Getting Started
This tutorial describes how to install the open source Ghost blogging platform on Ubuntu 14.04 LTS at Digital Ocean. You’ll want to have a domain name or sub-domain registered for the app, e.g. http://yourghostblog.com. If you don’t have a registrar or need more information, I recommend NameCheap.
Creating Your Server Instance
Sign up at Digital Ocean now, the process is simple and only requires your email and password:
Digital Ocean’s cloud instances are called Droplets. Once you sign up, you can create your first Droplet using the selections below. You’ll want to have a hostname (domain or sub-domain name) chosen for your site in mind. Here’s the main menu at Digital Ocean:
Select Create Droplet and type in your domain name as the host name. Choose the $5/mo. option to begin:
Select the geographical region nearest to you:
Select the prepared image for Ghost 0.5.x on Ubuntu and click Create Droplet:
You’ll see the Droplet creation progress bar:
Creating a droplet only takes a minute. Digital Ocean will email you your IP address and root password. You’ll arrive at the Console page for your new Droplet:
Once you have your IP address, you can begin the process of mapping your domain name to the droplet e.g. yourdomain.com to your IP address. Visit your domain registrar’s DNS settings and change the A record for your yourghostblog.com to the new IP address e.g. 54.234.124.117.
Wait until your DNS changes propagate (sometimes up to several hours or more – check them here), try to connect via SSH using your domain and the password provided in the Digital Ocean email. Visit your domain name in your web browser and you should see the new Ghost home page:
Visit the administration page to set up your Ghost blog e.g. http://yourghostblog.com/ghost:
And, you’re ready to start blogging with Ghost. Next, read the Getting Started with Ghost documentation. Also, follow my Tuts+ author page for my upcoming tutorial on Ghost 0.5.
Please feel free to post corrections, questions or comments below. I’d be especially interested in alternate approaches. You can also reach me on Twitter @reifman or email me directly.
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