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creating an online forum?

Posted: Mon Jan 04, 2010 2:31 pm
by magicmike
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!

Posted: Mon Jan 04, 2010 2:42 pm
by magicmike
I've also just seen simplemachines.org which looks like a good platform also.

Posted: Mon Jan 04, 2010 4:33 pm
by Legacy777
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.

Posted: Mon Jan 04, 2010 7:26 pm
by PhyrraM
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.

Posted: Mon Jan 04, 2010 8:34 pm
by magicmike
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

Posted: Tue Jan 05, 2010 7:05 pm
by magicmike
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.

Posted: Tue Jan 05, 2010 8:34 pm
by BSOD2600
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.

Posted: Tue Jan 05, 2010 8:46 pm
by magicmike
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?

Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2010 4:16 am
by BSOD2600
Hmmm looking through google's adsense TOU, it appears there could be an issue using multiple ad providers.

Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2010 8:16 am
by magicmike
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.

Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2010 7:29 pm
by magicmike
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.

Posted: Fri Jan 08, 2010 5:05 am
by Lunatech
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.

Posted: Fri Jan 08, 2010 8:24 am
by magicmike
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

Posted: Sat Jan 23, 2010 6:38 pm
by magicmike
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 :)

Posted: Mon Jan 25, 2010 12:12 am
by Legacy777
Cool

Post it up.

Posted: Mon Jan 25, 2010 5:57 pm
by magicmike