Website Website OS, Plugins, cost, etc questions

[-=HipKat=-]

The Buffalo Bills forum that I and many others have called home for Buffalo Sports talk, general sports talk and other topics for many years is shutting down at the end of the year.

 

I volunteered to build and host a new forum and have secured several domain names one of will be the new site name. BuffaloSportsVoice.com is probably going to win out.

 

Regardless, I haven't built or run a forum in over 10 years and I LOVE this one. The options for plugins, the layout, etc are perfect but I want to find out best way to start and build the site, basically.

 

I can meet up on Discord if anyone wants to at least point me in the right direction.

 

Thanks!!

 

 

[-=HipKat=-]

So here's the rudimentary, early version, if anyone's interested

 

https://buffalosportsvoice.com/

[-=HipKat=-]

On 12/10/2023 at 3:17 PM, daredevil said:

Aren't they using IPS app as well?  Are they shutting down because of funds OR just someone lost interest and moving on? 

 

My suggestion: IPS is not what they used to be i.e. they removed all custom addons from their site recently and it's freaking mess. Sign up for a demo for both IPS and Xenforo. See which you like and go from their. 

 

As long as you know how to manage VPS / dedicated server, you should be fine.  Use AWS for email or Postfix if you want to run your own mail server. 

 

If you had used commercial web hosting in past, I suggest going on cPanel route till your forum is popular and then change it up. This way you don't need to maintain server but just website. 

 

I got 2 spare IPS license - full suite. Problem is IPS doesn't allow to sell OR else, I would give you one of my license and you would save 500$ + Tax - straight up.  

 

Currently we are paying 400$/year + tax in renewal + Addon $$ (IPS addons mind you are expensive)  - that's just licensing cost. Now, hosting cost is different. 

 

 

Their cloud plan is crazy expensive: 1200$/year + tax. Jeeeeez

 

 

 

After a year with Xenforo, I really like it, BUT I also pay a ton of money per year. $780!!

 

I could be convinced to do a backup and move my site to a different server and go completely self-hosted. I just have to learn more about it

[daredevil]

4 hours ago, -=HipKat=- said:

After a year with Xenforo, I really like it, BUT I also pay a ton of money per year. $780!!

 

I could be convinced to do a backup and move my site to a different server and go completely self-hosted. I just have to learn more about it

 

I had told you beforehand to go self-hosted. $$ amt does hurt when it comes from pocket....and slowly after few year you will start questioning yourself, why pay if you don't have active helpers.

 

Donate to =F|A= and I will do the rest   You wouldn't have to worry for upgrades, security issues, server issues, etc.  

[-=HipKat=-]

15 hours ago, daredevil said:

 

I had told you beforehand to go self-hosted. $$ amt does hurt when it comes from pocket....and slowly after few year you will start questioning yourself, why pay if you don't have active helpers.

 

Donate to =F|A= and I will do the rest   You wouldn't have to worry for upgrades, security issues, server issues, etc.  

The reason I don't go self-hosted is because of time - I really don't have a lot - and the knowledge of how to set it all up manually.

 

[daredevil]

8 hours ago, -=HipKat=- said:

The reason I don't go self-hosted is because of time - I really don't have a lot - and the knowledge of how to set it all up manually.

 

 

That's why I offered my help and in-return =F|A= gets additional funding  Win win for both.  Why pay to XF when you can use the same money to donate for  =F|A= servers. 

 

Now if you have doubt that things would go down, then it's different story but my track record for =F|A= website is pretty excellent in last 10 years. However end decision is yours.  We can talk more on discord if you like.

 

Even though i disappear from time to time for short breaks, personal life, etc. i am always 24 x 7 when server goes down. 

[-=HipKat=-]

On 11/22/2024 at 12:49 PM, daredevil said:

 

That's why I offered my help and in-return =F|A= gets additional funding  Win win for both.  Why pay to XF when you can use the same money to donate for  =F|A= servers. 

 

Now if you have doubt that things would go down, then it's different story but my track record for =F|A= website is pretty excellent in last 10 years. However end decision is yours.  We can talk more on discord if you like.

 

Even though i disappear from time to time for short breaks, personal life, etc. i am always 24 x 7 when server goes down. 

OK, I'll get you on Discord this week.