(How Can I Set Up A) Message Board?

[darren13]

Hi guys - been thinking about adding some sort of forum or message board of our own to our website. We get quite a lot of visitors over the year, and would like them to be able to login to the forum and use it as a place to trade ideas on travel-related stuff, accommodation, food, entertainment, walking, cycling. Anything related to travel basically is the rough idea I'm working with.

I've found 'WWW Message Board' on the nms site (http://nms-cgi.sourceforge.net/scripts.shtml) but I'm not really sure what I'm doing or what the pros and cons are - has anyone else had any experience implementing a message board or forum? I've also just noticed that this Webproworld forum uses phpBB - is phpBB known by anyone here?

If anyone has any info or can point me in the right direction to any possible options I'd be very grateful.

Thanks,
Darren.

[weslinda]

PHP BB is one of the better boards out there. The key is simply learning how to make it look like your own site. That's the real challenging part. If you are very good at design, you won't have a problem at all. If design is a challenge, you might look into hiring someone to help you out.

I've setup PHPBB a few times and it's a pretty easy process.

[southplatte]

phpBB is one of the more popular ones as Weslinda pointed out. There is also SMF, which is fairly straightforward in installation terms, though I cannot say which one would be esier to modify to look like your current site as I have only modified phpBB and not SMF as of yet. phpBB seems to have better theme support.

the only thing to watch out for is the mods you can install for each board. Many of the mods are written by community members, and sometimes when there is a security update to the core forum software, it will break the mods, so if you want tot used them I suggest researching them and use only ones where the development is active and on-going to ensure quick updates after the core up dates.

[khurramali]

I'll second the PHPBB Idea. There are many free skins and mods available.

[Jabber_uk]

I use phpBB on the .org site listed below and have installed it several times over the last year or two - its pretty simple to install and there are many addons.

You are welcome to PM me, I may be able to help.

Others worth looking at are:

vBulletin (you have to pay)
SMF 1.0 RC1 (i think you pay again)

[cyanide]

phpbb is one of the better free ones out there.

You might also consider one of the commercial forum softwares, 2 of the leading ones are
invision board (http://www.invisionpower.com)
vbulletin (http://www.vbulletin.com/)

[davebarnes]

Darren,

You wrote: "but I'm not really sure what I'm doing or what the pros and cons are".

Surf to: http://www.invisionpower.com/ and buy Invision Power Board. The cost is $185 USD and they will install it for you for another $60.

It is easy to use from an Administrator's point of view. They have EXCELLENT phone and email and forum support.

There are lots of free products available. Free means no or little support. Spend the $200+ and sleep at night. IPB is highly recommended.

,dave

[darren13]

Thanks for the tips guys - unfortunately I seem to be out of the office again for a few days, but I'll definitely check phpbb out in more detail, I've had a quick look at their site and it seems to fit our needs. I'll also check out Invision to see what it can do - will let you all know which way we go when we've gone ahead!

Thanks again,
D

[nkycomputers]

Also check to see if your website hosting company has Fantastico installed. It allows you to install several programs with the click of a button. The backend even creates your MYSQL database for you. Fantastico allows you to install and play with several programs without having to learn the different ways to install each one. Your host has to provide it though.

Good Luck

[darren13]

Hi guys,
My hosting provider (123-reg.co.uk) have let me know that:
"We do not support PHP or MySQL etc, you would need a hosting package
from our sister company webfusion.co.uk for this type of service."

However - they also said I would need to transfer hosting to their sister company (webfusion) to be able to use the NMS formmail. I tried using formmail anyway on our site, and lo and behold - it worked!

So, my question is - when 123 say they don't support php or mysql, will I be able to use php/mysql anyway? Do 123 just mean that they do not provide any help for this type of thing?

Darren

[cyanide]

When they say they don't support it, usually means they don't have it

[Jabber_uk]

I think 123 don't have it. php and mySQL usually sit on Linux servers too. I would look for another hosting company ;-)

Prices can vary a lot.

[darren13]

Hi Cyanide & Jabber,
Thanks for comments - have looked into webhosting over last couple of days when I had a few seconds spare - Webfusion do indeed have a Linux package which supports up to php5 and MySQL - however, they don't seem to have many good reviews.

Jabber - I take it that you're in the UK - who do you use for your hosting requirements? Maybe I could check them out.

Cyanide - Are you in the UK? Maybe you could let me know what hosting provider you use?

Would be appreciated!
Thanks again,
D

[cyanide]

HI Darren, I pm'd you

[Jabber_uk]

I am a Fasthosts reseller (www.fasthosts.co.uk).

So you could either ask me for a price or go direct to Fasthosts (makes no odds to me). I have been very happy with their service over the years I have been with them and have nearly 100 domains now with them.