How to best manage message board size?

chev,

Tripod UK (I assume you will use this since tripod US does not provide a database) does not limit your database size. The 50 MB limit is for files.

As long as you don't abuse the bandwidth (also not limited) and don't host files like mp3s you shouldn't have a problem.

Other than that all you can do is set the forum to auto prune.

As to which board uses the least space it all depends. The way I have altered the database on these boards makes it take much more space. You could remove the wordmatch tables and lose the search engine and that would cut it by almost half.

It all depends on what you want to do.

But try tripod UK, you shouldn't run out of space too soon (as long as you don't add too many extras) and if you do you will just have to prune or get paid hosting with more space.

If I disable search, don't host avatars (let them give urls instead), don't allow file attachment, use gzip compression, purge PMs after ten days, delete threads closed by moderators, how many members/posts (some average figure) should I be able to host?

Another question: What advertising do they require and what is their censuring policy (I mean certain controversial posts I might decide not to edit/delete)?

Advertising: They have an ad that is displayed once a day it looks like this: http://members.lycos.co.uk/able2know/golf.htm

Re lycos policies they are pretty much the same as any free host, no porn, no warez, no hacking talk etc. Make sure to read their terms of service as I do not represent them nor their policies.

Note that I'd said that tripod lycos UK does not enforce size limits for databases srtictly. As long as you don't abuse it you can grow large. But if you want a ball park figure for 50 MB I'd say about 40,000 posts (this can vary greatly).

The downside of a free host is the downtime. Lycos frequently has downtime but a free host with php and a DB is very rare.

BTW, if you are interested in creating your project in affiliation with these boards please PM me.