I want to make a forum similar to this one(not in content)...

In My Humble Opinion
1

I want to make a message board(or forum)… I was wondering: What are some free forum programs? Will I have to know HTML?

2

Try a search through Google, SmileyDeath. There’s also EzBoard and Bbb.boy to cut your teeth on, as an alternative.

3

YaBB is free.

4

How quickly they forget!
Let me put in a good word for our old friend BbBoy, who gave us shelter at his BbBoard when we were in need:
http://bb.bbboy.net/

5

Oh wait, Ice Wolf already said that. :o