diff --git a/README b/README
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-~ m o o d b l o g ~
-
-to set up:
-1. set up the SQL database using schema.sql
-2: copy templates/config.def.php to templates/config.php and change the placeholders
-3: copy creds.def.php to creds.php and change the placeholders
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
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+![moodblog](https://donut.gq/sandbox/junk/moodblog.svg)
+
+![Valid RSS!](https://validator.w3.org/feed/images/valid-rss-rogers.png)
+![Valid CSS!](https://jigsaw.w3.org/css-validator/images/vcss-blue)
+![Valid HTML!](https://donut.gq/sandbox/junk/html-5-valid.png)
+![GPLv3 Licensed](https://www.gnu.org/graphics/gplv3-88x31.png)
+
+## Installation
+
+1. Install your preferred webserver, PHP, MariaDB/MySQL, and MySQLi.
+2. Start the MariaDB daemon.
+3. If you haven't yet, run `mysql_secure_installation`.
+4. Run `mysql -u root -p` to log in to the SQL database. (If this fails, try running it as root.)
+5. Enter the following commands. Remember to change the placeholders!
+```sql
+CREATE DATABASE moodblog;
+GRANT ALL ON moodblog.* TO 'moodblog'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED BY 'password';
+USE moodblog;
+CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS articles (
+	ID INT NOT NULL AUTO_INCREMENT primary key,
+	Time TIMESTAMP,
+	Title VARCHAR(512) NOT NULL,
+	Mood VARCHAR(256),
+	MoodImage VARCHAR(256),
+	Song VARCHAR(256),
+	Message MEDIUMTEXT NOT NULL
+);
+FLUSH PRIVILEGES;
+EXIT;
+```
+  * Tip: You can use /dev/urandom encoded with base64 to create long, strong passwords.
+    ```sh
+    base64 /dev/urandom -w 512 | head -n 1
+    ```
+6. Use git to clone this repository to any directory in your webroot.
+  * Example paths:
+    ```
+    /var/www/html
+    /var/www/blog
+    /var/www/moodblog
+    /var/www/html/moodblog
+    /var/www/html/blog
+    ```
+7. Copy templates/creds.def.php to templates/creds.php. Change the placeholders.
+8. Copy templates/config.def.php to templates/config.php. Change the placeholders.
+  * You really only need to change $url and $root to get a working installation, however, you really should change everything after $password.
+9. Sever your leg please. It's the greatest day.