New low experienced member, can I ask a few initial questions

[Planman]

Hi,

I have only just joined yesterday and in my 1st post gave a brief explanation of what my past experience has been in ref to using or dealing with certain types of forums, groups etc.

But compared to most who have forums. I think probably My knowledge / experience compared to most, I would ybe my seen as quite low level.

I am a new member, and have had some basic past experience on using certain types of pre set up free forums, like the old style yahoo group type forums... and I have or do use or visit one existing set up SMF forum that have some familiarity with.

Could I ask a few further initial questions .

Before I signed up, I tried to search for a few Simple Machine forums / groups (Using bing as I dont like using google for what ever my reasons maybe) and I could NOT easily find many that were listed in the first few pages of their search options.

When I was using yahoo groups... they used to offer ways to find various types of their groups listed under differing topics. such as say business  or finance , or sport or health, travel,  or certain types of various  interest or hobby related types of  topics.

I have 4 initial questions I would like to ask for now if anyone could advise I would be greatful.

1st
Does Simple machines offer a way to find their existing  members listed forums ? such as if one waned to try to find some to consider joining ? or if one wanted to take a look at some of them for research purposes..to learn some ideas on what maybe useful for anyone considering on how best one may want to consider setting their forum up.

2nd
Does SMF offer any type of existing set up type of forums, that maybe seen say as similar as what yahoo groups (used to offer), or Google or MSN type groups offer, so that you can just sign up to an existing service and set up ones own group name, without having to do all the more complexity of trying to do certain research and to learn about and how to set up ones own SMF forum.

3rd

Is there any way to set up a Simple machines forum up for free ? if say they were struggling to pay for hosting or other types of fees that maybe required when normally setting up related types of online websites.  such as for eg there are some free websites that people can join and use.

I think WIX maybe one eg... could you set up a SM Forum on their system / service ?

Free Website Hosting - Build and Host a Site with Wix
hxxp:wix.com/website/hosting [nonactive]

4th

Would I be right in saying that anyone wanting to set up and use a SM Forum, in most cases normally would or has to obtain and pay for a hosting site that is likely to mainly be for a 12 month period... ( or can you find options to say pay for 3 or 6 months hosting)

Also would there be any recommednations as to who maybe best to use. such as

hxxp:websitesetup.org/best-web-hosting-sites/ [nonactive]

The 10 Best Web Hosting Service Providers in 2021
1
Bluehost Best for New Websites
2
Hostinger Best Pricing ($0.99)
3
A2 Hosting Fastest Shared Hosting
4
DreamHost Best Monthly Payment Plan
5
SiteGround Best Customer Support
6
GoDaddy Hosting
7
GreenGeeks
8
InMotion Hosting
9
IONOS (1&1) Hosting
10
HostPapa



thank you

PM





.

[Kindred]

1, no. We do not maintain a list of sites using SMF.
Since SMF is freely downloadable software, there is no good way to do that anyway.

2, no. SMF does not offer hosting. We code and support the software. That's it.
That being said,  there are a few third party services like createaforum and smfforfree who have modified the software to provide free "installations". Those are limited though,  since you can not install mods or themes into most of those.

3, SMF requires php and mysql. Wix and squarespace won't work.  There are free hosts, but we don't recommend them,  since the are almost always oversellers.
So, generally,  yes, you need to get a hosting service. See the FAQ for system requirements.
I can not recommend a single one of those hosts that you listed. 
I use ICDsoft for 12 sites.


If you are looking to duplicate facebppk, MSN yahoo, or google - then you are going to be disappointed.

[Illori]

we have a few lists of who uses SMF, they are small compared to all the forums that are out there that use our software

https://wiki.simplemachines.org/smf/Who_uses_SMF

https://wiki.simplemachines.org/smf/Large_forums

[Planman]

Thanks again Kindred for your reply and feedback.

I just wanted to ask those questions, just in case there may have been some sort of existing type of
forums or something similar to what was like yahoo groups that may have been another option that may
had been suitable for at least one or two alternatives that I may had considered that also may had been
easier and quicker to set up.

Since yahoo groups closed down... I had tried a similar sort of alternative free type group or forum, had upto now not found one that I thought would be suitable.

I had looked at Facebook, MSN and google groups etc, but I did not really think that they seemed suited
for what I wanted.. I did not think that they looked as easy or as good as what yahoo groups used to offer.

So far the only similar option that I have found similar to yahoo groups is "groups io"
hxxp:groups.io/ [nonactive]  but I dont think you can do any sort of modifications with them.

