How can I Start A Forum Please

[Georgia]

Hi there and I am new.

Could someone please tell me "How can I run and start a forum like this one" for my groups which i have on msn
Do i need to download software.
All information would be most appreciated.
Thank you Georgia

[damo1065]

I was like you only a few weeks ago....

Download SMF for free here

http://www.simplemachines.org/download.php?d=smf_1-0-beta5p_install;t=zip

It's fairly simple to install really, upload your files to your server...when you unziup the files put them in a folder  called forum

Now upload the entire contents in the forum folder that you've downloaded.
Then type in www.yoursitenamehere/forum/install.php

You have got phpadmin have you?

[Grudge]

If you don't yet have somewhere to "host" a forum to (ie a web server) you'll need to find someone to host it for you. I recommend searching this board.

[Georgia]

Thank You

Can you please tell me what this word means please phpadmin
Thanks again Georgia

[Peter Duggan]

phpMyAdmin?

http://www.phpmyadmin.net/

It's a very useful PHP tool for managing MySQL databases through your normal browser. Most good hosts offer it as standard and it's also possible to install it yourself, but it's *not* an essential requirement for SMF. What matters most is that your server meets the requirements specified here:

http://www.simplemachines.org/community/index.php?topic=6765.0

BTW, your coloured posts might look nice but plain black is easier on the eye, so I'd suggest sticking to that for serious stuff like support requests!