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Discussion by Vagodeoz with 27 Replies.
Last Update: November 26, 2008, 7:21 am | |||
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I need a forum in the website, and I want to know wich one do you guys think is the best one.
I vote for InvisionPowerBoard. Free, easy, nice looking, customizable...
Even though phpBB is also nice, but I don't know... I preffer Invision.
I vote for InvisionPowerBoard. Free, easy, nice looking, customizable...
Even though phpBB is also nice, but I don't know... I preffer Invision.
i'm all for IPB like you...but I've known of quite a few forums who converted to SMF recently. I don't know...I find it SMF rather annoying, but it seems to be becoming more and more popular because it's free =P
IBP is the best out there in my opinion but they have put so many restrictions on their free trial version that I would enver use any of their new builds. I like phpBB from that list provided. vBullitin is good but pain to install. IBP is the best its free licence just sucks...
phpBB for the win I guess...
phpBB for the win I guess...
Excuse me, um, but there are more than 6 different types of forum sofware out there. Could a moderator edit this and add an "other" option? 
Anyway, I'm a big fan of MyTopix from Jaia Interactive, which is currently in beta, but it'll reach final within a few months probably. It's got lotsa nice features, but not too many features, like IPB (They apparently add features to it if one or two people want them. Wouldn't it be better to just create a mod for that?).
Oh, and BTW, you hafta pay for IPB (unless you install it from the cPanel). You may not be able to install MyTopix directly from the cPanel, but it's free.
Anyway, I'm a big fan of MyTopix from Jaia Interactive, which is currently in beta, but it'll reach final within a few months probably. It's got lotsa nice features, but not too many features, like IPB (They apparently add features to it if one or two people want them. Wouldn't it be better to just create a mod for that?).
Oh, and BTW, you hafta pay for IPB (unless you install it from the cPanel). You may not be able to install MyTopix directly from the cPanel, but it's free.
Well, I haven't tried most of them. I've only used Invision Power Board and phpBB. I like IPB better. Right "out of the box" it has more features and customizations. phpBB does have some nice hacks and stuff out there, but you've got to do some remodeling to add some extra stuff.
I would like to try some of these other ones.
I would like to try some of these other ones.
The only forum I've had experienced admin'ing on and setting up is IPB. It was a fairly straight-forward process, and easy to use.
As for posting though, I seem to prefer vBulletin. It just seems more "professional" to me..I don't know why. Maybe the name?
As for posting though, I seem to prefer vBulletin. It just seems more "professional" to me..I don't know why. Maybe the name?
When i start to test differents forum i try phhbb because it's free and easy to set up, the interface it is very intuitive, but the only problem it's the security, always has security holes, problems, etc.
When i came to astahost and finally gets my hosting i tried invision i find more robuste, better options and security, the default skin is a little ugly, but exists a lot of sites to change it, but when i finally i decided to change something, i find that install mod or skins is a tediousus works.
For me i like vbulletin, i like this type of forum, his interface and the options, well never i has experienced like an admin, but i think this is the best of forum, for users, for admin i dont know
Greets
Deivid
When i came to astahost and finally gets my hosting i tried invision i find more robuste, better options and security, the default skin is a little ugly, but exists a lot of sites to change it, but when i finally i decided to change something, i find that install mod or skins is a tediousus works.
For me i like vbulletin, i like this type of forum, his interface and the options, well never i has experienced like an admin, but i think this is the best of forum, for users, for admin i dont know
Greets
Deivid
Consider trying out all forum software before deciding which is the best. I like Invision Power Board myself and uses the trial version which is really nice, except for the limitations but there are also other forum software worthing noting, like phpbb, which has hundreds if not thousands of add-ons but it all depends on what you prefer. Invision Power Board 1.3 is the free version and add-ons for it can be found here. InvisionFree is the sized down version and if you're new or learning HTML, this is a good place to start.
i'm very confused about forum software, i've searched google for info and there are too much of these software, personally i've tried invision powerboard, snitz, phpBB, tried to install vBulletin but it cause me some problem that i don't know how solve....but i'm very impressed by Invision, if i have to put online a forum i think that Invision maybe a very likely choice, it's complete and fast and higly customizable
but if i had to explain a personal technical opinion concerning forum software...i think i'm not be able to do....
but if i had to explain a personal technical opinion concerning forum software...i think i'm not be able to do....
