Can I serve a forum?

[macnz]

I have a NZ health professional group which wants to run a web-based forum. Windows based forums they switched to proved unreliable; they now seek an alternative.
The users were unwilling to switch to a newer FirstClass system because they would be paying US$100/year for only forum access. However, maybe the users would be willing to pay for Mobile Me accounts, since they could be considerably more useful than just a forum. The only downside is that, so far, I can't find any forum function with Mobile Me.
Is there anything in MobileMe that would serve this purpose? (It used to have a Groups function.)
Or in MAc OS 10.6 Server?

 

[HMayes]

It is HIGHLY unlikely that you would be able to serve a forum from MobileMe. Installing a forum typically requires hosting a database and being able to modify configuration for whatever server-side script it uses (like PHP or ASP). MobileMe allows neither of those things.

You can host a forum no problem from 10.6 Server though. Be aware that administrating your own server is a big learning curve and can be pretty time-consuming.

-Mayes

 

[Buzz Bumble]

You can host a forum no problem from 10.6 Server though. Be aware that administrating your own server is a big learning curve and can be pretty time-consuming.

It may also be against the terms of your Internet agreement. Many low cost plans state that they are not to be used to run a Internet server (which includes web, ftp, forums, etc.).

 

[HMayes]

It may also be against the terms of your Internet agreement. Many low cost plans state that they are not to be used to run a Internet server (which includes web, ftp, forums, etc.).

Good point. You will likely need the server to be connected to the internet via a business/commercial service from your ISP.

ETA: There are a number of forum hosting services out there that my interest you. Some of them are even free (but probably ad-supported). I don't have any experience with them. Maybe someone who has will chime in. A quick google search is a good place to start: http://3.ly/5tD

-Mayes