Starting a Forum

[trigatch4]

I've got a forum concept I want to get running ASAP. I've never created or worked with a forum and my programming skillz or zilch. That being said, I still want to make a nice looking forum that functions great.

Recommended forum program?
Recommended skin designer/site?

Keep in mind I don't have a huge budget... around $100-$150 would be best.

AND, any additional tips/hints greatly appreciated!

 

[stoxup]

Probably the best free forum script IMO is phpBB. They have a very active support community and lots of well-designed skins that can be found on the main site.

 

[Andrew]

When you say concept, do you mean that there are some additional functions you want this forum to perform?

 

[trigatch4]

No, the forum will be pretty standard... I guess I should have used "topic" rather than "concept:.

Paid forum software and paid skin development recommendations welcome as well.

 

[chris22]

Go vbulletin. They have some skins for download at vbulletin.org if you don't want to pay for custom.

 

[trigatch4]

So with vBulletin you pay $160 and you can use it forever? Do you need to purchase it for each site you own or can you use it with multiple site?

 

[Stanley]

vbulletin is much better and more powerful than phpBB.
phpBB is less secure and admin management is more difficult.
this forum and most large popular forums are run on vBulletin.

 

[chris22]

So with vBulletin you pay $160 and you can use it forever?

Yeah, $160 is forever. They also have leased licenses for $85.

Do you need to purchase it for each site you own or can you use it with multiple site?

1 license = 1 site

 

[claudek]

If you want free - SMF is the best free forum software to my knowledge. They have a lot of really good mods as well for any forum webmaster.

Phpbb is targetted to much by hackers from experience to be worth using.

Paid-wise, vbulletin is the way to go.

 

[sebastya]

yeah go SMF!

 

[garg]

So with vBulletin you pay $160 and you can use it forever? Do you need to purchase it for each site you own or can you use it with multiple site?

It's free for ever but there is a yearly $35 fee if you want updates. And it's $160 per forum

If you are just starting out and you don't specifically need Vbulletin specific features then I suggest you go with SMF (never phpBB!!!)

 

[Elvie]

I installed SMF for the first time over the weekend and I've been pleasant surprised at all the features in the admin panel. I'm impressed so far.

 

[trigatch4]

If you start with SMF, how difficult is it to convert the forum (with all existing content) to vbulletin (if possible at all). I may just take the plunge, try vbulletin and pay $200 for a skin... I don't know!

 

[L146705]

I don't like the interface on smf, its difficult to use. phpbb is ok software but it gets the shit spammed out of it.
vbulletin is said to be the best but that costs ££. http://www.mybboard.com/ and another called vanila are both free maybe u should take a look at them.

 

[deronsizemore]

From what I've seen, http://www.mybboard.com is the best free forum software. Looks and acts like VB, without the price tag.

Edit: sorry didn't see the post above before I posted.

 

[trigatch4]

I'm leaning towards vbulletin... any skin recommendations?

 

[Jack Swift]

If you can swing vBulletin money-wise, don't think twice about it. There are lots of good skins out there, but I think the key is making it something as unique as possible.