would it be difficult for an idiiot such as me to put up a messageboard on a website?

[rnmcd]

^

 

[RossMAN]

I would give each board a try but, let's say, that I start with phpBB on my site then at a later date switch to InvisionBoard can I easily transfer the threads between boards?

That's a good question, I'm sure it's possible but probably isn't going to be easy.

I would recommend installing BOTH forums. Play with each forum (before going "live") and decide which you like better.

But the web host has to offer Fantasico too, right?

Wrong. All Fantastico does is makes installing 10x easier and quicker. All your web host needs is a control panel and MySQL/PHP. If they have those two but DO NOT have Fantastico then you will need to do a "manual install". Brief installation instructions are included with phpBB and InvisionBoard software packages which you download directly from their respective web sites.

I don't think that I would like to tackle that right now...I have no idea how to:

1) create a MySQL database.
2) You don't have to CHMOD any files or folders.
3) You don't have to run the install/configure script

Then I will gladly offer to install both forums for you and show you how do it as well

There is no rush because the HostPC $15.98/yr package should be around for a while.

Do either of those boards offer the feature to add a poll to a thread?

Yes, both forums support this.

Lastly, for now , would it take much programming to add pictures, in the same manner as ads are on somthis board, to the forum pages of InvisionBoard?

Nope, no programming is required. This is a feature which is already enabled (just like polls are).

Regarding these last two questions (polls and pictures) why not try it out yourself?

Login to the forums you created, start creating new threads, add polls, add pictures, screw around with it. Don't worry you won't break anything

Trust me installing your own forums is VERY EASY and I can show you how to do it, step by step.

 

[rnmcd]

Originally posted by: rnmcd

But the web host has to offer Fantasico too, right?

Originally posted by: RossMan
Wrong. All Fantastico does is makes installing 10x easier and quicker. All your web host needs is a control panel and MySQL/PHP. If they have those two but DO NOT have Fantastico then you will need to do a "manual install". Brief installation instructions are included with phpBB and InvisionBoard software packages which you download directly from their respective web sites.

I think I didn't phrase my question completely...I'll try again.

Fantastico is a feature/component of the web host right? I can't just choose any web host that has a control panel and MySQL/PHP and then use Fantasico to assist in uploading the forum?

If I end up manually installing a forum WITHOUT Fantasico, will that make maintaining it any more difficult?

Any idea what 'brand' forum this is?
http://www.computerlandcentral.com/forum.php

How did they remove the forum branding/logo that you typically see at the bottom of the page...or is that mandatory only on free versions of boards?

Thank you.

 

[RossMAN]

I think I didn't phrase my question completely...I'll try again.

Fantastico is a feature/component of the web host right? I can't just choose any web host that has a control panel and MySQL/PHP and then use Fantasico to assist in uploading the forum?

If I end up manually installing a forum WITHOUT Fantasico, will that make maintaining it any more difficult?

1) Either you find a web host which has a control panel and MySQL/PHP --or-- control panel and Fantastico. You don't find a web host then "download" Fantastico because it's usually installed server wide by the web host. So either the web host has Fantastico to begin with or they don't. Also Fantastico will only be found with cPanel web hosts. DirectAdmin offers Installatron which is similiar, as it auto installs about a dozen scripts (forums, image gallery, etc.).

2) All Fantastico does is makes INSTALLATION (key word) quick and easy. After that you have NO interaction with Fantastico unless you want to "uninstall" the script (delete your forums from the server).

It isn't the end of the world if your web host does not have Fantastico. I actually prefer to manually install scripts as opposed to relying on Fantastico.

Any idea what 'brand' forum this is?
</blockquote>"><a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://]http://www.computerlandcentral.com/forum.php

http://]http://www.computerlandcentral.com/forum.php<h">[url]http://www.computerlandcentral.com/forum.php[/q[/url][/q</a>[/quote][/L]

It appears to be the standard InvisionBoard with a skin and some mods/hacks. yagt.org uses the standard IPB but uses some skins to distinguish it's appearance.

How did they remove the forum branding/logo that you typically see at the bottom of the page...or is that mandatory only on free versions of boards?

The top left logo you see here and here can be replaced with any image you want - for free.

The bottom stuff requires you pay a fee for removal, I could be wrong though.

Please do me a favor and reply to the e-mail I sent you yesterday with your AIM/MSN. I'd like to chat with you about this further.