Adding Forums

Ok guys, I have a basic website created from one of the templates provided in
CS3. So, it looks cool, and works fine, but now I would like to add a forums
section. As I am not only new to CS3, but also web design, I find myself at a
loss to even begin. Are there any free templates for this? Do you start from
scratch? I guess I am looking for some general tips here. I'm a junk yard dog,
so just point me.

Forums are dynamic web applications so you wouldn't use just a template. The
most popular forum apps are probably phpBB for php, and Snitz for ASP. Do you
know what server side scripting language your current hosting plan supports?

Simple Machines is not bad on the PHP side either for something free.

bregent and SnakeEyez02... muchose gratias. I am using hostmonster, and they
support a lot of scripting which I am not familiar with. I do know a lot of
java though, so Java scripting should be easy... chuckle. I'll google those
apps. I'll check at host monster for scripting languages and get back tomorrow.

Tanx a lot guys... ya pointed me. Very helpfull.

Steve

SnakEyez02 wrote:
> Simple Machines is not bad on the PHP side either for something free.

I have installed many forums over the years, and they are all generally
very easy. I have simple machines running on my own site for my friends
to stay in contact.

Download the zip, extract to a local folder, upload the local folder to
your website, browse to the install url or even just the folder that you
created, enter your database details, select a password, and away it
goes. Very simple indeed.

Steve

Another idea is to go with a full Joomla or Drupal install. Very community
friendly CMS.


"Dooza" <doozadooza@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:g6mjju$711$1@forums.macromedia.com...
> SnakEyez02 wrote:
>> Simple Machines is not bad on the PHP side either for something free.
>
> I have installed many forums over the years, and they are all generally
> very easy. I have simple machines running on my own site for my friends to
> stay in contact.
>
> Download the zip, extract to a local folder, upload the local folder to
> your website, browse to the install url or even just the folder that you
> created, enter your database details, select a password, and away it goes.
> Very simple indeed.
>
> Steve

tweaked_eye wrote:
> Another idea is to go with a full Joomla or Drupal install. Very community
> friendly CMS.

Well yes, but Joomla doesn't come with a forum, you have to install one
of the ones already mentioned and then install a bridge. Your just
making more work for yourself, especially when it doesn't work as planned.

I don't know about Drupal as I have never used it, but Joomla I have,
and finding/getting the bridge to work wasn't the easiest thing in the
world.

Steve

Aw Dooza man, thanks alot. My Boss is demanding it is essential when we go live in October. You have given me hope sir. Have a good one and tanx.

Steve

sfavignano wrote:
> Aw Dooza man, thanks alot. My Boss is demanding it is essential when we go live in October. You have given me hope sir. Have a good one and tanx.
>
> Steve

All the free ones have excellent support from there communities,
sometimes you need to know how to ask the question to get the answer,
just like here, so read the rules first, do a search, if that doesn't
help then ask.

Steve

If you really needed install help, I know companies like Invision Power (
http://www.invisionpower.com ) who make Invision Board, which I use, will even
keep your board up to date with doing the upgrades for you. You just have to
submit a ticket when you need the upgrade done. vBulletin (
http://www.vbulletin.com ) I imagine does the same thing.

The only difference is that you do have to pay for those boards and the
up-front costs sometimes scare people away although the yearly costs are not
too bad.