Where did this forum come from? - DPChallenge Forums

12/20/2005 09:14:16 AM · #1

Was this forum all coded by dpc admins, or was it purchased or registered at another website? I'm starting up a website for students at my college to be able to buy and sell books, find roommates, find subleasees and subleasers, and collaborate on homework assignments. I would like to set it up as a forum similiar to this one, and was wondering where this one came from, or where I could get a similiar one.

soup

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

12/20/2005 09:19:09 AM · #2

//www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rls=GGLD,GGLD:2005-18,GGLD:en&q=php+forums

Ombra_foto

Olympus E-300 EVOLT

Olympus 40-150mm f/3.5-4.5 Zuiko Digital

12/20/2005 09:20:40 AM · #3

There are a number of package deals out there on different styles of forums, some that include leasing space to you.
Many of then do not require you to even learn coding, unless you want to fully customize them.
VBulletin... the cadillac, and expensive
phpBB
WOW bbs
Invision
And many more..

Check examples of each out to see if they'll do what you want, and check their prices.

12/20/2005 09:24:37 AM · #4

Thanks, that'll get me started in the right direction.

Olympus 40-150mm f/3.5-4.5 Zuiko Digital

12/20/2005 09:44:14 AM · #5

I think this project may be beyond my reach. I was hoping it would be as simple as buying a domain and some webspace through godaddy.com or somewhere like that, then inserting the forum through html somehow. But from what I understand so far, I'll need a server to put the software on, then somehow make the server publicly accessible over the internet (which I'm not even sure how to begin with doing).

Ombra_foto

Olympus E-300 EVOLT

12/20/2005 09:48:47 AM · #6

Look at the packages WOW has..
You can lease the software, ON their servers, which they set up, for less than $40 every three months.
Name, hosting, set-up all handled by them..

12/20/2005 09:51:45 AM · #7

I love you.

12/20/2005 10:05:08 AM · #8

How hard would it be to set up my own server?

Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro for Canon

12/20/2005 10:09:45 AM · #9

If you have an always on net connection you can give the world access to your computer. Windows XP has it built in and I remember doing it with 98 as well. I forget the name of the module, but in XP Pro it is definitely there. Free.

Next, go visit //www.no-ip.com. You can get a name there and software that keeps your conneciton open IF the IP adderss changes or can change. Free.

GoDaddy.com will sell you a name for $9/year and redirect it (and teh emails) to a web address of your choice. No-ip is where you'd get the place to redirect it to.

Next find some windows based forum software, see above, it is free and somewhat easy to install and manage. If it is over your head, well, then this whole project of yours is gonne be tough for you.

The best thing is to run the server software on a dedicated machine, with daily backups so that if a hacker tries to get in, the only thing vulnerable is that one server. everything else you have should be behind a hardware firewall/router.

//www.webwizguide.info/web_wiz_forums/default.asp is one version that works, and they have forums for support too.

longlivenyhc

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

12/20/2005 10:10:04 AM · #10

i remember setting up a simple forum using //www.yabbforum.com/
it wasnt that hard, and it was free. i had a little webspace and a domain and worked pretty well.

Message edited by author 2005-12-20 10:10:28.

12/20/2005 10:12:54 AM · #11

Originally posted by ibkc:

How hard would it be to set up my own server?

If you have XP Pro...
HOw to install webserver on XP

XPHome you need to find a third party software ap. google for some.

But things can be as complicated as you'd like...apache and unix, perl and gawk

12/20/2005 10:18:14 AM · #12

Thanks, I do have XP Pro. I think it all seems much more manageable now. I have an always-on connection and a machine I think I'll be able to dedicate as the server.

a phpBB forum in use

vbPortal in use
vBulletin in use
vBulletin with a nother look to it
yet another vBulletin with another look to it
Invision Power Board (trial version)

12/20/2005 10:18:28 AM · #13

12/20/2005 10:21:06 AM · #14

Originally posted by ibkc:

Thanks, I do have XP Pro. I think it all seems much more manageable now. I have an always-on connection and a machine I think I'll be able to dedicate as the server.

a friend of mine did while we were on the phone once. took him 20 minutes maybe - including downloading the software - but then he is a computer hobbyist/systems person with the network from hell at home (2 cable modems, 3 routers, 6 computers running 4 or 5 different OS's 1.5 or terabytes of HD space...but no life!). Of course i cannot find the bloody link to see if it's still up (was a few months ago)

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

12/20/2005 11:08:16 AM · #15

Originally posted by ibkc:

Thanks, I do have XP Pro. I think it all seems much more manageable now. I have an always-on connection and a machine I think I'll be able to dedicate as the server.

