OK to run test site without license?

[Thierry Martin]

I bought a license, very happy with XenForo. I am buying another license, purchasing it next week, for another domain. Can I do a password protected admin-only install this weekend to get things setup and before going public pay for the new license? Or will I have to re-install XenForo for the new install to be legit once it is paid for and goes live?

 

[Martin F]

If you already own a license then;

How many installations can I make with a single license?
Each license permits you to install the software once. However, you may create a single additional test installation for testing purposes only. Any test installation of this kind must be password protected, and access to it must be limited to you and your website staff.

Quote is from Brogan in the thread Pre Sales FAQ

I would suggest just putting a test install up. Sort it all out. Do a backup and then just "restore" it to where it adds all the boards for you when you go live. On the new installation that is.

 

[Thierry Martin]

I read that, I don't want to do an install and three days later do another install. I wish to know if I can just remove the password protection once paid or do I have to install the whole thing again from a backup.

 

[Paul B]

You don't have to do a reinstall.

You can just re-upload the files from the upgrade .zip, making sure not to overwrite or remove the config.php and install_lock.php files.

 

[Thierry Martin]

Would keeping the board closed be considered the same as password protection?

 

[Slavik]

Would keeping the board closed be considered the same as password protection?

No.

 

[Thierry Martin]

I don't understand "password protected"
Does that just mean guests/ outsiders cant register, post or otherwise interact?

It means using htaccess auth, like this: http://xenforo.com/community/resour...and-the-install-directory-using-htaccess.353/
In practice though, disabling registration and revoking view permission for guests will achieve much the same thing.

Is this not the same as just keeping the forum closed?

 

[TPerry]

Is this not the same as just keeping the forum closed?

No. Just keeping it closed it (and any content) can still be viewed. Protecting it via htaccess prevents anyone without a username/password combo from seeing anything.

 

[Thierry Martin]

OK, thought the forum was inaccessible while closed. How do people view content while the forum is turned off via admin? Is there a misunderstanding about the word closed? To me that means turning it off in the admin. Are you referring to closing as in closing a thread?

there is an on/off checkbox in Options > Board Active

"When the board is inactive / closed, this message will be shown to site visitors."

 

[Slavik]

The rules for running a test site are clearly defined, and Brogan has provided a link how to do it.

ht protection stops access full stop without a username and password. The XenForo software is still available via closing the forum.

If you wish to run a test forum, you need to comply with the rules, and currently that is via password protection.

 

[TPerry]

"When the board is inactive / closed, this message will be shown to site visitors."

Yes, but the license states that the dev site must be password protected so that NO part of it is visible as @Brogan and @Slavik have already stated. Placing it under htaccess is very easy on nginx, Apache or OpenLiteSpeed.

 

[Thierry Martin]

well Brogan also said "In practice though, disabling registration and revoking view permission for guests will achieve much the same thing."

 

[TPerry]

well Brodan also said "In practice though, disabling registration and revoking view permission for guests will achieve much the same thing."

It will... but it's not within the scope of the license of a second "dev" install.