Forum Building Help.

[Indybird]

Im rebuilding my website (halo180.com), and want to use integrated forums. First place I went was vBulletin, because I like the way this site works. Well, I don't have or want to spend $160 on forums. So I went off looking for free ones. I've tried Snitz and Phpbb, and both of them require databases. This may be an uber-noob question but, do I have to setup a database to make integrated forums? I really don't want to deal with customer service for 5 hours again trying to get it working. I just want to make some simple forums.

Thanks,
Indybird

[.Maleficus.]

Are you using a CMS? If not, you really should take a look at Joomla. It's easy to use, and easy to update. I just installed FireBoard (http://www.bestofjoomla.com) on my Joomla site, and since FireBoard really was made for Joomla, it works perfectly.

But to answer your question simply, yes, you will need a database. phpBB needs it, Joomla needs it... But like I said, once Joomla is installed its really easy to get a nice looking site.

If you want to look into Joomla, PM me if you have any questions.

[Indybird]

First of all, I am using a very cheap web-hosting service (1&1). I have absolutely no clue what kind of database I've gotten. Second, even if I did know, I'm a massive html/php/whatever n00b. I have no clue how to setup these forums. Third, I've done some searches and found out that what Im looking for is a html-based forum. Do you know of any good (and easy to setup) html-based forums?

This forum won't have a lot out of users (<100) and will have about 10 sub-forums.

Thanks,
Indybird

[SgtM]

I belive 1&1 uses cPanel on thier servers. If so, it should be VERY easy to install a forum. Yes, you'll need a database, but again, 1&1 allows you a certain number of MySQL databases with your package. HTML forums can really be a pain, IMO. If you use something like phpBB or YaBB! all of the scripting is built right in for the database side. Skinning it can be a little confusing at first, but if you can read and understand HTML, it's not so bad.

I'm signing on to AIM right now (rickjen2001). Hit me up.

edit

Do you have windows or linux hosting?

[.Maleficus.]

If you have MySQL then you can use phpBB. That's probably the best choice.

Download the latest phpBB build. FTP it to your site, and extract the files (it'll be .tar.gz, .tar.bz2, or .zip). You'll have a phpBB2 directory. In your browser, type http://www.halo180.com/phpbb2. You'll get to the installer. This is where you need to know some stuff about your hosting. You'll need to know the MySQL version you're running, the username for the database, and the password. You'll also have to make a new database for phpBB. Just call it "phpbb" or something like that. Tell the installer the database name, username, password, and the other required stuff (I think Apache version, and maybe PHP version, this is from the top of my head). After that, it's pretty straight forward.

If what StgM is saying about cPanel is correct, you'll need to do Databases > MySQL Database Wizard. Give it a name, username and password, and (I think) all privledges. You're probably running the latest MySQL version, so use that in the installer.

Any more questions, just ask :).

[XcOM]

i've got a 1&1 site, i've got one forum running (PHPBB) and im about to see if i can get joomla to run, if i canim going to scrap phpbb for somthing more customisable, i don't really need a forum, i just want somthing to place photos and tuturals and stuff.

i agree, database is the easist method, most forums build themfor you now anyway, HTML forums are arstwards t make and maintain.

[Computer-Geek]

I like all the functions of SMF (http://www.simplemachines.org/) forums :) With phphbb you will have to find these mods on someplace like www.phpbbhacks.com

[gaz_the_chav]

Contact me by e-mail and I could help out I'm sure!

-gaz

[XcOM]

im liking joomla, im playing with the mambots now, adding stuff i need, i can now have a gallary site,

on a side note, can jmla host a forum, or do i need a seperate database for that, as i can only have one mysql database, or can they both use the database ok? i was thinking of using phpbb as i cn't afford vbulletn

[.Maleficus.]

im liking joomla, im playing with the mambots now, adding stuff i need, i can now have a gallary site,

on a side note, can jmla host a forum, or do i need a seperate database for that, as i can only have one mysql database, or can they both use the database ok? i was thinking of using phpbb as i cn't afford vbulletn
See my first post dude ;).

