Help with making a forum

[johnboy1974]

Guys I'm thinking of making a small discussion forum for taxi drivers in Glasgow. I don't have a clue where to start but I think folk on here might be able to help me.
I know we are not allowed to discuss other forums but am I allowed to ask for help in this instance.

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[cunny]

Maybe a look in this direction vBulletin 5 Connect, The World's Leading Community Software

Then i would guess you would have to reserve your url http://www.dotster.com/


I know members here do run/part of other forums so maybe a PM to/from them would help better for any advice, thats if this is frowned upon

[jaws2]

I built one a few years ago on freeforumsorg for my brothers local footy team, they are still going (freeforums) so they are establish at least. but if you get heavy traffic, then you maybe better trying what cunny said on his post.

[johnboy1974]

Guys I've been a moderator on a local forum in Glasgow and we use simple machines forum so I would be looking to stick with that. I think what I need help with most is getting the web hosting and everything like that.

[cunny]

Guys I've been a moderator on a local forum in Glasgow and we use simple machines forum so I would be looking to stick with that. I think what I need help with most is getting the web hosting and everything like that.

So why not pm the admin on there an ask them for the advice if thats the setup your wanting?

[manxspud]

Personally i would stay away from Vbull 5 ... have upped it and don't care for it. Vbull 4.2 on the other hand runs very well.

Running a forum is time consuming and takes a lot of hard work setting up. It can also be costly. Its also not a given it will take off ... so you could be just wasting your money.

My advice would be to look at using some free software to start off with like myBB, phpbb or simple machines ...You will need a domain name and some hosting ... look at some cheap shared hosting to start with.

The advantage to getting some cheap shared hosting and using one of the free forum software is you will get to play around with the admin side of things which is a lot different to the mod side ...

You will need to learn a few bits and bobs ... this way you can do it before laying out to much.

So reading your post again ... there is lots of hosting out there ... you need to think about content ... is normal shared hosting ok or will you need off shore hosting.

[johnboy1974]

Personally i would stay away from Vbull 5 ... have upped it and don't care for it. Vbull 4.2 on the other hand runs very well.

Running a forum is time consuming and takes a lot of hard work setting up. It can also be costly. Its also not a given it will take off ... so you could be just wasting your money.

My advice would be to look at using some free software to start off with like myBB, phpbb or simple machines ...You will need a domain name and some hosting ... look at some cheap shared hosting to start with.

The advantage to getting some cheap shared hosting and using one of the free forum software is you will get to play around with the admin side of things which is a lot different to the mod side ...

You will need to learn a few bits and bobs ... this way you can do it before laying out to much.

So reading your post again ... there is lots of hosting out there ... you need to think about content ... is normal shared hosting ok or will you need off shore hosting.

im not sure what kind of hosting i need but i know the forum should have between 100-200 members no more. it will be a private forum for taxi drivers working in glasgow.

[manxspud]

Then shared hosting should be ok for you ... not sure what type of things the taxi drivers in Glasgow chat about but you may be better looking at off shore hosting that will be more relaxed as to content such as Adult, warez linking and the like.

You should be able to get 20gs of space for ?40 a year ... a domain name for a few pounds a year.

Ps ... should have said ... normally with shared hosting you don't have to pay extra for a Cpanel license

[manxspud]

Pm sent with a example of a Offshore host to give you a idea of what to look for @manx

[johnboy1974]

Thanks guys I got free hosting from x10 web hosting
Which has an installer for simple machines forums.
That's me off and running so gonna play about with it see where it goes- thanks for everyone's advice.


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