What forum software have you used?

[Batskes]

Hey all. Just thought I might post a few Forum Based topics for discussion here at DBTech If threads not wanted, just tell me to stop!

What forum software have you used. What do you like? Quick Pro's and Cons

vBulletin 3, 4 and 5
I've been using vBulletin for countless years now.
Pro's -
Each version of vBulletin is different, you can find exactly what you need (I have still used vB 3.8 installs of recent)
Simplicity + Power
Countless mods from a fantastic community dedicated to vBulletin Mods, Skins and General Editing

Cons -
Can be confusing to start (as most forum software is for n00bs)
Each version of vBulletin is different (yes a pro and a con).
Limited template editing compared with IPB.

Invision Power Board - Version numbers unknown
I've also used many versions of IPB. Great software, but really just not my thing. I can't explain it, but I just prefer vB!
Pro's -
n00b Friendly Admin System
Highly customisable
Great looking default skin that you only need change a logo and never actually really need a skin! Logo change is SIMPLE too.

Cons -
Most mods that are worth using are PAID with no LITE versions. So unless you buy them, you can't even use a version that adds a link etc to support.
Software owners can turn into "IPBFanboys" really quickly. You will find that support with vBulletin Mods etc and the vBulletin community is generally a nicer place to be... Think of IPB as Apple people and vBulletin as Android people.
Yearly cost. You MUST re-issue your license yearly.

MyBB - Been using since released.
My free forum software of choice and recommendation for others or new people to forums.
Pro's -
Simplicity
ITS FREE!
Mod community. Much like vB. I would go as far to say that I would think MyBB would be the vB of the free world
Yet another good looking forum default skin. Easy to navigate for new forum members too.

Cons -
It's free software. Don't get me wrong, but I've just always felt paid software is more of a security thing. After all, with paying for software comes a certain level of support from the people who chose to charge for the software. Otherwise they know full well, they lose money, they lose customers and worse off, they get sued for not maintaining a product that was paid for.
Harder to customise yourself skin wise compared to other software.

 

[Draffi]

I was using SMF (SimpleMachinesForum) since 2008.

It is nice and easy to make some custom Mods. The Community is much more better than this on vB. Faster and much more sophisticated.

The Add-ons (Modifications) for vB are more cleaner and structured - if you found what you r looking 4.

I`m really surprised about the settings for vB and for the "Phrase"-Manager (and for the Template-System - It is powerfull, if you can handle this)

IPB i was testing local and this is the ultimate Forum Software. But i was too late for me to see the advantages...the support is much more better, in the comunnity.

I was changing my board from SMF to vB (for a lot of money) but next time, i do this for IPB. vB was sleeping away the web 2.0 possibilities and gives really no support - including if you was purchasing a license or you was buying some mods...

My impression is, that vB was stopped out at v 3.8 - after this, there is no working community. I dont know why....

BTW: vB 5 looks like a IPB-Clone!!!

 

[Batskes]

Cheers for your thoughts

I never really used SMF but I have seen sites that do and they do look quite neat.

but next time, i do this for IPB.

BTW: vB 5 looks like a IPB-Clone!!!

I rest my case on one of my IPB cons. vB5 looks nothing like an IPB clone. vB4 is more like IPB than vB5 is.