I'm using FireBoard on my Joomla site. It was made for Joomla making it easy to maintain using the Joomla backend. Just download the com_ package, and do the Upload and Install method. No further changes required :D. If you want to see what my forum looks like, go to my site (http://arcanesystems.com) and click the Fourms link at the top. It's the FireBoard I was talking about. It's got really nice features, like Karma (vBulletin Rep system stuff), and other neat features. Get's a :up: from me! You will have to install your own PM software, but it's easy, and I'd recommend uddeIM for that.

[XcOM]

update, i got joomla working no problems, except some componants won't install, and i got to install themes manually, and got PHPBB to work alongside it no probem.

Edit - sorry didn't read it proper like, i will look into that firebird tomorrow.

[.Maleficus.]

What's your site? The homepage link in your profile goes to TBCS :rolleyes:.

[XcOM]

www.ash-net-uk.com/joom for the joomla site, i got loads to play with, it won't install that fireboard, but my phpbb works fine for me.

excuse the basic skin, its coz i got a poll and none of my other skins will isplay the poll

[.Maleficus.]

FireBoard wouldn't install? How did you try to install it? The correct way would be:

1. Download the .zip file
2. From Joomla Administration, click Installers > Components
3. Browse for the file and do "Upload and Install"

[Indybird]

I've got it working! Yay! I dug up the password to my account, set up a database and got phpbb working.

Now, heres the big one.

A million kudos and internets will be awarded to someone who will make me or walk me through a custom theme. Anyone up for it?

Thanks,
Indybird

[.Maleficus.]

I've got it working! Yay! I dug up the password to my account, set up a database and got phpbb working.

Now, heres the big one.

A million kudos and internets will be awarded to someone who will make me or walk me through a custom theme. Anyone up for it?

Thanks,
Indybird
I've never really tried making a PHPBB theme, but I could give it a shot. What do you want it like?

[Indybird]

Do you think you could get it to match my homepage (halo180.com)?

I'll be on AIM, so if you want to talk there just IM me.

Thanks a lot,
Indybird

[.Maleficus.]

Do you think you could get it to match my homepage (halo180.com)?

I'll be on AIM, so if you want to talk there just IM me.

Thanks a lot,
Indybird
I'll give it a shot, but I'm pretty busy right now. I'll work on it whenever I've got some time. Otherwise, if you search around and find a theme that looks kinda like what you want, tell me about it, and I'll finish it off to go with your site.

[Indybird]

Wow, thanks a lot for the help. I'm not real good with web coding and such, otherwise I'd give a try myself. I'll search through the phpbb database for something similar.

I'd give you more rep, but apparently I've got to spread it around first.

-Indybird

[Commando]

I use Joomla and it doesn't take long before your building absolutley wicked websites. Check out my website if you get the chance. AirbrushTricks.com.

I use the Wrapper and skin a SMF Forum. There really is no need to integrate(bridge) the board with the main site.

All the database stuff is automatically setup when you install through Fatastico.

Hope this helps.

[SgtM]

Dude, I'll help you out. I'm at work all weekend, and it should be pretty slow. PM me with admin details if you want.

Good looking site BTW.

[Mysteriphys]

hey just a side note I know all these guys are saying joom and you're not looking for a forum, but I'm currently an admin on a 1&1 hosted forum, we're using an older phpbb with addons and some other things that I've been working on, phpbb is good stuff but pretty confusing if you want to do anything with it as was noted with the phpbbhack site link earlier on, it just depends on what you want and the effort you put into it, good luck on whatever path you choose though :)

[Crazy Buddhist]

I like all the functions of SMF (http://www.simplemachines.org/) forums :) With phphbb you will have to find these mods on someplace like www.phpbbhacks.com (http://www.phpbbhacks.com)

Indybird,

Just built vipassanaforum.net (http://vipassanaforum.net/) with SMF (Simple Machines Forum). It builds the database for you on install :) can't get easier. Launched publicly with it configured 48 hours after buying the domain.

