Where is the best place to build yourself a forum?

your best move is to visit:

http://opensourcecms.com/

It has a list of the most famous open source content management systems (including forums). Demo versions are installed and you can login to each one and use it as admin for up to 2 hours to get a feel for it.

You can also check user comments and marks given by users voting. It really worths spending some time before you commit to a product because after committing it's not easy to change.

good luck

Rome

if your host has php installed on their server you can download http://phpbb.com/ and upload it to your account. all you have to do is type in some info from your host and you're in business. be sure to read the help pages at phpbb web site.

if your host doesan't allow php then you will have to use one of the hosted message boards. you set it up on their server and just link to it on your site.

http://www.ezboard.com/

http://www.proboards.com/