New and Lost

[Dayride]

I wanted to purchase vBulletin for a site I am considering creating. I have absolutely -0- knowledge about php or mySQL.

Some questions I have that show just how lost I really am...

Can I purchase a domain name and add the forum to my site... or do I need to own my own server?

For administrators... is knowledge of php or mySQL needed to run a board?... or is it "un-tech" friendly?

Are different templates and colors easy to add or would I need some understanding of coding?

If I need the knowledge in question is there perhaps a version that is "not as good" but requires considerably less knowledge?

I ask because when people have questions or need tech support it seems like what they need to provide for help is way over my head.

Like I said I am -really- new in all of this. I thought vBulletin would help make the site really attractive and just wondered if it was a possibility with my lack of know-how.

[Martin]

Can I purchase a domain name and add the forum to my site... or do I need to own my own server?

Yes. It can be run on a shared solution host, but you need to make sure they off both PHP and mySQL. There is some info from them you will need to get it up and running, like the servername, dbusername, dbpassword

For administrators... is knowledge of php or mySQL needed to run a board?... or is it "un-tech" friendly?

It doesn't hurt, but it isn't really required. My knowledge of PHP/mySQL is limited, yet I run a board that has about 5k members, 100+ of which are there at a time.

Are different templates and colors easy to add or would I need some understanding of coding?

The colors are all added in the Control Panel. The only coding knowledge you would need to change the layout is in HTML.

If I need the knowledge in question is there perhaps a version that is "not as good" but requires considerably less knowledge?

Any version of this board is going to need a little understanding of HTML.

[Dayride]

Thank you very much. It was awfully nice for you to reply.. as I have not yet purchased the product..

I plan on it now. The HTML I will need to learn will be fun.

I think as I get more involved knowledge of the other things will come naturally.

Anyhow that speaks a lot for your product...that it has nice people behind it helping out.

May be about a month or so before I buy it...;)