Re: How to configure forum
That look can't be achieved by configuration alone. Tiki's Smarty template files that are used for the forum pages would need to be customized.
The screenshots use the old table-based forum layout. I think around Tiki 2, the forums were renovated to use divs instead, and in fact they use pretty much the same CSS as phpBB forums, which made the same tables-to-CSS upgrade slightly earlier (so Tiki's forums not looking "like other forums" isn't completely accurate).
You can get the older look by using a theme that uses tables to lay out the forum posts, or that emulates that look with divs. I have one theme like that but it isn't quite ready to release. You can see it at zukakakina.com (change the theme to XtratoVeil). I hope to finish this theme up pretty soon, but it's got a pretty distinctive look (which I really like - props to Xtrato Design, which gave me permission to do Tiki versions) so would only be a good fit for a certain kind of web site.
For Tiki 6, the blog layout method is being revamped to enable a lot more designer flexibility; maybe the forum layout can get the same treatment. If so, it'll be much easier for themes to have unique designs for forums, etc.
Until then, one option would be to hire it done, if it would be worth the investment. You can check out the "Consultants" page up in the menu, if interested. (I'm not sure if anyone else but me listed there is doing this particular kind of work.)
-- Gary
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