Hi :
I am in the process of starting a forum, pretty much like this one. I need to know what the minimum requirements are. I know that I will need php and MYSQL, but I dont know how many databases to start. I need the minimum of the requirements to start until the site grows. will you please share your knwoledge on this and recommend a reliable host?

Wrong forum but...

You will need probably only one database. (backup often)
and with the amount of people on these forums you would need quite a bit of bandwidth depending on if you allowed them to have avitars/ big sigs. As for space <500mb should do you but that is only if you got large.

Just starting out things like 1-5gb/mo and 100mb should suite your needs till you got bigger.

Adam

You should need only 100 - 200mb space and 5-10gb data transfer to get you started. 5Gb of transfer on a forum is a lot of visites. You can add more ad needed.

2-5 databases will do fine. 1 DB for the forums and 1 for ad management.

Don't go with a cheap host, or a new one. Take a look at:
http://httpme.com
http://spenix.com
http://hostingmatters.com
http://venturesonline.com

Thay are all top of the line.

Just be sure to search on this forum and on Google for any host you may select.

Originally posted by Scuzzy
Hi :
I am in the process of starting a forum, pretty much like this one. I need to know what the minimum requirements are. I know that I will need php and MYSQL, but I dont know how many databases to start. I need the minimum of the requirements to start until the site grows. will you please share your knwoledge on this and recommend a reliable host?

You will need one database for your forum.
www.UnitedHosting.co.uk is a reliable host. The owners are very helpful. Their lowest cost plan ($8) will be adequate for your initial needs. If your site grows, increasing your needs, you can upgade to a larger plan.

Originally posted by sitekeeper
You should need only 100 - 200mb space and 5-10gb data transfer to get you started. 5Gb of transfer on a forum is a lot of visites. You can add more ad needed.

2-5 databases will do fine. 1 DB for the forums and 1 for ad management.

Don't go with a cheap host, or a new one. Take a look at:
http://httpme.com
http://spenix.com
http://hostingmatters.com
http://venturesonline.com

Thay are all top of the line.

Just be sure to search on this forum and on Google for any host you may select.


20gb data transfer is better

Sure but why if they have to pay more! They are just starting out, it will take all of 10 seconds to upgrade their account if it is needed.

So, sitekeeper, you think spenix's plan 1 will do to start with? is a shared server ok? can you suggest good web designers too?

Yes, Spenix.com's Plan 1 -250mb and 10GB- will be a great start. You can then upgrade as needed. 10GB of forum traffic is a whole lot of posts.

Designers?
There many great ones on this board, do a search and check out anyone throughly. There are rip offs too!

Originally posted by Scuzzy
Hi :
I am in the process of starting a forum, pretty much like this one. I need to know what the minimum requirements are. I know that I will need php and MYSQL, but I dont know how many databases to start. I need the minimum of the requirements to start until the site grows. will you please share your knwoledge on this and recommend a reliable host?

You can have all the hard ware in the world... but if you don't have people it is a waste... trust me....

So does that make it not worth trying? I would hope not!

Oh, no, never said that! I just wanted to put that out in the open! Having a board like this takes time, money, and a (small) bit of luck.

if you're looking for designers for forums, make sure you know what you want, as many "forum designers" actually only know how to change the header and footer and charge you a lot for it.

Originally posted by Waterlogged
Wrong forum but...

You will need probably only one database. (backup often)
and with the amount of people on these forums you would need quite a bit of bandwidth depending on if you allowed them to have avitars/ big sigs. As for space <500mb should do you but that is only if you got large.

Just starting out things like 1-5gb/mo and 100mb should suite your needs till you got bigger.

Adam

Actually this is the correct forum...

Scuzzy, go with a host that you feel comfortable w/, great support is always a plus. Start out smaller then when you need to go for an upgrade, thats the great thing about hosting, you don't need to stick w/ the same plan forever.

Originally posted by vlike
20gb data transfer is better

No it's not. This site with as much traffic as it gets *only* uses 400 GB per month and it's huge and extremely active. I've got a site that now has around 3,400 members and is quite active as well and it only uses 30 GB per month.

Just choose a host that can start you out at around 5-10 GB per month and make sure that they have plans that can accomidate your growth later on if you do start using more than that, just as NicRac said.

Thank you all for your inputs, I have decided to start with venturesonline B1000 plan, any experience with ventures?
Coach:
did you say your site uses 400mb disc space? who are you with and what plan if you dont mind..thanks

sorry, that was not venturesonline plan, I meant hostingmatters.com B1000 plan.

Just adding my view to some of the points made here..

20gb data transfer is better

20GB is no better than 1-5GB if you aren't going to use it. That much should be obvious.

Don't go with a cheap host, or a new one.

That's quite a sweeping statement. Just make sure that if you go with a cheap host you know why they're cheap. I don't consider the service we provide cheap but we don't just pocket the extra cash - it goes back into the service and allows us to provide services that aren't widely available.

Scuzzy, go with a host that you feel comfortable w/, great support is always a plus. Start out smaller then when you need to go for an upgrade, thats the great thing about hosting, you don't need to stick w/ the same plan forever.

Sound advice. Great support is always a plus but you decide that it's a prerequisite for any host you want to consider. If/when you have problems you will have to deal with support and you will appreciate it if they are helpful, responsive and don't avoid the issue.

One other word of advice... You may feel safer keeping the domain under your control and just changing the DNS records - this way your host can't hold you to ransom or demand release fees if/when you try to leave.