Invision Board is also free.
At least untill version 2.0.1 it's free. Then they changed their minds about freeware, but since 2.0.1 was free, and so it says in the documentation, there is nothing to prevent you from freely using it.
At least untill version 2.0.1 it's free. Then they changed their minds about freeware, but since 2.0.1 was free, and so it says in the documentation, there is nothing to prevent you from freely using it.
QUOTE (chaosx2x)
i'm very confused about forum software, i've searched google for info and there are too much of these software, personally i've tried invision powerboard, snitz, phpBB, tried to install vBulletin but it cause me some problem that i don't know how solve....but i'm very impressed by Invision, if i have to put online a forum i think that Invision maybe a very likely choice, it's complete and fast and higly customizable
but if i had to explain a personal technical opinion concerning forum software...i think i'm not be able to do....
[post="22489"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post]
Tell you what...since you are confused over what forum software to use, try them all out if you have the time. If not, go Invision since you're impressed by it. That's all I have to say and it won't be very much of a help
SMF is THE forum system to rule all.
MiniBB:
Sorry too little features but its built that way for that reason.
phpBB:
Well phpBB although giving the impression its good, I find it pretty boring and well bad (Let me explain), the community there is quiet a nasty lot they really do tare new people and more confident users heads off. The mods mostly dont work, they all require manual code changes. The system has recently come under fire not their fault but it has fallen badly to a few holes recently. The themes are good and such.
vBulletin:
Wouldnt pay that much for anything you can get for free
IPB:
Yeah right, move on, bloat, bloat, bloat, no simple way to do anything, it likes making a mockry of everything simple.
SMF:
Oh my god! This is the best, mods are added using the package manager which means no manual code changes, themes have an installer to upload even the zips it does the rest. Themes are so far mostly good and look great. The community are great bunch of guys and gals, you just cant beat them (not even with a 4*4) This siftwares admin panel is amazing and doesnt use the standard frame idea. I STRONGLY recomend it over all else. Its better than the paid forums and guess what it can take a whallop and a half of users, with no slow down, trust me on that!
Trekkie Recommends:
SMF - Nothing better
MiniBB:
Sorry too little features but its built that way for that reason.
phpBB:
Well phpBB although giving the impression its good, I find it pretty boring and well bad (Let me explain), the community there is quiet a nasty lot they really do tare new people and more confident users heads off. The mods mostly dont work, they all require manual code changes. The system has recently come under fire not their fault but it has fallen badly to a few holes recently. The themes are good and such.
vBulletin:
Wouldnt pay that much for anything you can get for free
IPB:
Yeah right, move on, bloat, bloat, bloat, no simple way to do anything, it likes making a mockry of everything simple.
SMF:
Oh my god! This is the best, mods are added using the package manager which means no manual code changes, themes have an installer to upload even the zips it does the rest. Themes are so far mostly good and look great. The community are great bunch of guys and gals, you just cant beat them (not even with a 4*4) This siftwares admin panel is amazing and doesnt use the standard frame idea. I STRONGLY recomend it over all else. Its better than the paid forums and guess what it can take a whallop and a half of users, with no slow down, trust me on that!
Trekkie Recommends:
SMF - Nothing better
Invision used to be Free but there is nowhere you can download it officially for free. This is because since 1.3 they have in some people's opinions 'sold our' for corporate ambition.
phpBB is now the leading free/open source forum software, and it is by far the best in this category, however for user friendliness it sitll lags behind not only Invision Power Board but also vBulletin.
In my experience, vBulletin is by far the classiest looking, the most immediately appealing and the easiest to navigate and add extensions to. Many professional websites use this software, but on the downside it is much more expensive than any other forum software and quite bulky in comparison to Invision Power Board or phpBB.
phpBB is now the leading free/open source forum software, and it is by far the best in this category, however for user friendliness it sitll lags behind not only Invision Power Board but also vBulletin.