But the other thing that I also wanted to try to find was a forum or group that would allow me to hide membership numbers or details and if I am lucky SMF may now offer me this as one other option.


I will try to check out your referrals for createaforum and smfforfree as they may may offer what I need.
(But They may not allow me to hide members details)

I note what you say about WIX and the need for PHP / MYSQL..

In ref to some of those host companies I posted... The search engine suggested that were recommended.
Some are well known, such as godaddy.. and If I recall they can be cheap...(I dont think I used any on that list when I did try to create some websites some years ago)

I used one service that at the moment I cannot recall and it included a CPanel.. which I think may
had included options for PHP / MYSQL...and I recall it had something called fantstico or something...
it also may had allowed to load wordpress.

As far as I was aware some of those host sites I listed also have a similar CPanel...and offered php and Mysql options to load forum
software like SMF.


Someone guru I used to follow used to recommend wordpress...and think suggested maybe I could create a forum on the host site I had at the time..  BUT I did like word press..I found it rather complex and needed too many add ons etc.

I had also had a very bad virus issue occurr on my website which destroyed much of my websites as well as my computer at the time...  (I had a opt in page and I believe someone may had posted the virus thru that) so it put me off ever trying to set up websites again. and Security became a major issue that I had and have had since.

So thats why I considered trying to just use something like yahoo groups which I suspect would be much
better protected than I would ever be capable of doing if I tried to set up any sort of website or forum.

I dont know if Simple machines has any form of better security protection or if one would be expected
to ensure that they find ways or create ways to ensure best protection that they can.

I will also check out ICDsoft.

I did not really think that SMF would offer a similar option to what yahoo offered with their groups.
but I wanted to ask just in case they also had offered something similar.

1, no. We do not maintain a list of sites using SMF.
Since SMF is freely downloadable software, there is no good way to do that anyway.

2, no. SMF does not offer hosting. We code and support the software. That's it.
That being said,  there are a few third party services like createaforum and smfforfree who have modified the software to provide free "installations". Those are limited though,  since you can not install mods or themes into most of those.

3, SMF requires php and mysql. Wix and squarespace won't work.  There are free hosts, but we don't recommend them,  since the are almost always oversellers.
So, generally,  yes, you need to get a hosting service. See the FAQ for system requirements.
I can not recommend a single one of those hosts that you listed. 
I use ICDsoft for 12 sites.


If you are looking to duplicate facebppk, MSN yahoo, or google - then you are going to be disappointed.

[Planman]

I appreciate you posting those links Illori.

At least now I can take a look at some of the larger forums and look at some of the topics that they create.  Hopefully they can offer me some ideas or things to consider.

I am amazed as the sizes of some of the memberships listed.

It may also be that some sites are not well promoted or highlited / optimised within the search engines..
or want to remain more private... which could be a good sign in some cases.

Thank you again
and best regards

PM

we have a few lists of who uses SMF, they are small compared to all the forums that are out there that use our software

https://wiki.simplemachines.org/smf/Who_uses_SMF

https://wiki.simplemachines.org/smf/Large_forums

[Illori]

if you are looking for a host take a look at https://www.simplemachines.org/community/index.php?topic=117303.0 first.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Crocweb is also very good and inexpensive, support is excellent.  I've moved approx. two dozen forums to CW from other hosts.

[Planman]

Thanks for posting your link and details Illori and Sir Osis,

Having a quick browse at the link you posted Illori, There is a lot of material , but it is not recent.
as It was upto 2015.  I am not sure what maybe seen as maybe more recommended say within the last 7 years.

I think the last time I had a host website was maybe before 2015, and I think some of the hosting websites I was aware of back then are still in operation.

I recall one called Hostgater and the Crocweb Ref that Sir Osis posted reminded me of it...

The CrocWeb website shows the cheapest option at $6 a month  (Is that canadian dollars ) and it suggests its  cloud  based..

It suggests the $6 a month option offers 1 GB memory and 10 GB of cloud storage
Is that likely only enough to host one SMF Forum  or could it hold more ?

Also Would that be the case now that Host services are cloud based or may some still be seperate server based.

I am very familar with the Cloud and at the moment I am NOT sure that I maybe ok using a cloud based service and may prefer to past older style of hosts if they are still available.

BUT if it now tends to be all Host services are cloud based then , there may no longer be any alternatives.



