Forum Hosting?

[Lazy8s]

I hope this is the right forum as I didn't see any web programming forum, if not plz just move it mods.


Anyways, I was hoping someone knew where I could get a forum osted for free or at least for really really cheap. I need one for a gaming community that some of my friends and I are starting. Hopefully it won't have any annoying pop-ups or adds but I guess I'll take what I can get. Thanks in advance.

 

[episodic]

http://www.ezboard.com/

I think it is just a banner ad at the top. Not to bad. When you get ready for real hosting, I think I've seen some export import stuff for em too, maybe someone else can chime in on this.

 

[Lazy8s]

cool tyvm. I'll check them out

 

[fs5]

proboards.com
invisionfree.com

both better than ez

 

[Kenazo]

how much bandwidth/storage do you need? do you have a DSL connection? Get an old computer, use apache and host yourself. I can help you set it up, if you'd like. I'm going to bed now, but I can help you out tomorrow.

 

[RossMAN]

The way I see it, you have 3 choices:

1) Host your web site/forums on your home computer using your DSL connection. Go to DSLWebServer.com for more details and instructions.

2) Free web hosting, all of them suck suck suck. Do you want your web site and forums to suck?

3) You said your budget is $50/yr, you can do it for half that price and here's how:

• 1) Register your clan domain through NameCheap.com they offer FREE WhoisGuard protection. This protects your personal info from spammers/stalkers if they do a WHOIS lookup.
• 2) Sign up for cheap and reliable web hosting. I would recommend either HostPC.com or DotSimple.com. I'll discuss web hosting in more detail below.
• 3) Install free forum software, either IPB or phpBB, I would recommend IPB.

Web Hosting
HostPC.com - This is the web host I would choose but remember you're limited to 4GB per month bandwidth. Good speeds, reliability, uptime, support and forums. I've been a customer for almost 1 year.

SolidInternet.com - is owned by the established and reputable Myacen.com Unfortunately they haven't received rave reviews recently, go to WHT and SEARCH for SolidInternet for some reviews. Another downside is no CGI/Perl support. BUT they are offering 1GB/20GB for $29.95/yr which is an incredible deal.

RippleHost.com - cheapest of all these and quite reliable BUT proceed with caution. So far the major problems are when it comes to renewing your account (in 1 year).

DotSimple.com - This is unique to these other web hosts because it offers a RESELLERS account for CHEAP. Taking advantage of a WHT only Hot Deal, you get all these benefits:
Resellers account, you can host 1 or 25 domains. How you use your resources are totally up to you. You DO NOT have to "resell" web hosting. If you just want to host 1 web site, then that's ok.
1GB disk space
20GB per month bandwidth
DirectAdmin control panel
MySQL, PHP, Perl, CGI and more.
Email/webmail
FREE personalized DNS name servers (ns1.yourdomain.com and ns2.yourdomain.com) you want this because it's FREE and gives the appearance of having your own web servers. Plus you'll never forget them since they mirror your own domain.
I've been hosting about 9 free AT'ers with my DotSimple account for about 4 months now. I've had zero problems so far. Support is a little slow but they are friendly and always resolve the issue. Fortunately everything works so I rarely have to contact support. With this resellers account you can host your main web site, forums AND your fellow clan members (charging them whatever you want or do it for free). You essentially become "the middle man". If someone you know wants web hosting, with a resellers account you can set them up immediately.

After you register your domain and sign up for real web hosting (no subdomains like you have currently), then please contact me on AIM. I'll be more than happy to install the forum software for you, for free.

 

[Lazy8s]

Thx for the info. I still don't know exactly what I want to do, but I'll get it figured out. I would love to host my own but I don't have a static IP and I've never set up a web server. Any other suggestions are more than welcome as well, or just where you guys host your pages that I could install forum software to. Thanks!

 

[Kelemvor]

First thing I thought of was EZBoard as well. Have used them before and for a free forum it has lots of features and such. You don't have total control over the look and everything but it's free and has been around for many years.

