Once installed, phpBB is easily managed via the Administration and Moderator Control Panels. If you need help or advice with phpBB, please see Section 3 below.
2.i. Languages (Internationalisation - i18n)
A number of language packs with included style localisations are available. You can find them listed in the Language Packs pages of our downloads section or from the Language Packs section of the Customisation Database.
For more information about language packs, please see: https://www.phpbb.com/languages/
This is the official location for all supported language sets. If you download a package from a 3rd party site you do so with the understanding that we cannot offer support. Please do not ask for support if you download a language pack from a 3rd party site.
Installation of these packages is straightforward: simply download the required language pack, uncompress (unzip) it and via FTP transfer the included language and styles folders to the root of your board installation. The language can then be installed via the Administration Control Panel of your board: System tab -> General Tasks -> Language packs. A more detailed description of the process is in the Knowledge Base article, How to Install a Language Pack.
If your language is not available, please visit our [3.0.x] Translations forum where you will find topics on translations in progress. Should you wish to volunteer to translate a language not currently available or assist in maintaining an existing language pack, you can Apply to become a translator.
2.ii. Styles
Although the phpBB Group is rather proud of the included styles, we realise that they may not be to everyone's taste. Therefore, phpBB3 allows styles to be switched with relative ease. First, you need to locate and download a style you like. You can find them listed in the Styles section of our Customisation Database.
For more information about styles, please see: https://www.phpbb.com/styles/
Please note that 3rd party styles downloaded for versions of phpBB2 will not work in phpBB3. It is also important to ensure that the style is updated to match the current version of the phpBB software you are using.
Once you have downloaded a style, the usual next step is to unarchive (or upload the unarchived contents of) the package into your styles/ directory. You then need to visit Administration Control Panel -> Styles tab where you should see the new style available. Click "Install" to install the style.
Please note that to improve efficiency, the software caches certain data. For this reason, if you create your own style or modify existing ones, please remember to "Refresh" the appropriate style components Administration Control Panel -> Styles tab -> Style Components screen. You may also need to reload the page you have changed in your web browser to overcome browser caching. If the changed components are not refreshed you will not see your changes taking effect.
2.iii. Modifications
Although not officially supported by the phpBB Group, phpBB has a thriving modification scene. These third party modifications to the standard phpBB software, known as MODs, extend its capabilities still further. You can browse through many of the MODs in the Modifications section of our Customisation Database.
For more information about MODs, please see: https://www.phpbb.com/mods/
Please remember that any bugs or other issues that occur after you have added any modification should NOT be reported to the bug tracker (see below). First remove the MOD and see if the problem is resolved. Any support for a MOD should only be sought in the "Discussion/Support" forum for that MOD.
Also remember that any modifications, particularly those which modify the database in any way, may render upgrading your forum to future versions more difficult. With all this said, many users have and continue to utilise many of the MODs already available with great success.