i feel like a right muppet writing this really

how do i go about setting up a forum like a forum like this?

(yep im blonde)

    Setting up a forum like this?

    1.) Download vBulletin
    2.) Find a suitable host (Servage.net, HostRocket.com, LayeredTech.com, etc.)
    3.) Follow the install instructions

    Now, vBulletin is a paid subscription type of forum software. There are other software packages out there:
    Invision Power Board (iP😎 PAID
    Simple Machines Forum (SMF) FREE
    phpBB FREE
    [url=http://********vanilla.com]vanilla 1[/url] FREE

    Those are pretty much the top forum softwares out there. Just download them, make sure you meet the requirements, then follow the install instructions in the zip file.

      what are the rough prices on paid ones?

      and out of the 3 free ones what one would be best?
      ive got windows xp think its home edition.

      vanilla 1 isnt working

      whats the better one out of teh free ones?

      its quite pricey using the paid ones.

        Please use the edit feature, no reason to triple-post in less than 30 minutes from the first....

        The rough prices are like $150 for a yearly license, maybe a little less. iPB used to have a perpetual license in that you bought it and you got all upgrades to it for live (was like $160). But they got rid of it.

        I personally feel SMF is the best of the free-ones; however, it's a matter of personal opinion. You can see all 3 in action at their respective sites ( www.phpbb.com || www.simplemachines.org || getvanilla.com ). They all have similar features, and others are better at some things than the rest. But it's all personal preference. No-one can say definitively that anything is better than the rest.

        if you're running windows XP home, I wouldn't put forum software on it (except for testing of course). If you want to start a community (like this) you really need a webserver (see my post above for some sites) that will take care of you. Servage is really good (I was with them for a year or so, HostRocket is good too, was with them for a year). Or you can go and pay the $100 for an unmanaged dedicated server, or go with www.mosso.com and use any server you want (IIS or Apache) from one system. That's $100 a month but is pretty cool.

        The reason you can't run a community from home is because of the bandwidth that would be involved. Most ISPs won't allow you to run a webhost from your home.

        If you really need hosting, IM me (see my links under my Avatar <--- ) and I'll get back to you later today when I'm home from school (4.5 hours from now).

          Or you can go and pay the $100 for an unmanaged dedicated server, or go with www.mosso.com and use any server you want (IIS or Apache) from one system.

          If you want more than shared hosting, I suggest using a VPS before going head on with a dedicated server. Chances are you will not need the capability of a dedicated server (especially in the beginning) so a VPS would be a cheap alternative that still gives you the options of a dedicated server. I have a Slicehost VPS, though the rather long waitlist may dissuade you from signing up (or persuade you, as the case may be :p ).

            For a fairly comprehensive list of forum software, take a look at this thread on PHPBuilder's sister forum, WevDeveloper.com

              Hey,that sounds a good idea. Maybe I should consider that also.

                not that im tight or anything but are there any free servers out there?

                  not that im tight or anything but are there any free servers out there?

                  A free host is unlikely to provide you the kind of space and bandwidth needed to host a forum, and may even disallow forum hosting explicitly. There are free forum providers, but then you are limited to what forum software they have, and possibly also have to bear with their advertising policies.

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