Starting a Forum..

[alexander]

Hello, I am going to start a forum for various people to come in and have a look at.


I am so confused by the whole thing, some say I need webspace, others not.


I have seen both:

http://www.phpbbforfree.com/

and

http://invisionfree.com/index.php


I want to use the first one but if I can't then I will use the second.


I want the website that I am going to start up something like:

www.*********.co.uk


And then it would take you straight onto the forum board by phpbbforfree.

Do I need to buy webspace for this? I know I need to buy a domain name which is about £3 but I don't want to be paying £5 a month for something that I don't will work or not.

So could someone explain simply what I need to do?


Any help would be much appreciated.

[Tobeman]

As far as I know, which is only a little, you can just get your domain to point at any page you wish.. the URL of the invisionfree board.

Your own hosting is not necessary, but I'd recommend it, I find it quite handy for photo galleries and accessing large files from school.

I just use the http://www.dot.tk/ service if I ever need a smaller URL Or for something really temporary - tinyurl.com

[DavidM]

If you want a forum without annoying banner ads, and one that will take a fair amount of traffic - i'd recommend getting a hosting package... which depending on supplier and specs could cost anything from 20 pounds a year to 20 per month....

Phppbb is quite good - and is free - but you have to keep on top of the updates...

All that's needed to run a forum is one sql (usually mysql) database and a reasonable amount of system access.

[Tobeman]

vBulletin FTW.. if you have the money

[alexander]

Hmm, I'm fairly confused.

When you say "point" does that mean I would just get a domain name and then make an automatic redirect to invisionfree board and so I would have www.invisionfree.com/xxxxxxxxxxxx in my browser window?

I would like to have my own domain name in the browser when looking at the forums?

Mort, could you suggest anywhere I could get a hosting package for £20? But I would have no idea how to put a forum onto that, could you "try" and explain it to me?


Thanks for all the help.


PS: What is an sql?

[DavidM]

I'll go into it more when I get home

[mike_w]

I think what mort-uk said hits the nail on the head - if you want to set up a decent forum, you really need your own webspace - try looking in this thread for decent web hosts. I like 3dpixelnet.

SQL is a database language... I think - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sql

As for the web address... if you want yours in the bar, then you can have it as a frame, but this will cause problems with bookmarks and various other things, since it will say your web address regardless of what the real address is.

[Tobeman]

I'm a complete newb at web development, but I've been able to setup ikonboard, invision board, phpBB and some other forum using the provided manual so you should be fine there, most come with screenshots

SQL stands for Structured Query Language - basically just another coding type! Don't worry, you don't need to know any of it to set a forum up, you just need to be able to create a SQL database using your hosting frontend your host provides

You'll need an FTP client also, there are plenty of free ones available, almost as good as the paid for alternatives. I pay for FTPRush myself, SmartFTP is a great free client

[alexander]

Ok....

I think everyone should forget about the SQL thing, that will just confuse me even more.

So, this is what I understand I need:


1) Domain Name + Webhosting package

2) A Message board


Now for the problem.

How much would it cost for webhosting + the domain name for a whole year? Please could someone link me to the cheapest package that would be suitable for me?


Secondly, how would I put the message board onto the domain name, or does it just appear if I sign up to that phpfree thing?

[alexander]

Found this:

http://www.tsohost.co.uk/

Would the "Lite" package be adaquete? I would be guessing at 100 visitors a day, is 100mb enough? How does space get used on a forum which has no pictures?

[mike_w]

If you want to run your own forum, you're going to need to use SQL.

If you're just going to link to another forum, you don't need to buy any webspace.

I used 123-reg.co.uk for domain names and 3dpixelnet for web hosting.

[Moby-Dick]

unless its text based , it 'll have pictures , just think of logos , smilies etc ?
it looks like that tso host will allow you to host the back end database for the site and any scripts that the site needs to run.

If you are feeling brave , you could have a go at installing something like phpnuke on one of those sites , this already has a built in forum for it , and would help you with the front end stuff.

[Tobeman]

How does space get used on a forum which has no pictures?

Just the same way your HDD fills up if you don't have any photos. With other files

[alexander]

Ok, I guess I need my own hosting.


Could anyone see any packages which would be suitable?

Would 100mb be enough for a forum? Is that 100mb used up with more visitors?

With my own hosting, would I still be able to use phpforfree?

[Tobeman]

Ok, I guess I need my own hosting.


Could anyone see any packages which would be suitable?

Would 100mb be enough for a forum? Is that 100mb used up with more visitors?

With my own hosting, would I still be able to use phpforfree?

Don't really know much about packages, I've always had a sub-domain off of friends 100mb should be enough, its bandwidth you need to be careful of. And if you're paying for hosting theres no real reason why you'd want phpforfree as far as I can see.

[Moby-Dick]

the 100 is space , rather than bandwidth , but you'll find that the databse coudl get quite full.

If it does , then its not the end of the world, you can always upgrade.