I Want To Create a Newgroup-like forum and poll the membership.

Hi FoxFans,

I know this question is not directly related to Foxpro, but I figured this
is the most likely place to get ideas.

I am a board of director for a very large Homeowners association (8,000
members). I want to set up a newsgroup-like forum where the membership can
constantly communicate and exchange ideas the same way we do here on the fox
newsgroup. I want to allow access to members only so I can shut off anyone
who is rude.

I don't want to code this myself unless it's a last resort due to time
constraints. Does anyone know of an off-the-shelf software that would
acommplish this? The whole goal here is to create an atmosphere where
members can voice their opinions about anything from the comfort of their
own computer. I would also like to have a feature where I can routinely
poll the membership to see how they feel on a variety of issues.

This is a very high priority for me, so I greatly appreciate any feedback.
Thanks in Advance!

--
Brett_Slattery

Rush
Tue Dec 30 18:47:42 CST 2003

Consider the Wiki format, which is available for a fee.

- Rush

"Brett_Slattery" <slattery@ewol.com> wrote in message
news:exa7DNzzDHA.3196@TK2MSFTNGP11.phx.gbl...
> Hi FoxFans,
>
> I know this question is not directly related to Foxpro, but I figured this
> is the most likely place to get ideas.
>
> I am a board of director for a very large Homeowners association (8,000
> members). I want to set up a newsgroup-like forum where the membership can
> constantly communicate and exchange ideas the same way we do here on the
fox
> newsgroup. I want to allow access to members only so I can shut off anyone
> who is rude.
>
> I don't want to code this myself unless it's a last resort due to time
> constraints. Does anyone know of an off-the-shelf software that would
> acommplish this? The whole goal here is to create an atmosphere where
> members can voice their opinions about anything from the comfort of their
> own computer. I would also like to have a feature where I can routinely
> poll the membership to see how they feel on a variety of issues.
>
> This is a very high priority for me, so I greatly appreciate any feedback.
> Thanks in Advance!
>
> --
> Brett_Slattery
>
>

Dan
Tue Dec 30 18:46:29 CST 2003

How about a Yahoo group? They're free.

Dan

"Brett_Slattery" <slattery@ewol.com> wrote in message
news:exa7DNzzDHA.3196@TK2MSFTNGP11.phx.gbl...
> Hi FoxFans,
>
> I know this question is not directly related to Foxpro, but I figured this
> is the most likely place to get ideas.
>
> I am a board of director for a very large Homeowners association (8,000
> members). I want to set up a newsgroup-like forum where the membership can
> constantly communicate and exchange ideas the same way we do here on the
fox
> newsgroup. I want to allow access to members only so I can shut off anyone
> who is rude.
>
> I don't want to code this myself unless it's a last resort due to time
> constraints. Does anyone know of an off-the-shelf software that would
> acommplish this? The whole goal here is to create an atmosphere where
> members can voice their opinions about anything from the comfort of their
> own computer. I would also like to have a feature where I can routinely
> poll the membership to see how they feel on a variety of issues.
>
> This is a very high priority for me, so I greatly appreciate any feedback.
> Thanks in Advance!
>
> --
> Brett_Slattery
>
>

Eric
Wed Dec 31 02:14:27 CST 2003

Hello, Brett_Slattery!

You can also get yourself news server software to set up your own news
server and newsgroups. If you already have Exchange available, then you can
use Exchange.
You may like to download the free Yabb web based forum from
http://www.yabbforum.com/.
--
Eric den Doop
www.foxite.com - The Home Of The Visual FoxPro Experts - Powered By VFP8

Brett_Slattery
Wed Dec 31 10:39:56 CST 2003

Eric,

Thanks, but Yabb requires that you have a working knowledge of Perl, and
that it be installed on your computer. I don't meet this requirement.

--
Brett_Slattery

"Eric den Doop" <ericdendoop@xspamblockxfoxite.com> wrote in message
news:unrGdY3zDHA.1908@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...
> Hello, Brett_Slattery!
>
> You can also get yourself news server software to set up your own news
> server and newsgroups. If you already have Exchange available, then you
can
> use Exchange.
> You may like to download the free Yabb web based forum from
> http://www.yabbforum.com/.
> --
> Eric den Doop
> www.foxite.com - The Home Of The Visual FoxPro Experts - Powered By VFP8
>
>

Brett_Slattery
Wed Dec 31 10:41:33 CST 2003

Dan,

Is the Yahoo group real-time, or is it like this newsgroup? I want to
structure this like the newsgroup we are currently on. I don't want real
time chat. I want threads that can be read and responded to anytime.

