I'm kind of returning to foruming and I slowly want to build a forum, I've got an IPB license but it expired as well as my hosting. I don't plan on investing any cash in foruming for now so I'm looking for a decent host for forums, what is the top free forum software these days and what is a reliable host?
Decent forum software?
- Thread starter Oasis
- Start date
CyberFreak
Legendary Typer
Both of these questions are based on opinions. Some people like a certain host while some people don't and some people like a certain software while some people hate it. Really it is a choice you need to make based on what you feel comfortable using. Also in terms of hosting, think what you will need it for and ensure the host you use can hold you. If you want to run 2 forums and a blog then you will need a host that offers more then 1 MySQL database for example.
You can read other peoples opinions on software here (We don't really need another software topic) - viewtopic.php?f=26&t=42455
You can also get and see a large selection of hosts here - viewtopic.php?f=26&t=28046
If you search each host on Google and add reviews after it, it will show what people think of that host and that can help you decide (for example search "hawkhost reviews" or "wehostyour.info" reviews etc).
You can read other peoples opinions on software here (We don't really need another software topic) - viewtopic.php?f=26&t=42455
You can also get and see a large selection of hosts here - viewtopic.php?f=26&t=28046
If you search each host on Google and add reviews after it, it will show what people think of that host and that can help you decide (for example search "hawkhost reviews" or "wehostyour.info" reviews etc).
el canadiano
Paragon
How is your IPB license expired? The only ones which expire are the Yearly or the Hosted solutions. If you have a standard license, you can pay the $25 at any time to get the updates again.
I recommend MyBB over phpBB. The main reason is because mods don't require any file edits, hence the toughest of mods take under 5 minutes to install, not 45 minutes to hope your forum still works after editing. Not only that, since phpBB's code changes, 3.0.6 mods might not work with 3.0.7. MyBB 1.4.x mods are all cross-compatible across 1.4 (and about half of the mods will work in 1.6 since there are not many major changes in the code).
I recommend MyBB over phpBB. The main reason is because mods don't require any file edits, hence the toughest of mods take under 5 minutes to install, not 45 minutes to hope your forum still works after editing. Not only that, since phpBB's code changes, 3.0.6 mods might not work with 3.0.7. MyBB 1.4.x mods are all cross-compatible across 1.4 (and about half of the mods will work in 1.6 since there are not many major changes in the code).
thedudeman
Seasoned Veteran
Is there any possibility you could pay the $25 to renew IPB? I think it's the best, and I would hate for a license to go to waste.
Expired Account
Seasoned Veteran
Hmm I would have to say www.wehostyour.info for free hosting and phpBB3 for software, but its really up to you what you like and what you need.
el canadiano
Paragon
thedudeman said:
It depends on the type of license. If you had a Yearly license as I said (discontinued in around 2006), then you're out of luck. The Yearly license was vBulletin's equivalent to a leased license, have it for one year, then good luck after that. A standard IPB license will allow you to do that. You can use the software for as long as you want, but you have to pay $25 for 6 months of upgrades/support. Now, for example. You're going to be up for renewal in June 22, 2010, and IPB 3.1 comes out in September/October, 2010. You can wait until September to pay the $25, if you wanted. What that does is then you are up for renewal in March. A business license works the same only you pay $50 rather than $25 (the difference between a business and a standard license is that the business license gets immediate phone support).
Check out this article I wrote: http://quifoo.com/?p=84
D
Deleted member 1609
I agree with this. I will always be partial to phpBB.Kino said:
The MODs, support, and features make phpBB worth it. It's also free software.
cityStatic
Seasoned Veteran
I'd go with MyBB.
fantanoice
Madly Diligent
Like others have said, it is personal preference. I 'personally' wouldn't go PhpBB3 because it seems to be the most limited by default (no quick reply by default? Come on.) and also the one with the steepest learning curve (look to mod installation for example).
I would recommend either MyBB or SMF if you're just starting out as they're both fairly user friendly and not too difficult to learn (well, at least not compared to PhpBB3). Also, like el canadiano said, different versions of PhpBB3 mods aren't cross-platform while MyBB mods are (not sure about SMF).
But hey, as long as the forum does its job, it doesn't matter what software it is.
Hope that helps.
I would recommend either MyBB or SMF if you're just starting out as they're both fairly user friendly and not too difficult to learn (well, at least not compared to PhpBB3). Also, like el canadiano said, different versions of PhpBB3 mods aren't cross-platform while MyBB mods are (not sure about SMF).
But hey, as long as the forum does its job, it doesn't matter what software it is.
Hope that helps.
el canadiano
Paragon
fantanoice said:
Same goes with SMF. As a matter of fact, 1.0.2 themes are also fully compatible with 1.1.11, unlike MyBB, phpBB, and vBulletin (in these cases, it's mostly just minor changes and 1-2 edits, which is no biggie). The Package Manager in SMF is definitely the most under-appreciated feature in ANY forum software.
Affiliates
