How to create a message board

[swaroop]

I wanted to create a message board like the one I am posting a message. It must contain a subject bar and message text area. The message posted must display on my web page like the same doing here. Does it need a database?

I am hosting on

http://www.geocities.com/myUserName.

It dosn't allow me to do programming


Please suggest.

Thanks in advance.

 

[trollacious]

You need server-side programming to implement a message board. The only other possibility is that messages would be emailed to you using an <a href="mailto:"> and you'd upload the messages after including them on the appropriate pages. That couldn't be instantaneous like this forum, though.

Lee

 

[swaroop]

Thanks for the suggestion. I am trying to use <a href="mailto:">. I need to know how it works? Does it need mail client setup on a client system?

Think you are on my page. Edited the text box and click submit does it mails directly to me from the page? or will it pop your mail client?

Regards,

Swaroop.

 

[cLFlaVA]

It will open the client's mail application. This is not the way to go. Do a Google search for "Free Messageboard" and take a look at the results.

*cLFlaVA
----------------------------
[tt]tastes great, less filling.[/tt]

 

[pgaec]

Here are the popular message board softwares

vBulletin - Kick ass. But costs u $250 or so

Invision - Free for non-commercial use. You need to purchase a license for commercial use. No tech support is offered for non-commercial use.

phBB - Free. Not that advanced as the two message board softwares mentioned above. Has security issues and is prone to hack attacks.

I have tried the above three and the first two are quite good. There is a java message board software too. I havn't tried it - have a look at

http://www.jivesoftware.com

It will open the client's mail application. This is not the way to go. Do a Google search for "Free Messageboard" and take a look at the results.

search for 'forum software' you will get better results

cheers

 

[pgaec]

I am hosting on

http://www.geocities.com/myUserName.

It dosn't allow me to do programming

You cannot host it on GeoCities. You need to purchase a webspace with mySQL support.

 

[ChrisHunt]

Like mexicomeat says, you can't do it on Geocities. You don't necessarily need mySQL support, but you do need to be able to run cgi scripts. Such hosting can be pretty cheap these days if you shop around - the price of a pint of beer a month maybe, but if your budget is $0 you'll have to look for alternatives.

Forget doing it by email, that would be ridiculous. Do you really want to spend your life reading emails and copying them onto your web pages? Would anyone participate in a discussion that had such a long lead time between making posting and seeing it online?

No, the sensible thing to do is look for free bulletin boards that are hosted for you - take a look through

http://cgi.resourceindex.com/Remotely_Hosted/Bulletin_Board_Message_Systems/

you're bound to find something that does the job for you. When you're ready to pay for grown-up hosting you can find scripts on the same site that allow you to host your own discussion boards.

-- Chris Hunt
Webmaster & Tragedian
Extra Connections Ltd