True or False? WordPress "famous" 5-minute Installation

Since EnderTech seems to be doing its share of WordPress projects lately, and since I haven't worked with WordPress, I thought, "Hey, do something with your life, learn WordPress." Furthermore, on the WordPress home page, it was suggested that I:

"Download & Install WordPress with our famous 5-minute installation. Feel like a rock star."

Well, that sounded good. In all my years I never did a "famous" installation, and I wanted to feel like a rock star. I wondered about the 5-minute claim, though. I gave it a try.

Heading to the installation guide's "5-minute install" section, the gist of the install was as follows:

• Download WordPress, and place its files in the desired location on your web site.
• Set up a database for WordPress to use, along with a database user to access it.
• Edit a WordPress configuration file to specify the database information and stuff.
• Run a little WordPress installation script from your web browser.

Then going to where I installed the site, a nice little WordPress starter site appeared, all ready for the posting of blog entries. I would just need to change its default image and text, and start configuring it to make it my own.

So how long did it take me? I can't say exactly. Once I got started, I got caught up in it and didn't bother to "turn on the timer."

All right, I admit it, it took me more than 5 minutes. I went down several times to read the more detailed installation instructions that follow the 5-minute section. Maybe I ended up spending 15-20 minutes.

Whatever. The 5-minute claim certainly can't apply to everyone, because there are so many types of users. Some users might take issue with the claim, others may confirm it. In the end, it seems to be just a friendly teaser to get you working with the product.

The 5-minute instructions did have a caveat: they said that they are "for those that are already comfortable with performing such installations." Ay, there's the rub. You have to have a little experience working with the code behind your web site, and some database experience wouldn't hurt, in order to have the install be a positive experience.

If you think all this might be a little much for you, many web hosts have tools for automatically installing WordPress for you, or you could have a look at www.wordpress.com.

As for me, the "5-Minute" teaser served it's purpose: It got me going with WordPress, and everything went well. In fact, the installation instructions were excellent, as the tons of other documentation seem to be. It may not take you 5 minutes, but if you have a modicum of web site experience, you'll get there. The best of luck to you!