Help starting a forum (which software etc)
Discussion
Ok, another hobby forum I use is becoming over moderated and generally a bit sucky. Instead of just moaning about it I am thinking of setting up a forum which will cater to some of the original members and create some traffic/good discussions.
Now I don't want to make any money and this is very much an extension of a hobby so I need it to be relatively hassle free - and cheap, at least until I know it works.
The problem is I have very little technical computing knowledge - I can't programme, barely know how to post photos and am generally a bit ham fisted when it comes to this kind of thing. I am, however, keen and willing to learn. So...
What off the shelf forum software do people recommend? The current site uses ubb.threads but that seems to be $220 for a licence. What can I expect to pay for server space and some bandwidth? Am I mad?
Now I don't want to make any money and this is very much an extension of a hobby so I need it to be relatively hassle free - and cheap, at least until I know it works.
The problem is I have very little technical computing knowledge - I can't programme, barely know how to post photos and am generally a bit ham fisted when it comes to this kind of thing. I am, however, keen and willing to learn. So...
What off the shelf forum software do people recommend? The current site uses ubb.threads but that seems to be $220 for a licence. What can I expect to pay for server space and some bandwidth? Am I mad?
Jamie Beeston can also help. I'm sure he'll be along shortly ..... 90+ PHers can't be wrong
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/profile.asp?mem...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/profile.asp?mem...
ta 
The Register1 VDS Pro comes with phpBB, you're also welcome to easily install your own versions (free of charge) and my support guys will be able to give a gentle poke if you get stuck
Check my profile and drop me a mail if you have any queries.
J
The Register1 VDS Pro comes with phpBB, you're also welcome to easily install your own versions (free of charge) and my support guys will be able to give a gentle poke if you get stuck
Check my profile and drop me a mail if you have any queries.
J
Maxf said:
Cheers guys - still working things out so will be in touch. I'm able to structure the forums in the way which would work best and also create traffic but the technical side does worry me somewhat!
Looks like I might end up busy during the long weekend
Technical PHP Code, or technical hosting?Looks like I might end up busy during the long weekend
J
An alternative to having your own hosting space and maintaining your own forum, might be to use an online forum host. If it's all you want from it, a full hosting might be OTT and you run the very real risk of losing it all if an exploit is found and your webhost doesn't support the forum software well enough to keep it patched.
Take a look at something like http://www.phpbb-forum-host.com/ or http://invisionfree.com/ both of which are used successfully by a couple of forums I frequent. I believe you can generally have it free with adverts or pay a subscription to have the adverts removed - on InvisionFree at least, this fee is dependent on how active the forum is.
Take a look at something like http://www.phpbb-forum-host.com/ or http://invisionfree.com/ both of which are used successfully by a couple of forums I frequent. I believe you can generally have it free with adverts or pay a subscription to have the adverts removed - on InvisionFree at least, this fee is dependent on how active the forum is.
Does anybody have experience of these people for serious use ?
http://www.proboards.com/index.html
I used it a few years ago, but just for experiments and experience so I may be talking out of my rear end if I recommend it.
http://www.proboards.com/index.html
I used it a few years ago, but just for experiments and experience so I may be talking out of my rear end if I recommend it.
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