The birth of a forum

[penumbra]

I'd like to operate a forum similar to this one but really dont know anything about the programming or software that such a project would require me to understand. Is there anyway around this? Is there anyway i could build a forum offline, purchase a domain name, get hosted, and publish something like Salviasource.org?
i like this simplemachines forum but really dont know anything about all of the the TLAs (Three Letter Acronyms) --like SQL, SMF, PHP, .NET or FTP-- that go into building a forum.
 Everything I've tried to learn about these languages and programs has flown right over my head- perhaps because ive been exposed to THC, PCP, GBH, MDMA...........................................no, only like half of those. maybe 75%.......................
id be grateful if someone pointed me in the right direction.....
thanks

[Paradoxic]

I would highly recommend using SMF. All you will need to do is find a web server. I use http://www.synhosting.com and I would highly recommend them. However, if you do some searching around you could find a free host or a host that specializes in free hosting of SMF...you may look into http://www.hostsnake.com

Just read the manual on SMF and you should be able to figure out everything you need to know:
http://docs.simplemachines.org/

[Sea Mac]

I registered a Domain with GoDaddy and they provide 10 Gigabytes of ad based Hosting FREE with each Domain you register.

There are built in Community tools that INSTALL SMF FOR YOU right on your GoDaddy hosted site! You need to be able to click a mouse ... they do all the set up work. It'll cost you $10 a year.

Go look at the Free Forum I got and see if the Ad bar up on top is going to be too big a price to pay ...

http://sageseeds.info/smf/index.php

OK: $11 gets you a .com domain With an SMF Forum Add on! You can even add a free video arcade!

Here is how to register your .com Domain with GoDaddy:  http://seamac.info/godaddy/ it's an illustrated tutorial showing how to get your 10 Gigabyte web domain all your own!

I'll panhandle you for expert points after you are a domain holder ... 

[Sea Mac]

Where do you think I host all of my Animated GIFs

 (Like this one. )

Paradoxic doesn't allow GIFs to be uploaded to the Gallery (for all I know it's a software limitation ... )

I bought 2 domains when the first year was 99¢ ($1.21 with the 22¢ ICANN Fee) and renewed both. It was only 5 Gigabytes per Domain when I registered but GoDaddy upped the Ante to 10 Gigs: so I have 20 Gigabytes of online FTP file storage and 10 "MySQL" Databases available.

SMF will only use ONE of your 10 Databases with its install. There is a long list of Applications they will Install FOR you so you can get the SMF Forum and a CopperMine Photo Gallery  ... 8 more Databases to use up!

Newest Additions
Mambo

Joomla
 
Drupal
 
WordPress
 
Serendipity
 
Most Popular
WordPress
 
Joomla
 
Simple Machines Forum
 
Gallery
 
pick what you want and they will install it AND its Database FOR You!


Schweet! The 99$ .info domain sale is BACK on! Your forum will cost you $1.21 this year (365 days) and renew for $10 a year each year after that!

You picked a good time to ask. I suggested to Paradoxic that He ditch phpBB2 in Favor of SMF and he hasn't regretted it. I've helped 3 or 4 people out with this (birthing a forum) so far.

[Sea Mac]

   https://hostingconnection.godaddy.com/AllApplications.aspx?id=15 

[Sea Mac]

OK: I set up your hosting account for you.

You didn't give me enough info to set up a forum.

What's Next?

Congratulations!

You have finished setting up your hosting account. Your hosting account should be ready to use within 24 hours.

You will receive an e-mail message once your hosting account is ready to use. This e-mail message will include all of your basic account-management information.

After your account is set up, you can log back in to your Hosting Control Center to upload files to your Web site, create sub domains, customize your 404 pages, set up databases for your hosting account, and more.

[Sea Mac]

Well, I set up your hosting on your new domain.  http://penumbralplants.info/ You own a Domain and now have 10 Gigabytes of online storage capacity. That can host an awful lot of photographs ...  that could also back up your user files if you have an emergency system reinstall: connect via FTP and upload the files you wish to save before you erase your hard drive and reinstall your system!!

But there have been some changes since I signed up with GoDaddy.

GoDaddy says they do not support SMF on the free hosting plan. I installed SMF manually since they would not do it for me:  http://penumbralplants.info/  and it is still not working. (It is working, but there is no output that you can see. The database is in there, connected properly, and all the scripts are in place. Please notice the title of the window clearly says the "Penumbral Plants Forum". Maybe it will work with a different browser than Firefox?)


http://penumbralplants.info/


Go ahead and register for hostsnake and send me that information too. The hard part is all done: you now own a domain and you own a (unsupported) forum. Now we need to get some compatible hosting: and you introduced me to hostsnake yesterday!

Yes: we will set up your forum on hostsnake as soon as you register there and send me the details.

