Create a Forum

[BiGWiLL]

I am wanting to create a forum and I don't know how to get started. I have heard that PHPBB is good but im not sure if that is the best one to use. And just wanting to know the basics on what I need to get started.

Thanks.

[Mega B]

phpBBv3 is in my opinion the best of the free ones but the VB platform which this site runs on is the Best but you have to pay for it,i think its about $180 dollars for a licence one tip is try starting out with the phpBB platform you can transfer all the data over into the VB forum with a import facility.

This is the site for downloading the free script.

phpBB • Creating Communities Worldwide

[flnazrael]

I second what Mega B said, phpBB has had problems in the past with security. It's definitely the best free solution, but vBulletin is worth the money if the forum is going to be used commercially or on a large scale.

You'll also need a good Linux/Apache based host... for security purposes, at least a virtual private server.

To customize the look and functionality of the forums you'll need a programmer familiar with PHP and mySQL.

[BiGWiLL]

So I download phpbb and then what kinda of hosting do I need.

[Mega B]

I would say at the moment get one of the cheapest packages going,you can can get 100s of Templates that are free and only take minutes to add to the site to make it look well smart.

Here is a site with load of free templates that would cover most need !!

360Elite • phpBB3 Styles Demo - phpBB3styles.net

[chrispalko]

Phpbbhacks.com is good as well.

Anyways, download phpBB, buy yourself a domain and some hosting (I use HostGator for my site, awesome support), and...wait. If you go with Hostgator, they have Fantastico, which offers 1 click installation of phpBB. You don't even have to download anything. Then, find yourself a good theme and apply it. After that, edit the admin settings and you're good to go.

Good luck.

[BiGWiLL]

So once you get phpbb downloaded and hosting, which im going to choose HostGator for the Hosting. How do you set the admin settings up, does that come along when you download phpbb.