Forum Software Opinions Needed!

[Jason]

Well most the members here use phpBB3, so it is going to be from a biased point of view. I have tried both; so I think I can have a say.

I will say this: YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR! Really, there is no comparing phpBB3 with vBulletin. For one, security fixes are provided instantly. Secondly, the 'new' features are great. Forums have always been a social network, and if you don't like the features, then you can easily disable them.

Hacks are a lot easier to implement. The PRODUCT system in vBulletin is fantastic. Some PHP coding knowledge and you can be building your own modifications. Anyway, on most hacks you just install a PRODUCT by uploading it from your computer, then set your preferred settings and voila - hack installed!

Finally, the style. Yes, the default vB style is outdated; but come on, it was last updated 3 years ago. When vB 4.0 is released, which will be better than any phpBB version for now and in the foreseeable future, the style will be updated. Also, it's really easy to create your own style. There is even "free" styles you can use from vbulletin.org... or you can purchase one from a place like: http://www.vbstyles.com.

-- Jason

 

[CyberFreak]

If i disable all the feature i don't like then really there is not point having VB.

If you look around the promotion section you will see that most people here don't use phpBB3 -😉-

 

[Jason]

If i disable all the feature i don't like then really there is not point having VB.

Huh? How do you come to that conclusion? Forum software is a community - a place where users can interact, ask questions, and meet new people.

Please see: http://www.vbulletin.com/features.php

 

[CyberFreak]

I know the features of vb having used 3.6 and 3.7 but really 3.7 doesn't offer anything more then 3.6 apart from causing more load on the server and taking up more space. A forum software is a community and a place where users can interact, ask questions, and meet new people but how does alot of the features help this? Myspace style profiles?

VB used to be professional but looking like MySpace is not something some professional companies would like on their company forum.

 

[Murder he Wrote]

I agree with Fowler.

Whilst the styles of vBulletin make it look (ever so slightly) more professional, the truth is that phpBB will always be better value for money.

Besides, most of the good features that vB offer tat phpBB don't, can be installed as MODs anyway ~lol~

 

[Jason]

I guess we'll have to agree to disagree.

I've tried both, and in my eyes, phpBB is nothing compared to vBulletin. Also, server load is still the same for me. Below 1. And, it is nothing like MySpace, just cleaner looking. There is an hack on vb.org that gives a MySpace profile look tho'.

The thing is, how long did it take to release phpBB3? 😉

I have to go now, busy schedule. Bye!

-- Jason

 

[Murder he Wrote]

The thing is, how long did it take to release phpBB3?

That would be down down to the fact that the developers are all volunteers, and have full time jobs to provide for their families etc..

Whereas for the v Bulletin developers vB is their job ~lol~

Besides, the long release date just goes to show they took their time with it and made sure everything was secure ~smile~

 

[Jason]

And vBulletin make sure everything is secure ect, just in a shorter time frame. You do know it goes through audit checks? 😉

-- Jason

 

[Murder he Wrote]

Just in a shorter time frame.

Yes, but as i said in my post...vBulletin is their full time job. phpBB developers have other full time jobs, and work on phpBB in their little own time between when they get back from work, and when they go to sleep.

That's why it took longer. Fact.

 

[Subz]

You expect Vb to be good tho, you are paying quite abit for it,

 

[Carson]

If i disable all the feature i don't like then really there is not point having VB.

Huh? How do you come to that conclusion? Forum software is a community - a place where users can interact, ask questions, and meet new people.

Please see: http://www.vbulletin.com/features.php

I really don't see that much that is better than phpBB3. Honestly, I think phpBB3 has more features than that.

 

[Jason]

carsonk, that's fine and I appreciate your opinion. However, I do not think it has more features. Most of the phpBB team would say it's better, I bet.

Also, I forgot to add about the "social networking" that you complain of. All forum software devs are starting to do this. IPB have near enough the same features. No doubt phpBB3 will do the same, that's if it continues goin' -- due to it being released under the GPL then development could just stop at anytime. Who knows what is round the corner.

Honestly, just wait until 4.0 is released. It will settle this long winded debate that has gone on for years once and for all. 😉

Also, can I say this. What would you rather do: Have something that is set-up perfectly for you out of the box, or have to install a lot of mods to get it anywhere up-to standard? I know which one I would choose. Also, each time you install an hack/mod, you are opening up your board up for security vulnerabilities. Just because they are released on phpBB3, doesn't mean they are safe -- they are not reviewed by any "professional" coders. The same goes with vBulletin; however vB.org will remove any hacks that could damage your forums. However, most on vBulletin are OK. 🙂

-- Jason

PS: It says I have a private message, even though I don't. :S

 

[CyberFreak]

And vBulletin make sure everything is secure ect, just in a shorter time frame. You do know it goes through audit checks? 😉

-- Jason

You know that phpBB3 has gone through a paid security audit prior to it's release and you know that no major security issues have been found in phpBB3 and there has only been 1 release since phpBB3 gold has been released and since VB3.7 got released a while after phpBB3 did there has already been atleast 2 new versions come out which shows they have issues and that maybe it wasn't ready for release and wasn't secure.

phpBB took their time and rewrote it all hence the time it took and what have they produced? A more stable software.

 

[Carson]

But Jason, you still haven't pointed out what is so much better about vBulliten.

 

[CyberFreak]

It makes you pocket alot lighter compared to phpBB.

 

[Carson]

It makes you pocket alot lighter compared to phpBB.

Honestly, I think I'd rather spend the $180 on advertising and custom MODs for phpBB3.

 

[Van1lla ™]

I do think though some people here cant really spread an opinion about vB if they havent used it, you can put down something which you havent even used.

I just wouldnt use vB because it costs too much.

 

[Carson]

I do think though some people here cant really spread an opinion about vB if they havent used it, you can put down something which you havent even used.

I just wouldnt use vB because it costs too much.

I've used it from a user's point of view, and there is not much that I like about it. I didn't really notice that much that was different from a bunch of other forum-operating systems - at least anything that was worth $180, even $100 for that matter.

 

[Van1lla ™]

Yeah but you havent used it from the admins point of view. When i used it from a users point of view i thought it was very good.

 

[Subz]

i have used vb and phpbb from a users, mod and admin point of view and altho VB is very good and is worth the money, VB is just as good for no money