I used to use Vbulletin about two years ago on the backside for admining but I'll be honest when I say I haven't a CLUE about PHP, MYSQL databases or the like but that I really enjoyed the look and feel of the website (now defunct, I left well before it went down) and I now find myself in a position where I would like to recreate that ease and look (we used VBadvanced to make a homepage layout).
Now, if it comes down to it, I'll pay to have it installed, but that is money that I can well afford elsewhere to be honest and I figure I had better get a hand on this somewhat if I'm going to manage it overall (I would hate to crash the whole system like a twit and not have anyone to fall back on for help). Wouldn't happen to be anyone in this community that is overally 'helpful' in installing these eh? :D
Also, I have to be honest, I've been looking at PHP Nuke Platinum and it seems fairly interesting, and overall is free, but I have to ask, truthfully, what makes Vbulletin well worth its cost?
When it comes to leasing or owning the license (I'm leaning heavily towards owning at the moment, but I'm debating funds overall), what happens if for instance I decide to lease and a year goes by? Does the software automatically 'shut off' until its updated again? Does it give you a warning so that you can go do so (I don't know about ya'll, but a year goes by quick these days!).
I understand also that version 3.5 doesn't have a due date in general, but how much of a difference is it overall from 3.07? I wish to get a move on getting a site done (by end of August preferably) but I don't want a whole lot of hassles when it comes to updating as honestly, I can't afford down time due to lack of knowledge on my part (sigh).
I'm currently hosted with Bravenet (not sure if I'm happy with them or not) and they do offer, at a higher service, PHP and MYSQL but with only one database. Is that enough? What about hacks and the like - vbadvanced, games .. etc. Will they all run on one database? What would be the reason for having more than one database?
Are there any good websites that others would suggest in particular for hosting a vbulletin site? Cost, efficiency, backing up, customer service .. etc?
Are there any good books or sites that I should pick up in order to learn this in general (PHP and MYSQL). I've heard mixed reviews about PHP and MYSQL for Dummies - anyone have any suggestions?
When it comes to skinning a forum - I am interested in having a particular look as well as a logo - anyone have any good suggestions there as well?
Thanks for your time.
Installing vBulletin on a fresh server which is running the proper versions of PHP, MySQL, and Apache is a matter of FTPing the files up, creating a MySQL database (Either contact your host or login to your website using cPanel and it's a 2 minute task), edit config.php to point to the right places, upload it, run Install. 10 minutes tops. The vBulletin User Manual has step-by-step instructions for all of that with pictures and screen snapshots.
You don't need to learn PHP or MySQL to install and use vBulletin.
I'm currently hosted with Bravenet (not sure if I'm happy with them or not) and they do offer, at a higher service, PHP and MYSQL but with only one database. Is that enough? What about hacks and the like - vbadvanced, games .. etc. Will they all run on one database? What would be the reason for having more than one database? I assume you are using the BraveNet regular Hosting package of $4.95/mo? It doesn't support PHP or MySQL, so you'd have to go to the $6.95/mo package. And still only 1 database? Hmm. vBAdvanced and vBulletin will run within 1 database and you can use Prefixes to run multiple scripts off of 1 database, but I am suspicious that Bravenet will send you an e-mail saying you are using "too much of our resources" or something. I don't know anything about Bravenet except that their bread-and-butter seems to be people who want very basic websites.
ASmallOrange.com's $5 hosting plan is more attractive than the $6.95 Bravenet plan and would give you full MySQL, PHP, etc. access without limits.
Are there any good websites that others would suggest in particular for hosting a vbulletin site? Cost, efficiency, backing up, customer service .. etc? There are a few websites that specialize in "Forum-friendly" hosting but really any decent server that's managed well and running the correct versions of MySQL, PHP, and Apache, it will work.
For installation, there are a number of people who are willing to talk you through it (as it's easy enough) as well as plenty of documentation around to take you step-by-step through the installation if you do not want to purchase the professional installation. Note that you have to have yourt MySQL database username and password in order to install vBulletin (which you can obtain from your webhost).
The cost of vBulletin is justified, in my opinion, through it's large community, helpful staff, around-the-clock service and support, as well as its features and overall package. Developers listen and participate actively and focus the develop on what the customers want and need, and not what they think is best. I'm sure others will tell you more on this.
If you decide to keep the site up after your year is up with the leased license, you are required (by the agreement) to shut down the software and remove it. However, you can renew it for another year ($30), or upgrade it for an owned license in which you can run it for an unlimted amount of time, and just renew your access to downloads when newer versions come out (not a requirement to renew right away with an owned license).
vBulletin v3.5.0 is very different than vBulletin 3.0.7 in many way, one of the major features being its AJAX capabilities, plugin system, and new post-editor interfaces (as well as a number of new options everywhere else).
I believe one MySQL database is enough, yes, but I would recommend at least 2-3 for expansion and flexibility purposes (so you don't have everything in one table -- but that's just my opinon).
For a host, I would suggest (others will bring up more no doubt) A Small Orange (http://www.asmallorange.com) if your looking for great customer service, low cost, and flexibility. They are great (I use them as well as a number of other customers).
A great play would be http://www.php.net/ for PHP, but not sure of a place for MySQL.
As for logos and skins, look around. There are various skinners around the site, but for anything in particular, go to vbulletin.org for stuff like that.
Hope that helps some. :)
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