GNUmed client and server on Ubuntu

Step 0: Preparing Ubuntu

This step is optional on some Desktop variants of Ubuntu and needed on Ubuntu's server version 10.04. It lacks the command 'add-apt-repository' which is needed to add software repositories to Ubuntu.

• copy this command: sudo apt-get install python-software-properties
• paste the above command into Terminal, and press "return"
• the system will probably ask for the password

Step 1: Adding the Packages Archive (PPA)

The GNUmed version that is in the standard Ubuntu repositories is usually outdated. There is a special GNUmed repository available for Ubuntu, with updated packages through the GNUmed team's PPA. While you can certainly use graphical tools to add the up-to-date repositories, it is easy using the command line.

For Ubuntu 9.10 "Karmic Koala" (Desktop version) or higher:

• open Applications > Accessories > Terminal
• copy this command: sudo add-apt-repository ppa:gnumed/ppa
• paste the above command into Terminal, and press "return"
• the system will probably ask for the password
• under System > Administration > Update Manager, click "Install Updates"

If you are not yet comfortable with command line usage follow this excellent guide on how to add a repository on Ubuntu Linux link. Look for the section on how to add custom repositories.

Older Ubuntu versions:

• Install through the GNUmed team's PPA page link. This information is available as a video in English und in deutscher Sprache.

More on command line usage here link.

Step 2: GNUmed client installation

This step will install the frontend of GNUmed. You can install it from the command line like this:

• open Applications > Accessories > Terminal
• copy this command: sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get upgrade && sudo apt-get install gnumed-client
• paste the above command into Terminal, and press "return"

Alternatively, you can follow the guide at https://help.ubuntu.com/community/InstallingSoftware to learn how to use graphical helper tools. There is a tutorial video available showing the client installation on Ubuntu ( English narration oder deutsche Sprache)

Step 3: GNUmed server installation

These files are needed if you want GNUmed to be able to store and access data on your local computer. You can skip it if you only want to store and access data on a remote computer with GNUmed server already installed.

You can install it from the command line like this:

• open Applications > Accessories > Terminal
• copy this command: sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get upgrade && sudo apt-get install gnumed-server
• paste the above command into Terminal, and press "return".

Alternatively, you can follow the guide at https://help.ubuntu.com/community/InstallingSoftware to learn how to use graphical helper tools.

Step 4: Preparing PostgreSQL

The database is where GNUmed actually stores your data. First, the PostgreSQL database that comes with your system must be prepared.

4.1 Preparing PostgreSQL/ Setting up database access rights for the local computer

This assumes Ubuntu 9.10 running PostgreSQL 8.4. The PostgreSQL configuration files are pg_hba.conf and pg_ident.conf.

• open Applications > Accessories > Terminal
• copy this command: sudo nano /etc/postgresql/8.4/main/pg_hba.conf
• paste the above command into Terminal, and press "return"
• add the three lines below, placing them
  • toward the end of the "local" section, meaning after the line " local all postgres ident sameuser "
  • but just before the line " local  all  all  ident sameuser "

# allow anyone knowing the proper password to
# log into our GNUmed databases
local   samegroup      +gm-logins                    md5

4.2 Read this only if you want to access your GNUmed server from other machines on a network.

• edit /etc/postgresql/8.4/main/postgresql.conf and
• set the listen_address parameter to whichever network interfaces you want your GNUmed database to be available on. This is necessary in particular if you want to connect to your server from other machines.

If you want to double check this most important step have a look at the detailed instructions at ConfigurePostgreSQL

Step 5: Creating the database

A so called "bootstrap" script will set up a database for GNUmed inside your PostgreSQL. Beware, this will create a whole new GNUmed database and destroy an existing GNUmed database!

You can create the new database like this:

• open Applications > Accessories > Terminal
• copy this command: sudo gm-bootstrap_server

Read more about the process here link. If you do not want to erase the old GNUmed database but to upgrade from an older version GNUmed Server version read this link

Step 6: GNUmed startup

Choose Applications > Office > Gnumed from the menu or simply type 'gnumed' in a cmd shell.