Get your buddies together with BuddyPress and create your own social communityGot a cause, a hobby, or some other obsession you can't wait to share with a like-minded community? BuddyPress is the buddy you need to get that community started. Here's how to get BuddyPress up and running on your WordPress Web site and use its free tools and themes to host a social network devoted to your pet projects, right on your site.Full court press - start by obtaining a Web hosting provider and installing WordPress, then install and configure BuddyPressIt's your domain - register your domain name and use FTP to transfer necessary filesMember options - explore BuddyPress features for creating profiles, avatars, and community friendshipsGrowing with the group - integrate members' blogs, set up member groups, and add discussion forums with BuddyPressCustom Buddy - expand BuddyPress themes, personalize them with CSS, and learn how to create your ownIt's on the wire - promote community interaction through wire postings for individuals or groupsGather the gang - integrate Twitterr, Facebookr, Flickrr, YouTuber, and other social media into your communityGo farther - discover third-party plugins that add more optionsOpen the book and find:Cool things you can do with a BuddyPress siteRequirements for a hosting environmentWhere to find and download free themesWhat you can do with widgetsWays for members to create and manage their own forumsHow member avatars are usedTips on using member group featuresTen BuddyPress sites to check out