How To Run A Board Forum Like myBB And SMF in Your Own PC [just for fun]!

[Vanilla]

A server is designed to run 24x7, but if you want a desktop computer to run 24x7... It's going to overheat and burn your house someday.

Well, that's mostly correct for older desktop pc's, but the newer generation of desktop computers can easily act as servers for small to medium sized websites, and last without overheating. It all depends on your configuration of the BIOS settings, and which- and how you've setup your operating system. (Linux of course), and it also depends on you to keep it free of dust and such.

The biggest downer is the cost in electricity, which can end up costing you alot, taking an example that a modern yet energy efficient computer uses around 70-150 watts (i guess), that can end costing you around 60 to 100 dollars a year (depending on where you live), and by the time i've calculated that out, i've found it more feasibly to just rent a VPS for about 10-20$ a month, maybe less, maybe more.

So, yes you're right, a desktop PC might not be the best to use as a server, but it's not necessarily because of instability or overheating, but more due to it not being economically feasible considering the alternatives.

[HiddenKnowledge]

Yep, the entire point of this is a server to test things one.

Offtopic posts moved to this thread.

[gakon8390]

I do not like as much MyBB, vbb lean only, because there are many features and most people use.

[Cameron]

I prefer MyBB and SMF but I put up with phpBB too lol.

[Matt]

Thank God gakon was banned, I can't put up with him any longer.

Anyways, yeah. Nice article, Vanilla, what else is new? I love all your posts, they're so informative! Hint though: It's not BOIS, it's BIOS ;)

[Mone]

i have to open my ports to for it to work but i don't want to

[HiddenKnowledge]

i have to open my ports to for it to work but i don't want to

No, you dont need to open your ports.

[khy]

A server is designed to run 24x7, but if you want a desktop computer to run 24x7... It's going to overheat and burn your house someday.

Well, that's mostly correct for older desktop pc's, but the newer generation of desktop computers can easily act as servers for small to medium sized websites, and last without overheating. It all depends on your configuration of the BIOS settings, and which- and how you've setup your operating system. (Linux of course), and it also depends on you to keep it free of dust and such.

The biggest downer is the cost in electricity, which can end up costing you alot, taking an example that a modern yet energy efficient computer uses around 70-150 watts (i guess), that can end costing you around 60 to 100 dollars a year (depending on where you live), and by the time i've calculated that out, i've found it more feasibly to just rent a VPS for about 10-20$ a month, maybe less, maybe more.

So, yes you're right, a desktop PC might not be the best to use as a server, but it's not necessarily because of instability or overheating, but more due to it not being economically feasible considering the alternatives.

building linux or unix servers is more stable than the windows' one?
just a silly question...

[RichardGv]

building linux or unix servers is more stable than the windows' one?
just a silly question...

Well, IIS is not such a poor server application, and Apache does run on Windows (possibly not as good as the state when it runs on Linux/BSD, though). I think they are both stable enough.
However, a Windows server is likely to cost your more (a legal Windows 7 Ultimate license costs you $219, costs as much as my computer). And I'm not so sure whether POSIX filesystem permissions offer more control than Windows permissions. (And Windows of course does not have SELinux! :)) And Apache and PHP may run better on *nix operating systems than on Windows (at least I heard so). So a CentOS, Debian, Gentoo, or FreeBSD server may be better than a Windows server if you plan not to run MsSQL (not MySQL) or ASP.

[2348z]

ok quick question, how do you install phpbb? lol on your computer i know how to do it online