Those of you that use IPB, vBulletin, UBB threads etc, why do you choose to use them over free options? Is it because they have features not found on free alternatives? Better support? Or is it because of the power of the brand name?
I bought IPB primarily because of the extra features, both on the admin side and on the user side (nicer profile, status system etc). I wasn't quite aware of how good the IPS support staff were until I got the software, although I do rank it as a huge improvement. Brand power did come into it, although not as much as the features.
Glad you're liking IPB. The good software is backed by an even better ticket support (and if that isn't enough, you could always pay extra for phone support). I'm a proud IPB license holder myself since 2007 (though I'm not using it at the moment). I used to also own a vBulletin license. I found vBulletin 3 better than IPB 2, but IPB 3 really blew them away, and I never had good support from them. IPB 3.1 is going to be really good with Twitter Connect and SEO features which come after consulting with an SEO firm. I had trouble with IPB 3's Admin CP in the beginning but I really got into it after using the Live Search.
However, I actually can run a successful forum on MyBB. They've actually had the Live Search for longer than IPB has. With Google SEO, I've also been doing really well on it as well.
That's the tradeoff. If I'm due to expire in June, I could just pay $25 to get the 3.1 update if it came in December or so, for example. Mind you, when IPB 3 came out in June, not only was it well-received, but most people upgraded within a month. Such a shame vBulletin 4 couldn't live up to that.
I find it more a shame than something to laugh at for vBulletin's situation, really. Jelsoft no longer exists because the entire crew left because Kier left. After he did, a lot of the senior developers left as well. This ultimately reminded me of the new Guns N' Roses lineup without Slash, Duff McKagan, or Matt Sorum. As talented as the new guys may be, they won't have the Godly status Kier Darby had.
You must get tired of typing that over and over.. Or do you have it on a notepad ready to copy and paste? Get over it. 😛
People leave companies all the time. Ive had 2 boss's in the last year. The pharmacy down the street got taken over by a different company. The internet works just like the real world.
Mind you, I can tell you every forum developer looks up to Kier Darby like an idol. When MyBB first came out, they were advertising themselves as a free vBulletin and modelled themselves like them. Of course, there are guys who come and go, but a guy of his magnitude definitely makes a difference, like when maybe Luiz Felipe Scolari took over Chelsea FC (I never really liked him).
