Discussion/Message board solutions

[Orior]

I want to set up a message board (which has nothing to do with GAA). My requirements would comprise:

·         Mostly casual users
·         I suppose registration must be mandatory for posting, and I'd want registration as automated as possible
·         Must allow 2 or more moderators
·         Must allow the structure to evolve – I'm not sure if I can get the structure right from the offset
·         Either free or low cost (so as to avoid annoying adverts)

Can anyone recommend a good message/discussion board solution?

What would it cost annually?

[thebigfella]

·         I suppose registration must be mandatory for posting, and I'd want registration as automated as possible

Why? I personally think there is no need to force people to register if it's going to be moderated.

[Orior]

·         I suppose registration must be mandatory for posting, and I'd want registration as automated as possible

Why? I personally think there is no need to force people to register if it's going to be moderated.

I agree, particularly if it is for very casual users. But I may be overruled.

If I can see the IP address of repeat offenders, then that should help. I'd want a board that allows me to see the IP address too.

[ziggysego]

Big Brother at work

[magpie seanie]

Poacher turned gamekeeper.

[Lar Naparka]

You will have someone able to configure this on your server, won't you?
If so, a good place to start looking is at Matt Wright's script archive.
(scriptarchive.com)

There is one I have heard of, Discus BBS, and it might just be what you are looking for: it comes top heavy with features. It has both a basic and a professional version. (You pay for the professional one but you get extra features.) 
Can't recall who markets it but I have come across it on a lot of busy sites out there.

[Orior]

You will have someone able to configure this on your server, won't you?If so, a good place to start looking is at Matt Wright's script archive.
(scriptarchive.com)

There is one I have heard of, Discus BBS, and it might just be what you are looking for: it comes top heavy with features. It has both a basic and a professional version. (You pay for the professional one but you get extra features.) 
Can't recall who markets it but I have come across it on a lot of busy sites out there.

Thats what I want to avoid - I want it all hosted for me.

[Lar Naparka]

You will have someone able to configure this on your server, won't you?If so, a good place to start looking is at Matt Wright's script archive.
(scriptarchive.com)

There is one I have heard of, Discus BBS, and it might just be what you are looking for: it comes top heavy with features. It has both a basic and a professional version. (You pay for the professional one but you get extra features.) 
Can't recall who markets it but I have come across it on a lot of busy sites out there.

Thats what I want to avoid - I want it all hosted for me.

Then you could do a search for 'hosted discussion forums' or something similar.
Bravenet.com is  a site off the top of my head where you can set up a free a/c and get a lot of webmaster's extras. ONe of the features is a hosted message board/discussion forum.
Just took a quick look and Bravenet's one has some of the features , such as IP banning that you require.
You could also look here: http://thinkofit.com/webconf/hostsites.htm

This is a directory of sites that provide hosting of message boards. I haven't gone through it in detail but it seems to be very comprehensive and has helpful notes by the site owner.