Creating my own forum software

[Anachron]

Hello folks,

I am creating my own forum software. (And I am asking for some feedback)

What I am trying to do:
Build some great forum software that is not only highly flexible and dynamic but also meets the todays standards in web development and to build a resource-based board which can be either used for free (with limits) or for more costs get advanced options.
The real new thing is that you will either use this software for free (and then you are not able to sell bonus stuff) or use it with a commercial license and then you are able to sell premium memberships which gives you money!

[Features]

• Users
• Groups
• Permission based of groups
• Multi game support
• Development teams & permissions (Project based)
• Projects
• Different resources (Based on games)
• Complete in/export
• Awesome tutorial / how to's
• Fast
• Flexible
• Dynamic
• AJAX enhanced
• Easy setup
• cakePHP based
• Multi language support
• AJAX chat
• Free
• or advanced for money

[Resource Features]

• Code Editor (With syntax highlighting)
• 4 Views
  • Guest
  • User
  • Mod
  • Team/Owner
• Development teams
• Version history
• Bugtracker
• Public/Private - Link it to a project
• Review system
  • Auto request on mods
  • Individual status

(This list is only a work in progess)

Any feedback would be highly appreciated.

Quick WIP:

Hidden

 

[Dejavuu]

I've gotta say this seems like some excellent features. As non-pro website writer I can't see anything that should be added.
But I'm quite curious though, what would there be for those premium accounts? Or is it something that website owner then can set?

 

[Anachron]

But I'm quite curious though, what would there be for those premium accounts? Or is it something that website owner then can set?

Yes, the website owner can decide what premium accounts do. Like allowing to create hosted projects like in hive here or to have two or multiple accounts.

 

[Anachron]

I have attached a little quick thought about my database.
You can see the following important ideas:

• Resources always have teams. You (the owner) can invite other people and give them permissions to update and such things.
• Projects can have resources linked, so you don't need to safe links anymore.
• This forum software is concepted to be able to use any amount of games and any amount of different resource types.
• The new table structure enables fast and flexible behaviors.

I really would like to get some feedback.

 

[Statharas]

Do something good first, and then post it.
I like where this is going. Make it good and easy to configure. Make most of it based on a MySQL DB for easier access and modifications.

I sense a doublepost in the force.

 

[Anachron]

Well its based on MySQL.

 

[Teelo]

Why? There are three major php/mysql forum packages already out there: phpBB, vBulletin, and invision.
phpBB and vBulletin are both fully customizable with their own systems for writing addons.

What is your motivation for repeating work that has already been done?

If you had an existing system you needed to integrate a forum into, and merging it with an existing forum package isn't possible, then that would be a good reason.
I'd also understand why if you had an existing front-end template you needed to work back from, which is what I recently did when I made www.unrealbnet.com
Also writing it in another language, such as JSP would be a good reason, but then it would still be better to just port an existing package to JSP.

 

[Anachron]

If you had an existing system you needed to integrate a forum into, and merging it with an existing forum package isn't possible, then that would be a good reason.

Yes, I want a resource-based forum software.

Also writing it in another language, such as JSP would be a good reason, but then it would still be better to just port an existing package to JSP.

I better stick to PHP, JavaScript, MySQL and AJAX & XHTML.

 

[Ironside]

Piece of advice, suggest to take it death serious to avoid problems, make sure to make it invuelnerable to hacking techniques such as SQLI (SQL Injection), Shell upload, optionally XSS (Cross Site Scripting). As these can ruin all your hard work, so avoid these problems

 

[Anachron]

Great stuff and yes, I am aware of that hacking techniques.
XSS and SQL Injections are impossible, however, I have no idea what Shell upload is.

 

[Ironside]

It's a PHP script, which grants the attacker Root Access to your website, it's easy to get rid of this option: don't allow uploading of php files and also make something against null byte, which is used to make to fool a server to think that the shell is a jpg file.

 

[Anachron]

I see, thanks a lot. I won't have these problem since I am using a highly protected access system inside the website. Files will also be automatically be zipped and then saved.

 

[Ironside]

Good then

 

[Anachron]

Would you mind telling me what you'd like to have as a map maker?

 

[Ironside]

I'm not a map maker long time, I'm a reviewer, but that's all there is to it.