Before upgrading Dada Mail, find out how you installed and configured Dada Mail before. If you don't know or aren't sure, don't upgrade Dada Mail: you will run into major headaches.
We're going to only differentiate between two types of installations: "Basic" and, "Contemporary" (If you installed Dada Mail using the included installer, you have a Contemporary installation)
A, Basic installation changes the configuration variables right in the, dada/DADA/Config.pm file - usually you want to be very much aware of the following variables:
You'll know if you have a Basic installation of Dada Mail if the
$FILES variable in the, dada/DADA/Config.pm file is filled out to a directory that actually exists and that directory holds files/directories that have something to do with Dada Mail.
If you are running a Basic Installation of Dada Mail, we really suggest upgrading by taking note of where your $FILES variable is located and importing the old information after a clean installation.
basic_to_contemporary_installation.pod.html
A Contemporary Installation uses an outside configuration file to set the configuration variables in.
You'll know if you have a Contemporary Installation, if those same four variables in the, dada/DADA/Config.pm file:
Are still in their default values and your Dada Mail seems to be functioning fine. This probably means that your config variables are being read from an outside config file.
For upgrade purposes, note what the, $PROGRAM_CONFIG_FILE_DIR in the, dada/DADA/Config.pm is set to. It's OK if it's only set to, auto.
If you installed Dada Mail through Simple Scripts (http://simplescripts.com) you have two good choices when it comes to upgrading.
Upgrade a Simple Scripts installed Dada Mail through Simple Scripts on interface (look for an "Upgrade" link, or Simple Scripts may alert you of updates).
If you want to use the included Dada Mail installer to upgrade Dada Mail (perhaps, you purchased Pro Dada?), you can turn a Simple Scripts install into a Contemporary Installation with these directions:
http://dadamailproject.com/d/upgrade_from_simple_scripts.pod.html
Dada Mail, "The Program" is the collection of files and directories that are in the directory called, dada.
If you've followed our installation instructions, this directory is most likely located in your cgi-bin. It's directory structure like this:
cgi-bin (directory)
- dada (directory, _lower_ case)
- mail.cgi
- DADA (directory, UPPER case)
- App (directory)
- Config.pm
- etc, etc, etc
This is Dada Mail, "The Program"
Simply rename this directory on your hosting account from:
dada
to something like:
dada-old_ver
Moving the directory:
Upgrading will now be similar to installing Dada Mail (install_dada_mail.pod.html)
The first screen of the installer will ask you if you'd like to Install, or Upgrade Dada Mail. Choose, Upgrade.
A new form field will appear, labeled, Current .dada_files Location.
If it can automatically be found, the textbox will be pre-filled with
the absolute path to the parent directory of where the .dada_files directory lives. If this path looks correct, click, Continue....
If this isn't the correct location, or no location was pre-filled in, fill in the correct location manually. The installer shouldn't allow you to continue, unless this directory is successfully found.
Two new options are presented to you in the installer, if you are upgrading.
Select this option if you are upgrading between major versions of Dada Mail. For example, version 4.0.0 to version 5.0.0 or, from version 5.0.0 to version 5.1.0.
Changes are preiodically made to Dada Mail's default configuration and it's a good idea to have the installer create a new .dada_config file to
take advantage of any new enhancements and also to keep your .dada_config file current and compatible with your new copy of
Dada Mail.
The Dada Mail installer does not read your old .dada_config file, so you will have to manually read your old .dada_config file
and type in the old values. You can view your current .dada_config file clicking the buttom on top of the installer labeled,
View this .dada_config Configuration...
Select this option if you are upgrading between minor versions of Dada Mail. For example, version 5.0.0 to 5.0.1.
The rest of the installer form will be hidden, as no extra configuration is needed.
It's a very very good idea to look at the changelog and not any incompatibilities between versions. It's possible that incompatibilities could break your installation, when you upgrade.
The following screencast walks through how to upgrade Dada Mail. The original Dada Mail was installed using the Dada Mail installer: