Help Please!! Serious NEWBIE to this here..want to have forum with domain name.ALL advice needed!!

[lildreamer316]

I want start a forum. I also want to host it at a website. I've done my research about purchasing the domain name & have one picked out that isn't already registered. I also have decided on my forum software (using what DU is using..and it's free ;)).
I toyed with the idea of setting up a home server since this is not going to be a very big forum, but I think that's probably more trouble than it's worth.

This is a very specific forum dedicated to a certain type of dj. I don't ever anticipate this being even half the size of DU, in registrations, probably not even 1/8th. However, eventually it will be linked to a website for a product that I will be producing later on; probably a year or two down the road. I will of course need more server space for that at that time, but I figure I don't need to stress about that now.

Please don't get frustrated with my ignorance!! I am trying to learn as much as I can, but I need to do this as simply and inexpensively as possible. But of course I don't want it to look cheap.

I need to be able to get 24 hr tech support, since most of these members work 2nd or 3rd shift and will be checking in right before work and probably after, as well as late afternoons in all US timezones (I anticipate some participants from Aus. and the UK possibly also).

Lots of links will be posted. I already have ideas for advertisers; I don't think that will be a problem, as well as a couple of sister sites for some appropriate traffic exchange.

MOST IMPORTANT: I am going to make this a PRIVATE forum, open to applicants who's employment by a club must be verified before I will allow them to become permanent members. I don't know if this function is included with my forum software,and I can't seem to find a lot of info on that. DU of course has the stipulation that you have to donate to post in some of these sub-forums, so I assume some kind of filter is provided, but I just don't know much about this.


Again, please be patient with me. I've had this idea (well, actually these two ideas - the product one also) banging around in my head for three or more years now. I've been over and over the details of what I want in the fourm and what I want to achieve, and written them out specifically. I'm really ready to get started, as there is a great need for this among the people that are in the industry I'm targeting. I feel it will really benefit a much larger group in the long run..but that's all beside the point at the moment.

Thanks in advance for any advice and help you can give. I am reading the thread below with the hosting suggestions..don't know if I should get someone local or not.

ETA: The only coding exp. I have is myspace stuff ( I understand what most of the CSS is doing, but have to pick my way through it) and a basic understanding of HTML. Please don't kill me.

[paparush]

1. Download Drupal

Upload it to your host.
Enable forum module.
Layout your forums.
Set up your permissions/security.

http://www.lullabot.com/articles/private_forums_in_drupal_forum_access_vs_taxonomy_access_vs_taxonomy_access_control_lite