I am about to create my first webpage and would like information on
adding a message board once the site is up. What is the best way? I
have found some sites that offer to do this for you, but I would
prefer to write/maintain the board myself (I am a programmer, but have
never created a website myself). What are my options???

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Clarification of Question by bigsticks-ga on 23 Jan 2004 09:03 PST

To clarify, in response to steph1000-ga's comments, I have little
experience with setting up a website. I don't even have a web server
in mind (jv-hosting was recommended as an inexpensive option - perhaps
you have a recommendation). The site will be for a band and will keep
show date info, pics, and maybe some audio clips, etc. I plan to learn
as I go, but do not want to spend much. I am a programmer of mostly
legacy systems - CICS/DB2/SQL, etc. - which therefore will not help
much with this project (though I know some C, java, coldfusion, etc.)!

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Request for Question Clarification by mosquitohawk-ga on 05 Feb 2004 20:13 PST

Hi bigsticks-ga,

Before I step out on a limb and answer your questions, I just wanted
to ask if you still needed an answer after the comments below?  If so,
I will answer for you.

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Request for Question Clarification by webadept-ga on 09 Feb 2004 19:08 PST

The best way to start with something as involved as a message board
can be, is to get something like phpBB (which is probably the best
I've seen, and I run it on several websites), install it, go through
the code, check their website, look at the mods, and add-ons, see how
they were done, and write a few for the system.

Then, when you understand how all that works, sit down and write your
own. BB packages are quite an undertaking, not to mention, frustrating
as heck. The pages not only have to deal with your code, but the
constant changes given by postings from random users. Security is very
involved, and difficult (even for veteran internet programmers), and
response time issues are taxing as well. User privacy, user features,
backups, cleanups, messaging systems... it just goes on an on an on
and on.

You have a solid programming foundation, which is good, but Internet
adds a new level to just about every aspect of planning and coding.
Start with one that works, and then make it better.

That's my two bits anyway, and if you feel you need something else,
don't hesitate to ask.

webadept-ga

P.S. If you really want to get into something cool and fast, check out jabber. 
http://www.jabber.org

One of the most frequently-used is PHPBB, an open-source bulletin
board package based on PHP and a selection of databases. As it's open
source you can contribute to the programming yourself.
http://www.phpbb.com/

There are others listed at
http://php.resourceindex.com/Complete_Scripts/Bulletin_Board_Message_Systems/
some of which are commercial

You will have to have a webserver or an ISP that allows you to run
databases and PHP on their webserver.

Owain

There are a ton of options for you. I would suggest that you name the
tools you have available to you and the languages you feel the most
comfortable programming in.

For instance, do you intend to host the web site/board on your own
computer connected to broadband? Do you already have a web server in
mind? Do you intend to use this as a vanity bulletin board or a
business bulletin board? Do you need 24hr 7 day support plus back
facilities? What languages do you already know? What databases do you
feel the most comfortable with? What's your favorite text/web editor?