Setting up board yourself vs using forum hosting

[hyperactive]

I want to add a forum to my site but I don't want to have to put in lots of work on the set-up (I don't know scripting languages like PHP,etc) so any opinions on using a hosting service like invision's vs fumbling through doing it myself (my site host supports running SQL, PHP, etc so no probs there - I asked them about Invision and a couple others)

[bangbang023 Veteran]

Invision is very easy to install. You don't need ot know anything about PHP or MySQL (look at me, I don't know anything about the languages and such). Almost any forum software will do most of the install work for you once you upload the files.

[#Michael]

I personally started out using invision forum hosting and then began to customize to my liking.

[InnocentKiller]

Not to mention, if you install it yourself, you have more control over it. You can customize it in ways that you cannot with the remotely hosted.

[daz-]

  bangbang023 said:

Invision is very easy to install. You don't need ot know anything about PHP or MySQL (look at me, I don't know anything about the languages and such). Almost any forum software will do most of the install work for you once you upload the files.

Yup, its pretty easy.

You upload the files to your website, then navigate to one of the files you uploaded, yourdomain.com/forums/install/ and fill in the information, which consists of a database name, database password, database username, and the first account (and admin account) on the forums. Then click next three times, delete the install file, and you have forums.

You usually get your Database information from your websites hosting control panel.

If you would like help in configuring one, PM me and I can help via that way, or via MSN.

[sting3r]

lol.... its easy, i can upload and configure a phpBB forum in 13 minutes. I'm 11 so if i can do it anyone can.

[Bushrat]

If you already have hosting then use it for your invision board.

you can save a lot of money by getting your own hosting than getting invision hosting.

If you don't have ny hosting PM me and i can hook you up with some.

:sleep:

[go4inet]

try http://forumer.com ! they will give u all help !

best ppl !

[blogbuster]

..--edit--..

[CoLdFuSi0n]

i'd say go with using Invision Board its easy to set up and i think better then vbulletin

[Tomi]

  sting3r said:

lol.... its easy, i can upload and configure a phpBB forum in 13 minutes. I'm 11 so if i can do it anyone can.

13 minutes to install a phpBB!? jeez...

it only takes about 3 minutes to install a IPB.

[InnocentKiller]

I wonder what the absolute fastest time for download, extration, upload, and run of install for IPB is...I wonder how fast I could do it.

[Wannes]

  Sydd said:

13 minutes to install a phpBB!? jeez...

it only takes about 3 minutes to install a IPB.

he said upload and install. ;)

i would say invision is the easiest to install and has a fairly good skinning engine.

[d10p]

  InnocentKiller said:

I wonder what the absolute fastest time for download, extration, upload, and run of install for IPB is...I wonder how fast I could do it.

Someone on the vBulletin forum installed vB in 1 minute.

Of course, it was all uploaded already.

[Sentertainment]

---IPB vs phpBB---

IPB has More control, but more complex.

phpBB is less complex, but less control.

Both can be made to operate the same.

IPB comes with nicer skin style. (Default Skin)

phpBB loads faster, not as nicely styled. (Default Skin)

Both install easy!

Databases even operate very similar in both...

For a person with no technical knowledge...I'd say phpBB

For someone that knows what terms mean and understands workings of the web...IPB

Edit:

I also recommend installing on your own server, it's easy enough...and it gives you so much more control! :D

Free IPB/phpBB hosting also tends to have ads and limitations! :crazy:

[Tomi]

  [a fire chronicle said:

,Jun 24 2004, 00:42] he said upload and install. ;)

i would say invision is the easiest to install and has a fairly good skinning engine.

*slaps self* missed that.

takes me approx 7-8 minutes to upload and install a IPB.

[Bearded Kirklander]

I like that you can have Invision host your forums for like $10 a month. I think I'd go that route first and see if I outgrow it. That way I don't have to get a static IP, a dedicated hosting machine, etc. If it turns out I don't like it, I think I would have an easy time of just letting the service expire and not have to sweat it. (Y)