Forum webpage advice needed

[tophman]

Hello, I have to create a forum and have built a server to host it on. I have already picked out a domain name and have MS server 2003 and Frontpage 2003 in my possesion. So far I have only installed Server 2003 on it.
I am a total newb but have been assigned this as project.
ANY advice would be helpful. I was handed the book Microsoft Office Frontpage 2003 inside out and told to go for it.
If anyone has any advice as far as books or anything at all I would appreciate it. I'm sure it will be a trial by fire but I need to get the ball rolling.

TIA for any possible suggestions.

 

[WobbleWobble]

FrontPage can make building a simple site very easy. Especially with FrontPage Components and Themes (whether you consider them ugly or not).

However, I wouldn't use FrontPage for this task at all. It doesn't have any built in forum components, the closest thing it has is a guestbook. Consider installing some free forum software like phpbb, a task in which you won't every use FrontPage. So rather than revinent the wheel, use something someone else has built.

Since you have Windows Server 2003, consider running Microsoft Windows SharePoint Services since it a free add on (SharePoint Portal Server is the product that costs money) and has built in forum functionality. It may be overkill for what you need though, since it does many other things like document and list management.

 

[nweaver]

kill off 2k3 server, install a linux distro, phpbb (or phpnuke if you want CMS), ebay the 2k3 and frontpage for Dr. Pepper money, enjoy.

 

[toekramp]

Originally posted by: nweaver
kill off 2k3 server, install a linux distro, phpbb (or phpnuke if you want CMS), ebay the 2k3 and frontpage for Dr. Pepper money, enjoy.

 

[tophman]

Thanks for the advice thus far. I am supposed to stick to MS products as much as possible due to it's use at work. (potential job promotion) I appreciate the suggestion to use an existing forum package.
I am looking at
1.vBulletin
2.SMF
3.Invision Power Board
4.phpBB
5. fusetalk....the basic is affordable but rapidly becomes very expensive~

Thanks!