wat do i need to have a forum?

[cyrick]

i want to have a forum on my up n coming site. What hosting specs do i need? PHP or SQL thing right? I want to have a forum that is easy to navigate, something like this forum.

My targeted visitors are mostly from the states. No downloading stuffs, mostly information and a forum.

I plan to register with Hive. Its ok right? My first time hosting, thanks guys.

[ckita]

Hive is good to start off with.

You'll need php and Mysql

you can choose free forum software such as phpbb (www.phpbb.com)
or

SMF forum - http://www.simplemachines.org

or if you want similar to this forum,than try the famous (paid)

Vbulletin - http://www.vbulletin.com

[cyrick]

thats all i need to know, thanks man.

[ckita]

No problemo

[mysticmind]

seems now smf-forum is a good choice.. (i mean the free one lah)..
coz after the Invision Power Board (IPB) not free anymore.. we not have too much option..
but to PHPBB.. i will say "Back Off.. Repair all you buggy and security hole!".. as experienced hacked twice!"

tried installing smf somewhere.. but kinda hard for newbie.. dunno the latest version.. not try yet..

[i-zonda]

Dear sifu-sifu, which hosting platform would be suitable to host this kind of forum website? windows/Linux?

[johntxy]

hello cikta, besides the technical aspect of a forum, you will also need to increase the traffic or bring in members. Also, if u get a cpanel from your hosting provider, u can simply jus install the phpbb forum.

[sampride]

linux is a better platform to host php application in terms of stablity and security.

[sampride]

Originally Posted by mysticmind

seems now smf-forum is a good choice.. (i mean the free one lah)..
coz after the Invision Power Board (IPB) not free anymore.. we not have too much option..
but to PHPBB.. i will say "Back Off.. Repair all you buggy and security hole!".. as experienced hacked twice!"

tried installing smf somewhere.. but kinda hard for newbie.. dunno the latest version.. not try yet..

mysticmind you're right, user are not recommended to use phpbb as there are too many security/exploit holes.

[vincevincevince]

I recommend PunBB on a linux or unix operating system.

[i-zonda]

Dear sifu-sifu, any good tips/recommendation to avoid our furom being hack by others? What else should i aware of if want to start off a new furom? Which language should i 'master' when running the show...?

[vincevincevince]

The best way to avoid hacking is to make the software yourself. Try not to use pre-made software, and never use free and popular software.

[kawan]

Originally Posted by vincevincevince

The best way to avoid hacking is to make the software yourself.

I wonder how many of us are capable of this.
Business-sense, never re-invent the wheel.
Geek-sense, I want by own forum software!!

On a serious note, look for vBulletin. I think they have the best forum software but it's has paid version only. I think they are pretty secure too. I don't hear any complains from forum administrators using vBulletin.

[vincevincevince]

Originally Posted by kawan

I wonder how many of us are capable of this.

If you are not capable of it then pay someone to do it - you should be able to have a reliable forum system built with the functionality you want by paying someone $100 in India. Never release the code or sell the code and you will be much more secure.

Originally Posted by kawan

Business-sense, never re-invent the wheel.

Business-sense, you must differentiate yourself from your competition.

Originally Posted by kawan

I don't hear any complains from forum administrators using vBulletin.

vBulletin has many security problems in much the same way as phpBB. The reason you don't hear about them is that there are much fewer users of vBulletin than phpBB. There are also fewer hackers (but not none) which attack vBulletin specifically when compared to phpBB.

[kawan]

Wah.. vBulletin also got so many holes kah?
Didn't know that... I better check with vBulletin support... nanti my forum kena hack then susah...