Has anyone here set up and hosted a forum before?

[Shankifer]

Would anyone be interested in giving me the basics of setting up the server both on and offline and the basics of setting up the forum. I think I have the basic concept, but I just want to be sure.

For starters I need to know what questions to ask of my domain provider, What kind of server I would need to handle the forum offline, what kind of work I need to do with the online area, and how much space is recommended for small forum work. I'm planning on using Simple Machines, like this one. If you have another recommendation I'm open for help and ideas.

Thanks all!

[Mako]

If I may be so bold here...

Start with your basic hosting plan, I would say at least 200mb space to start. (you can always upgrade)

Make sure your provider supports FTP, futher more make sure the server isn't crappy as PHP mail system that SMF uses requires a lot of cpu cycles, it is called a "crontab" make sure its set to about 20~30min or less if you can support it.

I recommend SMF 2.0 with lots of mods. With some mod''s SMF can be quite powerful. My other admittedly bias recommendation would be IPB though quite expensive, many big modding community's use them and to me (shallow as I have become in my old age) looks quite appealing, In fact the MOST appealing...Of course its all a matter of opinion .
 
Just some friendly advice.

[Cupcake]

Well, I can't say much about the hosting side, since I had a friend who ran a server farm and took care of all of the server-side stuff for me, since he was an important member of the community which migrated to his servers, but for the software side, I recommend SMF.  Simple, but powerful, and there are plenty of awesome mods

[Shankifer]

Thoughts on running a server on a standalone machine, boosted ram and mobo, Linux, Ubuntu MySQL server?

Could it handle SMF?

[sl1982]

You need to be more specific then that. Sure most desktops will run it, but will it run it well is the question?

[Mako]

Sadly, You can never host a good running forum on you personal computer...

Reason being you need to have a constant AMAZING conection to the internet, with a considerable amount of upload speed. Most providers don't allow there customers to host there own website .

Bottom line is, even if you did overcome all the aforementioned hurles, your site would still not be any good. Sorry :/ 

[Shankifer]

I think I worded something poorly, I already have a domain, it's 250MBs  of space I believe. With only like 20 used for current settings and such. If it's even that much. The domain supports MySQL, PHP and ASP, it also has WebStats, whatever that is lol. With that knowledge out there, my question is, how hard would hosting a Forum be with these parameters? and; Would I need to buy a server to hold information, or would the domain take care of all that in itself?

[Covarr]

You can't fit jack shyt onto 250MB. Even the smalles, simplest forum software will quickly use up more than that.

[Shankifer]

Really? Even though it is mainly text-based. I know the SMF install takes about 2MB up, idk about the mods. What causes the surge in data?

[Covarr]

Truth be told, I've never run an install of SMF before, only phpbb, but databases full of posts, memberdata, etc can fill up space fast, especially when they use formatting and the like. If you install additional mods or skins, that adds to it. If you allow users to upload images or avatars, that adds to it.

[Shankifer]

I'm in the process of acquiring a test server at the moment, I'll set it up and see how much space the mods and stuff take up, without avatars and stuff I think the 250MB might actually be enough with the reports I've had from people who tested the SMF base model. I'll relay any information on here just for future references. 500MB is the biggest the host goes so I'm hoping that it's enough space.

I haven't downloaded any yet, but I was just curious if anyone knew what kind of space the SMF mods take up, I know the SMF install takes up a meager 2MB so I'm curious as to how big it can get with a few mods. I wasn't looking at any in particular either so if the mods have a huge variable range then just ballpark it, even if it's like 50KB-20MB lol.
Any information is appreciated, thanks guys n gals! 

[Mako]

As I said before 200~400mb should be fine for a starting forum...You can always upgrade storage at any time (usually within a few hours) and pay more. Till then this will get you started.