I have a customer that would like a forum on their website, I'm using VSD and I'm not sure where to start. They're looking for a "request user ID/login" and a standard forum that can be broken done into perhaps 4 or 6 categories. Any help would be greatly appreciated. By the way, we are looking for an affordable solution (isn't everyone?) Thanks again!

Sounds like your best bet is to use wordpress. I find that its very flexible for projects such as yours.

You don't need the overhead of WordPress and a forum plug-in. Use Simple Machines Forum (SMF). It's free and has an easy admin interface that includes easy update management. It also has a nice anti-spam plug-in that interfaces with Project Honeypot. It doesn't get any better than that (as far as free goes).

I would agree with Tom on the simplicity of Simple Machines Forum. If I could put one up then anybody can. Check your Cpanel, many host have SMF available for a quick and simple install.

Thanks for the quick input guys, the easier the better, I'll be checking them out!!! (and Tom, the Jew- Jitsu cracks me up, thanks for the chuckle.)

Interesting stuff. I tried a SIMPLE MACHINES forum for a website and took it down for lack of interest by the membership, but also the huge amount of spam - porn, ladies underware - the lot. But Tom has indicated there are systems available to cut all of that out, so I may look again.
Thanks
Tony

Simple Machines is offered as a web app on some hosting sites. I was able to do a web install and within an hour had it up and running. Great suggestion! Cheers!