Complete Newbie - Steps before Setting Up SMF

Started by 20abc22, September 28, 2022, 10:22:39 PM

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20abc22

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!

Sir Osis of Liver

The Online Manual 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 for years, and have moved approx. two dozen forums there from other hosts.  They are inexpensive and support is excellent.  ICDSoft 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. 
Ashes and diamonds, foe and friend,
 we were all equal in the end.

                                     - R. Waters

Doug Heffernan

Regarding installing smf please have a look at this guide:

Installing SMF

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

20abc22

#3
Quote from: Sir Osis of Liver on September 28, 2022, 10:38:38 PMThe Online Manual 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 for years, and have moved approx. two dozen forums there from other hosts.  They are inexpensive and support is excellent.  ICDSoft 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

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!


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