Anyone know of a good free guild forum host? - Guild Wars Forums

Roken · May 24, 2005, 09:13 PM // 21:13

I have tried about 5 different forum hosts today, and all of them had huge falls. One made you log in everytime you wanted to read a topic, some were just too confusing to set up (Couldnt add catogories or new forum sections), others were just buggy.

Anyone know of a good free forum host?

Jaide · May 24, 2005, 09:33 PM // 21:33

I've heard good things about http://www.invisionboard.com/

Hopefully that's not one of them you've already tried.

Wind · May 25, 2005, 10:16 AM // 10:16

Invision, while being a very great and well coded piece of software, is licensed and you have to pay for it and you would need to host it yourself (or they sell hosting). I know someone on another forum I post on who has a free forum website, let me go find it really quick.

pfb · May 25, 2005, 12:25 PM // 12:25

http://excoboard.com/

Quote:

The ExCo board is a simple to use free message board, with advanced features. Your board is hosted by us, so you dont't have to worry about backups, bandwidth usage or installing and maintaining databases.

I've used them before for a board -quite good for a free forum...

Jaide · May 25, 2005, 07:01 PM // 19:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wind

Invision, while being a very great and well coded piece of software, is licensed and you have to pay for it and you would need to host it yourself (or they sell hosting). I know someone on another forum I post on who has a free forum website, let me go find it really quick.

I think they have some sort of free option, which I'm sure doesn't have as many features as a paid option. Because all the people I've heard of who have made an Invision forum have gotten them for free. Unless they've only recently become pay-only, or there's something else I'm missing. ^^;

The IOU · May 25, 2005, 07:09 PM // 19:09

I don't think so:
http://www.invisionboard.com/act.ips...ad?subc=splash

I'll mention this though. Sometimes when I sign up for web hosting in the control panel there is a "Forums" button I can press and it automatically installs a messageboard for me. Sometimes that is invisionboard...sometimes it is php board (just depends on the host).

That is free in the aspect you are paying the webhost a monthly fee. Maybe that is why they thought it was free?

Jaide · May 28, 2005, 07:38 PM // 19:38

Oops, my mistake. Here's what I was thinking of: http://s11.invisionfree.com/

Sorry for the misinformation earlier, but you can see where I made the mistake. ^_^;

Arvydas · May 31, 2005, 09:53 PM // 21:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaide

Oops, my mistake. Here's what I was thinking of: http://s11.invisionfree.com/

Sorry for the misinformation earlier, but you can see where I made the mistake. ^_^;

Hehe was about to mention invisionFREE..

here's another one. www.phpbbforfree.com

Novus · May 31, 2005, 10:17 PM // 22:17

While not free, this option is pretty close to -- and you can have your own domain and hosting for about $15 or less if you're thrifty.

http://www.intelnetics.com (try their ebay auctions - $10 for a years hosting is nothing at all to scoff at.)
http://www.aplus.net is a supurb registrar, and other domain registars are availible for even less.

I know it's not free, but for all the features one recieves with a cheap service, you can't beat it.

</plug>

Winterclaw · May 31, 2005, 11:55 PM // 23:55

Try www.proboards.com

It isn't fancy but it'll do. No popups, there is only a banner ad on top.

dansamy · Jun 01, 2005, 01:12 AM // 01:12

Have you tried ezboard.com? I know they have banner ads, but it's not too bad.

Ascension · Jun 01, 2005, 01:52 AM // 01:52

In terms of Exco and Phhp, I'd favour Exco. They're about the same on the first look, although Exco is MUCH simpler in terms of it's modification. Even someone with my computer/programming skills (i.e. none!

) can modify it and have it look good.

Galatea · Jun 02, 2005, 05:38 PM // 17:38

we've been using proboards. they're doing an update right now to make the service better.

however, if you've got your own webhosting, i'd go with a php board like invision power board.

defiler · Jun 03, 2005, 02:10 PM // 14:10

http://www.guildportal.com

Good features, they do have a banner ad though and you can pay to remove it (of course)

blythe · Jun 05, 2005, 12:25 AM // 00:25

www.simgames.net

You get your own www.guildname.com domain name and unlimited hosting. It's like a real website host (like godaddy) but free and can only be used for games.

