Setup questions - Big Forum

[LostProphet]

I've run forums for a number of years so I'm pretty well-versed in the basics.
I'm part of a Matrix Online (MMORPG) faction and we're looking to expand our website into something much bigger, incorporating many games.

Ideally there would be a dedicated forum for each game, but with 10 games in total that we're probably looking to cater for, I'd need to stump up over $1000 to achieve that! :eek:

For the record (I have read the sticky up there), could someone verify whether or not my plan original plan is illegal:Homepage: http://www.gamesite.com with main page
MxO subforum: http://mxo.gamesite.com - links only to Matrix Online subforum
WoW subforum: http://wow.gamesite.com - links only to WoW subforum

You get the idea. That's not ideal anyway, as I'd want a way to keep a main "News & Announcements" forum listed at the top of every subforum that was opened.
As it stands, I think (if anyone can offer and alternative solution) the only solution is to operate one main uber-forum page with all subforums for every game-type listed.
However I'd want to open the forum with them all closed to start off with, like this:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/Edhi/page.jpg

I know that once you've "collapsed" a forum, they stay that way when you're logged in. However I want them collapsed as default, can that be done with vBulletin? And, more importantly, is it fairly simple to achieve?


For the record, our current MxO forums have 10 sub-sections, and a total of 63 front-page-viewable forums. With some clever restructuring I'm sure that could be shrunk down somewhat and main forums used to house sub-forums within them.
Can you determine in the control panel how many forums 'deep' the main page goes?

For example, rather than:

Main Catagory
|_Forum 1
|_Forum 2
|_Forum 3 (with subforums inside this, but which are only shown when you actually open this forum)

You could have, displayed on the homepage:

Main Catagory
|_Forum 1
|_Forum 2
|_Forum 3
|_Subforum1
|_Subforum2
|_Forum 4
|_Forum 5

etcetera.


I hope that all made some sense :)

[Floris]

Hello,

10 x owned license == $1,360.00 (discount included).

Yes, it is possible to run one forum and have subdomains point to the categories/forums/anypage. However, the forum will still operate from the main domain.

This might also be a interesting read for your situation: http://www.vbulletin.com/forum/showthread.php?t=103150

[LostProphet]

Ah okay, that's what I was unsure about. I did read that link but wanted clarification.

However, is it possible to selectively hide certain forums as a 'batch' process if you like?

e.g.

If I want to view Matrix Online forums, I go to the subdomain which redirects to the forum, but with everything but the main News & Announcements forum & the MxO forums hidden

[Nakor]

That would indeed be possible. It would require a mod but with the way the vBulletin hooks system works it should be quite easy to implement.

[LostProphet]

Great! Thanks for the info :)

Everything is still in the basic planning phase right now but from what I can tell the vBulletin community looks to provide excellent support!

[Floris]

Thank you for the feedback, and we're looking forward having your as our customer.

[LostProphet]

Just thought I'd say, I have just purchased a 1 year leased license :)

[Floris]

Welcome to the vBulletin Community, and thank you for your recent purchase. Enjoy your new forum software :)

Reminder: May you decide within 30 days after purchase to still want to get teh owned license instead, you can upgrade for $85. After 30 days the costs will be $160.