Forum template/design

[Broker]

I just bought fourwheeler.us on namepros and want to make my first forum. Should I have a designer do it or can I buy a template with an "Easy to use admin panel for dummies" like myself.

I like namepros forum design, is this something easy to create/copy (with different content) and if I need a designer, how much do you think it should cost to develop?

How much hosting/bandwidth would I need at first?

Thanks for any help,
Rob.........

 

[James]

start with small specs, you can always upgrade later.
also alot of free skins do the job if you edit them to your style that you'd like.

 

[Broker]

Any thoughts on vbulletin? Hard to set up/customize?

Thanks.

 

[Mike]

start with the minimum hosting package, e.g GD costs me $40/yr and i haven't had one issue as of yet. Or, if you're hosting multiple sites, i'm using HostGator as well, $9.95/mth and i can host until i bust my alloted bandwith.

To start, i'm using SMF - www.simplemachines.org, it's free, highly customizable, has just about all the features that vB has and is super simple to handle. Trust me, if i can do it, you can definitely do it. sounds corny, but if you knew my technical aptitude, you'd know it's damn true. :lol:
Why i'm suggesting SMF over vB - because at the beginning, unless you don't mind paying minimum $80/yr recurrent for vB ($160 one time owner fee), i'd start with an equally good FREE forum software and let the forum generate the $160 to convert to vB later on. Nothing would "suck" more as if you'd spend $160 and then it doesn't take off - i rather play it safe. :imho:

IB

 

[Broker]

Thanks, but you have no idea how much of a retard I am. css/php yadayada say what?


I'm officially screwd stupid

 

[James]

css is easy to learn. you could even just edit the forum images perfectly
and changing it without extending it or such then make patterns and such then your done. it'd work out well without even having to code it.

 

[Broker]

I was playing around with vbulletin's demo for a few hours tonight, it's doable I think. Still want to do some more research and playing first.

 

[IMguru]

You will have to change template files. I could never know that how css is involved in forum setups because a template already has anything in it.

 

[iulianh]

You should try using mybb , is simple to skin and has almost all vbulletin features . www.mybboard.com

 

[Broker]

Thanks all, Have a designer from namepros building me a nice smallmachines forum. I'll learn the process and maintence as I go