I need some help.

[Spiffae]

Hi, I'm back. :thumbs:

My friends and I have this crazy idea (we're all finishing college) to start up a forum for us to all keep in touch through. I decided i'd find out what it takes to start up a forum, and I've got some info and a lot of questions.

I understand i need a web server. I don't have any sort of permanent connection that would work, so that rules out hosting from home. Are there free servers? Pay servers? what can i be expected to pay? (I can't afford much)

I found some forum software, and mysql is available for windows, but I'm just not really sure how to go about this. Anyone know anywhere that might help me out? Anyone actually do this themselves?

Thanks

 

[Link]

Depends what you need exactly.

You need a web server with php and mysql. There are many free hosts out there. I recommend www.freewebhost.com They have everything you need to set up a forum. However, thier email support does not work if you do not have a domain name, so the board can't send out emails to subscribers.

For a couple of quid a month you can get paid for hosting which will give you a bit more space etc etc. As I said, you just need PHP, MySql and a copy of phpbb, all of which are free for download.

Add me to MSN and I will walk you through it in more detail

 

[burnzie]

Holy shit.


He's back... Welcome

 

[Bad^Hat]

Oh god I just realised what Burnzie's avatar was...

 

[Spiffae]

i think i'm ready to do this - i'm heading towards the freewebhost.com 1 year basic plan - they give you phpbb and mysql installed. is there anything else i should know? do i need any sort of database managment on this end of things?

anyone else hosting a forum on a site and have comments?

 

[CrazyHarij]

www.proboards.com

Free phpbb boards.

 

[The Dark Elf]

Hi, I'm back. :thumbs:

My friends and I have this crazy idea (we're all finishing college) to start up a forum for us to all keep in touch through. I decided i'd find out what it takes to start up a forum, and I've got some info and a lot of questions.

I understand i need a web server. I don't have any sort of permanent connection that would work, so that rules out hosting from home. Are there free servers? Pay servers? what can i be expected to pay? (I can't afford much)

I found some forum software, and mysql is available for windows, but I'm just not really sure how to go about this. Anyone know anywhere that might help me out? Anyone actually do this themselves?

Thanks

just use that friends reunited thingybob, save yourself a lot of work

 

[Spiffae]

meh, free stuff always comes with a catch. I can get a real site with my own domain for $65 yearly. that's easy for me to pay for.

 

[Link]

Paid for hosting is usually much better. Watch out for hidden charges though.

As I said above, if you need help configuring your board, drop me a line on my MSN.

 

[Druckles]

There are several on the web, you can use the free IPB boards... something like s3.invsion... I can't remember, but they host your boards absolutely free, but you don't get a domain name (you might do if you pay though)