[rickxxx]

I am not a programmer so I can not help on that side of things.

Anyway, I would suggest that you have a look at one great Forum-software and another great Forum-application. You might get some ideas from it which might help you to build a much better Forum-software.

Please check the following:

http://www.gossamer-threads.com/forum/

http://vancouver.en.craigslist.org/forums/?forumID=81

KISS (Keep It Simple & Stupid).