Simple guide to hosting your own forums.

-Things you need-
A Brain
A Computer
Some free memory

Step 1-
Is your computer connected to a router? If yes port forward your computer by following the guides from http://portforward.com/ If no then skip to step 2.

Step 2-
After you computer has been properly port forwarded you now need to download a program known as Xampp which will allow you to host your forums from your computer.

Program found here http://www.apachefriends.org/en/xampp.html

Step 3-
After you have successfully downloaded/installed Xampp onto your computer you now need your forums. I suggest using phpbb forums as they are easy and forum layouts aren't hard to find for them.

PHPBB Download can be found here http://www.phpbb.com/downloads/

Step 4-
Now take the PHPBB folder you just downloaded and place it into your HTDOCS folder (Xampp > Htdocs)

Step 5-
Now you have to install your PHPBB forums onto a database. You do this by going to http://127.0.0.1 (localhost) and setting up a database entitled forums under MYSQL.

Step 6-
After you have set up a database now go to http://127.0.0.1/PHPBB (may be different if you changed your PHPBB folder name)

Step 7-
Follow them steps and successfully install your forums onto your database

Step 8-
Get familiar with the PHPBB forums, and make sure everything works correctly.

Step 9-
Now to create you a nice URL. Go to http://no-ip.com/ and register an account.

Step 10-
Set up a domain name for example http://myforums.no-ip.com/ or if you would like to pay for a domain you may purchase one from the site for example http://myforums.com/

Step 11-
Download the no-ip.com software and install it.

Step 12-
Open the no-ip.com software and tick the check box next to your domain name. You should now see a smiley face icon next to your domain.

Step 13-
Try it out and make sure your domain works.

Step 14-
Get a friend to test the domain to ensure you port forwarded your computer right.

Step 15-
Google for PHPBB forum templates and set up your forum to your specifications.

Now you have your own personal spiffy site
Sorry theres no pictures I may post more later if I have more time.
Sorry it's not colorful either, none of my buttons work so I can't change the color sorry.

 

Thanks alot.