Simple Machines Community Forum

Customizing SMF => Building Your Community and other Forum Advice => Topic started by: 20abc22 on September 28, 2022, 10:22:39 PM

Title: Complete Newbie - Steps before Setting Up SMF
Post by: 20abc22 on September 28, 2022, 10:22:39 PM
Thank you for the opportunity to request help and advice here, and please accept my apologies if my questions are answered elsewhere - I just don't know where to look.

I am a complete newbie with no technical experience, and would appreciate advice on the following. I want to set up a website intended for articles /blog posts and a discussion forum. I understand I have to register a domain name for the website and host it somewhere. For hosting, I am considering Iceland, as my research indicates they support freedom of speech and have good hosting solutions. Is there step-by-step guide somewhere that I can use to learn more on what's required?

Below are more specific requirements:

Budget: Up to $50 per month.

Location of users: Europe and North America (although some users may be from other countries)

Site use case: a portal where I can post my own articles or blog posts, and a discussion forum. Perhaps, a wiki with links to other resources.

Expected monthly traffic volume: initially 50-100 people per day; if this becomes popular, perhaps 200-500 per day.

Admin experience: no experience, but prepared to learn. I understand concepts in general and the difference between admin, moderator and user roles.

Other requirements: privacy protection; jurisdiction that supports freedom of speech; proper security controls.

I am also prepared to pay for such services and would appreciate information on where I can hire someone who can help me set up a SMF forum and ensuring relevant security controls are in place.

Thank you!
Title: Re: Complete Newbie - Steps before Setting Up SMF
Post by: Sir Osis of Liver on September 28, 2022, 10:38:38 PM
The Online Manual (https://wiki.simplemachines.org/smf/SMF2.1:Main_Page) is best place to start, it explains forum installation and system requirements.  Current SMF version is 2.1.2.  You should be able to get by with a basic hosting package initially, it can always be upgraded.  I've been using Crocweb (https://www.crocweb.com/) for years, and have moved approx. two dozen forums there from other hosts.  They are inexpensive and support is excellent.  ICDSoft (https://www.icdsoft.com/) is also highly recommended.  Bear in mind that SMF is forumware, not a blog, but you can combine it with a blog on same website. 
Title: Re: Complete Newbie - Steps before Setting Up SMF
Post by: Doug Heffernan on September 29, 2022, 09:45:38 AM
Regarding installing smf please have a look at this guide:

Installing SMF (https://wiki.simplemachines.org/smf/Installing)

Quote from: 20abc22 on September 28, 2022, 10:22:39 PMI am also prepared to pay for such services and would appreciate information on where I can hire someone who can help me set up a SMF forum and ensuring relevant security controls are in place.

You can post at the following board for this.

https://www.simplemachines.org/community/index.php?board=50.0
Title: Re: Complete Newbie - Steps before Setting Up SMF
Post by: 20abc22 on September 29, 2022, 07:11:06 PM
Quote from: Sir Osis of Liver on September 28, 2022, 10:38:38 PMThe Online Manual (https://wiki.simplemachines.org/smf/SMF2.1:Main_Page) is best place to start, it explains forum installation and system requirements.  Current SMF version is 2.1.2.  You should be able to get by with a basic hosting package initially, it can always be upgraded.  I've been using Crocweb (https://www.crocweb.com/) for years, and have moved approx. two dozen forums there from other hosts.  They are inexpensive and support is excellent.  ICDSoft (https://www.icdsoft.com/) is also highly recommended.  Bear in mind that SMF is forumware, not a blog, but you can combine it with a blog on same website.

Thank you very much for taking the time to respond!

Quote from: Doug Heffernan on September 29, 2022, 09:45:38 AMRegarding installing smf please have a look at this guide:

Installing SMF (https://wiki.simplemachines.org/smf/Installing)

Quote from: 20abc22 on September 28, 2022, 10:22:39 PMI am also prepared to pay for such services and would appreciate information on where I can hire someone who can help me set up a SMF forum and ensuring relevant security controls are in place.

You can post at the following board for this.

https://www.simplemachines.org/community/index.php?board=50.0


Thank you - I appreciate it very much!
Title: Re: Complete Newbie - Steps before Setting Up SMF
Post by: Doug Heffernan on September 30, 2022, 06:07:21 AM
Quote from: 20abc22 on September 29, 2022, 07:11:06 PMThank you - I appreciate it very much!

No problem.