Rhunex · Jun 08, 2005, 08:32 AM // 08:32

Actually, one of the best sites I have found for clans(and this is uber uber cheap)...
Is http://www.fragism.com
This site is made for people who want to make their own clan sites. You can have the free package, includes room for an internet site(for ruels, and such) and they give you an easy to use forum.

Warning: You need a WYSIWYG program or basic knowledge of HTML, as this site does not host a site builder like geocities or other free web hosting sites.

But, this is an easy way to get it all into one package(without linking a proboards forum to a geocities site, or whichever combination of free forum/free site you want to use).

AND, it impresses people when they see their clan name in the URL...no real reason for it...but it's fun to see it there ^^

VigStorm · Jun 12, 2005, 11:54 PM // 23:54

Roken, if your interested in using an invision board for free, come by Gwtrade.net

In our forums we are hosting numerous guilds and we wouldn't mind hosting you. We'll give you all the options you would get for using invision boards. PM me if interested, and we can get you set up.

Immortal Flame · Jun 14, 2005, 02:16 AM // 02:16

I'm using ezboard.com right now. However, i think after the initial 30 day premium trial you can't use stickies anymore. can someone check on this?

Andarius Diesethion · Jun 15, 2005, 03:57 PM // 15:57

I use InvisionFree for my hosting and the only problem I have encountered is this:

It's not a board specifically for my guild so the only way to restrict access to my guild's board is to make it Admin Only. Well, the people I have designated for admin aren't in my guild which isn't terrible but you see. And also, I can't make the board for my guild hidden unless I want it on a seperate URL with a password which I don't want to do.

Lord Alden · Jun 18, 2005, 12:51 PM // 12:51

for any type of community, I recommend SMF. www.simplemachines.org , they are great. Here is an outline of some of the forums features:

Quote:

Comprehensive Themes: Not only can you control the default theme for your community, but you can also allow your users to select from a range of themes themselves.
Blazing-Fast Database: Not only do we make use of a MySQL back-end, but we've also gone to great lengths to ensure the database design is fast and efficient.
Secure File Attachments: Our special file-attaching system allows your users to attach files without fear of corrupting your system.
Automatic Mod Installation: Unique to SMF is our package manager - a system by which you can download and install upgrades and modifications with just a few mouse-clicks.

Unfortunatly you need your own host. I recommend www.astahost.com if you are looking for free hosting. They require you activly post on their forums, but the more you post, the more hosting credits you get, which lead to free hosting for any type of forum really.

May 24, 2005, 09:13 PM // 21:13	#1
Roken Lion's Arch Merchant Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Jacksonville, Florida (US) Guild: Corpse Ecstacy[Crps] Profession: N/R	Anyone know of a good free guild forum host? I have tried about 5 different forum hosts today, and all of them had huge falls. One made you log in everytime you wanted to read a topic, some were just too confusing to set up (Couldnt add catogories or new forum sections), others were just buggy. Anyone know of a good free forum host?

Jun 03, 2005, 02:10 PM // 14:10	#14
defiler Pre-Searing Cadet Join Date: May 2005	I use Guild Portal http://www.guildportal.com Good features, they do have a banner ad though and you can pay to remove it (of course)

Jun 12, 2005, 11:54 PM // 23:54	#17
VigStorm Pre-Searing Cadet Join Date: May 2005	Roken, if your interested in using an invision board for free, come by Gwtrade.net In our forums we are hosting numerous guilds and we wouldn't mind hosting you. We'll give you all the options you would get for using invision boards. PM me if interested, and we can get you set up. Last edited by VigStorm; Jun 12, 2005 at 11:57 PM // 23:57..

May 24, 2005, 09:33 PM // 21:33	#2
Jaide Academy Page Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Coastal Oregon Guild: Est Deus in Nobis [EDIN] Profession: D/E	I've heard good things about http://www.invisionboard.com/ Hopefully that's not one of them you've already tried.

May 25, 2005, 10:16 AM // 10:16	#3
Wind Frost Gate Guardian Join Date: Apr 2005 Profession: W/Mo	Invision, while being a very great and well coded piece of software, is licensed and you have to pay for it and you would need to host it yourself (or they sell hosting). I know someone on another forum I post on who has a free forum website, let me go find it really quick.

