How to start a vBulletin forum for Idiots!!!

This thread is for all of you folks that don't have a clue on where to start.....you have a great idea for a forum but don't know a thing about running one.

How do you actually get a forum up and running?

How do you find a host?

How do you separate your database and manage threads so your forum has fast page load times?

How do you back up your database to keep from losing all of your threads?

How do you make sure that security is given high priority and what do you need to do to secure your forum?

Well we are going to get to the bottom of these issues right here in this thread so all of us "idiots" will be able to start, host, manage, backup data and protect your forum from hackers.

Ready for the next VBW blockbuster thread :confused:

I am :o :wave:

I still have no clue how to do any of those and I have a forum up and running... :wave:

Naw, serriously, for question 1....

First, you need to think of what kinda forum you want...Then you need to go register your domain name, I use servintdomains.com. Now that you have your domain, you will need to find a host, I recomend the base vps w/cpanel from powervps.com (they are awesome). OK, now you have this web space and your cool domain, your set up and ready to go!!! Sweet, have a nice cold beverage and celebrate. But don't get to waisted, its now time for some serious work. When you have some spare time you need to go to vbulletin.com and get the forum software, I recomend just buying the license. Download the forum stuff...then upload it to your server/host using jelsoft instructions and a trusty ftp client. Get ready for this one. Install the forums. Whoa look, you have forums!!!!!!!!!! Congrats. Log into your admin cp and get at it, spend a lot of time tweaking your settings. You actually have a forum up and running, yea sure its bere and you dont have members yet, but get ready, here comes the fun part.

Well now I am scared as hell :eek:

What do I do next :confused:

Do I have to worry about backup and hackers :confused:

But don't get to waisted...........


Are you picking on fat people?!?!?!

:p ;)

No, he just started drinking when he found out how hard it is to run a vBulletin forum, I think the getting members part started him on the hard stuff :p :wave:

Well now I am scared as hell :eek:

What do I do next :confused:

Do I have to worry about backup and hackers :confused:

keep software up to date, and you should be fine.

Do backups from time to time and DL them to your PC - but make sure your host does backups daily as well, including database backups.

How do you manage the old threads in the database to keep page loads fast Joey, what is the best way to manage this :confused:

Do you store the database (old threads) separate from the recent threads :confused:

Joey, see post # 6 in this thread.

http://www.page-zone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2291

I asked Jim the owner of Page Zone Hosting how to manage thread databases, post # 6 was his answer.

What is your solution to this datebase management of threads :confused:

keep software up to date, and you should be fine.

Do backups from time to time and DL them to your PC - but make sure your host does backups daily as well, including database backups.

This is VERY important. It may seem simple, but before you do ANYthing drastic, like install a hack, be sure to do a back up...

And yes, The whole members deal started me on the Jack Daniels :D

How do you manage the old threads in the database to keep page loads fast Joey, what is the best way to manage this :confused:

Do you store the database (old threads) separate from the recent threads :confused:

Dont wory about this, once your members start creating threads Vbulletin will take care of this, and your database management should be minimal, meaning, dont touch.

And yes, The whole members deal started me on the Jack Daniels ......

The above quoted from MX




Sounds like a great idea for a vBulletin forum, the "vB-AA" forum for "Wine Bibber" forum owners :D :wave:

shoot me $170 for the vbulletin and domain and I will host her. hahaha :p

Hang around Noppid long enough and you will need the vBAA forum :o :wave:

PS: Noppid, how about answering some of the questions in the opening post :confused: :)

Hang around Noppid long enough and you will need the vBAA forum :o :wave:

PS: Noppid, how about answering some of the questions in the opening post :confused: :)

I'm heads down in the new code. I have lots to do, I'll talk more later.

Joey can add the link on the hosting directory in the mean time so folks know where to host or to look for hosts.


Right Joey :confused:

PS: We also need to discuss backup of the databases in detail and how the databases work within vBulletin (database tables).

Can someone explain?

Joey can add the link on the hosting directory in the mean time so folks know where to host or to look for hosts.


Right Joey :confused:

PS: We also need to discuss backup of the databases in detail and how the databases work within vBulletin (database tables).

Can someone explain?

I prefer to backup my databases from the command line using MySql. For those of you that do not have shell access, you can fire off a cron job from cpanel to do this as well.

I backup to a folder above the web root folder and then download the file via ftp. My cron job gzips the files too to reduce the size.

For backups you use the mysqldump command and for restores you use the mysql command.

