[Nizzo]

Hey.
I have a question that needs answering.

I am trying to set up a simple webcommunity site and I am running a forum (discussion board) and a live chat. Both of those require user registration, I was wondering if I can somehow, don’t know how, make it so that a user just has to register in one of those two (The forum or the chat) and automatically register the second one… So for example, if a user chooses to register in the discussion forum he will automatically also be registered in the chat and vise versa… (The chat and the forum are totally different from each other, different scripts and different locations on the website.):)

[RickJ]

Not realistic with two different apps. Check with the maker of the forum software you're running... they may have a compatible chat script.

[Nizzo]

Not realistic with two different apps. Check with the maker of the forum software you're running...they may have a compatible chat script.

Hey

I’ve already checked with them, and they don’t have anything… (It’s very simple “open-source” script, but the best forum I’ve seen, and it’s highly customizable.)

But then, I have another question, how do one build a web community?
You don’t have to answer how it’s scripted or how the HTML codes work just the “overview” concept of how a “well-oiled” community website works. For example, how do I grant the users to open their own accounts on my website and be able to control their own blog and get other privileges such as private calendars and other thing. And be able to just login to the main page and thus be automatically logged in to other parts of the page, such as the forum and chat under the same nick and pass? Now, I have most of the tools that I need, Dreamweaver, good webhost and a basic + knowledge of HTML and PHP.

The question may seem dumb, but I’m just a newbie in the HTML world and just trying to feel the possibilities of what’s realistic and what’s not. And yes I’m well aware of the work that lay’s behind these kinds of projects. I mean, I know how much work is behind the construction of an ordinary (non-dynamic) website. I can only imagine how much work is behind a (dynamic) web community site, still its done, just have to know where to begin.

[RickJ]

I've never done a Blog partially because Forums do everything I need...

Here's an option to try: Simple machines forum with the SMFBlog "add-on".

You don't need to know any code to get it going, so I think for doing what you want it will be a good way to get your feet wet with a community site.

[RickJ]

I don't really like the SMF forum, too complicated to customize and the feel of it really doesn't integrate with the sites layout (it stands out to much).

In my opinion you won't find much simpler/user friendly.