How do I create different hidden forums for different hidden groups?

Hi,
Although my topic may sound strange, my problem is not so strange.

I have a new forum, and right now, we are a small amount of members chatting within a few forum sections that are hidden for anyone who isn't logged on.Pretty soon I am going to change that. People want to join and I'd like to open the forum up to anyone who wants to be there, but still keeping my cosy corner for those of us who talk about personal stuff.

When people are logged on they can see most of the forum (except admin forum).
But then I want my bunch of friends of about 20 ppl to be able to talk amongst ourselves in a hidden forum part.
How do I do that?

Can I use the "groups" thing? And how? What is the distinction from the regular member and a member of my group?

Thanks for any help

Yes.

ACP>>Users & Groups>>Group Administration

"Create New Group" >>

Name: Whatever you'd like, will show in legend.
Description: Can be blank, up to you.
Group Moderator: You
Color: Leave Blank
Color Group Members: Leave Unchecked
Group Order: What you want
Group Status: Hidden

No one will be able to know about the group unless you tell him if you do it like this.

----------Next,

ACP>>General>>Categories & Forums

Click the button to make a new forum or category.

What Kind of forum do you want: Forum
Forum Name: What you want
Attached To: What you want
Position this forum after: What you want
Copy Forum Permissions: What you want
**Then complete the rest of the settings, as you like.

Hit save

Permissions:

Here's what you were talking about. Use the group you made first and only allow them to see the forum, by checking only their box in the table for "View & Read". Then edit the rest to your likings.

Hope this helps!

Thanks so much. And you're sure I can do these things even with only the simplest kind of forum?

Yeah.

Yayyyy!! Thanks thanks thanks!

Anytime,

To Moderators: This topic is solved.