Yeah. So I go there and download the latest styles for Message Boards. One thing. I have to find a web sever. Yeah, so far I haven't found any free ones. I don't know what Gamespy is, but I could use some help. If anybody knows of a free webserver, please let me know. On top of that, when I downloaded the forum, it came in tons of confusing files. Any, that is using php, knows a free webserver, and understands my problems please help.

Please don't post if you know nothing on the matter.

Your web server needs to support both PHP <b>and</b> MySQL. Depending on what you've downloaded, basically all that needs to be done is to unzip the files, upload them all, maintaining directory structure, and run the installation page. There's some instructions on this in one of the readme's if I remember correctly.

I think http://www.3x.ro does a moderately good deal, but they're Romanian.. you might be able to get a translation though.
Gamespy has (obviously) the best deal around, but they're strict on selection criteria.

While host hunting, I came across these sites, I don't know if they're still good:
http://www.mywebhome.ca/
http://www.fwsh.com/
http://www.spiralpages.com/packages.htm
http://www.1sthostweb.com/

Best of luck

I couldn't find where on Gamespy they talk about webservers. And thanks for the info.

The Gamespy network is split into different "Planets" that specialise in specific topics. For example, PlanetNintendo (which our affiliate Pokechow is on) and ClassicGaming (which we are on). Here are ClassicGaming's guide on getting hosted: http://www.classicgaming.com/hosting/

So I would probably have to pick a theme for the board. Hmmm. I'll see to those other links, if they don't have what I need, Gamespy it is.

Ok. A new distantly related question. Obviously, Psypoke has really cool picks as links and stuff. If you wouldn't mind, could you tell me how you got them? Did you guys make them? For my site, I want to make it cool (duh ), so I was wondering. Some may use a computer program. If you do could you let me know, I'd like to download it if possible. This question is open to anybody who knows about Photoshop and stuff.

In less confusing terms, is it possible to download off the Internet something like Photoshop? And, does it cost anything?

Yes, it's possible. Yes, it costs something; bandwidth. ;P

The Gimp for Windows is a free photoshop alternative that I personally hold in the highest regard. I like it better than photoshop, mainly because photoshop's interface wasn't designed for Windows; this interface works much better for me. Check it out. It might be a little clunky at first, but you'll get used to it really fast.

I found a Webhost, and sadly, it isn't Gamepsy. They don't like more than 1 message board of each game. And to be honest with you, the 2 games I'm actually educated in were taken. (Pokemon and Starfox) However, if my board were to be better than the other ones, I could go up along with them. But with all the Pokemon boards, with Psypoke somewhere high in the list, I wouldn't make it from what I saw. Starfox, well, let's say I would have to hire some pretty good Assistants to make a site like that look good. I'd steal some from here, but, I would feel guilty. (Assistants that is)

I could do it myself, if you wouldn't mind telling me about Photoshop. The cost I hear is high, if there is one. I would need to get so used to it, so I could do the things the Graphic's Section people do. Banners and stuff.

Thank you guys so far for the Help, I've almost reached my goal, so this threads purpose, has almost come.

Is that the GIMP thing? I tried that awhile ago, Paint is much better in my opinion, the only thing I might be able to use would be the Dodge and Burn, everything else isn't too good.

I also thought I heard Invision has free forums or something.

Photoshop is really expensive, last I check it was 500-700$ US, and it's around 600-800MB which is kinda big.

The Gimp has made significant progress in the past few years (I'm told, at least. Never saw the old versions.) Personally, I prefer it over photoshop, because (aside from being FREE), the Gimp for Windows interface was, well, designed for Windows. Photoshop is designed for a Mac, and the interface is designed for a Mac. It just doesn't "work" well on Windows. Things don't flow right. Aside from that, I believe that nearly everything Photoshop can do, Gimp can do as well. For an example of what Gimp can do, check here. Unless you have The Gimp installed already, don't bother downloading the files, since they're .xcf, which is the Gimp format, but at least check out the thumbnails.

I Web Host is activiating my account shortly. Now when I download the files from php, does anybody know how I should unzip them?

Under Microsoft Word? Firefox?

MS Word???

That's almost like blaspheming, but I'll let it slide :p

Just unzip them using Winzip. Make sure you maintain the directory structure. Upload all the directories and files onto your server (With an appropriate FTP Program) and follow the instructions to install. It's got something to do with ensuring your database is active, and entering in passwords, and so on, and also you need to activate install.php if I remember correctly.

This is all very confusing for I am only 13. However, I am good with computers, so thanks for being so patient and running this through with me. Eventually I'll get. I'm still having a bit of trouble but now I'm heading to bed to get rid of this collasal headache.

You've been great, and I only hope you'll still have the patience to keep helping me. I have 2 Support Forums I can also go to, and I'll find something in the library like FTP for Dummies.

I'll be back tommorow, hopefully back from the library.

EDIT:

BenP fromt he Complete-Free-Host Support Forum is helping me. We're going through it step by step, but like always, we've hit a roadblock. :x

I suppose you could let one double post slip?

Anyway, thanks to everybody who posted here for helping me out and giving advice! You can check it out here:

http://www.truestarforums.c-f-h.com/phpBB2/index.php

I realised it doesn't matter a whole lot what you unzip it under, because the Administration panel has everything you need!

Hmmm. I'm not sure. But I think they discussed such a thing at the Support Forum. That somes peoples computers can't access CFH's kind of sites. However, you can easily fix it. But I can't seem to reach their fourm now. See here:

http://www.complete-free-host.com/forum