Virtual Movable Type FAQ

What is Virtual Movable Type by JumpBox?
Virtual Movable Type by JumpBox is a virtual appliance that makes it easier than ever to install Movable Type. Anyone can now download Virtual Movable Type and, with the assistance of a virtual player and a host server, can quickly launch a Movable Type website or blog.

Virtual Movable Type from JumpBox is a full-featured virtual appliance built with Movable Type 4.2 using optimized configuration specifications provided by Six Apart, including FastCGI and MemCached. The product is usable in all virtualization environments that JumpBox supports, including Amazon EC2.

What’s a virtual appliance?
A virtual appliance is a virtual machine designed to eliminate the installation, configuration and maintenance costs associated with running complex stacks of software.*

A virtual appliance is typically a fully pre-installed and pre-configured application and operating system environment. A virtual appliance usually has a web interface to configure the inner workings of the appliance. A virtual appliance is usually built to host a single application, representing a new way of deploying network applications.

* Most of this definition is from Wikipedia.

What is the benefit of a virtual appliance over regular web software?
A virtual appliance helps to eliminate many of the challenges inherent in installing and deploying server applications by installing the web application and all dependent infrastructure into a single virtual machine image that can be used as a "virtual appliance."

Where can I get Virtual Movable Type by JumpBox?
You can download the open source version at movabletype.com/download, or at movabletype.org. JumpBox also has the open source version available for download on their website at jumpbox.com/applications.

Virtual Movable Type Pro for Bloggers or Businesses can be downloaded from the Virtual Movable Type Download page.

What else do I need besides the Virtual Appliance to get up and running quickly?
You can use Virtual Movable Type on any virtualization platform, like the VMWare player, which is free, or on Parallels, Xen, Microsoft Virtual Server or Microsoft Virtual PC. You will also need a computer to host the installation or, if you plan to go into production with your virtual appliance, you will probably want to use a hosting service. The JumpBox can be used on Amazon EC2 and at any hosting companies using VMWare or Parallels.

Is there Documentation to help me get started?
Yes. We have a quick-start guide available here so you can easily try out Virtual Movable Type by JumpBox with the freely available virtualization software.

What’s Open Source Virtual Movable Type by JumpBox?
The Open Source version of Movable Type has been available on the JumpBox website for months, and is now updated with Six Apart’s optimized configuration specifications at JumpBox.com/applications.

Is Virtual Movable Type available in European languages?
Virtual Movable Type is currently available only in English, but you can run Movable Type in French, German, Spanish, Dutch, Italian or Finnish once the virtual appliance is installed. First, purchase the package in US dollars, and installation instructions will be in English. Once you install the virtual appliance you will be able to change your language preferences in the Movable Type application, and from there your experience will be in your native language.

My blog is currently on Movable Type 3.3. Should I upgrade to 4.2 using the Movable Type Virtual Appliance?
If you are already using Movable Type, you are better off upgrading to Movable Type 4.2 without the virtual appliance. If you have any customization in your templates, or if you have installed plugins on previous versions of Movable Type, you may encounter some difficulties during the upgrade process that the virtual appliance is not designed to mitigate.

Does support come with Virtual Movable Type?
Support is not included in the free open source version of Virtual Movable Type, which can be downloaded at movabletype.org. Support is optional at a price of $99 with the free Blogger version of Virtual Movable Type Pro. Support is included in the Business version of Virtual Movable Type Pro.

If you have purchased support or it is included in your license, the Movable Type support team is standing by to answer any of your questions about Movable Type.

What if I have trouble with the virtualization platform or web server I’m using?
We recommend that you contact the support desk of the virtualization platform provider you are using. Here are some support links: