An idea...

[Greg Robson]

I had an idea a few minutes ago...

How about a wizard for first time configuration (or 2nd, 3rd etc).

It could take the user through configuring all aspects such as text descriptions, options. It could give more info on the different aspects.

I haven't posted this in the mods sections as I think it would be a handy permanent feature as it would make people treat php and MySQL with less fear...

Any comments?

[L. Chance]

SE is pretty well plug and play now as it is.  After the install.php is ran, all that's left to do is "tweak" a few options, but you have a fully operational board up and running at that point.  It doesn't get much better than that.

[Greg Robson]

I know YaBB is pretty user friendly but I think it would be useful for some people who don't have a clue what PHP or MySQL is.

Instead of having to go through the configuration, they could answer questions like....

Do you wish users to register before they can post?
YES NO

'new web page'
Please provide the path to your images folder
[text box with path]
If this is your only installation of YaBB or you are new to YaBB you don't need to change this.

'new web page'
Please choose a format for showing the date or time
[LIST OF OPTIONS]
or specify your own [text box] 'instructions for date format'

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I think you get the picture.   This way you can make sure that users get the opportunity to change settings that they might not be aware of otherwise!

[Michael]

There's the nice little "admin" button for all those... And none of those require any knowledge of PHP or mySQL. As for "Please provide the path to your images folder", that's already in the installation and if they're a new user with no idea what they're doing, they don't need to fiddle with this anyway, while experienced users know how and where to change it.

And yet... You're right, more idiot-proofing is always nice, even though taking away the wrassling does shoot some of the fun out of configuring things.