In my experience, vBulletin is by far the classiest looking, the most immediately appealing and the easiest to navigate and add extensions to. Many professional websites use this software, but on the downside it is much more expensive than any other forum software and quite bulky in comparison to Invision Power Board or phpBB.
You can download version untill version 2.0.1 even from eMule or any p2p programs legally. It says on the documentation that it was freeware and therefore freely distributable.
phpBB is simple and easy to setup and i think you will find it goood too.....i havn't used any of other so ithink you must use phpBB once....
QUOTE
SMF:Oh my god! This is the best, mods are added using the package manager which means no manual code changes, themes have an installer to upload even the zips it does the rest. Themes are so far mostly good and look great. The community are great bunch of guys and gals, you just cant beat them (not even with a 4*4) This siftwares admin panel is amazing and doesnt use the standard frame idea. I STRONGLY recomend it over all else. Its better than the paid forums and guess what it can take a whallop and a half of users, with no slow down, trust me on that!
Trekkie Recommends:
SMF - Nothing better
Trekkie out of all the people I have ever seen...You've gotta be the one who loves SMF the most...Therefore I officialy deem you to be the official SMF spokes person
.Honestly though every forum has it's high points.
As trekkie stated mini is not a good one at all...unless you're VERY low on space.
phpBB is a good forum but trust me....They are about to get much much better in their new version
olympus. So don't give them the cold shoulder just yet. Although currently the only major problem I find with their forum is the fact that adding almost any mods is so bloody hard that you'll honestly just die and throw your comp and stuff. I've been there best way to install their mods is manualy IPB on the other hand is a lot better and easier at installing mods
for that I love them....Unfortuantly there is three thigns I can't stand about them...NOT FREE, not the best skins...And all technical support is scattered among the internet so you need to change from site to site whenever you need help with certain things...Atleast with PHPBB they have a majorly active forumt hatw ill always help you...and NEVER charge you.SMF....I'm sorry to say it trekkie but I've only tried SMF once and I didn't like it much....I was really new to php and forums n portals back then though so it was kinda complicated....I promise I will try it again sometime though....
But for now I simply use e107....It is a webportal with the easiest mod installation I have ever seen in my life...And to top it off they have every skin I could ever want...Every mod I could ever need...And a nice clean built in forum that seems tow ork great and not have any security holes at all
Thats just my opinion on the matter...Don't take it to heart.
Hope you guys chose the right forum or portal though
L8r
On my own sites I have only used phpBB, that being the leading open source, thus being free, board. But I don't think it's the best...
First of all the basic board without mods doesn't have all the features that , in my opinion, modern discussion boards should have. Biggest flaw IMO is the lack of subforums and attachments.
Then someone's gonna say "just install mods". Yeah, I have. But it's not working as well as I would like to. I have several mods, the categories hierarchy, attachments, few admin panel and member things. This all makes upgrading the board a real pain in the ass. Especially if you add a customed template there. To make things even worse, the old phpBB 2.0 series has had quite a lot of upgrades, mostly because of security issues.
Of other forum systems, I have never installed or administered any but from user point of view and from what people have told me vBulletin is the king of the hill. For me, being an avid open source supporter, its a bit hard to admit, but vBulletin really rules. It has all the features I believe you ever need, the version 3 is quite fast and from what I hear quite easily customizable.
Other than that I've heard a lot of good things about SMF, mainly it being lightning fast. Also Invision, like right here, is a neat system.
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Posts Merged Here - by vujsa
==================================
Damn, I can't find the edit button...
What I needed to ask in addition was that is UBB (Ultimate Bulletin Board) still alive?
It's kinda of legendary system that was in use in many forums when I started posting actively into message boards. I believe it was one of the first to include the kind of forum view that is as default here.
I believe it started to diminish in use when php driven systems started to become more populer.
First of all the basic board without mods doesn't have all the features that , in my opinion, modern discussion boards should have. Biggest flaw IMO is the lack of subforums and attachments.
Then someone's gonna say "just install mods". Yeah, I have. But it's not working as well as I would like to. I have several mods, the categories hierarchy, attachments, few admin panel and member things. This all makes upgrading the board a real pain in the ass. Especially if you add a customed template there. To make things even worse, the old phpBB 2.0 series has had quite a lot of upgrades, mostly because of security issues.
