Possible Solution To Making A HomePage

[Des_Lab]

Ok. I think I get it. VBulletin, in and of itself does not contain any sort of static homepage. The forum ITSELF *IS* the homepage. That part I understand. But I still want a homepage and I think I may have come up with a solution. But I still want to run it by you pros to see if it's even possible, and if so, how do I do it without wrecking my forum.

So here's the skinny.

I registered and purchased a domain name through GoDaddy.

I purchased and downloaded (actually had someone do it for me) a VBulletin package/license.

My SERVER is through BlueHost.

I was told that it's never a good idea to have both your domain name registration *and* the hosting with the same company.

I still have an unused "Website tonight" package with GoDaddy. In comparison to VBulletin, it's pretty easy to customize, use, and set up, being that it consists almost entirely of convenient point-and-click drop down menus.

Now here's my idea. I have it laid out in my mind. But thinking it and articulating it clearly and succinctly here are two different things. So try and follow me.

Currently, my domain/website name and URL takes you straight to my VBulletin forum front page.

Is there a way to change the index or URL name so that it basically links back to itself and that way I can use the forum as a link in my "new" homepage that would show up whenever the website address is entered?

In other words, currently, you type in http//www.mysite.net and the first thing you see is my forum. (note: colon removed so that my text doesn't become a link)

Can I change the index or URL name or whatever to be something like (for example) http//www.mysite.net/forum?

And then RE-LAUNCH http//www.mysite.net as the new site and have my forum as a link to "FORUM" ON that page?

Does this make sense?

The last thing I would want to have happen is to [re]launch my site and have my VBulletin program disappear down a Black Hole.

(as an aside, if I were to do that, is my VBulletin and everything on it still recoverable?)

Is my idea possible?

And if so, how do I do it?

KEEPING IN MIND that I am a hobbyist and beginner. I am not by any stretch of the imagination a code programmer. I will need this explained step by step. For example, if one of the tasks would be to 'change the directory name', fine. But you will need to explain to me HOW to 'change the directory name'.

And lastly. Keep in mind that my HOSTING is with BlueHost and my DOMAIN is with GoDaddy.

Which one would I need to create the homepage with in order for it to work?

[Jason Buchanan]

I think you would just simply include the URL to your forum in the link you provide on your homepage. Doesn't matter if it is on another host or not. Here is an example:

[FONT=Courier New]<a href=[URL]http://www.mydomain.com/forum[/URL]>My Forum</a>[/FONT]

So when you click on "My Forum" it will take you to the link stated in the Anchor Tag. The only downside is that when you hover over the link "My Forum" the URL will be displayed. The user's could then just link tou your forum, by-passing your homepage. Which isn't a big deal.

[Hayk]

Hi. Go first to your cpanel. Enter the directory where your forum is placed (public_html I guess if it is not an add-on domain), create a folder from the top menu called "forums" or "forum" or anything you like. Then select all vbulletin files and folders and move them to the just created folder ("forums", "forum" etc.). Change the URL info in your vBulletin members area to yourdomain.com/forums. Then you should place your homepage solution on public_html and once it is built link on it to your forums:

<a href="http://www.yourdomain.com/forums">Forums</a>

That's all

[Des_Lab]

Hi. Go first to your cpanel. Enter the directory where your forum is placed (public_html I guess if it is not an add-on domain), create a folder from the top menu called "forums" or "forum" or anything you like. Then select all vbulletin files and folders and move them to the just created folder ("forums", "forum" etc.). Change the URL info in your vBulletin members area to yourdomain.com/forums. Then you should place your homepage solution on public_html and once it is built link on it to your forums:

<a href="http://www.yourdomain.com/forums">Forums</a>

That's all

No offense, but this is exactly the kind of answer I DON'T need. Between "go to CP" and "enter directory", you probably left out thirty steps.

The CP is a pretty big area. So how do I get from there to the directory where I change everything? What links/menus do I have to follow?

I am not at all exaggerating when I say I need "step by step". A flow chart would be nice. Also, I don't want or need any more confusion with a bunch of parenthetical add-on comments such as ("or else", "you can also", etc.).

Just outline the directions in a linear manner please. Whether it's steps 1-5 or 1 -3000.

If anyone can.

Thank you.

[Hayk]

Hi, Des_Lab. I understand you. But you have to understand, that if you don't know what I mean when I say cpanel, then I have to go to hosting questions etc. etc. So, it is actually impossible to describe step by step. Step by step from which step? I guessed that you know what is cpanel. The rest is described step by step

[Des_Lab]

I'm assuming that poster meant CP as in "Control Panel, i.e. the "Admin" section of the site.

I already understand (through trial and error) how most of it works. The parts I get lost in are where are the lines of code are.

Again. I'll reiterate what I want.

Currently, my site name http//www.mysite.net shows the forum as the home page.

I want to change my site name http//www.mysite.net to where a new home page displays. I then want to change my forum to http//www.mypage.net/forums. And link it to the new home page.

How do I overwrite the name and how do I do this without shutting my VBulletin forum down?

Keep in mind that my Domain name is registered through one site (GoDaddy) and my forum is HOSTED with someone else (BlueHost).