Own a forum . com

is my latest domain purchase... I think everyone know's what I am going to do with this domain. lol's.. I don't know much about running forum hosting scripts. Anyone got experience in this? Should I purchase one, build a custom forum from the ground up? Or edit phpBB, smf, ect to suit my needs? =0

 

I would suggest you make a custom forum script, if each person is going to get their own instance of it.

 

That was my favorite option, then I was having to worry about templates for it.

 

I would advice you that you purchase one, which should cost you not more than $35 to get one. It will save you a lot of time.

 

+1 There is no point in developing a forum software if there is already a existing software that suits your needs.

 

I would just purchase one. You know it works well and that any bugs will be fixed fairly quickly. Also gives you a much wider array of mods, themes and support from other users.

 

Maybe try stuff like:

http://www.smfmulti.com/

http://www.phpbbhs.com/

http://www.yabbserver.com/en/index.html

There are a ton of others too, it's just that many of them tend to shut down due to lack of sales or whatever. Maybe try asking on various webmaster forums as well.

 

I would just use a Free one and customize it to the way you need it or find a paid one that has more of the options/extra features included with what you are looking for.
Either way and even with the free ones there's heaps of add ons available to make your forum unique and custom to your niche.

 

A paid one can only be used by one user...

What will you actually be doing?