[shroomo]

Hi guys, Im really interested in setting up my own forum to help people get into an HGV/LGV career. I recently passed my Class 2 (Cat C) licence but while I was trying to research it there was a distinctive lack of available information aside from training companies (that I now wish I hadn't listened to!) I am glad I took the test but there is definately a need for a collective of useful people and as we all know, a forum is the best way of doing so.

Although i'm enthusiastic about setting this up I have to be honest and say I dont know the first thing about it! I'm failry computer literate (maybe not compared to most of you!!) But I definatley learn fast and i'm sure I know enough to get by.

SO...! What programs will I need and what advise can you give me!???

Thanks alot,

Kris

[Carbon]

You'll need web hosting. Your web host will set up a forum for you, most likely, if you request.

You could get a free one at invisionfree.com but those aren't very professional.

[Dave Hybrid]

You'll need hosting and some forum software, also it takes money and a lot of hard work and time.

This forum has been a full time concern for me for nearly 2 years.

[dr john]

You typically need PHP and MySQL included in your web hostin gservice.
But there are some forum programs that don't need either. YaBB and Simple Machines can use MySQL or do without it.

Many hosts include a forum package as part of the deal. Start with the smallest package deal they offer, as your forum willl be small (very small) to begin with and there is no point in getting a huge amount of webspace at a high price and then not using any of it! Some hosts can set you up for £19 - £25 a year including everything you'll need. 50 - 100 MB of web space could last you for quite some time before you need to upgrade to get more (your host does that with no distturbance to your system) Setting up a forum where the host provides one on teh cpanel can in some cases just be a case of clicking on a button and entering the name you want to use, and a few categories to get things rolling.

Be aware - if a forum doesn't get used much, spammers will jump at it to get links to their sites (not so much to get users clicking on them as to let google see lots of links to their sites and increase their page rank). So you have to edit the forum and members lists regularly. It's not difficult, but annoying and takes a couple of 10 - 20 minute sessions every week, unfortunately.

[shroomo]

Ok sweet, so, I find a host that offers PHP and MySQL (like the 'Copper' package here?) Will they then send me the software or will I download it or do I just run it from thier server? I have to say this is looking quite daunting! There's pleanty of free ones but they do all look crap and there must be some catch if they're offering no advertising and free setup and maintenence etc?

Im not one to give up very easy though, so I'll find some tutorials somewhere and figure out what this stuff means!!

I dont mind about the spammers etc. they will be crushed regularly!!

Is there some kind of wysiwyg forum maker? (Was that question really stupid?) I taught myself some HTML and a tiny amount of CSS but thats as far as I got. I guess what I mean is, is there a way of making it offline with some purchased software and then upload it to a host server? Im not sure I want to pay first to then make a rubbish forum and waste the majority of a years subscription getting it right!

Cheers for the help guys!

ps. Dave, the PC's going great still no probs at all, just given it another gig of ram to keep up with Oblivion on the 'stupid' level graphics settings, that game is AMAZING! Cant thank you enough for that bit of kit mate, cheers!

[dr john]

There are plenty of free ones that do not look crap! You're obviously looking in the wrong places. Do remember that the standard style of most forums is pretty plain to begin with, and then you customise it from its admin centre. But a pretty forum with no members or content is nowhere near as good as a plain one with lots of members and content.

You ask about a wysiwyg forum maker - no, you usually either choose one of a set of skins they supply by clicking on it in the forum's admin centre, or you can get custom skins made, or find some for free. Adding a custom skin takes more experience to implement as it sounds like everything will be new to you. I suggest that with your lack of experience you forget about making your own skin though, and use something that others have made for fun. (and definately test it on a home server first.)

If you bother to click on the Cpanel Hosting Features of the hosting packge you mentioned, it says that you can use InvisionBoard which is already there for you and install it with one click. (That Copper package looks reasonable. I've seen some a little bit cheaper, and some a lot more expensive.) Daunting? One click and you have a forum isn't daunting!

The web host doesn't send you any software. Either they have it installed on their system and you click a button and name it, or you download from a forum software maker and install it yourself if you wish to use a different forum to the one they supply.

Yes you can experiment at home, usually by setting up your own server and installing it there, customising it and then copying the lot to your host. Many people use Xampp Lite to set up a server on their PC and test things that way. I test my php powered database driven web sites that way for example.

PS You say there must be a catch if something is free? What's the catch with me giving you free advice? Haven't you heard of open source software or freeware?

[Dave Hybrid]

Originally Posted by shroomo ps. Dave, the PC's going great still no probs at all, just given it another gig of ram to keep up with Oblivion on the 'stupid' level graphics settings, that game is AMAZING! Cant thank you enough for that bit of kit mate, cheers!

Glad to hear it !

[Dave Hybrid]

Finding a good host isn't easy, we host with layershift UK and after trying about 10 have found these guys to be leaps and bounds above the rest.

[Jase123]

Hmm ... Never tried them Dave. I`m hosted with Lunarpages, and I`m really pleased so far, support is fantastic.

I think SSH access is one of the main reasons to go with a host or not, everyone think it`s all about bandwidth and space, but this isn`t the case.

Regards Jason