Creating a MESSAGE BOARD..please help

[neurongaming]

How would you go about doing this? I know you have to use cgi and all that mess... Any sites that tell you how? Please answer it would be appreciated.
Thanks

[ilyaslamasse]

You can take an Ezboard, or build one (PHP MySQL)

pom 0]

[upuaut8]

It aint easy.. I've been working at it for well over four months now.. certainly nothing I can explain.. mostly I use trial and error... lots and lots of error. .then trial again.

Mine is from a book that has a message board on CD rom.. but I have seen some other ones online in places...

[eyezberg]

You get all the source files you need at: www.phpforflash.com (http://www.phpforflash.com) , but you'll need a php-enabled hosting with a mysql-database..I'm trying to get this to work, I'll let you know if i manage..

[upuaut8]

man.. I hope so.. I wasn't thrilled with this message board though.. that's why I'm trying to translate this asp based one from a book cd.. If I can't, then I'm going to have to resort to the one you just listed.

[eyezberg]

You can customize it all you want, check
scott.ysebert.com/ (http://scott.ysebert.com/) for instance.
What is it you don't like?

[upuaut8]

It's hard to say. I've not been satisfied with any of the Flash forum I've seen so far. I will look here though and see how I might customise it to my liking.. again, thanks.

[ilyaslamasse]

Hey Eyez, that looks so cool !!

pom 0]

[neurongaming]

It doesnt have to be on Flash, Just a normal message board..anyone know any place with that?

[upuaut8]

IKON boards are really good

I think it's www.ikonboard.com

they provide source code and have a forum devoted to customizing it to your liking

[neurongaming]

is ikonboard free, or does it have a high cost to it?

[upuaut8]

The source code is free.. but you need a server to put it on.

If you're looking for totaly free.. try out ezboard. The banners and popups suck.. but it's free.

[neurongaming]

Yeah i have a server to put it on, good thing the source code is free

[neurongaming]

whoa this stuff is confusing

[I am not Jubba]

WELCOME TO TECHNOLOGY!!

[I am not Jubba]

[edited because my computer is stupid]

[upuaut8]

I couldn't understand the first thing about the Ikon board source code.. BUT that was a year ago that I looked at it. Perhaps I'd have better luck these days. Since I opted to go with a Flash based forum however, I haven't really bothered to look at it.

If you really want to do it well, I suggest picking up a book on the basics of that source code's language. I thought it was Perl if I'm not mistaken. There are lots and lots of Perl books out there.

[byis]

neurongaming,

I personally think the best FREE message board is phpBB (http://www.phpbb.com/index.php). I just got through setting it up on a friends website. Although terms like php and mySQL might sound intimidating the setup was extremely easy. If your hosting plan comes with php and at least one mySQL connection give it a try.

[upuaut8]

sounds like a good call. I've been reading a lot of php and mysql info lately and it seems to me to be one of the easiest to understand. Very similar to javascript and actionscript as far as commands and such go. Plus, like perl, there's tons of online information out there on the subject.

Thanks for the link byis.. I'll be checking that one out myself.

[byis]

upuaut8,

If your looking for a solid message board give it a shot. You dont really have to know anything about php or mySQL. During the setup it asks for path to your mySQL database and the database name and thats it. It sets up all the tables and databse information for you. The setup couldnt have been easier.

[neurongaming]

byis, are the forums very easy to make and install, or do you need php knowledge?

[byis]

neurongaming,

You don't have to know thing one about PHP - trust me because I don't :) . What you do have to do is create a mySQL database connection for it to use. This is very easy if your hosting plan comes with mySQL. Let me know if you need any help. Do you know if hosting plan supports PHP and mySQL?

[neurongaming]

Yeah it does support them

[neurongaming]

Do you have an email addres or AIM screen name where i can reach you at?

[neurongaming]

When I download the zip file and try to open something it says I have to install a program to view i or something that I have to pay for,,,,@#%$

[neurongaming]

when i install the zip file and try to open something it says i have to install some program that you have to pay for,whats up with this?

[byis]

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[byis]

my ICQ # is in my profile and you can email me @
src0010@hotmail.com

Let me know if you email cause i dont check that address often would be best to contact me on ICQ if you have it.

[neurongaming]

I just emailed you, I dont have ICQ

[pezdemon]

I havent read this whole thread but here's the lowdown...

you have vbb, which you need a php and SQL enabled host, which is gonna cost you, vBB liscences are expensive though!

There is wBB, which is a near exact copy of vBB, only free :D You will again need a server with php and SQL.

Then you get onto the CGI ones, the best one you'll find is ikonboard, you'll need a CGI host, and so long as you dont mind an ad at the top of your forums you can get one here - www.netfirms.com... the developing team of ikonboard recently left the company and are going to release their own version away from the company, so I'll keep you posted on that.

There are various other php ones about, yabb, phpbb, etc. but if you want a php based one I'd advise wBB, if you want something free and customizable then I'd advise ikonboard, here is what I have done with one on netfirms: ffforum.netfirms.com/cgi-...nboard.cgi (http://ffforum.netfirms.com/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi) - its not the best I've done, but all the other hosts died :( You can also get a 'skin' to make your ikonboard look a bit like a vBB, however nothing can ammount to proffesional quality software like vBB - pezdemon.netfirms.com/cgi...nboard.cgi (http://pezdemon.netfirms.com/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi)

On the hosting note - does anyone know a decent free host that offers PHP and SQL? :D

PHP - to install most forums you dont need an ounce of php knowledge, just enough common sence to follow the guide that comes with it. Follow the instructions and you'll be well away. If you want to edit them however - as here: charmguild.multimania.com (http://charmguild.multimania.com) - then you will need to edit the scripts. If you just want a basic one then you've got no troubles.

That pretty much sums up forums. Any questions?

[byis]

pezdemon,

I dont know of a free host that offers php and mySQL but the host I currently have offers very cheap plans.

worldzonepro.com/silver.html (http://worldzonepro.com/silver.html)
$48 yr 120 mg mySQL PHP

(Dont work for these guys just trying to help out anyone looking for an avialable host)


You are correct there are many forums avialable and offered a good desription of each. I would add however that the CGI forums (ubb, ikonboard, etc) are known to be resource hogs and alot of hosts dont encourage there use. I know when I switched from ubb to phpBB I could see a huge difference in performance (loading times, search times, etc). Anyhow just that I would mention that.

[pezdemon]

Cool. I am 17 and still studying, so money is pretty tight, but once i get payed for the website I am making, I am fairly sure I will be able to get myself some hosting, if not then I will wait until I upgrade my computer and host myself, I tried it on this computer but it didnt stand up to it too well.

[eyezberg]

I'm at www.free.fr , 100m, no po-ups, no adds, +PHP & mySql..
check this (under developpement, but working):

eyezberg.free.fr/forum/eyezBoard.html (http://eyezberg.free.fr/forum/eyezBoard.html)

[pezdemon]

Nice, I am gonna go there and check it out now, is it ftp access?

[eyezberg]

yes, but i think you'll need an adr in france..;)

[pezdemon]

Ah well, thats game over for me! But never mind... I have new hosting from www.host.sk :D