New phpBB forum - mods and theme?

[simonweb]

I'm planning to start a new forum and I will be using phpBB as I am unsure how popular the forum niche will be, and as such I don't want to spend money acquiring an expensive license this early. But it's been several years since I used phpBB and I could use some help.

Which phpbb version should I use? I see that there are three versions available, but which one do you recommend me to start with?

I am also looking for a premium (or free) theme that looks fresh (preferebly in light colors) and modern. It must be responsive. Do you have any tips for such themes?

And finally, which mods or addons are essential to use?

 

[Page]

Which phpbb version should I use?

the newest one that they offer that's free LOL

I am also looking for a premium (or free) theme that looks fresh (preferebly in light colors) and modern.

start off with free and small then as you grow you upgrade, I say two themes, dark and light

And finally, which mods or addons are essential to use?

depends on what the site is about

 

[simonweb]

Which phpbb version should I use?

the newest one that they offer that's free LOL

Yeah, that was my initial thinking as well. But there doesn't seem to be as many mods or themes available yet for the latest version.

I am also looking for a premium (or free) theme that looks fresh (preferebly in light colors) and modern.

start off with free and small then as you grow you upgrade, I say two themes, dark and light

Good idea with a light and dark theme. Do you know any good free themes? The default phpBB theme doesn't look that great IMO.

And finally, which mods or addons are essential to use?

depends on what the site is about

The site will target "ordinary people" and not techies, geeks, or other more web-knowledgeable people (if you know what I mean). So I don't need any complicated mods or addons. But I need mods that can enhance and make posting easier for my members, spam prevention, and so on.

 

[Page]

Yeah, that was my initial thinking as well. But there doesn't seem to be as many mods or themes available yet for the latest version.

There will be, as days months years go along they be updating it and whatnot

Good idea with a light and dark theme. Do you know any good free themes? The default phpBB theme doesn't look that great IMO.

There are allot, but not for the new version of the software! just have to go around and spend time looking

The site will target "ordinary people" and not techies, geeks, or other more web-knowledgeable people (if you know what I mean). So I don't need any complicated mods or addons. But I need mods that can enhance and make posting easier for my members, spam prevention, and so on.

I say start with nothing and add as you go along, Not want to add something that might t not get to be used. Just download and install the most addon's.

Like we mention not enough new plugins/updated for the new forum

 

[Jason76]

and not techies, geeks, or other more web-knowledgeable people (if you know what I mean)

Are you calling us names? 😡

 

[NicheLaboratory]

I would say the biggest problem with phpBB is that it's just soooooooooo hard to keep out spammers. That's always the problem with off the shelf software.

Absolutely nothing has worked for me. I've been forced to manually approve registrations after reviewing their reason for joining. Of course that means real users are hardly ever going to register, but what can I do?

 

[Page]

I would say the biggest problem with phpBB is that it's just soooooooooo hard to keep out spammers. That's always the problem with off the shelf software.

Not if you used third party website's/addon

 

[NicheLaboratory]

Yup I should really start making some phpBB extensions. I find it's really underserved compared to Wordpress.

Well if anyone has any tips for keeping phpBB spammers out then post them here.

I thought about making a geoblocking extension, it's weird there isn't one available already.

 

[Slix]

Yup I should really start making some phpBB extensions. I find it's really underserved compared to Wordpress.

Well if anyone has any tips for keeping phpBB spammers out then post them here.

I thought about making a geoblocking extension, it's weird there isn't one available already.

I just made a forced custom profile field that requires a certain number to be entered from a list of numbers. Seems to work for keeping most spammers out, and I've had this in place for a number of years, occasionally changing the number required.

phpBB is a nice forum software, but it's also the only one I really have experience with.

 

[Jerlene]

Are you sure you want to go with phpBB? 3.0 is the end for them so eventually you'll have to rely on other users for any support that you may need.

But if you do go with phpBB Awesome Styles has some great, free themes for phpBB.
https://awesomestyles.com/phpbb3-styles

 

[Jason76]

RocketThemes.com (look in the footer of Rocket Themes website for link) has good ones but they're for an older phpBB version.