Recommended/Favorite forum?

[RobertCityStaff]

I'm sorry if this is not allowed.

I am currently using a free forum download for my website. But it has a lack of templates, so I thought about the forums that bluehost's SimpleScripts provides. I like phpBB but it's a bit too complicated, as I'm more of a beginner in php and mysql.

So my question is, is there a forum service provided by bluehost that you recommend (templates, easy to customize, ect) or is your favorite?

Again, I'm sorry if this isn't allowed.

[redsox9]

Bluehost only offers you server space for your site, although it does offer software that you can install for your site through SimpleScripts, as you mentioned. My suggestion would be to do a Google search on each forum software offered as to what templates are available to customize the look of the site.

[akc42]

I'm sorry if this is not allowed.

I am currently using a free forum download for my website. But it has a lack of templates, so I thought about the forums that bluehost's SimpleScripts provides. I like phpBB but it's a bit too complicated, as I'm more of a beginner in php and mysql.

So my question is, is there a forum service provided by bluehost that you recommend (templates, easy to customize, ect) or is your favorite?

Again, I'm sorry if this isn't allowed.

We use Simple Machines Forum on here, and think its brilliant. It was originally set up (by our previous admin) using Fantastico - but these days I do most of the stuff manually through the forum itself (the admin section allows you to upgrade, add additional packages etc).

The only thing I would say if you are new - is beware the non standard Themes. We have one, which looks great, and then we customised it with our own logo and header - but I now have to be much more careful on updates that I don't break anything. (not that its a problem for us - I run a test as well as production web site here, so we can test things first).

[RobertCityStaff]

Bluehost only offers you server space for your site, although it does offer software that you can install for your site through SimpleScripts, as you mentioned. My suggestion would be to do a Google search on each forum software offered as to what templates are available to customize the look of the site.

Well, I didn't want to ask what forums in general people like, in case that could lead to advertising or whatever.

We use Simple Machines Forum on here, and think its brilliant. It was originally set up (by our previous admin) using Fantastico - but these days I do most of the stuff manually through the forum itself (the admin section allows you to upgrade, add additional packages etc).

The only thing I would say if you are new - is beware the non standard Themes. We have one, which looks great, and then we customised it with our own logo and header - but I now have to be much more careful on updates that I don't break anything. (not that its a problem for us - I run a test as well as production web site here, so we can test things first).

I'm more advanced than new, but my main question is what the population likes/uses so that I can find a forum that I like as well.

[felgall]

There are lots of templates available for phpBB so that you can set up a forum using that which has just about any appearance that you like without needing to know any code at all.

[RobertCityStaff]

I'd choose phpbb if it weren't for the complexity in adding mods. If I screw up at all, or if the mod just happens to not be compatible and doesn't say, then I've not only screwed up my forum, but also wasted time editing.