An Idea

[gprime]

This sort of belongs in a few catagories, so I'll post it here, and staff can move it where they feel is more appropriate.

Okay, so getting bored, and thinking about what I'll be adding to my college application, it occured to me that I ought to undertake a new project. And since my skillbase is one which ties into forum administration and modification, the idea of starting a new forum seemed ideal. But I needed something that was both original and noteworthy. Then it came to me.

So here's the idea:

A forum for those who are in my grade at my high school. It would probably have a domain like fhcclassof2007.com or something like that. It would be designed solely for them. That is, nobody from other grades, no staff, ect. But at the same time it would serve multiple purposes. On the one hand, it would serve as a place to get homework help or figure out what you missed in class. It would also be a place to discuss school sports and extracurriculars. And of course there would be forums dedicated to the discussion of the city (in general) and what it has to offer.

Some ideas I had with it:
1) Intergration with edline.net
2) (If it can be done)--get a list of the ID card #'s for those in my grade, and require that they input theirs to register, with it only being on the usable list until someone has signed up using it.
3) Install a blog mod for the students to blog about their day.
4) Provide one of those download centers with homework resources, and the last x number of episodes of the school news.
5) Use the Geek Article System to archive the school newpapers and whatnot.
6) Install an arcade so they have something to unwind with.
7) Install a photo gallery and that myspace mod so that it still has a fun side.
8) Install a jukebox mod so that student musicians can share their works.
9) Install other mods that increase its functionality and enjoyability.
10) Use a usergroup system to create a "Guys" and "Girls" set of boards.
11) Install a shoutbox and a chat room for students to discuss whatever they wish.
12) Provide college resources for those who seek them.
13) provide general chat areas for students to get to know one another in an out of class sense.
14) Add something like vBookie to bet (points not money) on school elections, sporting events, ect.
15) A multi-calender system, which allows students to keep track of things like sporting events, days off, colleges visiting ect.
16) Some type of additional calender system which will allow a select batch of approved students post class assignments.
17) Custom profile fields that allow them to fill in things like courses, thus aiding in support and schedualing.

And things of that nature. The idea struck me a few days ago, over which time I've been thinking about what features it would need (basically the above list and a few functionality add-ons).

Numbers 1&2 will be hard as hell. Even if I could get compliance on their end, I'd need some serious help implementing a mod like that. So if need be, those components could be scrapped.

But I digress.

Now here's where I'm at. I have the above idea, which is fairly solid and highly feasable. I realize that vB is certainly the only platform that would be good for something like this. Much as I love IPB 2.1, it is just too far behind in terms of its ability to handle some of those functions. And phpBB, in addition to taking forever to mod, would require that I pay for custom scripting, which I have no plans of doing.

So then, here is where the issue arises. I have no money. And clearly this isn't the type of project where you could slap up a ton of ads to foot the bill. So, first off, what should I do in terms of hosting or a domain? How likely is it I could work out some sort of donation of space deal? And do you have any companies in mind for that. As to vB, I know they occasionally give away liscenes, but usually in the context of a contest through sites which purchased a liscense from them in the first place. So, what is that chance that they'd donate a liscene to something like this? And for that matter, if they wouldn't, how would you suggest I go about getting one. Remeber, this is high school, so expecting broke teenagers to donate is not a viable option, and I don't have the cash needed to foot the bill for a liscene.

In terms of skinning I suppose it would be fine. I'd probably download a few skins from vBulliten.org. After all, much as I like the skins seen on sites like vbskinworks, I really couldn't justify spending $20 a skin for 2-3 skins. But beyond that, if anybody could handle a free custom skin request (shelly) with matching banner and rank images (because mine suck) that matched the school colors and whatnot, would be great. Of course, if its not possible, I can make due without that.

And finally, I'd like to get any opinions, feature suggestions, and so forth from you all with regards to the practicality, worthiness, ect of a project like this.

[Mitch]

At my college, they already have a forum. No one has to register on it. And as the username and password on it is the same for login onto the actual computers, it must be something to do with that. Would that be possible for what you want to achieve?

[gprime]

No, not at all. The idea is less that its run through the school and more that it is something run by students for students. I'd like run vB (like this) so what you're suggesting isn't possible.

[gorda001]

Long Post...

1) For hosting I'd go with hyspex.com, It's run by people at YC, has helpful staff, competitive rates and my personal recomendation.

2) vB. I don't know about this but you have three choices:
a) Save Up
b) Borrow one
c) Win one
Choose...

[gprime]

As to you're vB suggestion, I actually have a good shot at winning an owned liscene in a month. But ideally I'd like it launched before then. As for hosting, you're suggestion isn't bad. But I'd soon outgrow the free play (atleast I'd hope so), and this isn't exactly a project were I've got money to burn.

[gprime]

I heard back from vB. They said, in no uncertain terms that they would not offer a free leased license or a discount on one. So at present, it looks as though I may be *****ed. Much as I'd like to just download one of those illegal copies, its too bloody risky since Jelsoft is known for their aggressive approach for dealing with such things. So, I'm trying to figure out some way around this issue. Any suggestions?

[unclekyky]

Sure:
SMF
wtcBB or at webtrickscentral.com

I could go on, but those two are very good.

[gprime]

Yes, I'm familiar with both of them (and for that matter one of the wtcBB staff). But really neither of them are ideal for something like this.

[IntellEJent]

Yes, I'm familiar with both of them (and for that matter one of the wtcBB staff). But really neither of them are ideal for something like this.

Why? What do you need that's not in one of these? These are both fine, and if you don't have enough features, you can hack them all you want. If you need something that already has a bunch of pre-made hacks, go with phpBB and you won't have trouble finding hacks. I know many forums that use SMF for major purposes. :)

[eddmun]

http://getvanilla.com