTPS URL from the dropdown.
Then, open Command Prompt or Git Bash on your system and navigate to the directory where you want to keep your GoToSocial project. Once you are there, run the following command:
git clone https://github.com/superseriousbusiness/gotosocial.git
This will clone the GoToSocial repository onto your local machine.
After cloning the repository, navigate to the project directory using Command Prompt or Git Bash and execute the following command:
composer install
This will install all the project dependencies.
Create a new MySQL database and copy the credentials. Then, navigate to the config/autoload directory and make a copy of the file local.php.dist, and rename the copied file to local.php.
Open the local.php file in any text editor and enter your MySQL database credentials.
Now, we need to configure Apache to serve the GoToSocial application. To do this, we need to create a new Virtual Host.
Navigate to the conf directory of your Apache installation and open the httpd.conf file. A common location to find this file is C:\Program Files\Apache Software Foundation\Apache2.4\conf.
Add the following code to the end of the httpd.conf file:
<VirtualHost *:80>
ServerName gotosocial.dev
DocumentRoot "C:\path\to\gotosocial\public"
<Directory "C:\path\to\gotosocial\public">
AllowOverride All
Require all granted
</Directory>
</VirtualHost>
Replace the path to the GoToSocial project directory in the DocumentRoot and Directory sections of the code.
Save the httpd.conf file and restart Apache.
Finally, open your browser and navigate to http://gotosocial.dev/. The GoToSocial application should now be running and ready to use!
Now you have successfully installed GoToSocial on your Windows 10 machine! Enjoy the open-source social networking platform, and don't forget to contribute to the community.
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!
