rg8043

I loaded smf to a subdirectory which I named test. The program loaded with no problem. I want to experiment with setting up my boards etc before I make it public. When I pointed my browser to the www. mydomain/test directory, the forum loaded. Is there a way to make this directory private, so that I can make sure that no one can access it until I launch the site? Thank you Rob G.

I am new and need some help. I have set the dns so that I can go to the web and view my domain. When I go to the domain I am presented with 5 directories. parent,private,cig-bin, images and post info.html. First, what are the signficance of these directories, and is there a way to "turn off" my website so that no one else can visit it until it is finished? I read that the preferred method to upload files to the website was to use fantastico. I clicked on it, and it took me to the smf forum and I was presented with the option of using the webinstaller. I was under the impression that fantistico would install the smf database? If so, I could not figure out how to do this when I used the control panel. The webinstaller asked me to install the program into the directory that I want my forum to be located in, which is the preferred directory for this install? Thank you again for all your help. Rob G.

Thank you; is there a way to keep the site private so I can edit etc before I launch it? ( I am assuming that I will have an audience!) thanks again

I am a beginner, who wants to set up a forum on the web. Once I purchase web hosting, what is my next step? Do I go to the SMF site and choose a theme? Once I have chosen my theme, I assume I will load it on to my domain, and from there I can set up the various forums for people to post and answer questions. If the above is correct, how do you make sure that everything is working correctly before opening the forum to the public? I need help in figuring out how to load the software to to the domain, and what resources are there to review to accomplish all of this. Thank you for your help. Rob G.

where do I go to view what the SMF forum template looks like? I would like to see an example of what the bulletin board is going to look like before I commit to that program.

[it makes sense to me to integrate my web program with the hosting company. Where can I find Fantatico and view its examples, etc. I am interested in looking at how the forums display, what is involved in administrating the site, etc. Thanks for your reply Rob

I would like to start a webpage that has a bulletin board to discuss topics in a certain field. I found a site that I vist , that I thought would be perfect for what I have in mind, so I sent the owner an email and he advised me that he uses total choice hosting, and phpbb.com for the software to run the bulletin board. I checked out phpbb and found that they have numerous templates that seem to offer exactly what I want to use in the bulleting board. I have a domain name, now I would like to design my website/software. First, I do not know what size bandwith I should purchase from Tch. Second, can someone recommend a book or manual to read that explains how to upload the website template and get it fine tuned before it is open to the public? Is there a way to download the software and set up a website on your personal computer before putting it on the web? I am sure you can guess that I am new to this by my basis questions, but I am excited to get this up and see if I can attract users to my site. Thank you in advance. Rob G.