Author Topic: free BBS software ? (Read 519 times)

Wlfgng · « **on:** September 27, 2002, 01:07:57 PM »

anyone know of any?
I need to set up a 'smack talk' BBS for the fantasy hockey league I'm in

-dead- · « **Reply #1 on:** September 27, 2002, 01:42:55 PM »

XMB isn't bad - but their site is down:
http://xmbforum.com

Here's the hack & bug community:
http://xmbhacks.co.uk/community/index.php

Revvin · « **Reply #2 on:** September 27, 2002, 01:45:32 PM »

I've tried quite a few including Ikonboard, phpBB, YaBB, Burning Board, Invisionboard. I use vBulletin but you have to pay for that but find it better than the ones mentioned above. They are all pretty easy to set up and use CGI and mySQL. IMO phpBB or Invisionboard were the easiest to set up and Invisionboard allows file attachment like vBulletin and will have a calendar option soon in v1.1 although there are mods for phpBB to do this depending on how much hacking about with code you like to do. If you want a board that is hosted by a company on a central server that is easy to use and maintain try EZboard or Jarvis host a cut down version of their Ikonboard (IB Light) so all you have to do is set up forums, admin users and set your colour scheme. Try the links below:

Ikonboard & IB Light

phpBB

Invisionboard

YaBB

Burning Board

EZboard

If you choose something like phpBB or Invisionboard I'd be happy to help you set one up.

Wlfgng · « **Reply #3 on:** September 27, 2002, 01:52:28 PM »

awesome, thanks Revvin.. I'll check this stuff out and get back to ya'!

Revvin · « **Reply #4 on:** September 27, 2002, 01:58:37 PM »

Just make sure your webspace has a mySQL database to use if you use something like phpBB, Invisionboard etc, IB Light and EZboard are hosted by a central server so no webspace is needed for those but they are not always as flexible or well featured as the others.

Wlfgng · « **Reply #5 on:** September 27, 2002, 03:05:56 PM »

I'll be hosting on a unix box (http://www.nick-tucker.com) that has CGI enabled ...

If I get stuck, I'll drop you a line. Thanks again.

Revvin · « **Reply #6 on:** September 27, 2002, 03:25:29 PM »

Ikonboard uses CGI whilst the others use mySQL.

Wlfgng · « **Reply #7 on:** September 27, 2002, 04:45:55 PM »

new to CGI but it's what I have

it's a free script for a BBS but all I have is the CGI file.
I put it in the cgi-bin folder on my server
and changed permissions

question: how do I access it..
I tried typing in the url. but it's apache and says it can't find it.

my structure is as follows (excerpt)

root
- httpdocs (web pages, public access files)
- cgi-bin (cgi stuff)

problem is that my website root is httpdocs...
so when an end user logs on to http://www.nick-tucker.com
they are directed to httpdocs and the index.htm therein.

how do I get a user redicted to cgi-bin ?

I must be missing something and have never worked with cgi scripts.

Revvin · « **Reply #8 on:** September 27, 2002, 05:00:05 PM »

Not sure what you are using but Ikonboard has all the scripts and instructions of how to install and what files go where.

Wlfgng · « **Reply #9 on:** September 27, 2002, 05:01:58 PM »

I'll give 'er a shot. thx.

*edit*

ahh.. finally. I got it. It was actually a configuration error on the ISP side.. didn't have cgi turned on.. bastiges !

hehe. thx again