phpBB is free forum software that is very good. You'll need a host that supports PHP and databases to install it. It's also very easy to configure, and there are thousands of themes all over the Internet to pick from.

Thank you very much for your reply Ooble. I went with Doreo for a host since it seemed they host a lot of phpBB forums.

Very easy to configure for people who know what they’re doing is different from people such as myself who have never had ANY exposure to these type terms. I’m sure they would get many more customers if they made it very easy to do for web dummies such as myself. I’m sure after a while I’ll be able to do what I need to but it sure would be nice to have a point and click type install.

The reason I’m doing this is for a few older gentlemen that have a hard time figuring out how to email never mind set up a forum. I’m looking over the users manual and it seems pretty straightforward. I think once I get it up I shouldn’t have that hard a time modifying it.

I purchased my domain name from namecheap. I just added the DNS (I hope it was) to my domain name. It gave me a message that it might take up to 24hrs to take effect. Can anyone please tell me how I will know when this is ready so I can try to load the forum up?

Thank you

You will know it works when your domain resolves, IE you can load it.

hello ,
I'm not a web designer.

That's nice Rachell.

I am not a paper boy or an anthropoligist. But I did stay at a budget hotel last night.:cheesy:

I have a forum up and running and even created some pages to go along with it. I would post a link so you people could check it out and give me some feed back but you can't miss the notice on the reply stating not to.

I would recommend Vanilla from Lussumo, basically its like any other forum software however its much easier to use than say phpbb2, basically if you want to add any 'mods' all you have to do is drag the files into a folder and activate them from the admin cp and thats it! unlike in phpbb2 which would mean installing any extra features would mean getting your hands dirty, however i would seriously reccomend if you want to start an online community you have to get into the code of the forum and learn how it all works it can be so much fun as well and seriously im no php whizz kid and dont have a degree in computer laungages but I know php from messing around with the code inside phpbb2.

You will however need to have your own hosting for this, unless you can find a free hosted vanilla site.

I have gone to phpBB and read their setup requirements. I am hung up on the fact that I need an SQL database and PHP 4.3.3. I don't get what either of these things are. And I don't understand if they are things I need to download in addition to the phpBB software.

Please help, I am trying to understand and learn, but can't get past what seems to be the basic requirements.

Chek the terms of your hosting package. If it includes MySQL and PHP (serverside) scripting, then just create a database, upload the files to the server, and navigate to the install page.

If you are going to buy a hosting package then just check that they provide the fantastico feature. Thru, fantastico you can install your own forum, blogs and much more things.