vSkyzv
05-26-2008, 12:17 PM
This guide is for the instruction of how to install the free forums (InvisionFree, ZetaBoards, phpBB 3x, Simple Machines Forum, etc...). I will introduce terms you may have never heard before (PHP, mySQL, cPanel, etc...) but I will try to make this guide as easy as possible.
(*Note: I will skip both Vanilla and myBB because they are not that popular but are installed the same way as phpBB or SMF (Simple Machines Forum)).
"Installing" InvisionFree and ZetaBoards
You don't have to "install" InvisionFree or ZetaBoards. To get a IF or ZB board, then goto either http://www.invisionfree.com/ or http://www.zetaboards.com/ to sign up for a free forum board. After you sign up, you can start accessing your board right away.
Prelude to Installing phpBB 3x and Simple Machines Forum.
Installing phpBB and SMF are a bit complicated, but offer you many advantages over ZetaBoards\InvisionFree (e.g. ability to upload bigger files, no ads, etc...).
First off, you may want to check both phpBB (http://www.phpbb.com/) and Simple Machines Forums (http://www.simplemachines.org). Then after you have made your decision, you may download one.
After you have gotten the download, you will need to extract the files. Then you will need to re-compress the extracted files but as three or more separate ZIP files (select a few folders\files, right click, hover over "Send To", and then click on "Compress File Folder" and repeat this step). After that, make sure your separate ZIP files are all under 2 megabytes. If not, repeat the step again.
Finding a Webhost for phpBB\SMF
Now you have finished the prelude, it is time to install. But before that, you need to find a webhost and this link (http://www.free-webhosts.com/power-search.php) will help you find one.
You may search for anything you want (such as no ads etc...) but these are the minimum requirements to have a phpBB or SMF forum:
- PHP 5.1
- mySQL databases
- Browser upload (not required but makes the process WAY more easier)
to be continued....
(*Note: I will skip both Vanilla and myBB because they are not that popular but are installed the same way as phpBB or SMF (Simple Machines Forum)).
"Installing" InvisionFree and ZetaBoards
You don't have to "install" InvisionFree or ZetaBoards. To get a IF or ZB board, then goto either http://www.invisionfree.com/ or http://www.zetaboards.com/ to sign up for a free forum board. After you sign up, you can start accessing your board right away.
Prelude to Installing phpBB 3x and Simple Machines Forum.
Installing phpBB and SMF are a bit complicated, but offer you many advantages over ZetaBoards\InvisionFree (e.g. ability to upload bigger files, no ads, etc...).
First off, you may want to check both phpBB (http://www.phpbb.com/) and Simple Machines Forums (http://www.simplemachines.org). Then after you have made your decision, you may download one.
After you have gotten the download, you will need to extract the files. Then you will need to re-compress the extracted files but as three or more separate ZIP files (select a few folders\files, right click, hover over "Send To", and then click on "Compress File Folder" and repeat this step). After that, make sure your separate ZIP files are all under 2 megabytes. If not, repeat the step again.
Finding a Webhost for phpBB\SMF
Now you have finished the prelude, it is time to install. But before that, you need to find a webhost and this link (http://www.free-webhosts.com/power-search.php) will help you find one.
You may search for anything you want (such as no ads etc...) but these are the minimum requirements to have a phpBB or SMF forum:
- PHP 5.1
- mySQL databases
- Browser upload (not required but makes the process WAY more easier)
to be continued....