You could start today if you want. With an SMF for free. Then you could see how it would evolve.
One predictable thread in that case: can the ads be influenced by the contents of the posts? (Yes, it can, and it can be fun)
Guess it can be updated to a paid ad-free version without a problem.
The Drivel was some work for Dunc, keeping it very closed, to keep bots and trolls away. If you think you don't have the time for it the next two months. How will you be sure that you will have the time to maintain it afterwards?
Not mocking you here. Serious question.
Free full-service SMF sites that are trivial to stand up have their problems. Notably, you may not be able to download the site.
On the other hand, free server space (I'm using bythehost) is better for a trial site. You won't want to stay with
such if you want high percentage uptime ect., but what's cool is that you can learn how to host your site properly,
managing SMF, php, Tomcat, and SMF. Of course, all that effort is also a fucking pain. Maybe it's exciting at first
(configuration crap never was to me), but it's gonna fade.
