Creating a web forum

I'm a newbie to web forums. A group of bloggers plan to create a forum
devoted to Israeli-Palestinian peace. We're looking for any advice you
might have about how to go about doing this. I've heard that phpnuke &
phpbb are good packages. What do folks think here?

Also, does anyone have recommendations for site hosts. The phpnuke
site recommends hostrocket. What do folks think?

I'm also looking for advice on how to handle technical issues. What to
look for; what to avoid.

The forum will be small & doesn't need all the bells & whistles.
Richard

Phpnuke is a CMS(Content Management System) it comes with phpbb as a
module for its forum.

Phpbb is a good forum that is still free.

Both are in active development and security issues are addressed
quickly.

If you are just looking for a form and have a layout that you want to
use I would recommend just using phpbb.

Though if you want a cookie cutter website that you can drop modules
into to customize with little knowledge of php then I suggest you use
Phpnuke or Postnuke.