--
Brett_Slattery

"Dan Freeman" <spam@microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:uxzpodzzDHA.1736@TK2MSFTNGP09.phx.gbl...
> How about a Yahoo group? They're free.

Brett_Slattery
Wed Dec 31 10:42:37 CST 2003

Rush,

Does the Wiki format allow you to create threads like this newsgroup. Also,
does it allow you to control the membership using passwords?
Thanks.
--
Brett_Slattery

"Rush Strong" <rush.strong]@[verizon.net> wrote in message
news:uvAP0czzDHA.2676@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...
> Consider the Wiki format, which is available for a fee.
>
> - Rush
>
> "Brett_Slattery" <slattery@ewol.com> wrote in message
> news:exa7DNzzDHA.3196@TK2MSFTNGP11.phx.gbl...
> > Hi FoxFans,
> >
> > I know this question is not directly related to Foxpro, but I figured
this
> > is the most likely place to get ideas.
> >
> > I am a board of director for a very large Homeowners association (8,000
> > members). I want to set up a newsgroup-like forum where the membership
can
> > constantly communicate and exchange ideas the same way we do here on the
> fox
> > newsgroup. I want to allow access to members only so I can shut off
anyone
> > who is rude.
> >
> > I don't want to code this myself unless it's a last resort due to time
> > constraints. Does anyone know of an off-the-shelf software that would
> > acommplish this? The whole goal here is to create an atmosphere where
> > members can voice their opinions about anything from the comfort of
their
> > own computer. I would also like to have a feature where I can routinely
> > poll the membership to see how they feel on a variety of issues.
> >
> > This is a very high priority for me, so I greatly appreciate any
feedback.
> > Thanks in Advance!
> >
> > --
> > Brett_Slattery
> >
> >
>
>

Neil
Wed Dec 31 11:32:16 CST 2003

Hi Brett,

vBulletin (www.vbulletin.com) is quite widely used for this. It's PHP/MySQL
based, but so long as your host has these installed, I don't think you need
any knowledge of either of them.

HTH,
Neil

"Brett_Slattery" <slattery@ewol.com> wrote in message
news:exa7DNzzDHA.3196@TK2MSFTNGP11.phx.gbl...
> Hi FoxFans,
>
> I know this question is not directly related to Foxpro, but I figured this
> is the most likely place to get ideas.
>
> I am a board of director for a very large Homeowners association (8,000
> members). I want to set up a newsgroup-like forum where the membership can
> constantly communicate and exchange ideas the same way we do here on the
fox
> newsgroup. I want to allow access to members only so I can shut off anyone
> who is rude.
>
> I don't want to code this myself unless it's a last resort due to time
> constraints. Does anyone know of an off-the-shelf software that would
> acommplish this? The whole goal here is to create an atmosphere where
> members can voice their opinions about anything from the comfort of their
> own computer. I would also like to have a feature where I can routinely
> poll the membership to see how they feel on a variety of issues.
>
> This is a very high priority for me, so I greatly appreciate any feedback.
> Thanks in Advance!
>
> --
> Brett_Slattery
>
>

Rush
Wed Dec 31 12:28:03 CST 2003

If you're not familiar with the Wiki format, take as look at the VFP Wiki:

http://fox.wikis.com/wc.dll?Wiki~FoxProWiki

For more info on your own Wiki, see:

http://wikis.com/wc.dll?Wikis~Wikis.Com

- Rush

"Brett_Slattery" <slattery@ewol.com> wrote in message
news:OciaX07zDHA.1708@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
> Rush,
>
> Does the Wiki format allow you to create threads like this newsgroup.
Also,
> does it allow you to control the membership using passwords?
> Thanks.
> --
> Brett_Slattery
>
> "Rush Strong" <rush.strong]@[verizon.net> wrote in message
> news:uvAP0czzDHA.2676@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...
> > Consider the Wiki format, which is available for a fee.
> >
> > - Rush
> >
> > "Brett_Slattery" <slattery@ewol.com> wrote in message
> > news:exa7DNzzDHA.3196@TK2MSFTNGP11.phx.gbl...
> > > Hi FoxFans,
> > >
> > > I know this question is not directly related to Foxpro, but I figured
> this
> > > is the most likely place to get ideas.
> > >
> > > I am a board of director for a very large Homeowners association
(8,000
> > > members). I want to set up a newsgroup-like forum where the membership
> can
> > > constantly communicate and exchange ideas the same way we do here on
the
> > fox
> > > newsgroup. I want to allow access to members only so I can shut off
> anyone
> > > who is rude.
> > >
> > > I don't want to code this myself unless it's a last resort due to time
> > > constraints. Does anyone know of an off-the-shelf software that would
> > > acommplish this? The whole goal here is to create an atmosphere where
> > > members can voice their opinions about anything from the comfort of
> their
> > > own computer. I would also like to have a feature where I can
routinely
> > > poll the membership to see how they feel on a variety of issues.
> > >
> > > This is a very high priority for me, so I greatly appreciate any
> feedback.
> > > Thanks in Advance!
> > >
> > > --
> > > Brett_Slattery
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>

Dan
Wed Dec 31 13:17:36 CST 2003

Yahoo groups are not threaded.

