The following two forum plugins are what I recommend…
http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/mingle-forum/
or
http://simple-press.com/
SimplePress has a heck of a lot more features, and has an optional paid for membership that allows access to more things like more plugins. Mingle Forum is really good as well, but a few less features.
Thanks Alieneila !!
So, please confirm the steps i need to take – a novice like me
(after WP is Installed) > Install the theme that I like > Add the plugins you suggested (this will be like a PAGE on my theme – right ?)
> Then create forums ?
Follow-up question
– will the theme provide the same look and fee to the forum page- reason i say is – some of these forum software seems blah and i am not a programmer who can do anything – so i need a simple software i can customize.
Thank you again for quick response.
This is a great site and community. Glad to be a part.
Guru
SimplePress and MingleForum’s website have downloadable themes. They come with default themes that are separate from whatever theme you use on WordPress.
To install plugins there are different ways to going about it.
1. In the WordPress Dashboard, go to Plugins and click “Add New”, you can then search for a plugin and click install under its name.
2. You can download a zip file of a plugin and upload the contents to your website in the wp-content/plugins folder, then activate it in your Dashboard > Plugins
3. You can download the zip file for the plugin, go to your Dashboard > Plugins > Add New and use the upload option which will allow you to choose the zip file on your computer and it will upload it and unzip it to the proper location.
As far as managing the forums, each one is different and SimplePress is more complex than Mingle. Check out their documentation for more detailed instructions. I suggest to get your feet wet, use Mingle first as it is more simple, you can always remove it and use a different forum.
Thanks Alieneila !! Again… u r the best
Last thing, I found these guys,…. They seem to have a good package – theme – plugins etc .. for a good price.
I am sorry i keep asking stupid questions, but i really need good direction for my project. I will not forget this. I am a finance professional and can help you with any investing ideas/ advise if you need.
http://premium.wpmudev.org/
can you share your views on the service and cost benefits ? PLZ
Thanks
wpmudev has a lot of good premium content, it all depends on what you want. 90% of the time there is a free plugin out there that will do what you want, but then you depend on people like me to help you out, especially if the plugin developer decides to disappear or stop supporting their plugin. If you don’t care about the money, it’s probably worth it. =)
Thanks for the honest reply !
