"I would like to create a forum. What kind of software to choose? This is one of the questions that people ask very often in discussion boards around the web. One of the best answers is "Simple Machines Forum (SMF)", says Alexander Avramov, Marketing director of Host Color LLC (http://wwwhostcolor.com). He adds that after the deployment of SMF, Host Color's customers can choose a discussion board between 3 different forum software.
SMF is professional, very elegant and easy to manage discussion board. It has a custom made template engine which enables web forum owners to customize the lay-out of their message boards. SMF also offers great SSI (Server Side Includes), a function which simplifies interaction between the forum and other parts of the website. It is a PHP based application and uses a MySQL
database.
Simple Machines Forum is now part of PowerTools, the Host Color's proprietary advanced web hosting application. It combines a script library and auto installer which enables website owners to set up many useful programs by a single click on their control panel. PowerTools features MODx, Drupal, Joomla and TextPattern CMS; WordPress and B2evolution blog platforms; Pligg and MediaWiki social media; phpBB, Vanilla and SMF forums;
OpenX ad management system, Image gallery scripts and many other tools.
Host Color has recently enabled its customers to conduct online polls and surveys through advanced multilingual tool LimeSurvey. The company also offers 6 complimentary months to customers of its premier shared hosting plans.
