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ɹoʇɐɹǝpoɯ ɹǝdns
- Reaction score
- 415
After all the questions regarding forum systems ( Both FreeHosted forums, and install forums ), i've decied to write a review on the most used forums.
If you find one that you would like me to look at, post it and i'll take a look
Install Forums:
Simple Machines 1.1.x
URL: http://simplemachines.org
Price: Free
Simple Machines ( SM ) is probaly the second most used free forum system, beside PHPBB, and is highly customizable. The site provides high detailed Instructions on how to install, run, and manage your forum. It also comes with a unique "SSI.php" page that lets you incorporate the forum system into other pages of your site. That file can be used to create pages that only members can see, and vise versa.
SM also comes with a package installer, and a package browser that can be viewed from the administrative panel of the site. The package installer is a automated system to install mods and upgrades to your site, and the easy to use package browser lets you view a list of mods, each with a "Install Now" button, to easily install new mods.
The community for SMF is also very active, and new fixes and releases are released all the time for the forum system. Security updates can be installed right from your forums package management system without having to download or upload anything, let alone do more than push a few buttons.
Pros:
Cons:
Overall: 8/10
Admin: 8/10
Easy to use: 7/10
Themes: 5/10
____________________________
PHPBB2
URL: http://www.phpbb.com
Price: Free
PHPBB2 is the most used free forum system out of the bunch, because it is most widely known. And with that stat, its also the most exploited, because a lot of sites run it. The system isn't as safe as SMF, or VB, but it has a large community of members at their forums, that help you with problems.
PHPBB2 is very strict on server settings, and if they aren't JUST RIGHT, it won't work correctly. There are also very many exploits, as stated above, that are for PHPBB2. So I would only recommend PHPBB2 for smaller sites, and use SMF or VB for larger sites.
Pros:
Cons:
Overall: 6/10
Admin: 6/10
Easy to use: 8/10
Themes: 9/10
____________________________
VBulletin
URL: http://www.vbulletin.com/
Price: $160.00 for "owned" License, $85.00 for "Leased" License
VBulletin ( VB ) is one of the better PHP forum systems, but that comes with a price. VB is what we use here at TH, and its mostly for bigger sites, that have lots of members. The admin panel can make someone who hasn't worked with forums before go insane, its huge, and has lots of optional options, as well as timed execution of scripts. If you are planning on starting a professional site, this would be the forum system for you.
VB also has a bunch of user controls, and a nice profile editing system, making it ideal for a site in which most of your members haven't had much forum experience, or aren't to "bright" with forums. Its one of the most easy to navigate, and use. The admin panel is wonderful, and the community helps with any problems you might have, as long as you have a legit key.
Pros:
Cons:
Overall: 9/10
Admin: 9/10
Easy to use: 8/10
Themes: 6/10
__________________________________________________________
Invision is next.
If you find one that you would like me to look at, post it and i'll take a look
Install Forums:
Simple Machines 1.1.x
URL: http://simplemachines.org
Price: Free
Simple Machines ( SM ) is probaly the second most used free forum system, beside PHPBB, and is highly customizable. The site provides high detailed Instructions on how to install, run, and manage your forum. It also comes with a unique "SSI.php" page that lets you incorporate the forum system into other pages of your site. That file can be used to create pages that only members can see, and vise versa.
SM also comes with a package installer, and a package browser that can be viewed from the administrative panel of the site. The package installer is a automated system to install mods and upgrades to your site, and the easy to use package browser lets you view a list of mods, each with a "Install Now" button, to easily install new mods.
The community for SMF is also very active, and new fixes and releases are released all the time for the forum system. Security updates can be installed right from your forums package management system without having to download or upload anything, let alone do more than push a few buttons.
Pros:
- Easy to Install
- Easy to Upgrade and Mod
- Good Administrative Panel
- Secure
- Nice User Profile Section
Cons:
- Board Permission Page Harder to set up
- Profile pages take awhile to load on most servers
- Not too many themes compared to most forum systems
Overall: 8/10
Admin: 8/10
Easy to use: 7/10
Themes: 5/10
____________________________
PHPBB2
URL: http://www.phpbb.com
Price: Free
PHPBB2 is the most used free forum system out of the bunch, because it is most widely known. And with that stat, its also the most exploited, because a lot of sites run it. The system isn't as safe as SMF, or VB, but it has a large community of members at their forums, that help you with problems.
PHPBB2 is very strict on server settings, and if they aren't JUST RIGHT, it won't work correctly. There are also very many exploits, as stated above, that are for PHPBB2. So I would only recommend PHPBB2 for smaller sites, and use SMF or VB for larger sites.
Pros:
- Easy to Install
- Good Community
- Lots of themes
- Easy to use
Cons:
- Uses Frames
- Exploitable
- Very picky with server settings
- Not as fancy as the others
- Manual mod/upgrade installing
Overall: 6/10
Admin: 6/10
Easy to use: 8/10
Themes: 9/10
____________________________
VBulletin
URL: http://www.vbulletin.com/
Price: $160.00 for "owned" License, $85.00 for "Leased" License
VBulletin ( VB ) is one of the better PHP forum systems, but that comes with a price. VB is what we use here at TH, and its mostly for bigger sites, that have lots of members. The admin panel can make someone who hasn't worked with forums before go insane, its huge, and has lots of optional options, as well as timed execution of scripts. If you are planning on starting a professional site, this would be the forum system for you.
VB also has a bunch of user controls, and a nice profile editing system, making it ideal for a site in which most of your members haven't had much forum experience, or aren't to "bright" with forums. Its one of the most easy to navigate, and use. The admin panel is wonderful, and the community helps with any problems you might have, as long as you have a legit key.
Pros:
- Easy to Use
- Good Community
- Easy for users
- Help is easy to get
Cons:
- Price is high
- Hard to use the Admin panel at first
- Phone Help costs extra
- After the first year, updates are $30
Overall: 9/10
Admin: 9/10
Easy to use: 8/10
Themes: 6/10
__________________________________________________________
Invision is next.