How about suggesting a forum maker in creation of a website

o'neil · #1 (**permalink**) 11-30-05, 05:00

Well, what do you use?

What are the good / bad points?

How bout setting up guestbooks - what do you recommend?

monte · #2 (**permalink**) 11-30-05, 05:27

I (like BodHost.com) use PHPBB. It's quite easy to set up and has tons of moddified content for it.
Give it a try

Sean · #3 (**permalink**) 11-30-05, 05:29

phpBB has alot of security flaws, although I did ask one of the Bodhost.com people about it, and he said they have made a few changes to it.

But I suggest, if your paying vB (www.vbulletin.com) one of the best forums out there, only it costs :( but has alot of features.

You could also use, Invision powerboard (www.invisionfree.com), or SMF, there is just so much that are decent.

But go with vB ! Its the best ^.^

Precise Decision · #4 (**permalink**) 11-30-05, 06:48

I use two forums, firstly i use Invision Power Board, i prefer the skins and the easy way of installing/upgrading, and just the overall look, i'm a member of many online forums and i generally stick around the IPB forums more.

Secondly i use Phorum, a nice small, easily skinable phorum for those sites that dont get a lot of traffic and have no need for the bloatedness that is IPB/PHPBB, i got it on my site at http://www.echobeatmusic.com/phorum

bod-jack · #5 (**permalink**) 11-30-05, 07:57

PhpBB is probably the best to start because it is free, open sourced, has great support, tons of mods and the template system is easy to work with and highly customizable. PhpBB needs upgradation at regular intervals. Once your forum gets more traffic and you need more features, better security and support then you should switch to vBulletin.

Eagle · #6 (**permalink**) 11-30-05, 16:34

The Simple Machines forum is a good free forum too, but still fairly new compared to PhpBB so fewer skins and hacks as yet.

TamedLion · #7 (**permalink**) 11-30-05, 17:34

phpBB does not have security flaws.
I cannot stress this enough!
The development team for phpBB is well organised and respond very quickly to bugs. Furthermore, all mods officially released are security tested as well.
I admit, there are other options, good ones, but I tried a few and found phpBB the best by far.
You really can have a lot of fun with it at whatever level you want to get involved.

o'neil · #8 (**permalink**) 12-01-05, 04:55

Hmmm, yeah, I use one or two sites that use the Invision one and I do like the look....

okay - some food for thought - thanks!

marcus_green · #9 (**permalink**) 12-01-05, 20:05

everybody uses phpBB, which even though makes it 'unoriginal' and nothing new, its what everyone is used to - and so brand new members can easily navigate the forums with ease and familiarity. Forums need to be as easy to navigate as possible, otherwise people dont bother.

Sean · #10 (**permalink**) 12-01-05, 20:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by faceh

everybody uses phpBB, which even though makes it 'unoriginal' and nothing new, its what everyone is used to - and so brand new members can easily navigate the forums with ease and familiarity. Forums need to be as easy to navigate as possible, otherwise people dont bother.

I agree, as soon as a person sees the forum is run by phpBB they instantly know how it works etc...

monte · #11 (**permalink**) 12-11-05, 13:38

exacly, its pointless having a hard to use forum

Sean · #12 (**permalink**) 12-12-05, 05:33

But you do want to be original. Everyone has a phpBB forum these days.

marcus_green · #13 (**permalink**) 12-12-05, 21:13

just modify phpBB to make it look original, but all of the navigation points are the same. so like, build it in to your site so it looks good - but to the guy browsing it its still good old phpBB :D

Sean · #14 (**permalink**) 12-13-05, 00:45

Hmmm, i should try that. Could you use a simple php include function?

Gen · #15 (**permalink**) 12-18-05, 16:13

There are tonnes of themes available out there, all you need to do is add your logo.

Check mines out www.bigboaby.com/boabyboard

For Code: If you don't want the hassle of downloading and installing some other Forums software, you can install a PHP forums system via the CPANEL section of your Bodhost website, Assuming that you have one.

linux tech · #16 (**permalink**) 03-16-06, 09:55

Phpbb need to be upgraded frequently nothing to worry, however if you have budget, vBulletin is pretty nice.

Chiana · #17 (**permalink**) 01-21-09, 00:03

Sigh. You guys make it all sound so easy. I tried phpBB but my current webhost didn't make it easy for me to figure out how it worked. So I never got it running. Then I tried Invision Power Board. Same issue.

I'm starting to think between me being a complete dunce with software and coding and my host being completely unhelpful that it might be time to change hosts.

BodShane · #18 (**permalink**) 01-21-09, 08:40

phpBB installation and custom configurations are generally very easy when compared to other softwares. Most hosting providers provide support to their clients in terms of software installations and more.

I am not too sure how it didn't work out with your current hosting provider.

bluetrance05 · #19 (**permalink**) 02-01-09, 01:28

I've always known the vBulletin is much better than other easy forum makers because it has a lot of features and reliable support. PhpBB is an option for those who can't afford to pay for the vBulletin service.

php_rules · #20 (**permalink**) 02-01-09, 09:03

As many have said - phpBB is fantastic, and it is free. vBulletin is very good, but its not free. I suppose if you are just starting out and have never used any forum software before then it doesnt really matter, your learning curve will be just as steep no matter which you pick! If you have an old computer lying about then you could install linux on it and setup apache and mysql and try out a couple of them before you set it up live on the internet..