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Free Bulletin Board / PHPBB Forum software, any recommendations?

C00kie_2 Posts: 1,145 Forumite

19 January 2007 at 12:00PM in Techie Stuff

Hello!

My, you're looking fantastic today...;)

Can anyone recommend good free forum hosting/software/whatever it's called. I'm considering setting up my own forum for a bunch of friends to chat on (easier than emailing). I know there's many out there, phpbbplanet, phpbb-host (had some problems recently)... it's only for a small group, so no need for too much fancy-schmancy but something with decent customisation and some okay features.

Much appreciated, personal recommendations either from own forums, or forums you're subscribed to will help!

(vbulletin - who do this forum, is paid for, bah! lol)

:rotfl:

Comments

jamief Posts: 303 Forumite

19 January 2007 at 12:18PM

https://www.phpbb.com

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C00kie_2 Posts: 1,145 Forumite

19 January 2007 at 12:23PM

jamief wrote:

https://www.phpbb.com

Ta, any comments on them? Do you have a forum with them... or use a forum hosted with them? The problem I have is there's so many around and I've no idea how good their servers are until roadtesting them, and I don't want to get ppl to sign up then move later if they give too much downtime

:rotfl:
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heatherw_01 Posts: 6,850 Ambassador

19 January 2007 at 12:24PM

I use PHPBB and it works great and it is free!

I’m a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on the Quick Grabbit, Freebies, Overseas Holidays & Travel Planning and the UK Holidays, Days Out & Entertainments boards.
If you need any help on these boards, do let me know. Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any posts you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button, or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com.
All views are my own and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.
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C00kie_2 Posts: 1,145 Forumite

19 January 2007 at 12:32PM

Brilliant... off i go to read the instructions... still open to suggestions if anyone has any others!

:rotfl:
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TheFaqqer Posts: 96 Forumite

19 January 2007 at 9:40PM

I use Simple Machines Forum for my company website - I run a support forum for technical advice as part of by business.

Very pleased with it so far - one thing to check is to Google for security breaches / flaws in the software. For example, PHP-Nuke is meant to be notorious for ease of hacking.

HTH,

Faqqer

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Flexible_Friend Posts: 422 Forumite

20 January 2007 at 9:22AM

The MSE bulletin board uses this software https://www.vbulletin.com which costs £90 but it is supposed to be better and more stable compared to https://www.phpbb.com

But if you want it for free -and why not - then https://www.phpbb.com is the one to go for.

If your webhost uses cPanel or Fantasico, there is usually a ready made script that you can run to install https://www.phpbb.com

You will need PHP running and 1 MySql database.

Good luck - have fun!

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lemontart Posts: 6,037 Forumite

20 January 2007 at 9:56AM

http://www.proboards.com/index.html

I have several boards on this platform very user friendly.

Liz
xx

I am responsible me, myself and I alone I am not the keeper others thoughts and words.
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jamief Posts: 303 Forumite

20 January 2007 at 11:41AM

I used to run a site using PHPBB, couldn't fault it. There have been a few high profile hacks recently, but these are patched normally quite quickly. I'm actually just starting a new site, and was very tempted to go with PHPBB again - the only reason I'm not using it is because I've decided to go with a piece of software I wrote instead. PHPBB is excellent though, and there is a good support community at their website.

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bobbych_2 Posts: 54 Forumite

21 January 2007 at 12:07AM

if you need a free one, i may be able to supply one

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