Am finished tweaking for now. Into second day after launch have eleven active members and sure it will grow nicely.You can integrate it with Joomla there is a patch that tweaks it to use Joomlas database. Install Joomla first then SMF (skip create database step) then the patch. Even if you wont use joomla now you may want to add a wiki or blogs to your forum and with and SMF and joomla its easy.

If you want just a standalone Forum I could not recommend SMF more highly and it makes the DB for you - the bit your scared of.

:)

[Indybird]

Thanks for all the recommendations to use Joomba and SMF, but I've already gotten Phpbb working great. I just had to access some settings in my 1and1 account control panel.

As I said before, all I need now is a theme that matches my website.

-Indybird

[.Maleficus.]

Thanks for all the recommendations to use Joomba and SMF, but I've already gotten Phpbb working great. I just had to access some settings in my 1and1 account control panel.

As I said before, all I need now is a theme that matches my website.

-Indybird
Speaking of which...

*gets started*


Edit: Do you like the general look of this theme (http://www.freestylexl.com/demo/index.php?style=acidtech)? Minus blue of course.

[Indybird]

Speaking of which...

*gets started*


Edit: Do you like the general look of this theme (http://www.freestylexl.com/demo/index.php?style=acidtech)? Minus blue of course.

ooh, I like that very much. Now I am wondering can you modify it so that the blue stuff is chromey and the the Halo180 banner/nav bar is at the top?

thanks a million,
Indybird

EDIT: I keep trying to give you rep for helping but the system won't let me, sorry

[.Maleficus.]

ooh, I like that very much. Now I am wondering can you modify it so that the blue stuff is chromey and the the Halo180 banner/nav bar is at the top?

thanks a million,
Indybird
No problem, I'll see what I can do.

[XcOM]

thats the exact same theme i use on my phpbb forum!

[SgtM]

Indy.. do you still need help man?

[Indybird]

Indy.. do you still need help man?

no, I finally got the database working and maleficus is customizing my forum layout for me. Thanks any way though.

-Indybird

[SgtM]

no, I finally got the database working and maleficus is customizing my forum layout for me. Thanks any way though.

-Indybird

Cool. Have some rep for figuring out the database.

[Indybird]

Thanks. Once it's all up and running, I'll post a link to the forums. If you want to check out my website then go right here (http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/forum/showthread.php?t=11071) first.

Thanks again,
Indybird

[.Maleficus.]

Thanks. Once it's all up and running, I'll post a link to the forums. If you want to check out my website then go right here (http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/forum/showthread.php?t=11071) first.

Thanks again,
Indybird
Hey Indy, you said you wanted this chromey, right? Do you have like a pic of something similar? Or are you just looking for grays and stuff to match the site? Because if that's the case, you can go nuts-o here (http://beta.colorizeit.com/index.php?style=phpbb3_acidtech).

[Indybird]

Hey Indy, you said you wanted this chromey, right? Do you have like a pic of something similar? Or are you just looking for grays and stuff to match the site? Because if that's the case, you can go nuts-o here (http://beta.colorizeit.com/index.php?style=phpbb3_acidtech).

Actually, I really like that "Glass" style in white. My real problem is, getting my halo180 nav bar at the top of the forums. Thats what I need help doing: do you thing you could add that to a white glass theme?

Thanks again,
Indybird

[.Maleficus.]

Actually, I really like that "Glass" style in white. My real problem is, getting my halo180 nav bar at the top of the forums. Thats what I need help doing: do you thing you could add that to a white glass theme?

Thanks again,
Indybird
No problem. I'll see what I can do.


Edit: Actually, it's for phpBB3 Beta... Are you using phpBB2? If so, you'll need 3 to use the theme.

[Indybird]

No problem. I'll see what I can do.


Edit: Actually, it's for phpBB3 Beta... Are you using phpBB2? If so, you'll need 3 to use the theme.

Ooh, that is a problem. I'm only using 2. Would you mind finding a phpbb2 theme that is similar? Boy I don't know how to thank you for this all anyway. A million internets to you my fine sir.

-Indybird