Uhmm... If I may... I tried hosting my site from home, but found the connection VERY slow (standard high-speed cable access). I finally bit the bullet and purchased hosting space from ipowerweb. I've read mixed reviews on their service, but almost everyone says they are lacking in the tech support department. So far I haven't had any problems, but I haven't needed their service department. Hosting is dirt cheap ($7.95/mo.) and they have several "built-in" apps that are user configurable through a very easy to use interface. I've played around with their phpBB application and it looks very interesting, but have opted to attempt to code my own forum.

I handled the domain NS pointing myself and kept control over my URL (I've heard bad stories about their domain registration service also). It looks like it's going to be a good service as long as you take a few precautions. It's certainly better than hosting from home.

Package also includes e-mail accounts (POP3 and web mail), FTP server, subdomains, and several other "features". IMHO lots of bang for the buck.

I would discourage hosting from your house, it's inviting trouble (hackers and the like). My $0.02 USD.

Message edited by author 2005-12-20 11:09:08.

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

12/20/2005 11:10:57 AM · #16

To answer the original question, I believe the admins coded this forum (and the entire site) pretty much from scratch.

fotomann_forever

12/20/2005 11:41:48 AM · #17

Originally posted by ibkc:

How hard would it be to set up my own server?

Quite simple, but somewhat risky if you don't know what you're doing. To run a BB type site. You will need a server, (I prefer Apache) a database (mySQL is one of the better ones) and a way to communicate between the two (PHP).

An easy setup is to go to SourceForge.net and search for AMP (Apache, MySQL & PHP). AMP's are prebuilt bundles that will install on a Windows system.

As far as the site, phpBB is very popular. A search at Sourceforge.net will give you a lot of options. Also, you may want to consider Content Management Systems.

I much prefer having someone else host my sites. GoDaddy is one of the best I've found. I'm running 12 sites on a GoDaddy virtual dedicated server at the moment and have had no problems with any of them. My site PolishedTool.com is one of those sites.

Just look for one of thier plans that allows PHP/MySQL and I believe they will set up phpBB for you.

12/20/2005 12:02:43 PM · #18

I think I'm going to have to go with a dedicated server, since my connection is just a basic dsl package. Ipowerweb sounds like it has pretty good rates.. thanks Palmetto. I'm trying to keep the overall cost as low as possible. I'm still trying to make the decision if it will be worth the time and money, since I'm not going to be able to make any money off the project.

fotomann_forever

12/20/2005 12:04:32 PM · #19

Originally posted by ibkc:

I'm still trying to make the decision if it will be worth the time and money, since I'm not going to be able to make any money off the project.

Two words for ya bud, Google Adsense ;-)

Canon EOS-20D

12/20/2005 12:05:17 PM · #20

If you really want little work, find a host that has Fantastico installed. Then it really is just a click of a button to install a forum software.

12/20/2005 12:05:19 PM · #21

Ipowerweb's phpBB set-up is pretty straightforward. Once you get everything pointed in the right direction, I think the forum will be pretty easy to handle.

12/20/2005 12:07:12 PM · #22

Originally posted by mk:

If you really want little work, find a host that has Fantastico installed. Then it really is just a click of a button to install a forum software.

That's how Ipowerweb's interface works. I installed phpBB, checked it out, then uninstalled it (decided to write my own). I love making things more difficult than they need to be!

;-)

Canon EOS-20D

12/20/2005 12:07:50 PM · #23

Vervehosting.com has it too. And they have excellent customer service.

mesmeraj

12/20/2005 12:12:12 PM · #24

hasweb.com supports phpBB as well, very easierly set up, as all the software is waiting for you in your control panel to be activated
& at 48 a year that sure beats 40 every three months