| If you want to get a forum online at your own | | | | Fantastico. Currently most web hosts have phpBB, |
| domain you will need a web host providing one of | | | | vBulletin and SMF forum softwares available in their |
| the forum softwares; vBulletin, phpBB or SMF. Some | | | | Fantastico. To install, you must first log into your web |
| of the web hosts offer an installing service called | | | | hosting account. Then choose the blue smiley face |
| "Fantastico". By using this service, you can create | | | | (called Fantastico) viewable on cpanel. Click on the |
| your forum without difficulty, even if you are not | | | | desired forum software; they all look nearly the |
| skilled in using any software. | | | | same. While phpBB is great for a new forum and has |
| | | | | some great features, vBulletin is easier to use and |
| To set up a message board (forum) website, there | | | | maintain and is nicer to use. Select the domain name |
| are six steps you will need to take: | | | | you would like to install the board to. The "Install in |
| Step 1: Register a domain name. A domain name is a | | | | directory" box can be left empty in case you want |
| name you want to call your website. For example, | | | | to have your forum as the starting page for your |
| yahoo.com, articlesbase.com, or wikipedia.org. | | | | website ( You can specify a directory, e.g forum, in |
| Step 2: Buy a web hosting package providing phpBB, | | | | case you want to have your forum installed at |
| vBulletin or SMF to host your website online. A web | | | | Step4: Select the username and the password for |
| hosting service provides you with online space and | | | | the forum administrator. |
| needed softwares. This enables you to get your | | | | Step5: Fill in the Site Name and the Short Description |
| forum online at your registered domain name. We | | | | fields which will be appeared in the header of each |
| recommend getting your domain and web hosting | | | | page of your forum. Proceed by clicking Finish |
| plan from the same company. This way, it is often | | | | installation. You will be taken to a page with the |
| possible to get your domain for free, due to some | | | | administrative panel of the board. |
| web hosting services offering a domain as a free gift | | | | Step6: Now, you can easily define the categories |
| today. | | | | sub-categories of the forum and manage them as |
| Step3: Install your favorite forum software. To do | | | | the administrator. |
| this automatically, install the forum software using | | | | |