How to install
- Download and unzip A-Forum distributable file.
- Place aforum.isa and aforum26.dll files into a "cgi-bin" virtual directory on your MS IIS web server (or into any other virtual directory with script execution access rights).
Note: if you cannot find aforum26.dll after unzipping, make sure DLL type of files is not hidden from the view in your Windows Explorer properties - go to View/Options in Explorer menu
- In case of MS IIS 6.0 on Windows Server 2003 you may need to set permissions on the server to allow ISAPI script execution. MS IIS 6.0 may have all active server content disabled by default.
- Type the following address in your Internet browser:
http://x1/x2/aforum.isa?req=1101
where x1 is your web server mnemonic address or IP address, and x2 is the path to the virtual directory where you placed aforum.isa and aforum26.dll files.
For example:
http://www.myserver.com/cgi-bin/aforum.isa?req=1101
You should see the page in your browser with further instructions generated by A-Forum application itself. It will invite you to define the settings for your forum. Just follow the instructions, and in a couple of minutes you will have your forum running and fully operational.
Note: if you cannot get the page with further instructions in your browser, then something is wrong with your web server configuration - please click here for the list of possible reasons. If your server is MS IIS 6.0 (Windows Server 2003) click here to see how to set permissions on the server.
- Place links to the forum page on other pages of your web site using the same URL as described above.
- Make sure the access rights are set properly for the directory (folder) on the server where you placed aforum.isa and aforum26.dll. To read more about the recommended directory access rights click here.
- Note: regularly, you should NOT register aforum.isa or aforum26.dll as an application with MS IIS. As an ISAPI extension, A-Forum will be recognized by MS IIS automatically. This is NOT a VB script application and NOT an ASP active component. Attempt to register may prevent A-Forum from running.
However, in case if your MS IIS server is configured some unusual and special way, or has some special system add-ons installed, it may be sometime required to register aforum.isa as an "approved" server application. Consult with your server software documentation for further details.
A-Forum can only be installed on the web sites operating under MS IIS (or MS PWS) web server.
Forum Administration
To administer the forum after it has been initially started, type the following address in your Internet browser:
http://x1/x2/aforum.isa?req=1102
where x1 is your web server mnemonic address or IP address, and x2 is the path to the virtual directory where you placed aforum.isa and aforum26.dll files.
For example:
http://www.myserver.com/cgi-bin/aforum.isa?req=1102
Note: unlike in normal mode, it is "1102", not "1101".
You will be prompted for administrator password which you set when starting the forum initially.
After you enter forum in administrative mode, you will have the same functionality as regular users, plus you will be able to delete and/or approve messages posted by users and to control forum settings.
Further instructions and customization settings samples can be found on the Settings page generated by A-Forum and shown in your Internet browser when administering the forum.
Starting several different forums
The principal forum administrator can start the second, the third, or other forums, using the corresponding link on the Settings page.
To refer to the second, third, or etc. forum from other pages on your web site, use links with a similar URL as described above, but instead of "req=1101" apply "req=1201", or "req=1301", etc. The 2nd character is the index of the forum, and may be a digit from 0 to 9 or a letter from A to Z.
To administer the second, third, or other forum, use the similar address in your browser, specifying "req=1202", "req=1302", etc. instead of "req=1102".
How to upgrade from earlier version of A-Forum
If you have version 3.0 or later, go to the Settings page in Administrative mode and click on Upgrade link.
If you have A-Forum version earlier than 3.0, you need to replace the files aforum.isa and aforum26.dll manually. The old files may be locked from update and delete operations while the server is running. If you cannot stop your server temporarily, just rename old files without deleting them and copy the new files into the same directory. The newer files will be loaded automatically after the server is eventually restarted. After that you will be able to delete old files.
Forum Maintenance
Apart from administration, A-Forum is maintenance free.
After you installed and started the new forum, users will be able to post the new messages which will be automatically saved on the server and available for reviewing by other users.
If a reply is posted to an existing message, and email notifications are enabled, A-Forum will automatically generate and send a corresponding notification email to the author of the message.
When the list of messages becomes too long, the older messages will be deleted automatically - unless auto-delete option is disabled by administrator in the Settings for the forum.