Which forum system do you prefer?

[Spaceman3750]

Which forum system is your favorite? Personally, I love SMF because of its features and flexibility.

I do like IPB and vBull a lot, but their massive price tags make it difficult for many people to buy. Their licenses are also restrictive.

[armatik]

I'd rather pay a very high amount to have an extremely secure and fast forum system, rather than set up something like phpBB myself, have limited features, limited support, and scores of hackers looking around for exploitation, which is quite easy since they have access to the source code, which isn't worked on as hard as IPB or vB, since the developers aren't paid and they're doing the software as a side project.

So yeah, I'd go with vB or IPB.

[bloggy]

I love vbulletin
It has many many features which are totally advanced and better for me, than phpbb and other forum systems.
Earlier it was believed that phpbb have a few MODs which made the forums SE friendly but now, VB also has the same features, and in this forum itself i see a few MODs installed like the SE Friendly URL's for threads etc.

So VB is the best!

[cheater]

Originally Posted by armatik

I'd rather pay a very high amount to have an extremely secure and fast forum system, rather than set up something like phpBB myself, have limited features, limited support, and scores of hackers looking around for exploitation, which is quite easy since they have access to the source code, which isn't worked on as hard as IPB or vB, since the developers aren't paid and they're doing the software as a side project.

So yeah, I'd go with vB or IPB.

I disagree with what you said. Just because something is open source, doesn't mean it is less secure. Take Firefox or Linux. Both are open source, and both are gaining popularity. I think by making them open source, you give it a better security feature. This is because the minute a new exploit is found, you have a whole community available to patch it as quick as possible. It also allows people to customize it easier, and modify it to their needs.

I personally like phpBB or vbulletin, but I don't really have that strong a preference. All of the forums have many of the same features now.

[armatik]

It's not the fact that it's open source, infact I like open source. In a lot of ways, it's better than having a private staff working on it. But at the same time, private staff might be better, because usually they're paid to do their jobs, so usually they won't make as many mistakes or be as casual about it. I know I know, there are exceptions, but generally speaking. I also realize that the whole open source community is behind it, but again, they're doing this as a side thing, not a full-time job (or any type of paying job at all).

[cheater]

Well, I think we can both agree that there are pros and cons for both open source stuff and programs made by a paid company.

[macuser9214]

SMF ROCKS!!!

Its open source, and the community at simplemachines.org is so helpful..
I highly reccommend it.

[LXscope]

I like IPB the best because I think everything is a lot simpler. Everything is very clean and clear. For members everything is very simple to navigate and for the Administration it is very straight forward.

The only disadvatage is the price of IPB compared to most other clients, including PHPBB which is the most similar, that is free.

[Heather]

I like and use (and oh my yes, continue to pay for) IPB. I have used it for about four years, and while my hired hand programmers complain that it's buggy and has issues, it caters to the PhD in me. (PhD = Push here, Dummy.)

[cheater]

Heather, I started out with IPB (the free version @ invisionfree.com). You will get tired of it. In my opinion, IPB is starting to fall behind. And if you have hired programmers, why don't you let them set up a different forum. Most of them are just as easy (or easier) to manage.