How to set up a Forum??

[birdy]

Can anyone share with me what it takes to maintain a forum such as this USJ forum? Do we need to have own server to host this forum? Is there any software or hardware needed for this? :confused: :confused:

[Mynetcity]

Hi birdy,

1. register a domain name.
2. buy a web hosting service.
3. run the forum script in your hosting cpanel.
4. fine tuning your forum settings.

Those are the basic steps, Google (http://www.google.com) for advance configuration.

[birdy]

Thanks for the feedback. So, it seems to me like normal web hosting. No special requirement even to create a forum like this. :)

[Ullas Sahadevan]

Hey Birdy, you can find a free host online which supports php-MySQL (google it). Then you can download free forum software from http://www.phpbb.com and play around. Make sure your free host allows to FTP (to upload files) or it will be a pain. These free forums will come with step by step instructions on how to setup and get started.

If you want to create a free forum try this http://informe.com/

Alternatively there will be other free forums written in CGI/Perl. Also take a look at vbulletin (http://www.vbulletin.com), but I'm not quite sure whether they have a free version now.

[birdy]

Gee thanks... that's very kind of you to share this. But do we need to hv basic programming language to set up these forums (I see that the forum are using php and CGI/Perl language).

P/S : Don't worry - I am not going to take over USJ forum, just keen to explore to start one for my high school alumni. :)

[kwchang]

No, there is really no need to know programming unless you want to re-engineer some of the stuff. For example, in our webpage, we do have a front page (see http://usj.com.my) which is programmed to display the 5 to 10 latest posts for certain forums. That needs php programming.

If you are thinking of having a discussion amongst alumni members, the easiest way to do it is to start an email group. Visit http://groups.yahoo.com to find out. For example, I have one for my 5th Form classmates and we keep in touch that way. This is a simple way although not as elaborate as a bulletin board like usj dot com. At the end of the day, ask yourself what is it that you want - do you want a public forum viewable by all and sundry? I doubt it, if it is an alumni with defined membership. Perhaps an email group will be enough. By the way, that was how usj dot com started. The email group is still active but with this forum running, that is not so active as before.

[Ullas Sahadevan]

groups.yahoo.com and groups.google.com are also FREE services (zero investment and no pain configuring). The best part, you don't have to worry about renewing web hosting space and domain name.

Incase you and most of your high school alumni have very busy lives, you can be rest assured your online group won't get wiped off the face of internet one fine day. Well, as long as yahoo and google don't shut shop ;)