Developing a Forum Client

Hi,

I am looking to develop a client interface using Visual Basic, for this Code Guru forum. From within the MDI application, users will be able to login, quickly have access to the different forums and be able to reply to posts using an internal message editor that includes code highlighting for Visual Basic and C++.

I currently need to understand how this forum works, in the sense that how these php pages actually validate the username and password (through the URL or internally through some CGI program), and also see how these php pages actually post up the replies that us users send. To me it seems this is all happening through the URL (query string). If I can communicate internally with this forum such as retrieving a list of logged on users, be able to post a reply to a thread given from within my application, my application can be a reality.

I look forward to hearing from you people.

Thanks

For PHP source, check www.vbulletin.com and download the Lite version.