This article was adapted from its original format: http://www.phpbb.com/kb/article.php?article_id=222

As an Administrator at many Boards, using many different BB systems (though I do concede my favorite by far is phpBB), I know a little about some things to do on a forum, and also what not to do.

Let me start out by saying that if you installed phpBB, you should be able to handle most technical difficulties involving the system, if you can't, that's why they have the phpBB Support Forums! But, phpBB is the easiest to install BB around, and the easiest to correct when it comes to fixing errors. But, here are some things that one should do and that one should not do when Administrating a forum:

Before you even install the board, ask yourself, "do I have good content to discuss in my board?" Because if you don't, then it may be pointless to do this. Please though, maybe you could get a new idea if you don't think your current one is interesting enough, and remember, experimenting is the only way to find out!

So, now that you've gotten ideas for the site, put them together, installed whichever BB system you're using on your site, now what? I'll tell you what-MODS and styles.*

Styles & Templates

Styles are imperative to creating that certain feel on a forum that makes it cool. Ok, lets talk about templates first. I suggest you install a few templates, one that's the default, and a few more that go with the theme that you want your site to give out, but different, to give new users a chance to pick what they want the forum to look like. As for installing Styles, you can get basic support on that in other places, not in this article though, sorry. I will say that they are generally very easy to install and take a very short amount of time. But, templates aren't the only type of style you can install, there's many more things, such as Smiley packs, Avatar packs, Post Icons, Rank Images, etc. Do the same thing as with templates for these other Styles. Please note that a list of all styles in the phpBB Styles DB can be found there.

Modifications

Well, now onto MODS. MODS help make an extra feature to phpBB that it currently doesn't sport. MODS can do a lot of things, such as add some new feature to the ACP, add some new feature to the MCP, or even create a whole new feature! MODS usually make things more convenient for users and for Forum Management (eg, Administrators and Moderators). As with styles, you need to pick what MODS suit you the most. For example, if you have a forum where important news is often occurring, then perhaps it is best for you to get the Announcements Suite MOD, or the Global Announcement MOD. There are countless MODS out there, and a database of the ones validated by phpBB can be found on www.phpBB.com. As with installation of styles, support on how to do it can be found in numerous places around www.phpBB.com.

Important Forums

Ok, you've installed all the MODS and styles you need. Your forum is ready! Now, lets make some neat forums for your users!

Well, first, I recommend an Announcements section at the top of the Index for posting important news occurring on your site. I also think a Feedback and Member Introduction area are nice additions to any board, as well as a General Discussion forum, though those can be very hard to maintain. As for the forums relating to the subject matter of your site, try to make the names different from the ordinary. As an example, if you need to make a section of the site for Administrators and Moderators only to discuss site matters that do not have to do with regular users, instead of calling it, "Admin/Mod", call it, "The Conference Room," or something like that. This also applies to forum descriptions as well. Also, sometimes I see new boards with over 15 forums, which I don't think is a good idea. I think you need to start out small, with at the most five forums, and grow from there. Another idea that I like a lot is something called, "Members' Forums." They are when members ask the Administrator(s) if they can have their own forum, specifying permissions (that the Administrator defines, simple permissions such a Public, Registered, Registered [hidden], etc.). the user decides what goes on in there, who sees it, etc. They are the boss of that forum; it makes members feel good.

Being an Administrator

Also, try not to be too strict with the rules of your forum. They are indeed essential to a forum, and so is keeping order. Like, if a user posts pornographic content, then yes, a banning should be enacted. But if the user breaks a smaller, more trivial rule, like double posting (even more if they're new to the forum) then maybe you should let them off that time. Simply PM them informing them that they double posted and that that is not allowed here and we would appreciate it if you would try to stop. Thanks. Or something similar. If, however, that user responds with something indecent or vulgar, tell them that this is not tolerated and will lead to a banning. The decision to ban them is up to you, depending on exactly what they said. Also, try to not make new rules all the time. Think about the rules before making them. I remember, one of the first forums I joined, everyone was afraid to post because the Administrator kept making rules every time someone posted something new. As you can probably guess, this meant the forum didn't ever really take off.

Finally, make sure that your staff (meaning Administrators and moderators) gets along with each other and, most importantly, with other users. When adding new admins/mods, it is important to consider, "Does this person have team skills?, Does this person have the right attitude? What about leadership skills? And knowledge of the topic discussed in the forum(s) they moderate?" All requirements, in my opinion, of a good Moderator.

Well, that about wraps up my Basic Guide to a beginner Administrator. I hope you find it helpful. If I didn't answer your question, please, feel free to PM me and I'll answer your question to the best of my ability!

Warm Regards,
~Woodley~

*If you're feeling adventurous, then why not experiment with making and editing your own MODS/styles? I've done it, and I know plenty who have too, and they all think it works better for them. Why not try it out yourself?

P.S.- Some good and useful information on how to advertise your board can be found here.