I need some advice on member site platform b/c its starting to get ridiculous!

[Peter Helps]

Hey guys,

I have been trying to work this out for the past several weeks and its starting to get ridiculous. So I asked myself a question: Where can I get some help?

Well, what better place that the warrior forum, right?

Anyways, here's my problem. I am working on setting up my own membership site and I've been trying to get the right platform. It's been frustrating to say the least. I am leaning towards using a forum based platform.

(Sidenote: I really like how stompernet has their membership site set up and want to do something similar to that.)

I need to be able to:

** have different levels of memberships
** needs to be secure - login and logout with passwords
** have the ability to block certain portions of the membership site to different user levels
** have the ability to post and attach video, audio, pdf and other mutlimedia formats within the site (give people the ability to download the stuff as well)
** ability for people to post threads/questions for each topic. This function is one of the most important function for me and should be within the topic/module. (sort of like a forum)
** the platform needs to be user friendly when it comes to modifications/theme changes/ etc. (sort of like wordpress where I can change a theme with a mouse click)

I have tried to use simple machines forum platform. They have tons of mods and themes but more I look at it, it's more frustrating than anything.

Thank you so much in advance for all your help. I really appreciate all your help.

Peter

[David-JP]

I think amember for the membership/payment management combo'd with wordpress (cms) and phpbb3/vbulletin (forum) or joomla (cms) with fireboard(forum plugin) should work for you.

There's a few pluses and minuses to each CMS and forum software. But either of those combos will give you a CMS to manage the content, provide videos etc.. and give you a forum. You can do multiple levels of membership with both as well.

If a forum is key to the site- then I think phpbb3 or vbulletin would be best for you since these forums allow better flexibility than the fireboard forum for joomla.

David

[Janet Sawyer]

Peter,

What kind of budget do you have to work with?

Are you looking for free options? or paid for scripts?

This will make a difference to what you can use to achieve what you want to do.

Janet

[Peter Helps]

I'm willing to pay for it but I don't want to spend a fortune on it. I just came across a joomla site and a guy who can install for me and pretty much make it work for me.

It seems like it will work.

Thanks for your answers.

Peter

[Jill Carpenter]

Originally Posted by David-JP

I think amember for the membership/payment management combo'd with wordpress (cms) and phpbb3/vbulletin (forum) or joomla (cms) with fireboard(forum plugin) should work for you.

There's a few pluses and minuses to each CMS and forum software. But either of those combos will give you a CMS to manage the content, provide videos etc.. and give you a forum. You can do multiple levels of membership with both as well.

If a forum is key to the site- then I think phpbb3 or vbulletin would be best for you since these forums allow better flexibility than the fireboard forum for joomla.

David

I've been using WP for a while now and it is great. I just installed joomla today and WoW. I am in play mode - but if you can navigate WP you will have an edge when jumping on joomla.

Anyway, you can install both yourself with almost 1 click. If your host is hostmonster or bluehost, you go into simplescripts and you can choose it and install instantly.

It looks like a new version of Joomla just came out as well.

I agree, this looks like a great combo.

[Michael Mayhew]

If you go with Joomla install the free AEC Membership site plug-in.
Joomla! Extensions Directory - Account Expiration Control - Membership Manager