Message Board - Post ID 148982

Jan 10th, 2011 at 10:43 PM
User 605689 Photo

Mike Dixon
Registered User
8 posts

Is there a simple solution to creating a message board for group members to post questions and answers. Perhaps a way of adapting CC Form builder or...? I would even be interested in a third party software solution if it were reliable, easy for members to use and inexpensive. Any thoughts are appreciated!
Jan 10th, 2011 at 10:52 PM
User 38401 Photo

Jo Rice
Senior Advisor
10,951 posts

Hiya Michael,

There's a lot of forums (message boards) around, just had another person asking in here a few days ago about them, so far the consensus is SMF (Simple Machines Forums) or PHPbb which you can find info on them at:

http://www.simplemachines.org
http://www.phpbb.com

You'll find that both are very good forum setups, lots of features etc. The SMF forums are a bit more user friendly with a lot more modules you can add. These would be the top 2 out there right now as far as I know and SMF gets my vote for the most part :)
Jo

http://elementsinwebdesign.com
Jan 11th, 2011 at 11:21 AM
User 364143 Photo

sstovert@satx.rr.com
Guest
5,410 posts

SMF = Easy core updates from the back end FTW.

That's why SMF Forum and WordPress are so awesome. A single click and done!
CoffeeCup... Yeah, they are the best!
Jan 11th, 2011 at 02:26 PM
User 38401 Photo

Jo Rice
Senior Advisor
10,951 posts

Well I wouldn't go so far as to say Single Click and Done for Wordpress. Themes are a pain in the arse where Wordpress is concerned and many times after you upgrade the Wordpress software you have to reinstall your theme... real pain in the arse lol. Updating Addons and Plugins etc. also can cause this same issue so I am with Tom on SMF = FTW!
Jo

http://elementsinwebdesign.com
Jan 12th, 2011 at 07:17 PM
User 605689 Photo

Mike Dixon
Registered User
8 posts

Thanks to both of you! I will take a look but it sounds like I may have been directed to a winner!
Jan 12th, 2011 at 07:39 PM
User 187934 Photo

Eric Rohloff
Senior Advisor
20,271 posts

I setup simple machines last night for the first time. My host Bluehost already had the script on the server so the install only took about 2 minutes. I had the forum up and running in about 30 minutes.
I can't hear what I'm looking at.
It's easy to overlook something you're not looking for.
This is a site I built for my work.(RSD)
http://esmansgreenhouse.com
This is a site I built for use in my job.(HTML Editor)
https://pestlogbook.com
This is my personal site used for testing and as an easy way to share photos.(RLM imported to RSD)
https://ericrohloff.com
Jan 12th, 2011 at 07:47 PM
User 38401 Photo

Jo Rice
Senior Advisor
10,951 posts

Your quite welcome Michael, hope it's as easy for you as it's been for many of us.

Eric has a good point there too, if you have access to your cPanel for your server, check there, it is most likely in there to be installed right there. Makes it really easy that way instead of having to do it manually. Manually is pretty easy too though.
Jo

http://elementsinwebdesign.com
Jan 25th, 2011 at 12:24 PM
User 2096053 Photo

Benjamin Kelsey
Registered User
1 post

Another option is MyBB I have used it and love the software. It is free and open-source.

http://www.mybb.com/
Jan 25th, 2011 at 01:22 PM
User 364143 Photo

sstovert@satx.rr.com
Guest
5,410 posts

I wonder how many message boards thrive? I'm betting most are installed with a few topics started, and sit idle forever.
CoffeeCup... Yeah, they are the best!
Jan 25th, 2011 at 05:19 PM
User 38401 Photo

Jo Rice
Senior Advisor
10,951 posts

Nah never idle long, too many forum spammers out there these days lol.
Jo

http://elementsinwebdesign.com

Have something to add? We’d love to hear it!
You must have an account to participate. Please Sign In Here, then join the conversation.