PHP forum without SQL! Possible??

[lazerweb]

Hello everyone, I am seeking to create a VERY simple messageboard with only linear messages allowed - no threads (this is important!). Here's the hard part. I cannot use SQL as my ISP does not support it. Any ideas? Heck, if it's possible to use a simple XML script thats fine by me! Let me know, and thanks in advance!:rolleyes:

[nicknick]

MySQL come standard with even some of the cheapest hosts. It would be easier to move hosts than try to get around the issue and write a whole other solution.

But you can try looking into some pearl solutions or other scripts. There has to be something out there that doesn't need an SQL database.

[lazerweb]

cool. thanks. In Australia the ISP's generally don't support it if you have free webspace unfortunately!

[Kennedy]

Its definitely possible with a flat file system.

[guruguy]

lazerweb, If you are going to put in the effort to make such a site, you can get web hosting in America dirt cheap. If its the speed that worries you, just get some Australian hosting like jumba.com.au

[lazerweb]

Well folks I did find a flatfile .php script and sent up the index.php file plus a text file to my server - and changed the chmode to 777. I get just a heap of text, as if I'm looking at the page in a text editor! (I can't send you the URL as I am a new member)


I no little about .php. Have I done something wrong? Any help appreciated!

[Jeewhizz]

Does PHP have support for SQLite built in? If so, you could look into forums that support this... (SQLlite works from flatfiles)

[nico_swd]

http://www.programmingtalk.com/showthread.php?t=8

Here's an old topic where this is discussed. There are a few links as well. Might be useful...

[killerj]

Features list of textfileBB 1.0.x
Below is a features list of textfileBB. Not all features are listed, but below are all the major items.

Forum Settings --------------------------------

* Put a board into maintenance mode, allowing only admins to login.
* Word censoring
* Disable/Enable Search
* Disable/Email System
* Turn attachments on/off

Boards and Categories --------------------------------

* Reorder boards within categories, or reorder categories.
* Assign moderators.
* Allow certain membergroups to access a board, including guests only.
* Configure permissions for each membergroup on the board level.

Member Registration --------------------------------

* Require registration before forum entrance.
* Require a user to agree to terms before they register.
* Require a moderator to approve registration.
* Member Navigation and Authentication
* Several security checks during navigation.
* Password reminder option, by email with confirmation. (doesn't automatically reset your password.)
* Cookie based authentication, with md5 sha1 password hash security.
* Sortable and searchable public memberlist
* Memberlist.
* See who's doing what

Statistics --------------------------------

* Total Posts on the forums
* Several board statistics (accessible by permission.)
* Individual member statistics accessible from their profile.

Membergroups --------------------------------

* Advanced permission and user management.
* Create membergroups to group members on permissions, access rights, and/or appearance.
* Determine the maximum number of personal messages per inbox
* Assign graphical symbol(s) to a membergroup
* Determine which membergroups are allowed to access a board.

Banning --------------------------------

* Ban members based on their username, and IP Address
* Chose between full ban, 'no post' ban, or registration ban. (by setting permissions)
* Integrate parts of forum software into existing website using SSI or PHP.
* Several forum statistics.
* List of users online.

The menu bar --------------------------------

* Search.
* Login/logout.
* Today's birthdays
* Latest members.

Theming and Templating -----------------------------------------------------

* Ability to install a new theme via your administration center.
* Admin can add smileys
* Simple CSS, easy to design

Posting Features -----------------------------------------------------

* Quick Reply
* BBCodes (easy ways to add your own also)
* Quote

Attachments -----------------------------------------------------

* Secure check on filetype by extention and not MIME.
* Allowed on a per member group or board basis.
* Optional restriction on what filetypes may be uploaded.
* Ability to restrict such that only registered members can view them (disables hotlinking, mostly.)
* Images can be embedded into posts.
* Attachment Log Manager, see who uploaded what, where, and when.

Calendar Support -------------------------------------

* Shows Birthdays on index. (Calendar Not Available though)

Moderation Tools -------------------------

* Ability to lock and unlock a topic.
* Delete or modify posts.
* Move or delete topics.
* Sticky or unsticky topics.

