this post was submitted on 02 Sep 2024
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Web Development

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Where to start with a forum or community site and what should I expect it to cost? (self.webdev)
submitted 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) by Babalugats to c/[email protected]
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I would like to create a site that that allows people to select a category and/or a sub-category and invite people to join and partake in something for a limited time period determined by the OP, but also allowing other users to suggest alternative options as a votable option.

I have no idea where to start with any of this.

Is it just forum software that I should be looking at, and could anyone recommend one if it is. Also how much should I be looking at to begin with?

EDIT - Thanks everyone, all good options to look at. I am going to try a Lemmy Sub, as that seems to be the most favoured answer by users. Hopefully I will get to grips with it. πŸ™‚

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[–] [email protected] 9 points 2 months ago (1 children)

My first thought is reduce the complexity for now and start a Lemmy community for what you want. I know it's not going to be as versatile as a full-blown forum and any specific requirements you have might not be met, but there are creative ways to manage this as a moderator with the API.

It would be free, you wouldn't need to worry about the web security aspect for now and it might let you feel out how to manage topics/projects before you build an actual forum.

Sorry I couldn't directly answer your question, but was hoping that an alternative approach might be of use. It's just that hosting and managing a forum can be a time suck.

[–] Babalugats 1 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Thanks, is it possible to create sub categories. I haven't ever seen a mod api, I might try one out this evening. Thanks again.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 months ago

Well, you might need to do a bit of creative hacking with pinning/unpinning multiple posts. You would have a community with "sub categories" of a pinned posts. Each comment under that post could be voted on.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 months ago

I agree with @[email protected] - since you "don't know where to startβ€œ - just start simple. Maybe lemmy will be fine for now.

Otherwise, to at least pitch some alternative: you can Google for a vbulletin host. A lot of hosting providers offer a "managed vbulletin" solution. Meaning you don't have to get a bare metal machine and don't have to be bothered with installing all the software yourself.

I don't know if there are free solutions, but with a quick Google, it doesn't seem like it's more than a couple $ a month for a small server

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

if you use some php forum software, you can find hosting in the $5 range with cPanel. I remember hosting one 10 years ago with $3. good start, scale or migrate as needed if stuff picks up.

[–] WhyFlip 1 points 2 months ago

IRC