OT - A forum on your own domain question

[JonInMiddleGA]

Scenario:

-- You own a domain.
-- You create a website for that domain.
-- You make the .html & other content available by paying a webhost a montly/annual fee. Just FTP 'em the files (or whatever upload method they offer) and there you go. It's their server & your content.

Now, explain to me like I'm stupid:

What are the options for including a forum as part of the website?

I know about various free bulletin boards & such (i.e. EzBoard & similar). You could just have a forum there & link to it from your website, but that's not really what I'm looking for.

I'm talking about something that exists as a part of your website itself, but not residing on a server of your own, instead being served by the same people who are hosting your other web content --
-- What are the most popular options?
-- Are there free options?
-- Is this usually something that webhosts upcharge for? If so, how much is typical?
-- Are the negatives associated with this approach?
-- Is it user-friendly for the techno-unsavvy? Do I need to understand the difference between .php & the PTA?
-- Are there webhost/forum service options that work together well? Maybe webhosts who have forum features included in their basic package?

I think that probably gets the gist of things across.

Thanks in advance,
Jon

[Young Drachma]

You want to get a web site that has the option for SQL databases and then you can load a phpBB to your domain. Most of the hosts out there have this option, just tell them you want a message board. It's really easy to use, like no real different than using a free board like ezboard or something. And they're highly customizable, even for the novice.

It's not that expensive, its just the issue of bandwidth and how much traffic you think you'll generate.

As a matter of fact, before my domain went down (i'm in the process of moving it) the bulletin board that I could've created wouldn't have cost me more per month than my regular plan - and I wasn't paying that much at all. So, just shop around a bit. I'm sure more people around here have good host suggestions. They should share them - since I'm moving too, though I'm looking for a host that hosts blogs too.

[JonInMiddleGA]

You want to get a web site that has the option for SQL databases and then you can load a phpBB to your domain. Most of the hosts out there have this option, just tell them you want a message board. It's really easy to use, like no real different than using a free board like ezboard or something. And they're highly customizable, even for the novice.
Thanks, that's exactly the sort of info I'm trying to understand better. Now, let me break it down another layer.

I get a host that supports SQL database, then I "load a phpBB to my domain".

Here's what I want to make sure I understand right:
1) What exactly am I "loading" when I load a "phpBB" to my domain? Just basically uploading files & such? Which then do the voodoo that they do in order to make the BB/forum function?

2) Customization -- is this through a control panel of some sort, idiot-proofed for people like me? Or is that through creating .ini files (or some equivalent) & uploading them into my storage space somewhere?

[Ben E Lou]

Jon:

I get the sense that you and I are similarly technical--we can get around fairly well, but aren't tech support guys by any means. Just to let you know, the message board at my site: (www.benelou.com (http://www.benelou.com)) was installed completely by me. It probably took me a couple of hours, but the instructions were very clear.

--Ben

[JonInMiddleGA]

Jon:

I get the sense that you and I are similarly technical--we can get around fairly well, but aren't tech support guys by any means. Just to let you know, the message board at my site: (www.benelou.com (http://www.benelou.com)) was installed completely by me. It probably took me a couple of hours, but the instructions were very clear.

--Ben
Thanks, I think we might just be in the same boat (or at least in the same body of water).

Q1 -- The msg board -- is that a free version of Ikonboard or a paid version?
Q2 -- Installation process -- was that largely a matter of download X from ikonboard and then upload X to your webhost? If not, could you comment at least very broadly on what took place in between?
Q3 -- Traffic & space requirements -- any hints/tips on how to anticipate:
a) the storage space the ikonbaord takes up & b)the transfer amount that the board uses for every 100 msgs or so? (I'm trying to figure out if there's a way to make sure I'm starting at the right levels with hosting & such)

I have to admit, I start getting intimidated once I get to about this depth or beyond. I mean, setting up my DSL modem was major stress, trauma, etc for me. It turned out to be about as easy & idiot proof as anything could have been ... but that does nothing to eliminate the major stress I went through before & during actually doing it.