Of other forum systems, I have never installed or administered any but from user point of view and from what people have told me vBulletin is the king of the hill. For me, being an avid open source supporter, its a bit hard to admit, but vBulletin really rules. It has all the features I believe you ever need, the version 3 is quite fast and from what I hear quite easily customizable.
Other than that I've heard a lot of good things about SMF, mainly it being lightning fast. Also Invision, like right here, is a neat system.
==================================
Posts Merged Here - by vujsa
==================================
Damn, I can't find the edit button...
What I needed to ask in addition was that is UBB (Ultimate Bulletin Board) still alive?
It's kinda of legendary system that was in use in many forums when I started posting actively into message boards. I believe it was one of the first to include the kind of forum view that is as default here.
I believe it started to diminish in use when php driven systems started to become more populer.
UBB by Infopop didnt keep up, it was the biggest at a point but their features didnt improve greatly and the basic look stayed and still does, they didnt evolve like the rest and this dropped out. Many were better and free, but some people still use it, channel 4 and websuer do but nothing like the ammount of use of the others.
Spacewaste thank you, although give it a go now, a lot has improved and its getting better, maybe by the end of summer 1.1 will be out which incorpoorates a lot of improvements, more speed (I think aswell) and a lot of other little gizmo's to play with. Some things that other systems have but SMF lacks, SMF is growing and more and more people are using it, there are a lot of large forums starting to use it. It was actually even in a recent WebUser publication as the software that was the forum to use. phpBB has recently (through no fault of theres) declined people are starting to hack it and people are fed up upgrading every two weeks. The sooner there new system comes out the better but it does have some things I aboslutely hate in it (CVS) and some thing maybe 5 people will actually care about, but then its not finished so ill give it time, but SMF will still probably be my choice.
Spacewaste thank you, although give it a go now, a lot has improved and its getting better, maybe by the end of summer 1.1 will be out which incorpoorates a lot of improvements, more speed (I think aswell) and a lot of other little gizmo's to play with. Some things that other systems have but SMF lacks, SMF is growing and more and more people are using it, there are a lot of large forums starting to use it. It was actually even in a recent WebUser publication as the software that was the forum to use. phpBB has recently (through no fault of theres) declined people are starting to hack it and people are fed up upgrading every two weeks. The sooner there new system comes out the better but it does have some things I aboslutely hate in it (CVS) and some thing maybe 5 people will actually care about, but then its not finished so ill give it time, but SMF will still probably be my choice.
SMF kicks ass so much. Been using it for a couple days...administrating it is quite easy and adding new themes was so simple it's not even funny
TOok me literally less than 3 minutes to get 3 news skins/themes set up and available to choose from.
If anybody wants to see what the default smf forum skin looks like, view mine below. I have 3 other skins installed, so you can view those if you register and change them in your profile.
http://unrealwp.astahost.com/forums/index.php
Cheers!
ignition
TOok me literally less than 3 minutes to get 3 news skins/themes set up and available to choose from.
If anybody wants to see what the default smf forum skin looks like, view mine below. I have 3 other skins installed, so you can view those if you register and change them in your profile.
http://unrealwp.astahost.com/forums/index.php
Cheers!
ignition
QUOTE (Trekkie101)
http://unrealwp.astahost.com/forums/index.php?theme=3http://unrealwp.astahost.com/forums/index.php?theme=4
http://unrealwp.astahost.com/forums/index.php?theme=5
Will work
[post="23692"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post]
Haha..cool. Thanks for telling me!
Cheers!
ignition
Theres a few little cool things, youll pick them up now and again. Its an adventure playground!
Phpbb is the best free forum board for me. with exceptions to those commercial ones. Most will probably raise their eyebrows on phpbb because its "unsecure" as some conned it. But for me exploits are normal things in life. we have windows exploited, linux and even mac. Just keep these things updated and everything will be fine.
phpbb's inteface is better compared to other free boards out there. Ive tried out SMF, its good, features are good indeed, but its default interface is cluttered, default graphics are not good, organization of fonts, tables etc.. is not good. If you want a professional looking forum, or a midblowing forum interface im not sue if SMF would fit to that requirements You could cuztomize it, but for those who dont have any idea how, you will be stuck up with the "not so good" default ones. SMF templates are still limited as of now.
