Question from a beginner

[mlalande]

Hi there everyone,
I have a few questions.

Firstly, I have a great idea for a forum that I have been working on. The problem is, do I need to know code before I order my board and get it up? I know basic html and flash (web isn't my talent). I have played with the demo and find it quite user friendly. Any thoughts? Is vbulleting made for the non-professional?

Secondly, i want to host the board as the root of my site until my affiliate choices are all figured out. Is it difficult to allow ad space to run beside or on top of the board? (ie link exchanges...).

Thanks,

[mlalande]

more specific - i dont know a damn think about php or mysql. will this matter for the use and operation of a board?

[Onimua]

Nope; after setup (which is really changing the config.php file to include your database details, and then just a click-through process for installation), what you see in the demo is pretty much you get in the end product.

Coding knowledge in general (PHP, HTML, etc.) isn't needed at all to get your board up and running; most new people to vBulletin get along just fine, and if any problem is found, or any help needed, the support forums and the ticket system are usually fast and effecient enough to provide a quick answer.

So no, it's pretty simple to set up, and vBulletin is fine for almost any kind of web site.

As for your question about ads and such, there are plenty of plugins and other modifications to include things like Google AdSense (just to name one); they are relatively easy to place into the templates and get working on your board. Again, if you need help, either the support forums or the ticket system is there; anything more like custom coding can be asked at vbulletin.org.

[mlalande]

Thanks Onimua.

[mlalande]

the only thing that was worrying me was that I might have needed to be familar with php or mysql.

[mlalande]

I was reading the online manual - and I dont understand a damn thing about php or my sql. Can someone make this a little more clear. Do I need to know any programming language, knowledge of PHP or mysql? Can I download the board, upload it to my website, and configure? Sorry guys, I am jsut a little confused here. thanks.

[WinWinvista]

Yes you can just download configure a few settings then off you go. You dont need any knowledge of php/mysql because i started off with one when i didnt have any knowledge!