(The scary part about that is that I'm the guy people around me call for computer advice & such. If I'm their "expert", what they don't know kinda scares me).

[Ben E Lou]

Yeah, based on your comments, we're in similiar technological boats...

Q1: Free version.

Q2: Yes, but the upload was in several pieces. I had to change settings from time to time in my FTP program before uploading one piece. Just remember to do *EXACTLY* what the instructions say. I'd read every step at least twice before doing it.

Q3: I can tell you space requirements, but am not sure about traffic. Mine was high-traffic around the release, very little since (except for times FOFC was down). I know I have a pretty low transfer limit (1 Gig maybe?), and I didn't hit it even when FOF2K4 was released and there was lots of board traffic for a day or so.

Going to check on how much space it takes up right now.

[Ben E Lou]

OK. Here's the deal...


I have 2 Gig per month of transfer, and 100MB of disk space available, with 66.3 used. Becasue of the way my FTP program works, I can't figure out how to tell you exactly how much of that space is taken up by the board (anyone know how to do this in AceFTP?), but I can tell you that it isn't much. I have 5 full mp3s that I let FOFCers link to there that take up 26.5MB combined on their own, and 10ish MB worth of sound clips and pics. Hope that helps.

[Huckleberry]

yaBB

[JonInMiddleGA]

Hope that helps.
It does, thanks.

I can tell you quite a bit about my company webspace & how it runs for both storage & transfer (I never even get in the neighborhood of my limits & there's nearly 2 years worth of commericals stored there as .mp3, so I'm pretty comfortable with how I'm doing) but when it comes to trying to estimate & guesstimate something for personal use ... it's like I know nothing at all.

[Young Drachma]

Yeah, based on your comments, we're in similiar technological boats...

Q1: Free version.

Q2: Yes, but the upload was in several pieces. I had to change settings from time to time in my FTP program before uploading one piece. Just remember to do *EXACTLY* what the instructions say. I'd read every step at least twice before doing it.

Q3: I can tell you space requirements, but am not sure about traffic. Mine was high-traffic around the release, very little since (except for times FOFC was down). I know I have a pretty low transfer limit (1 Gig maybe?), and I didn't hit it even when FOF2K4 was released and there was lots of board traffic for a day or so.

Going to check on how much space it takes up right now.

You should have some sort of control panel to your domain (mine was cpanel) that you can login to and should give you an area to login and upload stuff via file manager rather than having to use FTP if you don't want to. Mine also had like a think that told me how much bandwidth i'd use, how much traffic I had coming in, etc.

I'd talk to whoever your host is and ask them to direct you to the control panel, because it sounds like you have one and how to access it via the web (for mine, i went hxxp://www.mydomain.net/cpanel/)

As for loading PhpBB, I think you initializing it just initializes the directories and files necessary to make it work. I don't think it does anything else and for mine, I just clicked on a button and then it directed me to the bulletin board, where I could customize and the like. I honestly can't say I totally understand how it all works, because I'm savvy enough to manuever it all, but I'd rather not wreck my brains with the inane. But it seemed fairly straight forward. Hope I'm helping a bit.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Hope I'm helping a bit.
Absolutely, and I appreciate it.

I'm familiar with Control Panels, File Managers, & assorted what not as they relate to moving general content to/around at my webhost. (A big part of my work lives & dies with that sucker). But when it comes to the interaction between BB software/programs/elements & the webhost, I got ... nothing. Barely have the foggiest clue.

The scenario I'm considering right now, the one that prompted the questions, is strictly personal/unrelated to work & kinda quick turnaround.

Between you & SkyDog, I'm feeling a little better about some things I may have to deal with sooner rather than later.

[Ben E Lou]

Yeah. I have a control panel also. The way it is organized allows me to see how much is used in each individual folder, just not subfolders. I had already familiarized myself with AceFTP before I got this web space, so I continue to use it by and large rather than the control panel.

