Well, having actually discussed this very issue with Pete, I can say it takes...
2 parts patience...
6 parts dedication...
5 parts techie skills...
3 parts sacrifice...
and finally...
150 parts love for what you're doing.
Mix all ingredients thoroughly, add some moderators and toss well to coat evenly.
That said, you can check out
Jelsoft for info on the software used to power these boards.