I just registered a domain at Network Solutions, I also got Windows web hosting from them.

I am looking for forum software that will run on it. It seems they don't support PHP with the MS hosting and they only support MSSQL and not MySQL. Are these (PHP and MySQL) something that they have to install on their server for me to use? It seems I can get these two things if I switch over to the Unix hosting rather than Windows.

But is there any forum software that will run on my site if I don't have PHP or MySQL?

Thanks!

-John

My opinion is - you should get Linux/Unix based hosting for your site. The choices of software you can run on it greatly increase. Especially if Network Solutions doesn't have their servers compiled to run PHP/Mysql.

Hi John,

I agree with page. Going with linux/unix hosting gives you the opportunity to choose from many different scripts. In most cases, web host who are providing Linux/Unix hosting will provide you with a program called fantastico. With fantastico you can install a script for a forum in a matter of minutes.

Many forum softwares including phpBB supports both MySQL and MSSQL. Just make sure you select the correct db type while installing.

On Windows http://www.yetanotherforum.net/ runs very well.

I would also have choses a Linux based hosting solution for a forum but if you like Windows based hosting just make sure you setup your forum using MSSQL. You may want to ask your host which forum they recommend as this may be one they know well and can better support you since you are learning.

Thanks everyone. I tried Yet Another Forum but it's a mess. The documentation is non-existant, and I still cannot get it installed correctly on a subdomain (i.e. forum.mydomain.net).

I don't think I can use forum software that requires PHP, because I don't believe my host (Network Solutions) supports PHP with their Windows hosting (is that odd?).

Thanks all.

I'd also suggest switching over to a Unix hosted account.

phpbb, minibb, vbulletin, invision - lots of options for mysql/php

Windows supports PHP, but it's arguably a more difficult setup for the web host. Some Windows servers may not have installed PHP support.

The Network Solutions web site (http://www.networksolutions.com/web-hosting/) mentions Windows or Unix hosting and says:


All Web Hosting Packages include:
[...]
Scripting functionality (PHP or ASP/.net)
Database functionality (MySQL or MSSQL/Access)


I'm assuming that their Unix hosting may offer PHP and MySql; their Windows hosting *may* only offer ASP.net and MSSql/Access.

If you're not looking to switch web hosts just yet, perhaps you could have them switch you from a Windows to a Unix platform? The change may not cost you anything monetarily, and that should enable PHP and MySQL support.

-mike