A forum is a must have for clan websites. A forum is a place to post news, keep members in touch, and announce server issues. There are two ways you can get a forum on your clan website. You can either host the script yourself on your own hosting, by setting up a MYSQL database, uploading the files, and making the changes you desire, or you can set up a free forum on another website, and have that linked to your clan website. Although both options are good, I would recommend hosting the forum yourself. It is a little more work, but then you are in full control of your website. And you get to learn a little about how the web works.
Free Forum Hosts:
- http://www.freeforums.org
- http://www.forumer.com
These are just a few of literally thousands of free forum hosts. If your interested in hosting your forum yourself, keep reading.
To host the forum yourself, you need to download some software, This is a short list of some of the most popular Forum Software:
1.) Vbulletin – $180.00
a. Thousands of mods/hacks
b. Thousands of themes
c. Extremely popular, so lots of support
2.) IPB – $149.99 – (My Personal favourite)
a. Very clean
b. Better looking stock
c. Some extra standard features
3.) PHPBB – FREE
a. Well supported
b. Offers all of the stuff the big boys offer
c. Due to it being free, I would suggest you keep it updated with the lastest patches
4.) SMF – FREE
a. Very basic forum
b. Great for learning about web scripts
c. Not as popular as phpbb, therefor less mods/skins
5.) Vanilla Forum – FREE
a. Probably to simple, but worth checking out
b. Offers a very clean, unique style
Personally, I think forum choice is a matter of personal preference. They all do the same basic thing, and I have never heard a regular clan member complain about the software itself (I have heard complain about the mods sure). If you choose a free forum, MAKE SURE to keep it up to date, and remember that being free, no one is required to give you support.
All of the forum software above will require a specific version of PHP (your website host can provide you with that) and a MYSQL database (almost all hosts have that) You will also need to have an FTP program to upload the files and some sort of program to edit them (not required, but nice to have). I will be writing an article on installation of these boards very soon.
