What is my Database??

[Farmtalk]

This is probably a really simple question and I'm just not used to the terminology, but I am working on implementing a forum from vanilla 2 on my site, and it asks me the following questions:

Database Host
Database Name
Database User
Database Password


Could someone please explain to me what these mean? I thought it was talking about FTP information but that didn't work.

Thanks!

[saratogaWX]

It's asking for a SQL database host/name/user/password.  It's something you have to set up separately with your hoster (there's usually a cPanel widget to help with that).

But... running SQL (mySQL) and using it with your website can be a tricky (and sometimes dangerous) thing.  Many popular exploits for compromising websites rely on using SQL-injection into poorly secured applications.

Rather than trying a roll-your-own forum, I'd suggest you use the cPanel on your site to install a major forum software (like SMF) in a subdirectory on your site .. the cPanel setup will also reserve and configure the mySQL database for you, and the SMF software is very solid.

[Farmtalk]

GREAT idea Ken!! I got SMF on my site now! I'm thinking about making it my homepage but I haven't done it yet...


www.fitzweather.com/forum

[floodcaster]

Just remember to be keep up with security updates/patches and install them as soon as they are released to prevent your site from getting hacked.

[Farmtalk]

Thanks Bill! I will do that!

[dkinsc]

SMF is a good forum package, but I am not sure it will be easy to customize into a home page.  If your home pages wants to do more than host forums, consider something like WordPress, which is meant to be configures with various window panes and sets of links, some of which could be to your forums.  Not weather related, but take a look at  this site's home page with links to forum, blog, and gallery software pages where these pages all interlock with mutual access.  The home page is all html, the forum, blog and gallery pages come from smf, WorkPress, and Coppermine respectively.

[Farmtalk]

Wow! That looks REALLY awesome!!!! I know what I'm doing tonight!!!