May 25, 2005, 07:09 PM // 19:09	#6
The IOU Krytan Explorer Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Iowa Guild: Guild of Night Profession: Mo/E	I don't think so: http://www.invisionboard.com/act.ips...ad?subc=splash I'll mention this though. Sometimes when I sign up for web hosting in the control panel there is a "Forums" button I can press and it automatically installs a messageboard for me. Sometimes that is invisionboard...sometimes it is php board (just depends on the host). That is free in the aspect you are paying the webhost a monthly fee. Maybe that is why they thought it was free?

May 28, 2005, 07:38 PM // 19:38	#7
Jaide Academy Page Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Coastal Oregon Guild: Est Deus in Nobis [EDIN] Profession: D/E	Oops, my mistake. Here's what I was thinking of: http://s11.invisionfree.com/ Sorry for the misinformation earlier, but you can see where I made the mistake. ^_^;

May 31, 2005, 10:17 PM // 22:17	#9
Novus Pre-Searing Cadet Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Northwestren PA Guild: Looking! Profession: E/Me	While not free, this option is pretty close to -- and you can have your own domain and hosting for about $15 or less if you're thrifty. http://www.intelnetics.com (try their ebay auctions - $10 for a years hosting is nothing at all to scoff at.) http://www.aplus.net is a supurb registrar, and other domain registars are availible for even less. I know it's not free, but for all the features one recieves with a cheap service, you can't beat it. </plug>

May 31, 2005, 11:55 PM // 23:55	#10
Winterclaw Wark!!! Join Date: May 2005 Location: Florida Profession: W/	Try www.proboards.com It isn't fancy but it'll do. No popups, there is only a banner ad on top.

Jun 01, 2005, 01:12 AM // 01:12	#11
dansamy Chasing Dragons Join Date: May 2005 Location: Lost in La-La Land Guild: LFGuild Profession: Mo/Me	Have you tried ezboard.com? I know they have banner ads, but it's not too bad.

Jun 01, 2005, 01:52 AM // 01:52	#12
Ascension Academy Page Join Date: May 2005 Location: Ontario, Canada Guild: Celebrity Gangsters [FamE]	In terms of Exco and Phhp, I'd favour Exco. They're about the same on the first look, although Exco is MUCH simpler in terms of it's modification. Even someone with my computer/programming skills (i.e. none! ) can modify it and have it look good.

Jun 02, 2005, 05:38 PM // 17:38	#13
Galatea Core Guru Join Date: Feb 2005 Guild: The Drifters [DRFT] Profession: E/Me	we've been using proboards. they're doing an update right now to make the service better. however, if you've got your own webhosting, i'd go with a php board like invision power board.

Jun 05, 2005, 12:25 AM // 00:25	#15
blythe Ascalonian Squire Join Date: May 2005	www.simgames.net You get your own www.guildname.com domain name and unlimited hosting. It's like a real website host (like godaddy) but free and can only be used for games.

Jun 08, 2005, 08:32 AM // 08:32	#16
Rhunex Krytan Explorer Join Date: May 2005 Guild: Dark Nightmare Profession: E/	Actually, one of the best sites I have found for clans(and this is uber uber cheap)... Is http://www.fragism.com This site is made for people who want to make their own clan sites. You can have the free package, includes room for an internet site(for ruels, and such) and they give you an easy to use forum. Warning: You need a WYSIWYG program or basic knowledge of HTML, as this site does not host a site builder like geocities or other free web hosting sites. But, this is an easy way to get it all into one package(without linking a proboards forum to a geocities site, or whichever combination of free forum/free site you want to use). AND, it impresses people when they see their clan name in the URL...no real reason for it...but it's fun to see it there ^^

Jun 14, 2005, 02:16 AM // 02:16	#18
Immortal Flame Lion's Arch Merchant Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: LA, California Guild: Nothing to Lose [NtL]	I'm using ezboard.com right now. However, i think after the initial 30 day premium trial you can't use stickies anymore. can someone check on this?

Jun 15, 2005, 03:57 PM // 15:57	#19
Andarius Diesethion Pre-Searing Cadet Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Missouri Guild: Death is Temporary Profession: R/W	I use InvisionFree for my hosting and the only problem I have encountered is this: It's not a board specifically for my guild so the only way to restrict access to my guild's board is to make it Admin Only. Well, the people I have designated for admin aren't in my guild which isn't terrible but you see. And also, I can't make the board for my guild hidden unless I want it on a seperate URL with a password which I don't want to do.