creating an online forum?

magicmike · Post by **magicmike** » Mon Jan 04, 2010 2:31 pm

Hey all,

I had some questions about setting up a new online forum. I'm looking for something basic and simple to setup. I was browsing around the phpBB website since that is what is used here but I don't know where to begin. I do not know ANYTHING about this. Can someone point me in a direction to get started and make some recommendations?

Thanks!

magicmike · Post by **magicmike** » Mon Jan 04, 2010 2:42 pm

I've also just seen simplemachines.org which looks like a good platform also.

Post by **Legacy777** » Mon Jan 04, 2010 4:33 pm

phpBB is free, so that makes it a little better than vbulliten.

Are you having the board hosted somewhere? You need a database, mySQL and php scripting active on the server where you are hosting.

Beyond that, phpBB is not too bad to setup.

PhyrraM · Post by **PhyrraM** » Mon Jan 04, 2010 7:26 pm

Some hosting services will have an autoinstall type of setup for phpBBS. It makes setting it up and linking the database a one-click affair. IIRC, hosting my old Warcraft guild forum was about $60 a year.

You would still need to customize and maintain the forums, however.

magicmike · Post by **magicmike** » Mon Jan 04, 2010 8:34 pm

Thanks guys. I had an awesome idea for a forum but cant disclose anything yet until I get tit off the ground. I'll be sure to ask questions in the next few weeks as I go about doing this.

Thanks

magicmike · Post by **magicmike** » Tue Jan 05, 2010 7:05 pm

I have a question. Can i download this whole phpbb onto my computer and work out all of the setup garbage before I purchase a domain and start paying for a host?

In the setup of the system it says that you should upload everything to the server and unzip all the files there.

I'd rather work on this "offline" until i figure it out then upload everything when I have a good grasp of it.

BSOD2600 · Post by **BSOD2600** » Tue Jan 05, 2010 8:34 pm

Sure.

You just have to install/configure mysql, php and a web server (iis or apache). Then get phpBB installed/configured. Since it's configuration settings will mostly be stored in the MySQL db, in theory once you get a webhost, you can export and upload your test forum to the web host.

magicmike · Post by **magicmike** » Tue Jan 05, 2010 8:46 pm

ok great, also, with regard to Google adsense, can you still have paid advertisers on your site and use adsense or is there a proprietary clause of some sort?

BSOD2600 · Post by **BSOD2600** » Thu Jan 07, 2010 4:16 am

Hmmm looking through google's adsense TOU, it appears there could be an issue using multiple ad providers.

magicmike · Post by **magicmike** » Thu Jan 07, 2010 8:16 am

BSOD2600 wrote:Hmmm looking through google's adsense TOU, it appears there could be an issue using multiple ad providers.

What section are you seeing that in? I read through it all and nothing stood out. Thats why I asked but perhaps I missed something in alll the legal garble.

magicmike · Post by **magicmike** » Thu Jan 07, 2010 7:29 pm

Be involved in my new endeavor! I'm looking at the phpbb styles now and would like some feedback on what you guys think would be pleasing on the eyes.

So far this is my favorite:
http://www.phpbb.com/styles/demo/3.0/?style_id=58

You can scroll through the different templates on the upper right hand side of the screen.

If anyone wants to make a suggestion that would be great!

I'm looking for very simple and easy on the eyes of course.

Lunatech · Post by **Lunatech** » Fri Jan 08, 2010 5:05 am

That's not bad, but it seems very bright to me. I do have sensitive eyes. I am very partial to the colors we use here on this board, smart dark I think it is called.

magicmike · Post by **magicmike** » Fri Jan 08, 2010 8:24 am

I met with my partner and we are leaning towards this one. Pretty sure on it 99%

http://www.phpbb.com/styles/demo/3.0/?style_id=22

magicmike · Post by **magicmike** » Sat Jan 23, 2010 6:38 pm

Hey all, I've been working on this since this last post pretty much non stop. I've got the board up and I'm putting the final touches on it this weekend. We are launching it next Monday so I'll put the link up then. I will create a new thread then if its ok with Dave and Josh. I'd really appreciate anyone or everyone joining lol.

This is the teaser thread. I'll give more information on Monday

Post by **Legacy777** » Mon Jan 25, 2010 12:12 am

Cool

Post it up.

magicmike · Post by **magicmike** » Mon Jan 25, 2010 5:57 pm

Thanks josh,

New thread here: http://bbs.legacycentral.org/viewtopic. ... 490#319490

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A forum for 89-94 BC-BF(BJ) Legacy Owners and Fans

creating an online forum?

creating an online forum?