Dormbase is a web-based system that provides MIT dormitories with the tools and services they need for daily operation. It is an open source software project that was started by Simmons Tech in response to their and the resident's need for reliable, modern, and user-friendly online services. Dormbase means a consistent user experience across all of MIT's dorms, accessible to residents, desk workers, and administration. It is a community project that solves a community problem.

• If you've never used GitHub before, read about how to authenticate
• If you've never used a GitHub fork before, read about pull requests

• RECOMMENDED: Create a python virtualenv environment, by running virtualenv DIR, and then activate it by running source DIR/bin/activate.
• Install the dependencies
• Finish following the Dev Server Setup - and take the shortcut, if you can!
• Run the server:
  • python manage.py runserver
  • Visit http://localhost:8000/ in your web browser

You should almost certainly skip this step. If for some reason you need search to work locally, set up Whoosh.

• Edit dormbase/local_settings.py to comment out:

#HAYSTACK_SEARCH_ENGINE = 'solr'
#HAYSTACK_SOLR_URL = 'http://127.0.0.1:8088/solr'

And right below, add these two lines:

HAYSTACK_SEARCH_ENGINE = 'whoosh'
HAYSTACK_WHOOSH_PATH = 'whoosh_index/'

• Then run python manage.py rebuild_index