Lite Forum - User Manual

1. Introduction

Welcome to Lite Forum, a modern, fast, and lightweight discussion platform designed for simplicity and performance. This application allows communities to connect, share ideas, and engage in discusses in a secure and user-friendly environment.

Key Features:

• Fast & Responsive: Works smoothly on desktops, tablets, and mobile devices.
• Dark Mode: Built-in support for dark and light themes.
• Rich Text Editor: Create posts with formatting, images, and embedded videos.
• Real-time Notifications: Email notifications for mentions and subscriptions.
• Multi-language Support: Available in English and Spanish. You can add aditional languages by editing the lang folder and configuring the config.php file.

2. System Requirements

Before installing Lite Forum, ensure your server meets the following minimum requirements:

• PHP Version: 7.4 or higher
• Database:
  • SQLite (Default, requires no configuration)
  • OR MySQL (Optional, for larger communities)
• Web Server: Apache (recommended), Nginx, or IIS
• Extensions: PDO, cURL (optional but recommended)

3. Installation Guide

Installing Lite Forum is designed to be as easy as possible.

Step 1: Upload Files

Upload all the files from the Lite Forum package to your web server (e.g., using FTP or your hosting control panel).

Step 2: Run the Installer

Open your web browser and navigate to your website's URL followed by /install.php.
Example: https://your-website.com/install.php

Step 3: Follow the Wizard

The installation wizard will guide you through 4 simple steps:

1. System Check: Verifies that your server meets the requirements.
2. Database Setup: Choose between SQLite (simplest) or MySQL.
3. Site Configuration: Set your site name, default language, and create your Administrator Account.
4. Install: Click the button to finalize the installation.

Step 4: Finalize

Once installed, you will be redirected to the success page.
Important: For security reasons, please delete the install.php file from your server after installation.

4. Getting Started

Registration

To join the community, click the Register button in the top right corner. Fill in your username, email, and password.

Logging In

Click Login in the top navigation bar. Enter your username/email and password to access your account.

User Profile

Click on your avatar or username in the top right corner and select My Profile. Here you can:

• Update your personal information.
• Change your avatar (Gravatar is supported).
• View your recent activity.

5. Using the Forum

Browsing Topics

The homepage lists all recent discussions. You can filter them by Categories using the sidebar or the dropdown menu.

Creating a New Topic

1. Click the New Topic button (visible on the home page or category pages).
2. Title: Enter a clear and descriptive title.
3. Category: Select the most appropriate category for your topic.
4. Content: Use the rich text editor to write your post. You can:
   • Format text (Bold, Italic, Lists).
   • Insert links and images.
   • Embed YouTube videos.
5. Attachments: If enabled, you can attach files (images, documents) by clicking the "Choose Files" button below the editor.
6. Click Create Topic to publish.

Replying to a Topic

1. Open the topic you want to participate in.
2. Scroll to the bottom of the page to find the reply box.
3. Type your message. You can use @username to mention other users.
4. Attachments: You can also attach files to your replies.
5. Click Post Reply.

Search

Use the search bar at the top of the page to find specific topics or posts. You can search by keywords found in titles or content.

Dark Mode

Toggle between Light and Dark mode anytime by clicking the Moon/Sun icon in the top navigation bar. Your preference is saved automatically.

Other Features

• Voting: You can like or dislike posts using the thumbs up/down icons.
• Mentions: When you are mentioned in a post (e.g., @YourName), you will receive an email notification (if enabled).
• Subscriptions: Click the Subscribe button on a topic to receive email alerts for new replies.

6. Administration Guide

This section is for site administrators. Access the Admin Panel by clicking your avatar and selecting Admin Dashboard.

Topic Management

Admins have special controls directly on the topic page:

• Pin Topic: Click the Pin Topic (thumbtack icon) button to stick the topic to the top of the list. Useful for announcements or important rules.
• Lock Topic: To prevent further replies, click Edit Topic, check the Lock Topic box, and save. A lock icon will appear next to the title.
• Delete/Edit: Admins can edit or delete any topic or post using the respective buttons.

User Management

Navigate to Users in the Admin Dashboard to manage members:

• Search: Find users by username.
• Edit User: Change email, role, or other details.
• Block/Unblock: Prevent a user from logging in by clicking the Block (lock icon) button.
• Delete: Permanently remove a user account.

Settings Panel

Configure the forum behavior under Settings.

General Settings

• Site Name & Icon: Customize your forum's identity.
• Default Language: Set the primary language (English/Spanish).
• Registration: Enable or disable new user registrations.
• Topic Subscriptions: Allow users to subscribe to topics.
• Mention Notifications: Enable email alerts for @mentions.
• Post Voting: Enable/Disable the like/dislike system.
• Email Verification: Require users to verify their email before posting.
• Private Forum: If enabled, only logged-in users can view content.

File Upload Settings

• Enable File Uploads: Turn attachments on or off.
• Allowed Extensions: Define which file types are safe (e.g., jpg, png, pdf, zip).
• Max File Size: Set the limit for individual files (in MB).
• Max Attachments: Limit the number of files per post.

Homepage Customization

• Homepage Title & Description: Add a custom welcome message or announcement to the top of the homepage. Supports rich text.
• Meta Description: Set the SEO description for search engines.

Email Settings

• Email Method: Choose between PHP Mail (default) or SMTP2GO (recommended for better deliverability).
• SMTP Configuration: If using SMTP2GO, enter your API Key and From Email.

7. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: I forgot my password. How can I reset it?
A: Go to the Login page and click the "Forgot Password?" link. Enter your email address, and you will receive instructions to reset your password.

Q: Can I change the language of the forum?
A: Yes. The forum supports English and Spanish. The default language is set by the administrator. You can add aditional languages by editing the lang folder and configuring the config.php file.

Q: How do I report inappropriate content?
A: Currently, you can contact an administrator directly. Future versions may include a direct "Report" button on posts.

Q: Why can't I upload large files?
A: File upload limits are determined by your server's PHP configuration (upload_max_filesize) and the forum settings. Contact your site administrator if you need to upload larger files.

License

Lite Forum
Copyright © 2025
SinLios Soluciones Digitales — All Rights Reserved.

Support & Contact

For support, feature requests, or customization:
Email: info@sinlios.com
Website: https://liteforum.net