PM

Illori
Yesterday at 02:31:12 PM
if you are looking for a host take a look at https://www.simplemachines.org/community/index.php?topic=117303.0 first.

Sir Osis of Liver
Yesterday at 02:38:54 PM
Crocweb is also very good and inexpensive, support is excellent.  I've moved approx. two dozen forums to CW from other hosts.

[Steve]

Did you look at ICDSoft? They come highly recommended as well (and are currently having a 75% off sale)?

[Illori]

if you are looking for a host take a look at https://www.simplemachines.org/community/index.php?topic=117303.0 first.

the idea of this link is what to look for in a host you should NOT pick. those items that we dont recommend have not really changed since this was posted.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Crocweb must have just changed everything very recently, it wasn't cloud based previously.  If you subscribe annually to basic package (that's what I have), and use promo code, it works out to $54.72/yr. ($4.56/mo.) USD.  Don't expect to find a decent host cheaper than that.  I have 2 production forums, several test installs, and a varying number of client forums (depending what I'm working on) running in the basic package, have never run into resource limit.  You can always upgrade if you need more.


We are using our own cloud system with NVMe storage. We do not use any third party cloud service.

Regards,
CrocWeb Support Department

[Kindred]

What exactly do you think "cloud" means??

I suspect that you don't understand the actual meaning of the buzzword

[Sir Osis of Liver]

https://unity-connect.com/our-resources/tech-insights/what-is-a-cloud-based-system-and-how-does-it-work/

[Kindred]

Sorry, sir osis, my question was actually pointed more at the op

[Sir Osis of Liver]

I know, posted link just for general interest.

[Planman]

Wow, I have never seen a host as cheap as this before Steve.
There does not seem anything obvious to loose in considering giving them a try. or maybe having it s another option if one also uses another host service.

Kindred had earlier informed us about it, but I had not got around to checking it out
Thanks for making us aware of it or its sale reduced price.

Steve
Did you look at ICDSoft? They come highly recommended as well (and are currently having a 75% off sale)?

I note and think I now understand what you say Illori. Thk you.

Illori
the idea of this link is what to look for in a host you should NOT pick. those items that we dont recommend have not really changed since this was posted.

I appreciate you explaining further Si Osis. Thats of interest to note that Crocweb have only recently changed to using their service on the Cloud.

Its alsogood to have some idea of what you are capable of hosting on that option.

I will try to check out the cloud link shortly in more detail.

Sir Osis of Liver
Crocweb must have just changed everything very recently, it wasn't cloud based previously.  If you subscribe annually to basic package (that's what I have), and use promo code, it works out to $54.72/yr. ($4.56/mo.) USD.  Don't expect to find a decent host cheaper than that.  I have 2 production forums, several test installs, and a varying number of client forums (depending what I'm working on) running in the basic package, have never run into resource limit.  You can always upgrade if you need more.


hxxp:unity-connect.com/our-resources/tech-insights/what-is-a-cloud-based-system-and-how-does-it-work/ [nonactive]

I made a Typo error Kindred,

I meant to use the words (I am NOT very Familar with the Cloud (at least until I further research it))

I am NOT very familar with the Cloud and at the moment I am NOT sure that I maybe ok using a cloud based service and may prefer to past older style of hosts if they are still available.

But I have ony recently within the last 2 years become familiar with the term. I dont know or fully understand how it works as yet.
I need to try to look at and try to read in more detail and then to try to understand some of the info on the cloud link Sir Osis's posted
to try to become more familar with it.

But otherwise prior to this , I was a bit concerned or wary of certain things on the internet that I may not trust... or may have concerns that it may have some sort of Govt / security spy type system incorporated in its use.  Having said that, that may apply to numerous if not all things on the internet, as things are so advanced and clever these days its hard to know what such organisations are capable of in terms of them monitoring our online activities if they want to do.
.

Planman, initially had said  (due to typor error) 
I am very familar with the Cloud and at the moment I am NOT sure that I maybe ok using a cloud based service and may prefer to past older style of hosts if they are still available.

Kindred

What exactly do you think "cloud" means??
I suspect that you don't understand the actual meaning of the buzzword

Sorry, sir osis, my question was actually pointed more at the op

[landyvlad]

I understand you may not wish to invest much in hosting - I get that - but at the same time you do get what you pay for to an extent.

As has been mentioned there are many best avoided and top of that list would be godaddy.
What country are you in?

I offer hosting as a reseller (no this isn't an ad) and the cheapest one I offer is $10/month (AUD).  Just as an idea.