I figured this would probably be the best place to post this, since it's more or less for people who are interested in starting their first forum rather than those who already have one (though anyone is welcome to use it).
I have two test forums set up on what has become my catch-all domain. The domain is digitalimpulse.org and the forums are in directories not subdomains.
The first one is a MyBB forum. The software isn't working exactly as it should right now due to I'm not sure what, but I tend to prefer this software. Anyway, it's set up to where if you register you will automatically be granted the majority of permissions all the way to most things in the ACP. It's located at /mybbtestforum/ (on the previously mentioned domain). Captchas exist in the form of a reCAPTCHA plugin. If you need help with this, message me.
The other one is a phpBB forum. It isn't working as expected, either, and isn't the latest version as they seem to be updating every time I turn around lately. Captchas are turned off because they weren't working correctly. This one I will have to go in and manually set up the permissions/groups. I don't use phpBB very much at all, I'm not overly fond of it, and thus I haven't spent as much time setting it up. Still, it's available if you want to try it out. It's located at /phpbbtestforum/ (on the same domain).
These are both methods of learning how to deal with the user, moderator, and administrator controls BEFORE attempting to do things on your own site. If by some chance one of these sites gets destroyed, it is not a huge deal - they are nothing but "test" forums and can be reinstalled. It's also good for seeing the differences between those two softwares. If someone has a suggestion of any other decent, FREE forum software I can set up like this, let me know and I'll consider it. Not doing it for paid software though - sorry, don't have the funds!
Test Forums
What do I need? What do I need to know? How much does it cost? Where do I start?
- ladyunicornejg
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- Owned Forums: http://forum.helpthislife.com/
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Free Forum Post Exchange for Forum Owners
What this site is about and/or what goes on here.
What we do here is both free and easy. In a nut shell we help each other to get new forums launched.
Let's say you are a webmaster who has just opened a new discussion forum. Because it is brand new, you probably don't have many members or posts yet. Unless you happen to have several hundred friends helping you out, it almost certainly looks like a ghost town over there, right?
We know that starting a new forum can be a bit of a "Catch-22" type of problem. Visitors won't stay if there are no posts to read. Posts won't occur if visitors won't stay. All you need is a good way to prime the pump so-to-speak. That's where we come in. And it's all free, no strings attached.
This is a collection of people who have also just started new forums and they need posts in theirs just as badly as you. We all come together here to make fair exchanges with one another. We follow the "I'll post in yours if you post in mine" policy here. No money ever changes hands because it is always just a 1 for 1 trade of friendly favors.
There are two methods to generate posts.
Post Exchange Method 1 - Start a Thread:
You simply start a new topic in the Forum Owner's Exchange Area giving your forum address and a few details about your forum subject matter...then you wait. Hopefully lots of nice people will come along, click your forum link, sign up, and make some posts. When they are done they will return here and leave you a reply telling you they have been to your forum. That reply is your cue to go visit their forum. If you have interest or knowledge of that forum subject matter, you can make a quality post or two.
Post Exchange Method 2 - Networking:
Spend a little time floating in and out of the different categories responding to all the ads that you can. If you leave your calling card, (your site link,) many are likely to return the favor by posting for you. If you are aggressive you can have a good number of posts in only a few days. (And not to mention a bunch of backlinks leading to your site.)
____________
In order to give a little neatness to the mayhem, we have created different categories for forum types. If you have a forum about cars, for example, then you should start your new thread in the Vehicles category. That way, those members who know something about cars are more likely to come across your thread with little effort. Because they are knowledgeable in cars, their contribution will probably be good quality. In return, if you don't know anything about their forum topic, simply tell them so in a reply and maybe they will give you some guidance or suggestions of what to post about. On the other hand, if you know nothing about a particular forum topic, perhaps you are better to not post there at all.
NOTE: Forum owners may not "demand" visits from anyone or flame members who have not return posted. If our members feel that they lack sufficient knowledge of your forum topics, and cannot contribute quality postings, they are not required to post. Also if you come across forums that may become direct competitors, it is best to avoid them by passing over their links and moving on to others.
If you reach a point where you no longer want members to respond to your link thread, you can "lock" your thread at any time. Also the Admin or Moderators can delete locked threads at your request.
We hope you find this a helpful stepping stone in the development of your new forum website. Please take the time to visit our other forum areas about forum development and promotion. Standard forum rules apply.
If you have a suggestion for a new category or forum improvement, please don't hesitate to contact us.
We wish you the best of luck and success with your venture. And on behalf of all the webmasters here, thank you very much for helping.
Gordon, Your Forum Administrator
PS. Enjoy those free forum posts.
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