Need some insights about running a forum

[Quakindude]

It's been a great many years since I've done this. Think BBS days.

The patients I've met here all have one thing in common. No resource on the Internet to express themselves, talk about Traumatic Brain Injuries and so on. There's one site that has a forum, however, it is well known to be run by a guy that is very much selfishly involved with hawking his medical services instead of being a true independent representation of what's available out there. I plan on starting a forum if I can afford it. My financial situation kinda sucks right now since my step-dad passed away and I'm staring at an uncertain working future. But this is something I feel very strongly about. I'd prefer to not have to use a forum service that embeds a ton unwanted advertising and all that crap. I'd like to look into a server and my own software. But I know the software is expensive and there's just not much money I can put into this. So between want and need, there's got to be a compromise.

What can you folks suggest? I will, of course, be willing to learn the ins and outs of it all. This will be a site dedicated to TBI. I'll definitely have a very military friendly atmosphere because I want to try and use this as a means of bringing not only the various civilian forms of TBI together, but the military as well since the instances of TBI in Iraq are increasing. Indeed, the cases of this wound are just now being recognized/fully realized within the military medical community. I just need to know how to get started so I can offer something to those suffering with this that I couldn't find when getting ready to undergo this treatment. Also, a community where people can express their difficulties with this and be understood by their peers would be instrumental in helping the very difficult emotional aspect of this injury.

Your help and advice would be greatly appreciated.

[RangerXLT8]

I'd say start out with a small monthly based server. Get vBulletin as the softer because it is by far the best. Monitor your traffic and go from there.