Forum Advice Required

[lesurf]

Hi everyone,

Some more advice needed from the good people of acorndomains...

I've been toying with the idea of creating a forum for a long time but never really had the time or a hot topic to make it worthwhile.

I'd really like to set one up but my coding skills aren't exactly crash hot. I like the look of vbulletin but it looks like there's a bit of set up involved with the host which may be beyond me.

My questions are:

1) Are there any web based forum building tools out there? That is where it you admin it online and it is hosted already. Don't mind if I have to pay for one.

2) If not where would be the best place to host a vbulletin forum?

Thanks,
lesurf

 

[wwwdomain.name]

Just an idea...

Any 'CPanel' host gives you phpbb...

Easy to config and it's free... If the forum takes off, you can then go ahead with VB.

Can PM details of $12 (US) A YEAR 'tried and tested' host if needed...

Just ask.

 

[Admin]

Acorn Domains has had 3 evolutions.

It started off as a ProBoard which was free to set up as long as you dont mind ProBoard ads on the site. Then it went to PHPBB forum and now Vbulletin.

If you are serious about the forum, go with vBulletin from the start, it will save you a lot of work upgrading it later.

You can host in anywhere but you may have to change hosts if the site becomes popular and the bandwidth usage grows.

The vBulletin support forums are great and should give you all the help you need, but let me know if I can help you get it set up - as long as its not a domain forum

Admin

 

[BFTUK]

I've got a PHPBB forum and another one planned as a development project, easy to setup and administer. Although i do agree in the long run VB might be better if you plan on having a large forum.

If you need help or advice, feel free to contact me.

 

[lesurf]

Proboards was exactly what I've been looking for, thanks Admin this will get me up and running.

Where would I be without Acorndomains ;-)

Thanks everyone for the input, it's much appreciated.

lesurf

 

[retired_member27]

I've just setup a new mobile phone forum (in my signature) using phpBB together with the MorpheusX style from phpbbstyles.com and I'm very pleased with it and it's completly free.

I agree with admin though, vBulletin is better in the long run, however I have seen some forums using phpbb with well over a million posts so I don't think size is an issue, it's more to do with security and updates, etc.

 

[Admin]

Looks nice.

The Admin functions in PHPBB are really basic compared to VB and be prepared to do a lot of PHP hacking if you want to mod the site.

VB has a plug-in system that automates all this, and you can even create your own plug ins (as we did for the drop date mod at the top of the forum).

We upgraded from PHPBB to VB OK, all that was lost was everyones PMs, it wasnt an easy task though.

 

[charlie]

at least your running PHP - i cant find a good ASP one for love or money - might have to make my own

yeah right!

 

[Admin]

http://forum.snitz.com/specs.asp

Looks a lot like VB:

http://www.snowmobilefanatics.com/forum/

 

[charlie]

yeah thats the one i've been using but the mod version i've been using has a few holes in it -the original version just doesn;t look slick but i suppose i could spend months trying to skin it myself

www.cygnusmarine.com/forum/forum

 

[deconstruction]

i have used both phpbb and vBulletin.

as far as free forums go phpbb is good.

but vBulletin beats it hands down (but costs).

if anyone wants help to host or install vBulletin or phpbb then let me know i have the space and someone might as well use it

 

[FC Domains]

I run a load of bulletin boards and have ended up using Simple Machines. It's free and much more flexible the vBulletin.

On another topic. As for chat rooms I integrate FlashChat.

 

[deconstruction]

hi FCdomains.

do you have any urls we can have a look at.

in what way is it more flexable to vBulletin.

cheers

 

[FC Domains]

hi FCdomains.

do you have any urls we can have a look at.

http://www.talkawhile.co.uk

I like it because whatever a member gets up to, there always seems to be a way of quietly plugging the hole. It can be set up very simply, or with complex permissions.

I have used almost every bulletin board software you can name, apart from vBulletin, so I can't really compare there.

(The theme on the above web site is out of date.)