Hey Joey, we asked where we were going to find hosts (ya know, an idiot needs to have a host to start a vBulletin forum), so when are you going to post the link to the hosting resource for the members :confused:

noppid,

can you post an example of your cron job? I know it will be host specific, but its a starting point for the novice group

I'll post the text and screen shots of the cron screen in a bit. :)

A bit has passed Noppid, let's get this important thread going, can you give us idiots that want to start a vBulletin forum more free tips :confused: :wave:

PS: Why do I have to get on the administrators to post here?

PSS: Joey still has not posted the link to where we can find good hosts for vBulletin forums :mad:

I swear by powervps.com for hosting my fourms... :D

I think you want this link: http://www.vbwebmaster.com/links/browselinks.php?do=browselinks&catid=2&orderby=posts&linkuserid=0

I would like to more know about chron 2, but here is a link I found: http://www.webmasters-central.com/t/cron.shtml

Thanks man, someone has to pick up the slack for Joey around here.... :)

Cron what :confused:

PS: Noppid, are you still alive :confused: :wave:

Thanks man, someone has to pick up the slack for Joey around here.... :)

Cron what :confused:

PS: Noppid, are you still alive :confused: :wave:

I'm off for the weekend. See ya. Cron screenshots and info will be next week when I get time.


PS :)

PPS :wave: Buh-bye

You have a few beers and a few "Mad Cow Burgers" for all of us Noppid :wave:

now you got me all intrested in cron jobs...

However, I am to lazy to go mess up my forums fuigureing it out...

Blah nopid, how is that gallery coming for ya? lol

now you got me all intrested in cron jobs...

However, I am to lazy to go mess up my forums fuigureing it out...

Blah nopid, how is that gallery coming for ya? lol

I'm disenchanted with life itself ATM, the internet is an illusion. What gallery?

You need to start charging a lot more for your work Noppid, that way you will not have as much work, you will get more rest and might actually make a profit then. :o :wave:

You need to start charging a lot more for your work Noppid, that way you will not have as much work, you will get more rest and might actually make a profit then. :o :wave:


I'm in agreement with that. But honestly, I'm not liking anything about this whole internet thing much lately.

Joe is trying to talk me out of not using vBulletin anymore.

You can't leave, I need you to help me start www.webmasterforumwars.com, I won't pay your extreme high charges, just give you a large piece of the forum :)

You do know that webmasters fighting with each other happens to be a hot subject on the forum circuit and I want to give them a place to flame each other and the forums that have banned them :eek: :D :wave:

You can't leave, I need you to help me start www.webmasterforumwars.com, I won't pay your extreme high charges, just give you a large piece of the forum :)

You do know that webmasters fighting with each other happens to be a hot subject on the forum circuit and I want to give them a place to flame each other and the forums that have banned them :eek: :D :wave:


Large prices? When was that? I aint making any money! Everyone thinks what they need is "just a few lines of code" and wants to pay $5.00 for it. :/

Well then, help me put up www.InternetCapitalFunding.com a venture capital forum and exchange then we will raise the money to help out :o

I'm selling my sites and getting a job at Wal-Mart. :wave:

I need more activity in my life. Driven a desk too long. Maybe loading trucks will take the edge off or stocking shelves? I'm tired of thinking.

Like I said, you need some time with Minstrel on the couch before you make any rash decisions :eek:

Come and work construction with me for a few days and you will be happy to sit on your ass and build websites all day :D :wave:

Like I said, you need some time with Minstrel on the couch before you make any rash decisions :eek:

Come and work construction with me for a few days and you will be happy to sit on your ass and build websites all day :D :wave:

If you were closer, I'd be there. I got a line on some construction work. I don't mind being a grunt. I just want to be outdoors. I've gotten real used to being outside this year preparing for the hurricanes.

I'm not after money, I'm after some activity.

Does Minstrel offer a discount for the Brotherhood? A coupon maybe?

Well you have to take care of house and home before you can build a business, got to keep the kids and the old lady happy and keep the bills paid somehow.

It is not easy being a working stiff, just buying fuel to get back and fourth is expensive, driving 100 miles a day costs time and money.

If my sites were making enough money I would quit working construction quickly and focus everything online.

Well you have to take care of house and home before you can build a business, got to keep the kids and the old lady happy and keep the bills paid somehow.

It is not easy being a working stiff, just buying fuel to get back and fourth is expensive, driving 100 miles a day costs time and money.

If my sites were making enough money I would quit working construction quickly and focus everything online.

I need to get it where I can work outside, maybe I'll start a street corner hot dog stand and I'll have a website where you can watch me serve the dogs on a live feed.

....trying to help him on forum is not really working :eek: :confused:

....trying to help him on forum is not really working :eek: :confused:

What? I thought everyone liked hot dogs?