Yesterday you weren't even a domain holder: a dollar and a quarter later you own a sizable chunk of internet real estate and you're ABOUT ready to set up business with a SMF forum!

Yes: you might eventually have to buy a hosting plan somewhere - but that would be a sign of success. I wish you all success in your new endeavor.

Carl (the Kindly Wizard) ...

[Sea Mac]

OK: you've got the Latest version SMF.

http://penumbra.hostsnake.com/smf/index.php?

How do you like it? Is it worth a few Expertise points to you?

[Sea Mac]

Email is not Supported! hostsnake has no php 'mail' subsystem installed!

No function that requires a mail server is working! That kind of ruins that forum ...

You're going to have to get a hosting plan somewhere. (Probably GoDaddy: I don't trust hostsnake farther than I can throw them ... )

But have you gone to your Domain http://penumbralplants.info lately?

[Sea Mac]

Well?
Did you look at it?6E2 Mark

[penumbra]

Ok, so the forum is up and running and, even though email isnt working (members cant be notified when their post is replied to) i still think things are looking good! Youve been an excellent help, seamac, but if im going to try to develop a successful forum i should really learn how to deal with the SQL and PHP myself. Im too dependent on your kind Genius status (by the way, ive been genius plussing you as much as i can). Im reluctant to try to alter anything outside of the forum itself due to the fact that I doubt Id be able to undue or even recognize the mistakes i will inevitably make.
Ill look at the themes and get back to you if i need further help.
Who knew everyone's favorite salvia pro is a computer pro as well?
[genius +]
[genius +]
http://penumbralplants.info

Its a spartan forum now but who knows......if enough people put their plants up for trade it will become a bustling bazaar of ska pastora soon enough

[penumbra]

Wow, SMF is incredibly intuitive.
Ive figured out how to adjust the colors and theme of the forum- all i need now is email support and a few ads
I think im going to print up some stickers and advertise in hollywood
for some reason i will always associate hollywood with salvia
--probably because i bought my first gram of 5x in a sleazy, shady, scary smokeshop off hollywood boulevard late one rainy night.

[Sea Mac]

Ok, so the forum is up and running and, even though email isnt working (members cant be notified when their post is replied to) i still think things are looking good! Youve been an excellent help, seamac, but if im going to try to develop a successful forum i should really learn how to deal with the SQL and PHP myself. Im too dependent on your kind Genius status (by the way, ive been genius plussing you as much as i can). Im reluctant to try to alter anything outside of the forum itself due to the fact that I doubt Id be able to undue or even recognize the mistakes i will inevitably make.
Ill look at the themes and get back to you if i need further help.
Who knew everyone's favorite salvia pro is a computer pro as well?
[genius +]
[genius +]
http://penumbralplants.info

Its a spartan forum now but who knows......if enough people put their plants up for trade it will become a bustling bazaar of ska pastora soon enough

Damn that logo looks nice!

I see you've played with it a little.

It IS Very intuitive to use it!  But you'll probably want to read the manuals  http://docs.simplemachines.org/

Especially the Administrators Manual: details ALL those switches and buttons and number slots ... http://docs.simplemachines.org/index.php?board=7.0 Yeah: you'll want to read that!

Hostsnake doesn't support SMF (no sendmail function)  and GoDaddy doesn't support SMF on Free Ad based hosting!

You're going to have to get a REAL (Paid) Hosting Plan eventually ...

First you see Jupe then you see me. Who sent you to the Experts?

Be careful what you wish for (when I'm in earshot) cause you might get it! You wished for a forum ...

What you have has MORE Features than Salvia Sources SMF 1.1.5 has!

Enjoy your toy!

[Sea Mac]

Who knew everyone's favorite salvia pro is a computer pro as well?

The people in San Diego who know me personally - and have me as their Computer Guru!

I've been in Computing 32 years now: since FORTRAN IV on Punched Cards with CDC 1702 Mainframes in batched jobs!
I've serviced many a computer in my day. I've been on the Internet for 10 Years now and owned 3 domains for over a year now.

Could YOU believe you could get a forum for $1.21 - before you met me?

10 Gigabytes online storage for $1.21 for the first year. $9 a year after that.

And it's not like it's a secret ...

[penumbra]

First you see Jupe then you see me. Who sent you to the Experts?

I need to give back to the salvia community! All i do is take take take

Jupe gave me a big box of cuttings (all of them rooted...after some necessary trimming and slicing, root rot removal, etc) which included a bunch of beautiful hofmann wassons and one THICK stemmed Luna.
and you gave me a website.
Im in Malibu quite often-- maybe ill steal Daniel Siebert's car stereo or something.........
naw, the salvia community is super generous.
One day I will take cuttings from my plants and give them tired, greasy, road tripping strangers just as Jupe did for me.
Maybe i should add a Santa Barbara section to http://penumbralplants.info.....