FORUM webpages using EXCEL as database of USER PROFILES/MESSAGES? Attachments & Avatars?

[srands]

FORUM/BULLETIN BOARD WEBSITE PAGEs (from PROGRAM): This 'FORUM' STYLE is great, vbulletin costs though doesn't it. In summary, my question is:

What FORUM web page editing/generating programs are like this, but free and simple to setup and use? Name a few please! I don't see a decent looking option in FRONTPAGE using EXCEL WORKBOOKS, for this, the RESULTS DATABASE, a category search of an EXCEL spreadsheet, looks rubbish, I've never once seen any website successfully use this, rubbish DSN orientated method (Database http reference is far too overcomplicated). Other CATEGORY/PRODUCT search websites such as AUTOTRADER look far more professional.

Obviously, overtime a hosted 'FORUM' will inevitably grow in size within your 'HOST', on new additions of:
~ USER PROFILES, AVATARS,
~ MESSAGES, ATTACHMENTS, STATISTICS

The next issue is how the website 'FORUM' stores: PROFILES/AVATARS/MESSAGES/ATTACHMENTS: I guess some 'FORUMs' will simply:
CREATE another 'hosted file', eg: forum/users/username1.htm
or
ADD/EDIT to an existing 'hosted file', with an individual reference, eg: forum/users.htm#user1
or
ADD/EDIT a 'database' of PROFILES/MESSAGES

Hence my point, surely there is a simply way to do this with an EXCEL spreadsheet as a 'database', such as a simple http reference to an excel workbook, eg: http://www.srands.co.uk/exoftable3.xls
Then of course be the issue of http referencing an EXCEL ‘TAB’, within excel workbook, sure there will be many many examples that don’t work, leading inevitably towards editing everything individually, er no! And none of this ridiculous DSN or SQL SERVER! Preferably just htm/html, instead of css/php.

I've already browsed for 'FORUM' pages/open source/programs.

However most/all of these appear to be sarcasm revolving/centralising around the issue of 'FTP access' for purposes profile/message creation. Obviously after a 'FORUM' user joins this doesn't give them the website forum 'FTP username & password'! Or the option to browse through file directories! Or the option to add/delete/edit any files at will! I could do without all these sarcastic obstacles!

Anyway there are many completely useless examples on the internet to download, and realise they do nothing. DOWNLOAD SITES I BROWSED THROUGH: download.cnet.com/windows/ www.rocketdownload.com

There are some great 'FORUM' and 'PRODUCT/PROFILE' examples out there such as:
FORUM STYLE:vBulletin (used on many Excel Forums) www.vbulletin.com
phpBB (used on Retrobike www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/) www.phpbb.com

PRODUCTs/PROFILEs WEBSITE PAGEs:
AutoTrader (CATEGORY search then browse through PRODUCT SUMMARIES, click an individual summary to the FULL PAGE) www2.autotrader.co.uk/search/used/cars

Any great FORUM program/code editor that is freeware/shareware, that works on any host that is easy to edit, preferably in htm/html? SUGGESTIONS?

Crossthreads:
http://www.mrexcel.com/forum/showthread.php?t=630025
http://www.ozgrid.com/forum/showthread.php?t=164597

[royUK]

Where's the Excel connection? Google free forum software, search some php sites

[srands]

Where's the EXCEL connection? You asked.

What this comes down to, people/businesses/organisations like to use FREE/CHEAP 'HOSTING' for their website, cheap HOSTING does NOT include SQL (Structured Query Language), or as an extra at a cost.

HOSTs that do have SQL, on your account, there would be a SQL CONTROL PANEL, since SQL is needed to setup (DSN) DATABASE NAME, USERNAME and PASSWORD.

HENCE MY QUESTION FOR A EXCEL DATABASE USING A HTML FORUM CODE!

Since the majority of the FORUM PROGRAMS/CODES need SQL as a pre-requisite, then like most with cheap hosting we can't setup a simple FORUM on our own websites, but a great alternatives is to get a FREE FORUM, then just HYPERLINK it on your website, no cost, and doesn't take up your hosting file capacity:

GREAT FREE HOSTING that doesn't need SQL HOSTING:
http://www.pnyxe.com/compare-plans Scroll to the bottom, on the FREE column select 'START NOW'.

Then it is a 1 page code, nice and simple, unlike many others! I'll go into detail about the others below!:

The confusion starts with many who want a FORUM for their website, the issue of setup seems relatively simple DSN (DataSourceName), username & password.

However what isn't clearly explained in many many many instructions that 'YOUR HOSTED SITE' will need SQL (StructuredQueryLanguage) which won't even be an option on YOUR ACCOUNT for YOUR WEBSITE's CHEAP/FREE hosting.

[shg]

... and doesn't take up your hosting file capacity:

In that vein, maybe this would be more appropriately posted in a web hosting forum.