Hi, I'm new here! I'd like to start up my very own forum.

[RubberDucky]

Hi,

I am new here and would like to start up my very own forum, I'm excited! I don't really know how to install SMF. Is there a guide on how to install it, like a video? Reading text is a bit hard to follow, are there any videos on YouTube available that you would recommend?

Also, how can I add my own avatar? I would like to add a nice picture.

[Irisado]

You can add your own avatar here, and modify your profile, once you have made ten posts.

In answer to your other question, there are some videos available: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=how+to+install+smf.  However, please use these with caution, as these are not produced by the SMF team, and some are tailored to specific hosts.

The best source of information is currently the wiki:

http://wiki.simplemachines.org/smf/Introduction_to_installing
http://wiki.simplemachines.org/smf/Installing

If you have difficulty understanding anything once you've read those pages, please ask in the appropriate support board for assistance.

[BCNPalomino]

From what I've gathered, you will be installing SMF through your chosen Website Host.  Often these days it is a "single click instal". If it is more effort than that the Host will often have some step by step instructions on how to instal a fresh Simple Machines Forum.

[RubberDucky]

You can add your own avatar here, and modify your profile, once you have made ten posts.

In answer to your other question, there are some videos available: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=how+to+install+smf.  However, please use these with caution, as these are not produced by the SMF team, and some are tailored to specific hosts.

The best source of information is currently the wiki:

http://wiki.simplemachines.org/smf/Introduction_to_installing
http://wiki.simplemachines.org/smf/Installing

If you have difficulty understanding anything once you've read those pages, please ask in the appropriate support board for assistance.

Thank you very much. I followed your advice, and watched the videos on YouTube which showed how to install it and I managed to get my very own forum up and running. Here is my forum: http://gamingforums.hostei.com.  I've never been an administrator of my own forum before, so it feels great to be one.

I'm definitely excited about having my own forum, especially because it runs on a web host, instead of on one of those 'free forums' like on forumotion.

[kat]

As this is all new, to you, you might want to click my sig and remember to do what the page says, fairly often.

[RubberDucky]

As this is all new, to you, you might want to click my sig and remember to do what the page says, fairly often.

I followed the guide a little bit, but because I currently use a web host called 000webhost, they do not use cPanel, but instead use another panel which works very similar to Cpanel.

My question is this: My forum is not very big at all, it's new so it isn't crucial to backup daily. However, is there a way to automatically backup the database and files, instead of manually having to back them up daily? It's a hassle to do daily backups manually.

[mashby]

Isn't that a free host? Certainly nothing wrong with a free host, but you will get what you pay for. If the cPanel they offer doesn't have automated backups or an option to do something like that, you are getting what you are paying for. If you don't need to backup daily as you indicate, why not just backup manually once a week? Or find a host (likely one you'll have to pay for) that can help automate backing up.

[RubberDucky]

I was thinking of going for a paid host like Hostgator, but I'm not sure if even cPanel allows for automated backups.

Is there a tutorial or anything found online, that shows how I could make automated backups using cPanel? If there is, I'll certainly be switching over to a paid host that has cPanel. The problem is, I couldn't even find 1 Tutorial online which demonstrates how to make daily automated backups with cPanel.

[LiroyvH]

Avoid oversold hosts like hostgator. Use a good host. I would look in the paid hosts & hosting board here.

It is possible to run automated backups using cPanel, google for cPanel backup cron...

[RubberDucky]

Avoid oversold hosts like hostgator. Use a good host. I would look in the paid hosts & hosting board here.

It is possible to run automated backups using cPanel, google for cPanel backup cron...

Ok, thanks for your input. I thought everyone in the world and their dog uses Hostgator. From everyone's reviews, they all say that Hostgator is a good host, so what exactly makes it bad? As you can probably tell, I don't really know what defines a good or a bad webhost. But I did hear that they have great uptime, is that correct?

Ahh yes, cron jobs. I'll Google what you told me to.

[kat]

No need to backup the actual software, all the time. When that gets into the state that you want it, back it up. You only need to back it up, again, when you change something.

The important thing to backup, regularly and frequently (Depending on how busy your forum is), is the database. That's what stores your members, messages, &c.

[Illori]

hostgator is an oversold host, take a look at http://www.simplemachines.org/community/index.php?topic=117303.0

[RubberDucky]

I get it now, and yes I understand now that Hostgator is clearly an overseller. I've indeed heard stories of people who have had to upgrade to a VPS or even dedicated hosting plan on Hostgator, because they were using up 'too many resources'.

Do you recommend me a specific host, if I plan on using paid hosting?

[margarett]

In general, stay away from anything "Unlimited". That doesn't really exist. If you see, eg,  "Unlimited bandwidth", expect some obscure ToS that claim "reasonable utilization of resources"... And it's fore sure better to know that you can count on "xx Gb" of traffic, instead of trying to guess what's "reasonable" in their minds!

You can check for offers in our dedicated board
http://www.simplemachines.org/community/index.php?board=155.0

[soaring1010eagle]

Hi, anyone want to help me to find the forms on this site and how I can post on topics. I am new
and feeling overwhelmed.
thanks

[RubberDucky]

Hi, anyone want to help me to find the forms on this site and how I can post on topics. I am new
and feeling overwhelmed.
thanks

You click 'New Topic' to start a new topic. Just go over to a forum where you can see a list of everyone's threads they have made, and click on New Topic. It's easy.

[MidasBalaa]

Welcome to SMF the best forum software out there. As you choose your host, take note that you may not need unlimited bandwidth as someone has just pointed out. Most forums start small and you can always upgrade you hosting package as your traffic grows. Don't pay $$$ for services you may not need. All the best

[Kindred]

there is no such thing as "unlimited" bandwidth.... and any host who offers it is lying - and is probably an over-seller