Easiest way to install Vbulletin?

[corndog]

Excited about 3.7, I'm thinking of giving this a try, but concerned about the time required to get this running. I don't wish to spend 50 hours learning about how php/mysql works. I'm starting from scratch, and wish to keep things as simple as possible.

A few questions:

1. What is the absolute easiest way to get vbulletin running? I'm looking for something that has the least amount of screwing around with php, and mysql. I don't understand the need, or the concept, and wish to spend the least amount of time possible messing with them. I shouldn't have to mention this, but security is still a concern. Please don't give advise for some terrible low security setup just because I "asked for the easiest way".

2. If I want to start with a home server, is there a live linux distro that comes ready to roll? Again, with the least amount of php/mysql work to be done.

3. At some point, maybe even from the start, I will want to go with a dedicated server from some company. Can anyone recommend something reliable in the sub $100/month range? Once again, with the easiest php/mysql work to be done. It should be obvious by my newbieness that traffic is not much of a concern.

Finally, go easy, I'm green!

[SwollenCranium]

Since you REPEATEDLY stressed the word "easy" and because of the statements in comment #3 I have no choice, in your case, but to recommend that you find a Host that offers Vbulletin install services as well as hosting plans.

There are many of these available and a simply web search should generate a modest list.

Regardless of what any one at Vbulletin will tell you and regardless of what the average egghead coder will tell you about personalizing Vbulletin is that VB does not qualify for easy, peasy, Mac and cheesy.

It takes a fair amount of manipulation to get an individualized Vb product.

Of course, the product is 100% usable straight from the install screen with very few if any modifications. If you like your style 'vanilla' that is.

[gforce75]

I agree. If you have a team of coders or people to help you, you should be fine, but without knowing the basics... your forum will be basic also. A good way to get around the html is to use dreamweaver so you can see areas in design mode rather than code mode.. but you have to understand how it functions.

GL

[howard30]

If you need someone to install it and what not i can help you out...

[corndog]

Thank you folks very much for the straightforwardness, and taking the time to respond. I hadn't realized there were vbulletin hosting services, I figured I would have to hire someone if I ran into trouble. Serverpoint may work out well for me. Thanks again!

[Marco van Herwaarden]

1. Most hosts that offer a supported version of PHP and Mysql should be able to run vBulletin. Installing vBulletin is not difficult and if the instructions are followed then it should also not be a problem for a less experienced user. If installing, if needed with the assistence of our support team, is something you don't want to do yourself, then you can purchase the Professional Installation service at any time. For a starting board a shared hosting solution might be the best way to start.

2. Running a live website from a home server is not really recommended. Most personal (home) internet connections are not capable of serving many pages towards the internet.

3. I suggest that you start looking for a dedicated server once a VPS is not sufficient anymore.

PS To those that say that vBulletin is not easy, my personal view:
- Installing vBulletin is easy, most of our customers can do this without any assistence.
- Running vBulletin might look difficult in the beginning because of the large number of options. Once you get familiar with the AdminCP, it should however not be too difficult.
- Changing the looks of your board, might be as simple as installing a ready made style. Ofcourse you can also adjust the looks yourself, which is mostly done with plain HTML/CSS. If you do not have any HTML experience, but still want to have a custom style, then it might be advisable to hire someone with more experience.
- Installing most modifications can also be done with just a few clicks. If you want to write your own customisations, then ofcourse you will need to have more PHP/MySQL/HTML knowledge.

Bottom line: Default vBulletin is not too difficult to install or run.

[Mag1c]

Originally Posted by Marco van Herwaarden

1. Most hosts that offer a supported version of PHP and Mysql should be able to run vBulletin. Installing vBulletin is not difficult and if the instructions are followed then it should also not be a problem for a less experienced user. If installing, if needed with the assistence of our support team, is something you don't want to do yourself, then you can purchase the Professional Installation service at any time. For a starting board a shared hosting solution might be the best way to start.

2. Running a live website from a home server is not really recommended. Most personal (home) internet connections are not capable of serving many pages towards the internet.

3. I suggest that you start looking for a dedicated server once a VPS is not sufficient anymore.

PS To those that say that vBulletin is not easy, my personal view:
- Installing vBulletin is easy, most of our customers can do this without any assistence.
- Running vBulletin might look difficult in the beginning because of the large number of options. Once you get familiar with the AdminCP, it should however not be too difficult.
- Changing the looks of your board, might be as simple as installing a ready made style. Ofcourse you can also adjust the looks yourself, which is mostly done with plain HTML/CSS. If you do not have any HTML experience, but still want to have a custom style, then it might be advisable to hire someone with more experience.
- Installing most modifications can also be done with just a few clicks. If you want to write your own customisations, then ofcourse you will need to have more PHP/MySQL/HTML knowledge.

Bottom line: Default vBulletin is not too difficult to install or run.

Took the words right out of my mouth. Nice description mate.

[Zaiaku]

Easiest way to get it running? It's proably the easiest forum script to get running. Seriously it takes less then 10min to get it running. Tweaking the settings and adding mods and stuff may take you some time depending on what you want but just vb itself and defaul settings you be up and running in under 10mins.

[notrious]

man vb doesn,t take even 15 mints to installed.

there,s nothing else easy than vb

[WFZ]

vB looks hard when you take a glance at it, but it's really easy to do.

You just edit the .config file and your up and rolling (pretty much)