[JonInMiddleGA]

By golly, I think I may have just come up with an answer to my worries (if indeed I need an answer that follows this route)

http://websitesource.com/hosting/allinone_details.shtml#2

Design Tools

Free Web Design Software
Site Builder (http://websitesource.com/webdesign/site_builder.shtml) ( over 1,000 templates)
Microsoft® FrontPage® 2002 Extensions
Unlimited FTP access (24hrs/day)
Controllable, Anonymous FTP access
Additional FTP Users
Page Counters
GuestBook, Formmail, phpBB
Chat Software (javascript:;)
PHP Nuke Support (javascript:;)http://websitesource.com/i/new.gif

[JonInMiddleGA]

Now all of this leads me, naturally, to another "treat-me-like-I'm stupid" question.

Part of the "All-In-One" offer is described as:
Host 4 websites on 1 account
http://websitesource.com/new/new2/i/about/bg2.gif

This feature allows you to use your current web hosting resources for additional domain names. Additional domains can have their own, distinct content. These domains share the same IP address, disk storage space, and bandwidth transfer of the main hosting account.

* With this plan, each additional website can have its own separate email addresses.




Now here's my next dummy question: I interpret the above as meaning:
Four separate domains (i.e. www.mydomain1.com, www.mydomain2.com, etc) that just happen to share space,etc purchased through a single webhosting account.

What's throwing me off a little bit is the phrase "These domains share the same IP address". Same IP address but different domains? So do they appear (to visitors) as having the same web addy or 4 unique web addresses? Does this mean that the four are really set up as sub-domains instead of domains (as in "www.allmystuff.site1.com, www.allmystuff.site2.com, etc)? Or are they using something like domain aliases and/or domain masking to separate the 4 sites to make them appear wholly separate but they're actually going to the same place?

Heck, after typing that out, I think I'm even more confused that I was a few minutes ago? Anybody got any experience with this sort of thing & can set me straight?

Incidentally, Websitesource has hosted my company site for the past 2-3 years. I've had zero trouble with them, never any problems,outtages, etc. I already know their CP interface & really kind of like the comfort factor that builds in, so I'm kind of hoping this will fit my wants & needs pretty well.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Edited to remove question post -- I found the answer.

[digamma]

By golly, I think I may have just come up with an answer to my worries (if indeed I need an answer that follows this route)

http://websitesource.com/hosting/allinone_details.shtml#2

Design Tools

Free Web Design Software
Site Builder (http://websitesource.com/webdesign/site_builder.shtml) ( over 1,000 templates)
Microsoft® FrontPage® 2002 Extensions
Unlimited FTP access (24hrs/day)
Controllable, Anonymous FTP access
Additional FTP Users
Page Counters
GuestBook, Formmail, phpBB
Chat Software (http://javascript<b></b>:;)
PHP Nuke Support (http://javascript<b></b>:;)http://websitesource.com/i/new.gif

Jon,

Did you go with this option? How has it treated you?

[JonInMiddleGA]

Jon,

Did you go with this option? How has it treated you?

I did, as a matter of fact.

All in all, I'm relatively happy. I had a couple of days of "WTH, why isn't this doing what I expected" but after reading through several user-run pbpbb forums, I managed to figure out enough to get the bulletin board/forum running.

It's not the prettiest thing in the world, and I don't think it's the absolute simplest thing I've ever dealt with (at least in some part due to the way websitesource sets up their "setup phpbb" pages), but it's functional & stable & those are two biggies. I haven't really had to touch it after about the first 5-6 days (when I was tweaking things like user icons & such).

Bulletin board aside, I'm very very happy with websitesource. Just as they were with my company site, they've been extremely reliable, managing most every aspect of the site is pretty straightforward (at least it is to me after having dealt with another version of their stuff), and the price was reasonable. I also like the flexibility that the multiple-domains-share-one- account option provides. It prompted us to register a number of domains & park 'em for future use as desired/as needed.

So, all in all, I'd give:
websitesource = good marks for their dependability & price
phpbb = probably not the best thing in the world for a non-techno geek, but certainly not the worst thing in the world either. Far from the worst IMO.