Hi there. The installation instructions here http://vanillaforums.org/page/InstallationInstructions state:
Download the package from GitHub. Unzip the package to the desired folder on your server. Create a database for Garden (named whatever you like). Browse to the folder in your web browser, and follow the instructions on-screen.
That's it!
Did that. and got a hopeless message saying Bonk, and no advice on what to do next.
So, "That's it!"?
Check this out: http://vanillaforums.org/discussion/10522/extended-how-to-install-vanilla-2/ (specifically step 3). Hope that helps! I expect there will be a change to default to a more descriptive error during setup soon.
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