How do i install a forum?

[JCsDesignz]

Stupid question i know LOL

Ive installed it (i think) but how do i get it so its working LOL Are there any easy tutorials out there ?

Many thanks.

Julie

[WebJDC]

use fantastico to install phpbb and it should just work automaticly...

[JCsDesignz]

Yep ive managed to do that bit LOL Where do i go from there though. YOur talking to a complete novice as far as setting up a phbb forum :o

[MMJ]

Yep ive managed to do that bit LOL Where do i go from there though. YOur talking to a complete novice as far as setting up a phbb forum :o

The first thing you do is take a look at your config settings to make sure they're what you want. Then set up your board & you do all of this from the admin panel. You're welcome to use my board as an example. http://marilynjones.biz/df/index.php

I suggest an announcements section. Then I suggest putting rules under the announcements. Also do you want a moderator? Find one & put them in place like I did.

phpBB has a users guide to help you figure all this out here http://www.phpbb.com (& I suggest putting the link on your board for others to use too).

Also don't forget to complete your profile...add all your info & choose an avatar/sig banner.

If you want to change out your smilies/add avatars & skins...go to phpBB's site & they have several of those to choose from too. If you need anything else post it here so others can benefit too. :D

[JCsDesignz]

Thanks MMJ i'll check out the links etc and holler if i get stuck LOL

Im hoping to be able to make my own theme(skin) and smileys etc as it will be a forum set up around pixel graphics for my site members and see how it progresses from there LOL :cool:

[BrandonK]

:eek: eek, be really careful with phpBB. Sooooo many of my friends have gotten their forum hacked. But it is the easiest to install from my personal experiences. :p

Just make sure you update it as much as possible!

[JCsDesignz]

Hacked ? :eek: MAybe i'll think again about installing one LOL

:eek: eek, be really careful with phpBB. Sooooo many of my friends have gotten their forum hacked. But it is the easiest to install from my personal experiences. :p

Just make sure you update it as much as possible!

[BrandonK]

just be sure ya know what you're doing, that's all....follow installation notes carefully and always double check. :p

[JCsDesignz]

just be sure ya know what you're doing, :p

You know me too well :D

I have no idea but want to give it a whirl anyway LOL If i get it working will it help if i backup regularly just in case it gets hacked or is there more to hacking than just losing everything ?

[BrandonK]

You know me too well :D

I have no idea but want to give it a whirl anyway LOL If i get it working will it help if i backup regularly just in case it gets hacked or is there more to hacking than just losing everything ?


ALWAYS back up....whether it's a forum, or a word document. :p

I've learned the hard way toooooo many times when I didn't back up.

But be careful because hackers can get passwords and such. :-\

I used to use Invision Power Board.

[Maggilove]

You'll be fine with phpBB as long as you apply updates as soon as they come out... there is an option in admin to receive notification of updates.

[JCsDesignz]

You'll be fine with phpBB as long as you apply updates as soon as they come out... there is an option in admin to receive notification of updates.

Cool beans. Sounds good to me LOL Thank you :)

[Maggilove]

NP... just yell if you run into any problems. :D

[Andy]

ye, phpBB is like swiss chese, but when it works, it works fine. i'm experimenting with SMF (Simple Machines Forum) on my latest websites, and that's almost as simple as phpBB. try that if you get fed up with phpBB (LOL) :)

[~AJK~]

I am not a fan of the Fantastico phpBB install. It is pretty easy to set up on your own. If you run into trouble http://phpbb.com/phpBB is a great support forum. You may want to read this from their site:


Download
Full package (http://www.phpbb.com/downloads.php); in most cases the zip file will be the best choice.

Installation
Installation guide (http://www.phpbb.com/phpBB/docs/INSTALL.html)
Flash Installation Tutorial (http://www.phpbb.com/support/tutorials/display.php?t=phpbb2_admin_install)
KB - Step by Step Installation Instructions (http://www.phpbb.com/kb/article.php?article_id=6)
The docs folder in the download package
Also, check out my Guide / Recommendations for newbies (http://www.phpbb.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=338072&highlight=)

As for phpBB being hacked. As with any program, you need to upgrade when a new version comes out. You can subscribe to their mailing list to be notified of new versions.