"Brett_Slattery" <slattery@ewol.com> wrote in message
news:OQTPxz7zDHA.2388@TK2MSFTNGP09.phx.gbl...
> Dan,
>
> Is the Yahoo group real-time, or is it like this newsgroup? I want to
> structure this like the newsgroup we are currently on. I don't want real
> time chat. I want threads that can be read and responded to anytime.
>
> --
> Brett_Slattery
>
> "Dan Freeman" <spam@microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:uxzpodzzDHA.1736@TK2MSFTNGP09.phx.gbl...
> > How about a Yahoo group? They're free.
>
>

Brett_Slattery
Sat Jan 03 10:37:06 CST 2004

Dan,
Thank You. I was afraid of that.
--
Brett_Slattery
"Dan Freeman" <spam@microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:umomhK9zDHA.2856@TK2MSFTNGP09.phx.gbl...
> Yahoo groups are not threaded.

swdev2
Sun Jan 04 19:03:02 CST 2004

Heya Brett - try phpBB ??? Available at www.phpBB.org .
Most linux based hosting companies have it available for use.
for a quickie demo - check out http://opentech.leafe.com
hth - mondo regards [Bill]
--
William Sanders / Electronic Filing Group Remove the DOT BOB to reply via
email.
FREE LONG DISTANCE -> mailto:excel-info@efgroup.net
Free Satellite Receivers and installation ->
http://www.vmcsatellite.com/?aid=58456
mySql / VFP / MS-SQL
"Brett_Slattery" <slattery@ewol.com> wrote in message
news:exa7DNzzDHA.3196@TK2MSFTNGP11.phx.gbl...
> Hi FoxFans,
>
> I know this question is not directly related to Foxpro, but I figured this
> is the most likely place to get ideas.
>
> I am a board of director for a very large Homeowners association (8,000
> members). I want to set up a newsgroup-like forum where the membership can
> constantly communicate and exchange ideas the same way we do here on the
fox
> newsgroup. I want to allow access to members only so I can shut off anyone
> who is rude.
>
> I don't want to code this myself unless it's a last resort due to time
> constraints. Does anyone know of an off-the-shelf software that would
> acommplish this? The whole goal here is to create an atmosphere where
> members can voice their opinions about anything from the comfort of their
> own computer. I would also like to have a feature where I can routinely
> poll the membership to see how they feel on a variety of issues.
>
> This is a very high priority for me, so I greatly appreciate any feedback.
> Thanks in Advance!
>
> --
> Brett_Slattery
>
>

Andrew
Mon Jan 05 08:05:35 CST 2004

swdev2 wrote:
> Heya Brett - try phpBB ??? Available at www.phpBB.org .
> Most linux based hosting companies have it available for use.
> for a quickie demo - check out http://opentech.leafe.com
> hth - mondo regards [Bill]

I was just about to post the same; reading this thread and thinking ".. no
one heard of phpBB!??"

I have recently been using a forum that uses it and after a few teething
troubles [I am used to using a newsreader!] I find it works fine. I can't
help with setting it up though :\

--
Regards
Andrew Howell

Brett_Slattery
Mon Jan 05 13:33:03 CST 2004

William,
Thank You. I did check it out. Unfortunately, it requires "MySQL, MS-SQL,
PostgreSQL or Access/ODBC database servers".
--
Brett_Slattery

"swdev2" <wsanders.bob@bob.efgroup.com> wrote in message
news:uMzGjiy0DHA.3436@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...
> Heya Brett - try phpBB ??? Available at www.phpBB.org .
> Most linux based hosting companies have it available for use.
> for a quickie demo - check out http://opentech.leafe.com
> hth - mondo regards [Bill]

Mike
Tue Jan 06 02:01:22 CST 2004

On Wed, 31 Dec 2003 11:17:36 -0800, "Dan Freeman" <spam@microsoft.com>
wrote:

>Yahoo groups are not threaded.
Aye they are !

Ok, it is a bit crude, but if you use the web interface there is a
thread option.

I think this groups by Subject and can only cope with one layer. If
people change the subject without changing the Subject or vice versa
(hope you see what I mean) you will find it hard to follow the thread
if there are a lot of messages with the same subject.

Mike.