 

[Kenazo]

Originally posted by: Lazy8s
Thx for the info. I still don't know exactly what I want to do, but I'll get it figured out. I would love to host my own but I don't have a static IP and I've never set up a web server. Any other suggestions are more than welcome as well, or just where you guys host your pages that I could install forum software to. Thanks!

Static IP doesn't matter. Like I said, contact me and I can help you set it up.

 

[minendo]

I'll host you for free if your interested.

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: Lazy8s
Any other suggestions are more than welcome as well, or just where you guys host your pages that I could install forum software to. Thanks!

Carefully re-read my post, what didn't you understand?

I would take minendo up on his offer to host your web site/forums for free. First register a domain then PM minendo to get the ball rolling. If you register a domain today, your web site should be online and ready to go by tomorrow. If you'd like, I can install your forum software for you.

So what exactly are you confused about?

 

[Kenazo]

Originally posted by: RossMAN

Originally posted by: Lazy8s
Any other suggestions are more than welcome as well, or just where you guys host your pages that I could install forum software to. Thanks!

Carefully re-read my post, what didn't you understand?

I would take minendo up on his offer to host your web site/forums for free. First register a domain then PM minendo to get the ball rolling. If you register a domain today, your web site should be online and ready to go by tomorrow. If you'd like, I can install your forum software for you.

So what exactly are you confused about?

Assuming the acct minendo is going to set up for him is the same as the one I have, he can just set it up from w/in Cpanel, 1 click.

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: Kenazo

Originally posted by: RossMAN

Originally posted by: Lazy8s
Any other suggestions are more than welcome as well, or just where you guys host your pages that I could install forum software to. Thanks!

Carefully re-read my post, what didn't you understand?

I would take minendo up on his offer to host your web site/forums for free. First register a domain then PM minendo to get the ball rolling. If you register a domain today, your web site should be online and ready to go by tomorrow. If you'd like, I can install your forum software for you.

So what exactly are you confused about?

Assuming the acct minendo is going to set up for him is the same as the one I have, he can just set it up from w/in Cpanel, 1 click.

Yep. minendo has Fantastico, right?

 

[Kenazo]

Originally posted by: RossMAN

Originally posted by: Kenazo

Originally posted by: RossMAN

Originally posted by: Lazy8s
Any other suggestions are more than welcome as well, or just where you guys host your pages that I could install forum software to. Thanks!

Carefully re-read my post, what didn't you understand?

I would take minendo up on his offer to host your web site/forums for free. First register a domain then PM minendo to get the ball rolling. If you register a domain today, your web site should be online and ready to go by tomorrow. If you'd like, I can install your forum software for you.

So what exactly are you confused about?

Assuming the acct minendo is going to set up for him is the same as the one I have, he can just set it up from w/in Cpanel, 1 click.

Yep. minendo has Fantastico, right?

Yup, and there is a single icon on the main Cpanel page that sets up phpbb 2.8. Don't even have to dance through the whole Fantastico setup menu. I still think he should set it up and host it himself, just to learn something.

 

[RossMAN]

But what if I like to dance?

minendo is a good dancer but no match for Fausto

 

[Kenazo]

I won't ask.

 

[Lazy8s]

well I PM'd ya minendo and that would be absolutely amazing if you could do that for me.

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: Kenazo
I won't ask.

Good so this means I don't have to "re-enact" the dance sequence, phew!

 

[RossMAN]

Bump for rnmcd

 

[new2AMD]

So I cant get whois protection for free if I signed up with namecheap last year? I have added 3 more domains. The last one being in May of 2004.

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: new2AMD
So I cant get whois protection for free if I signed up with namecheap last year? I have added 3 more domains. The last one being in May of 2004.

According to NameCheap.com's Special Offer it's only for NEW domain registrations or transfers (from other domain registrars such as GoDaddy, RegisterFly, 1and1, etc.)