Many great forums are made with Invisionfree. Think of IFskinzone. Sure Vbul/IPB is better but Invisionfree has plenty of capability on it's own. Besides with the pending release of Zetaboards it's going to go up in users. Zetaboards has at least 75% of the same features as IPB.
I can help you set up phpbb, ipb, smf, or vbulletin, you are going to need a domain set up to a server that has cpanel.
precision-media- use this one it is the cheaper (alot cheaper get a whole better deal than hostgator). I use it and its great curt runs the place so you know it is great.
You are also going to make sure you are going to have a database like mysql or any other kind (comes with the hosts listed above). Now if you have Fantastico with it you can just click on install for phpbb2 or smf witch will install for you with a click. If you need any help ad me to msn [email protected]
I could help if you want...I am decent at editing php, and have great experience with advertising and all of that. I have had 2 forums my dad stopped hosting them so there gone...
Also use phpbb2 not phpbb3 its unstable and you can sql inject it.