Forum on VH

[MaggieS]

Hi MaggieS here (again - the 'S' stands for stupid!)

After the problems getting my new domain actually live everything has been great. I have got the forum out there and members are finding us and joining etc. All good I thought.

I have been asked to add some phpbb mods to the forum (I used the fantastico phpbb) and I have successfully added ratings and stars, avatars and some recoloured template thingies. (All the really easy stuff...)

I have been asked now to add a chatbox to the top of the forum (but this is not a demand just a request wont be the end of the world not to have it), and look into adding a games arcade for the members (definite request) also a portal page (I dont even know what that is yet!).

Anyway question is, looking at the TOS you cannot add arcade or chat to the VH site. So can anyone advise me what to do now?

If I move to a different host I will lose all the new members or can I transfer the database of members and posts???

Or is it possible to host the arcade on a different host but have it linked somehow to members of the forum?

Or am I misunderstanding the TOS.

I like so much using VH and BV is great but I have to provide 'the boss' with what he wants. I explained to him when he wanted this forum set up that he could have it on the present account etc 'just need to buy domain' I said now do I have to tell him I messed up???

#15095

[Vasili]

Re: Forum on VH

You are reading correct that VodaHost TOS does not allow Chat scripts to run on the servers, and there is not way to ghost (or 'layer') the function onto a pre-exisiting phpBB platform you have hosted at VodaHost (especially a Fantastico! installation).

The alternative (which you also correctly assumed) is to host elsewhere, successfully transferring your entire database with you to maintain continuity of your Board.
This will spell out how to do this in detail > http://www.phpbb.com/kb/article/tran...ost-or-domain/

As far as hosting your arcade elsewhere, it seems to be a moot point (if deciding to migrate), but linking it from your phpBB to the arcade Index hosted elsewhere is as simply as providing a link: merely set it to open Target=_blank (in a new Tab/Window) anywhere in your Board as a text link .... just as seen here in VodaTalk at the top, where things like FEATURES and SUPPORT are actually separate domains and separately hosted.
This same method may still suffice for both issues: keep your phpBB Forum at VodaHost (a lot easier than migrating), and host both chat and arcade elsewhere, linking to them independently via 'new windows' .... I personally don't think people will notice or care, and actually prefer to have different functions in different windows ....

A Portal Page for your phpBB?? Pretty simple .... here is an example of a Portal Page (or "Intro") for a phpBB a good friend of mine did for hers > http://www.BlueVodaChat.com
You "land" on the Portal Page first, then can proceed to the actual board.

[MaggieS]

Re: Forum on VH

Thank you for responding Vasili,I appreciate that.

Another question ref setting up an arcade with diff host and linking to it - would there be a way to have the members names etc show up on the arcade or would they have to log in again to use the arcade, i.e. would this be a bit 'unsmooth'?

I have looked at the link you provided and it is a foreign language to me but I will read it a few more times. Thank you again for responding.

[Vasili]

Re: Forum on VH

No, Visitors would have to Logon to the Arcade itself .... no way of "sharing" functions between two very different platforms (scripts).

Were I you, I would keep your Board here and set up the Chat and Arcade where you can, keeping them all independent of each other, and let Visitors do what they need to do (logging in each time they wish to participate in whatever) just like they need to do everywhere else in the world.
Again, even here it is the same: look at how being logged into VodaTalk does not preface you logging into either the Chat or official Customer area of Support > http://vodahost.com/vodasupport

You can do it, Maggie!