Using VBulletin for internal LAN only.

[Homer Simpson]

Hi all,

I work for a large company with a lot of knowledge and experience about to head out the door due to retirement. We are looking into using a community forum to share operating experience and knowledge.

I dont know very much about LANS or networks, but what I want is the forum to be run on our internal INTRAnet only. It could not be accessable or viewable through the INTERnet.

Could this be done?? What is required?? I have not yet contacted our IT department, I want to have a good idea of what I need before diving in.

Thanks very much,
Chris.

[Zachery]

More than possible, just need an internal webserver, setup to run php, mysql and some http server.

[Scott MacVicar]

We have several customers who use vBulletin internally for internal staff communication, as Zach said you only require is a web server connected to your local network.

[madspoon]

Hi,

You can consider me another customer who is using vbulletin as an intranet/extranet or will be....

I am using it more or less as a CMS(?) "read only board" for technical/parts bulletins for our dealer network (Being an automotive distributor) I find vbulletin is a very good interface for people with little or no net knowledge to use. And the friendly skins give it an easy read feel.

I have a number of questions though and this thread seems apt.

An example of my basic set up is:
Aftersales
>Parts
>>Accessories
>>Pricing
>>Procedures
>Technical
>>Campaigns
>>Procedures

Now I have set up user groups which have access to some forums and not others.
What I intend to do is subscribe a user to a forum (I am creating the users they are not registering themselves) so that every time a bulletin is posted they are emailed but my concern is that through the userCP they might change settings or unsubscribe.

Is there a way of removing certin userCP controls or hiding them from menus/options? Or is there a recommened "skin" that is more CMS/extranet orientated? (Less user menu/nav bar options)

Forgive me if these options are in the adminCP and I have missed them. It is more of a vertical climb than a learning curve for me! I have no prior IT knowledge.

I hope the above makes sense!
Many Thanks for any help provided!
David

[Colin F]

David,

All you can do is edit the templates to remove the links to unsubscribe.
I don't know of a CMS/extranet-like skin.