User Profiles and User Options -------------------------------

* Ability to hide your email address from the public.
* Select their favorite theme among the activated forum themes
* New topics per board.
* Single topics.
* Private messages.
* Personal text, avatar, signature, and all the niceties of forums can be used and are kept up to date in all your posts.
* List all topics that have new replies since your last visit.
* See who is browsing the same boards or topics as you.
* Topics that span multiple pages have the page numbers listed.
* Postcounts.

http://jcink.com/?act=textfileBB&p=main

[coldgansta]

Hello everyone, I am seeking to create a VERY simple messageboard with only linear messages allowed - no threads (this is important!). Here's the hard part. I cannot use SQL as my ISP does not support it. Any ideas? Heck, if it's possible to use a simple XML script thats fine by me! Let me know, and thanks in advance!:rolleyes:

If you carnt find anything that does not use SQL,Pm me i will set you up a hosting account cheaper than you pay now with unlimited database.

[grungemedia]

Features list of textfileBB 1.0.x
Below is a features list of textfileBB. Not all features are listed, but below are all the major items.

Forum Settings --------------------------------

* Put a board into maintenance mode, allowing only admins to login.
* Word censoring
* Disable/Enable Search
* Disable/Email System
* Turn attachments on/off

Boards and Categories --------------------------------

* Reorder boards within categories, or reorder categories.
* Assign moderators.
* Allow certain membergroups to access a board, including guests only.
* Configure permissions for each membergroup on the board level.

Member Registration --------------------------------

* Require registration before forum entrance.
* Require a user to agree to terms before they register.
* Require a moderator to approve registration.
* Member Navigation and Authentication
* Several security checks during navigation.
* Password reminder option, by email with confirmation. (doesn't automatically reset your password.)
* Cookie based authentication, with md5 sha1 password hash security.
* Sortable and searchable public memberlist
* Memberlist.
* See who's doing what

Statistics --------------------------------

* Total Posts on the forums
* Several board statistics (accessible by permission.)
* Individual member statistics accessible from their profile.

Membergroups --------------------------------

* Advanced permission and user management.
* Create membergroups to group members on permissions, access rights, and/or appearance.
* Determine the maximum number of personal messages per inbox
* Assign graphical symbol(s) to a membergroup
* Determine which membergroups are allowed to access a board.

Banning --------------------------------

* Ban members based on their username, and IP Address
* Chose between full ban, 'no post' ban, or registration ban. (by setting permissions)
* Integrate parts of forum software into existing website using SSI or PHP.
* Several forum statistics.
* List of users online.

The menu bar --------------------------------

* Search.
* Login/logout.
* Today's birthdays
* Latest members.

Theming and Templating -----------------------------------------------------

* Ability to install a new theme via your administration center.
* Admin can add smileys
* Simple CSS, easy to design

Posting Features -----------------------------------------------------

* Quick Reply
* BBCodes (easy ways to add your own also)
* Quote

Attachments -----------------------------------------------------

* Secure check on filetype by extention and not MIME.
* Allowed on a per member group or board basis.
* Optional restriction on what filetypes may be uploaded.
* Ability to restrict such that only registered members can view them (disables hotlinking, mostly.)
* Images can be embedded into posts.
* Attachment Log Manager, see who uploaded what, where, and when.

Calendar Support -------------------------------------

* Shows Birthdays on index. (Calendar Not Available though)

Moderation Tools -------------------------

* Ability to lock and unlock a topic.
* Delete or modify posts.
* Move or delete topics.
* Sticky or unsticky topics.

User Profiles and User Options -------------------------------

* Ability to hide your email address from the public.
* Select their favorite theme among the activated forum themes
* New topics per board.
* Single topics.
* Private messages.
* Personal text, avatar, signature, and all the niceties of forums can be used and are kept up to date in all your posts.
* List all topics that have new replies since your last visit.
* See who is browsing the same boards or topics as you.
* Topics that span multiple pages have the page numbers listed.
* Postcounts.

http://jcink.com/?act=textfileBB&p=main
Hah, my buddy Jcink wrote that. Great script, reminds me of IPB actually, so it does a damn good job.

[ssanders82]

I agree with comments above, go ahead and pay $4 a month and get a real host with database support.

[birdsq]

Using a database is better ........

[toby]

i'm in Australia. if you need a cheap hosting, i can provide it just at 60AU$ per year.

toby