Why do people hate on phpBB?

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Luigi1632

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Why all the hate on phpBB?

I mean, personally... I've always used phpBB for my forum(s)(in the past and with my current one) and really, if there's any reasons for me to switch my forum to some other software,frankly I don't really care..(Because my small scratch of a community doesn't mind phpBB).

Seriously, I mean sure.. the other softwares have easier ACPs and crap, but why not actually gain experience from a little trail-and-error, rather than do things the "easy way".

I mean, hating on phpBB is like.. hating on older game systems, because of the graphics...

My forum may be small, but I see no reasons to switch to other software.
 
I have always used phpBB. I still think it's the best there is.

Overall, software is more personal preference than anything. The fact that phpBB is free, though, is a huge advantage in my book.
 
It's the best free forum software out there, just that it's hardly ever updated 🙁
 
You can't hate "on" it, you can dislike the software however. Just saying.

There are many reasons not to like phpBB, how would you like that list? Here's some examples:

Poor Mod handling and installing (compared to others)
Long time between updates
Not easy to be styled 'well'
Glitchty
 
Jmcbride01 said:
You can't hate "on" it, you can dislike the software however. Just saying.

There are many reasons not to like phpBB, how would you like that list? Here's some examples:

Poor Mod handling and installing (compared to others)
Long time between updates
Not easy to be styled 'well'
Glitchty
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^This, however it is among the better free forum software out there 😉
Luigi1632 said:
My forum may be small, but I see no reasons to switch to other software.
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People are more likely to hate your sub-domain than your phpbb software 😉
 
Luigi1632 said:
...My forum may be small, but I see no reasons to switch to other software.
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You shouldn't change your forum software just because some people dislike phpBB. As I have said in many topics regarding forum software, you should use what you feel comfortable and what meets your needs. You (as an admin) will spend most time managing your site so it should be something you are comfortable with and not just something which a few members here prefer.

Nowadays it is pretty easy to change forum softwares so you are not stuck with a software... unless you are on a free forum host then it can be complicated. My opinion is why pay for a software to start a new forum when there are decent free solutions out there that meets your needs?
 
I do not think it's so much hate but more so dissatisfaction with the manner in which the developers disregard the majority of user requests to integrate common functionality/mods that the other software options now do.

Styles also tend to be ho hum when compared to the others but services like Rocket Theme for phpBB give you a bit more flash but it too will cost you some cash (could not resist). All and all each option has its own pros and cons.
 
I actually really like phpBB.. It's just the add ons that itch my nerves. I don't have time to install them.
 
Forum software is personal choice, indeed. You can start with a software you think is easiest for you to customize, try it on your own, and throw it back to the community if you want to change it or not. I have been doing that since I started.

As for phpBB itself, I don't really hate it. It's just that I found a better one that that. I started with phpBB and learned most about my current administration skills thanks to phpBB. However, as Jmcbride01 had pointed out, the biggest turn off for me is because it is very hard to install a customization, be it modifications or styles compared to other software. Now you ask me why I don't want to learn in the "hard" way. I sure have, and I realized I wouldn't have enough time to tend to everything if phpBB works like that because I'm a sole fighter on my forum. If you have technician which install things for you it might be different, but for me I need something more efficient. It depends on the situation of the forum itself, really. If you have the skills and enough time to do it, sure, go and try it yourself. I simply think we don't need to make things harder for ourselves when there are easier solutions out there.
 
1) Poor plugin/theme system.
2) Bloated admin panel.
3) Taking too much time between new releases.
 
kavin said:
1) Poor plugin/theme system.
2) Bloated admin panel.
3) Taking too much time between new releases.
Click to expand...
4) over professional designs
5) all themes look the same
6) bad support
 
StevenF50 said:
kavin said:
1) Poor plugin/theme system.
2) Bloated admin panel.
3) Taking too much time between new releases.
Click to expand...
4) over professional designs
5) all themes look the same
6) bad support
Click to expand...
^ This. phpBB is a joke. 😉
 
Despite what others say..I do "hate" Phpbb, not just "dislike" but hate it for a number of reasons:

1. It's free

99% of things that are free in life tend to be low quality and not as up to date and good as things you pay for. This goes for things that cost more (ie a tv that is $3000 is better than a tv that is $1000).

2. Lack of updates

Going along with it being free phpbb is ran by a bunch of freelances that do it on their free time, it's not a full time for job for them in which they get an hourly wage, thus there is a lack of updates and they can choose to do updates whenever they wish..which tends to be very rare.

3. Quality

Along with it being free, again, the quality isn't nearly as good as paid software such as IPB, vB, and XenForo. Why do I say this? Well for one looks at the differences in ACPs, there a huge difference as to what can and cannot be edited throughout the system easily.

4. The difficulty

People have to PAY others to get mods installed and even themes for those that do not know how to do it. It is Extremely easily to install mods and themes with vB and IPB (not sure about XenForo as I have never used it as an admin) compared to the difficulty there is in doing it with Phpbb mods. YOU may say, "Oh it's not that hard when you learn how to do it." Well there you go: you have to spend time learning how to do it, and then spend time actually DOING it. With vB and IPB you don't have to learn how to do it as it is RIGHT there in front of you and takes seconds at most to install a mod.

5. The market

Along with mods and themes, Phpbb is starting to lack with updates to their mods and especially themes. Hardly any, if any at all, new themes for Phpbb because designers and programmers are moving off of the free stuff and moving to things that will make them money such as making themes for IPB and vB. As for mods, mods in Phpbb are lacking updates, thus are out of date and are unusable. Mods with IPB and vB are EVERYWHERE and being updated all of the time while new mods are always being made that are better than many of the Phpbb mods. As for themes, new themes are being made all of the time and the market for these themes is literally HUGE in which making it easy for anyone to find a suitable theme for their IPB or vB board whatever the niche.

Just my 2cents. Disagree if you want, it won't change my thoughts. ^^ Cheers. Also, I'm not bashing on anyone or anyone's forum(s) by the way. Not saying that Phpbb is a TERRIBLE software to use and that everyone should switch, I am just stating that I hate the way it is and that I prefer otherwise.
 
SpeakWhatsReal said:
Zenith said:
Actually because SMF is better and free.
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smf is even worse lol
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It is worse... in your opinion. This is all opinion based. People have different opinions and reasons for liking different software. Posts like that are not really helpful as you are providing no reasons why you feel that way about SMF and it comes across as if you are saying that their opinion is wrong which does appear a bit rude.
 
SpeakWhatsReal said:
Zenith said:
Actually because SMF is better and free.
Click to expand...
smf is even worse lol
Click to expand...

It's not worse, it has better themes than MyBB, phpBB.
Has quite a lot of good mods, Portals etc.

All it needs now is a like system which is being made by a member of SMF.
 
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