How can I change domain names and have everthing point to new name?

I'm changing the name of my forum and I don't get much SE traffic, but I'd hate to lose what I do get. So is there a good way for oldurl.net/xxxx to redirect to newurl.com/xxxx?

Using redirects would I still get credit for old backlinks?

 

The best way in my opinion is to point your old domain to the new hosting ('domain pointers') and then use some server side script (by either mod_rewrite or redirecting through custom error pages) to redirect old urls to the new ones.

Old backlinks were for old domain, you will have to get them updated for your new domain.

 

Right you can even delete other files and point 404 to new url with index page as well.

 

Then it should be possible to buy crapsites with lots of visitors and direct them to your site..