I want to start a little board for my family members to share events, pictures, etc. So I'm going to add to my wichitaracing.com a subdirectory or something like that, and install a free mysql-based board.

Here are the absolute requirements:
Free.
Easy to use for members. I have some family members that have trouble checking their email. ;)
Can attach pictures. I should also be able, as an admin, to limit the file size that users attach.


Something nice-to-have would be:
Small footprint. I don't want it to take up much resources, and I want it to be as fast as possible for people on dialup.
Aesthetically pleasing.


So give your suggestions!! :)

Invision Board (www.invisionboard.com)
phpBB (www.phpbb.com)

phpBB's total filesize is lower.. less features, too. It's really dependent on which one you prefer.

For the dialup issue, make sure the skin has few, if no images. That's the key.

Roll your own, then you dont have to deal with over-price, snotty developers, baby community members, or other limitations :)

I'd have to agree COMPLETELY with you, Shannara, though for family members, that may not be financially possible!

If you dont have a "MSN sucks" attitude then MSN Groups is great for family forums. All members with a Email/Passport account can upload pics upto 3MB/user for free[I think you can upgrade to 30MB with a paid option]. There are other features like any member can mail messages to other members from the forum. The other members can also set up their own MSN forums with common login. Ofcourse your members will also have email and messenger facility and its free. [Only problem is you cant have tld name so you have to link from a welcome page first]

FOr phpBB go to phpBBhacks.com for some great help, support and mods

Unfortunately I have neither the skill nor time to make my own.

There is a low bandwidth skin available for phpbb. I suggest you go that way.... :D

http://www.webhostingtalk.com/search.php

you know, it's a stupid thing to ask about stuff like that. It's like asking in Amsterdam (or any multi-cultural city) what religion is the best :/

Anyways, you ruled out that it can cost money, so no vBulletin. Then by far invision power board...

is IPB as versitile as phpBB? i heard that IPB is harder to use and phpBB has more "hacks"... dunno what thats supposed to mean though

http://invisionboard.com

IPB is the most easy to moddify and add-on too...

http://gamecache.net/

Started with a simple fresh install, added a download section, new skin, a portal without too much work (I paid for the downloads section so I don't know how hard it was) IPB also has a bunch of hacks http://ibplanet.com 8)

Originally posted by JYC
is IPB as versitile as phpBB? i heard that IPB is harder to use and phpBB has more "hacks"... dunno what thats supposed to mean though

I have not used IPB much, but phpbb I have. In fact just finished a hack today.

www.phpbbhacks.com have plenty of good info. There are always those who will go the other way. 2 competing products. Make a choice based on present needs. If it gets bigger you will end up with something like vB anyway.