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Thread: Forum Software...

  1. #1
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    Forum Software...

    There are a few different forum software packages that I have run across. We're using vBulletin now, but it costs $160. Chris suggested phpbb v2 which is free, and another free one I have found is Invision Power Board. I have recently installed IPB 1.2, but it is nowhere near production yet. You can seea working example in the forums of The Design Outpost. A working version of phpbb is at The Columbus Underground (my biggest competition). If anyone has any experience with these scripts, either using them or administering them, post your opinions. I'd like to see what everyone thinks...

    ERIC

  2. #2
    Administrator Chris's Avatar
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    I've only used VB and PHPBB and VB is far superior on the admin side of things.

    On the user side they're very similar.
    Chris Beasley - My Guide to Building a Successful Website[size=1]
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  3. #3
    Registered Mike's Avatar
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    If you aren't looking to spend, I would get phpBB. There's loads of hacks for it at www.phpbbhacks.com, so it's pretty easy to get new features etc.
    Don't you just love free internet games ?

  4. #4
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    For a free board, I think the best one is Invision Board. My only complaint is the lack of hacks. They just aren't the same quality or quantity as the vBulletin hacks.

    If I could afford vBulletin I'd be using it.

    Matt

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    yeh i have to agree if you can afford VB go for it ! if not then Invision is a good free board.

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    I use VB, never used anything else.

    Its awesome.
    Wannabebig - Bodybuilding and weightlifting articles
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  7. #7
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    Hey, Mike, do you have any tips on how to customize IPB? I need to get a header up top and some other tweaks that I'd like to try to accomplish...

  8. #8
    Registered Mike's Avatar
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    There's a few helpful tips on stuff like that on IPB's site, http://www.invisionboard.com.

    Also if your looking for hacks etc, there is http://www.ibplanet.com.

    If your still having trouble with your header and such, reply or PM me and I'll be happy to help
    Don't you just love free internet games ?

  9. #9
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    Originally posted by Cloughie
    I use VB, never used anything else.

    Its awesome.

    Hi. I've registered on your forum and I had few links on my signature.
    How come signature links are prohibited?
    My sites have no products or services to sell and advertise.
    Just wondering.

  10. #10
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    We have a no self promoting policy.

    We have gotten big enough to really ave to worry about where the money is coming in now, and we have invested a lot in a sports supplement company and cannot afford for people to advertise on our forum through their posting.

    What where the links?

    Generally if there was no products/services being advertised and it was not a competing forum we would not ask you to remove it.
    Wannabebig - Bodybuilding and weightlifting articles
    Wannabebig - Bodybuilding forums
    At Large Nutrition – Your number one choice for nutritional supplements
    Empowering Sounds Hypnosis CDs

  11. #11
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    I received a PM asking to remove the links.
    The links directed to my school website. No competition or product advertisement in my sites.

  12. #12
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    The links I had is the same I have on my sig right here.

  13. #13
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    which mod was it from?
    Wannabebig - Bodybuilding and weightlifting articles
    Wannabebig - Bodybuilding forums
    At Large Nutrition – Your number one choice for nutritional supplements
    Empowering Sounds Hypnosis CDs

  14. #14
    Registered GCT13's Avatar
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    For those of you who have used VB and/or phpBB and/or Invision, what are the superior admin features of VB?

    Is phpBB and Invision SE friendly forums?

    Thanks.
    ....

  15. #15
    Web Monkey MarkB's Avatar
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    The defining feature of vB for me (having a forum where I host subforums, and thus need styes for each) is the template engine. I've gotten into arguments before with phpBB owners etc., claiming that the template engines are comparable. They're most definitely not. Particularly vB3, with its parent template/style inheritance (change a template in a parent template group, and all the child templates beneath it are updated unless they've been changed previously).

    The reason I don't have all styles running with one template group is that some forum owners want things changed sometimes, so this is easier to manage

    I've used phpBB, Invision, UBB, and a bunch of others, and vB will always come out on top in sheer power and end-user experience.

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