The edge of phpbb i guess...is its current widespread community and development team. You could download tons of skins, mods everywhere...customized for your site or for your community. Plus its user friendly site (phpbb.com)..compared to the cluttered unfinished one of SMF.
More reason for me to like phpbb is the upcoming PHPBB 3 Olympus version.
http://area51.phpbb.com/phpBB/index.php
The Olympus is very advance and quite comparable to Invision. Very good user management:preferences:user control panel. Well you could join the test forum to see it for youself.
User Control Panel is good, manage atachments, profiles, friends, foes, graphics etc... The Olympus version even supports flash signatures. plus Very advance administration controls. I hope they release it soon.
Anyway if youre willing to spend cash for a message board, the best one is V Bulletin. Stay away fro from forum boards which cant keep up its promise
Apache, PHP and mySQL are all free, why should you pay for a bulletin board?".
Its still true now. Apache, PHP and mySQL are still free so why not IPS. It seems like you have lied to us.
phpbb's inteface is better compared to other free boards out there. Ive tried out SMF, its good, features are good indeed, but its default interface is cluttered, default graphics are not good, organization of fonts, tables etc.. is not good. If you want a professional looking forum, or a midblowing forum interface im not sue if SMF would fit to that requirements You could cuztomize it, but for those who dont have any idea how, you will be stuck up with the "not so good" default ones. SMF templates are still limited as of now.
The edge of phpbb i guess...is its current widespread community and development team. You could download tons of skins, mods everywhere...customized for your site or for your community. Plus its user friendly site (phpbb.com)..compared to the cluttered unfinished one of SMF.
More reason for me to like phpbb is the upcoming PHPBB 3 Olympus version.
http://area51.phpbb.com/phpBB/index.php
The Olympus is very advance and quite comparable to Invision. Very good user management:preferences:user control panel. Well you could join the test forum to see it for youself.
User Control Panel is good, manage atachments, profiles, friends, foes, graphics etc... The Olympus version even supports flash signatures. plus Very advance administration controls. I hope they release it soon.
Anyway if youre willing to spend cash for a message board, the best one is V Bulletin. Stay away fro from forum boards which cant keep up its promise
QUOTE
Back in 2002 IPS said "Invision Board is completely free for both personal and commercial use, no catches, no "spyware", no hidden costs anywhere.Apache, PHP and mySQL are all free, why should you pay for a bulletin board?".
Its still true now. Apache, PHP and mySQL are still free so why not IPS. It seems like you have lied to us.
i like phpbb because it's free and most of the styles are better than other forums, as well as a lot of mods and support available.
ipb has the best administration, and the best default style. it's user friendly, but i hate that u have to pay for it >
vBulletin is the safest (i heard), but it's the ugliest default-wise, and it loads slower in general compared to the others. it's not that great with ur average user, but it's not bad.
ipb has the best administration, and the best default style. it's user friendly, but i hate that u have to pay for it >
vBulletin is the safest (i heard), but it's the ugliest default-wise, and it loads slower in general compared to the others. it's not that great with ur average user, but it's not bad.
Ever really tried working with SMF, ever actually tried making yuor own skin, you will find they are all clutered as SMF has those options and people dont want rid of them. But I assure SMF can be a basic as you want it. It can be as small as you want or as big, the template engine of SMF is unique and powered only by your mind, also if all people dont try something out, something new it would never grow, sure theres "this grass is green enough" but the grass over there is better, we dont need to move, but it would be a good idea. phpBB has been on feature lock for about 2 years now, all other forums are still more advanced in some ways than them.
i definitely support vBullentin. after trying so many kinds of forum, i find it has the most simple and nice GUI. furthermore its user friendly and it seems much more faster then the rest. but too bad its not free unless hahahah (u guys should noe).
SMF is my bet...It will look like you have you're own forum program..well if you're site is no other than forum, mybe you will choose IPB.but its not free.
The best forum software is definately, without a doubt invisionboard. Costly yes but when you have it it is spectacular. If you want to see a "preview" visit this free forum hosting
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