Creating a Forum Like This?

[max]

I know you should have traffic and content before you start trying to attract visitors to a forum but I just want more information on how to create a forum like this. I know I can't do it with sbi until content 2.0 comes out, but if I was just using a regular host, what's the process?

[lisa]

Hey Max,

First of all, you need a standard host that allows MYSQL (almost all standard hosts provide that these days). You also need to create a database at your web host. It sounds complicated but it's really easy. I just logged into my hosting account and followed the instructions (and I am no techy!). Took about 2 minutes.

Once that is all done, you simply edit the control panel file that is provided when you buy the vbulletin forum script. There are about 10-15 variables you need to complete/edit (you can ask your host if you're not sure of some).

Then you just use an FTP program to upload the files to your web server, and your forum is ready to go. It sounds complicated but if you have a basic understanding of FTP-ing then it's no biggie. At worst you'll need to ask your host about some of the variables this script asks for but they are usually familiar with vbulletin since this is such a popular forum script.

Plus vbulletin has a forum for customers and anything I had questions on I got answered by searching their forums. I will admit I've installed other boards before so that helped but it's really not too difficult. It's amazing at what PHP can do and the customization options for this forum are amazing. I haven't even explored most of them yet. Hope that helps!

[webdev]

Lisa, you pretty much answered everything. I like to add that if you are looking for a free forum which is almost equivalent to vbulliten in features check out http://www.phpbb.com. But vbulliten is the preferred choice for everyone since it offers support. I think you get a licensee for ~$85. check it out here http://www.vbulletin.com/order/.

In order to set up phpbb.com, you need to download the lasted phpbb. 3.0 version, ftp it to directory where you want to install the forum (for example if you want the to forum to link to www.yourdomain.com/forums., then make a directory called "forums" on your plublic_html folder and ftp the files there) and follow the install instruction on your hosting server.

http://www.phpbb.com/support/documen...stallation.php

I think most hosting companies have tools or guides which can auto install third party tools like forums on your website. You will have to search your control panel to dig out all those features.

[lisa]

Good point, webdev. I forgot about phpbb. I actually used them once before and they were even easier to install than vbulletin if I remember correctly.

[ppcFanatic]

Lisa, did you program the URLs to be search engine friendly? I notice the thread paths are static. Is that an option with vBulletin?

[lisa]

Hey ppcFanatic,

Yes, I just bought a plug-in that turns the dynamically generated (PHP) links into static HTML pages so the SE's can finally spider it. Me program?? Heck no! LOL Thank goodness for plugins!!

[webdev]

That's a good point you made lisa. SE don't sipider page with uri made of query strings so its good turn the uri into a proper readable uri.

For example:
a url www.example.com/?article=12345 could be turned into www.example.com/article/12345.html which is easier for the SE spider to index, otherwwise it will get missed.

Well, if any one intersted to know how that is done. You could do that in the .htaccess file (sititng on your root directory) using a mod_rewite rules to turn any query string uris to proper URIs, given that you are running your application an apache web server.

[lisa]

Yep you got it, webdev! And from my limited understanding of mod_rewrites that's exactly what this script does (I actually understood what you wrote about mod_rewrites... SCARY! ) And I could even choose the formatting of the URLs through the control panel. It was pretty easy to use for a non techy like myself.

I'm glad you're here, webdev 'cause I may have some more php questions for you down the line.

[webdev]

It will be exciting answering php questions

I'm just gonan post the mod_rewrite rule that can be used to change url. i haven't tested this thou.

RewriteEngine On
RewriteRule ^\article\(*)\.html$ /?article=$1 [L]

so basically a url http://www.example.com/?article=123456 will be converted to http://www.example.com/article/123456.html by apache before it shows up on the browser address bar.

hmmm. wouldn't be nice if write tutorials on mod_rewrite as well on my website

[webdev]

Yes, I just bought a plug-in that turns the dynamically generated (PHP) links into static HTML pages so the SE's can finally spider it. Me program?? Heck no! LOL Thank goodness for plugins!!

I didn't relaize you had to buy the plugin. I think it would be cool, if i make a free vbulletin plugin for converting URIs. I'm gonna add this to my to-do list for my new tutorial site. php plugins.