Has anyone used the open source pHpBB (bulletin board) at pHp.org and is it as sophisticated as this board? How did you like it? I am thinking of using it on the dedicated server I am trying to buy to create 50 boards.
B.

I use it at http://essayfarm.com/boards although it doesnt have all the features of vB which costs around 150 it has most of them, and uses less system resources I believe.

I should say that the things l like best about this bulletin board is that it's e-mail notification feature can be set so that the default is on.
The smileys are ok.
I like that this vbulletin board software lets you add a sig file.
I like that lets you put up a image if you want, and has HTML options.
A lot of good stuff about this board.
I would like to be able to set it to "threaded mode" and then back to collapsed mode, like this is one is now, when the board gets busier, for my own web site anyway.
B.

vB has a lot more 'admin' features than what phpBB has, although those features do come at a price.

I personally don't like phpBB as much. Don't have as many features as some of the other BBs and not as good customization.

phpBB is great I have a rather large forum running on it, it doesn't have as many options as Vb but it will after the 2.2 version is released.

I've watched and used phpBB since version 1.2 and it has came so far, they now have a portal in the works to install with phpBB and like I said above version 2.2 will match Vb in features.

check out the demo at www.phpbb.com

Originally posted by bradley
I should say that the things l like best about this bulletin board is that it's e-mail notification feature can be set so that the default is on.
The smileys are ok.
I like that this vbulletin board software lets you add a sig file.
I like that lets you put up a image if you want, and has HTML options.
A lot of good stuff about this board.
I would like to be able to set it to "threaded mode" and then back to collapsed mode, like this is one is now, when the board gets busier, for my own web site anyway.
B.

You can add more smilies in phpbb
You can also put up images in phpbb and it has html options
you can also have sigs in phpbb
If your looking for a threaded board its a completely diffrent category of boards and will not work well with phpbb if you want one goto phorum.org

If you're looking for a free one...there's no other option IMO. PhpBB blows them all out of the water. And the added features to VB are not worth the $150 they charge. Stick to phpBB and keep upgrading to the newer versions. You can't go wrong.

I've used PHPBB in several different applications without any problems.

my advice is - if you have the money for a Vbulletin, get one. Its great for high traffic communities, and people love it. Its easy to use and tons of customizations you can make.

On the other hand, if you don't have the money to spend it, or your traffic isn't that high, obviously you can get phpBB. Its almost as good as Vbulletin, but it lacks the "fun" stuff, like special hacks you can add, etc. But it works, and quite easy to use.

Choice is up to you.

phpBB is the best free bulletin board I think. In fact, you can customize it yourself or use some modifications to make it a vB-like board. There are some phpBB-user forums you should checkout: http://www.phpbb.com/styles/, http://www.phpbb.com/mods/, http://phpBBhacks.com , http://phpBB2-users.de

vBulletin is only $85 which is about £52 for any UK people. It has many more features that phpBB2 and well if they think phpBB 2.2 is going to be good then you should see the features that are on vB3.

If you can afford vBulletin and want a reliable software which has been used on board with over 1100 people online at the one time then it should be your first choice.

Originally posted by PPN
vBulletin is only $85 which is about £52 for any UK people. It has many more features that phpBB2 and well if they think phpBB 2.2 is going to be good then you should see the features that are on vB3.

If you can afford vBulletin and want a reliable software which has been used on board with over 1100 people online at the one time then it should be your first choice.

Uhmm actually, thats only the leasing fee, which only lasts for a year. If you want the full permanent license, its $180.

I would like to know which one(vb and phpbb) use less system resources? Which one run faster? Any body has experiences of both of them?

phpbb uses less resources and is faster from waht i believe it is a much smaller code, but you need to remember that vb has a lot more features.

phpbb was built with speed in mind not functions

I did the switch from my heavily customized version of Ikonboard v3.01 (the HTML output is crap) to phpBB2 and must admit, after about a week of getting used to how "it" worked I'm happy I made the switch. Still lots to learn about the PHP Language, but find it fairly easy to customize -- much easier than PHP-Nuke or PostNuke, that's for sure. I think I'm one of the few who have the Forum outputting valid HTML (http://htmlhelp.com/cgi-bin/validate.cgi?url=http%3A%2F%2Fforum.potentproducts.com%2Findex.php&warnings=yes&input=yes) which is important to me. I'm slowly adding more custimizing to make it more Accessability Friendly and the look I want.

Not having many Register Members yet it doesn't tax the Server much. Hope to give the Server more of workout and really see how phpBB2 handles, as more people Register. There are some nice skins available, but again, each one has to be tweaked if proper HTML output and specific customization is desired.

I can't think of a 'useful' function in VB that isn't in PHPBB in some form. As far as the user goes, they probably won't notice much of a difference.

Sure the VB admin is a bit better, but your users don't have to deal with that - only you :)

PHPBB2 is a great solution, imo!

Also remember any function can be added as a hack

Does php bulletin board have anti-bombing features? I have had message boards bombed before with repeat hit programs.
bradley

Actually WHT member ffeingol hosts the phpBB site. Where are you Frank? :)

vB is more of a stance than anything else. For example a hosting company using phpBB may be looked down on where as a hosting company using vB will be looked up at like the god because they use pay software.

I don't personally agree with this one bit, however this is the thinking some people have.

I have had personal experience with both phpBB2 and vB. For the price phpBB2 is great but some of the customisation options in vB are far superior. There are also a lot more hacks for it.

I guess the next battle will be on soon between phpBB 2.2 and vB3.

Originally posted by bradley
Does php bulletin board have anti-bombing features? I have had message boards bombed before with repeat hit programs.
bradley

yes i belive the have something like post once every 60 seconds.

y not ibforums.com --> still in beta1 but it has great features and speed.

phpBB is an excellent solution. Most of the people who don't recommend because its free, which is rather stupid. A lot of the features vB has over phpBB aren't need, and if they really are, you can always add mods to the boards, since it has a strong community backing (as does vB also to be fair). Basically, phpBB alone is a strong BB, doesn't have everything vB has, but you can bring it right up with vB if you have some time on your hands. And it saves you $160+ (plus the amount you need to pay to get member access renewed to vb's site)

I am using phpBB as my support forum and I have nothing to complain so far. I use at the same time a template that gives is a vbulletin look:

http://www.nicewebs.net/phpBB2/

Take a look at ibforums too: http://www.ibforums.com

I have a small ibforum test on my server too: http://www.mystiquenet.nicewebs.net/board/index.php

PS. Beta 2 has been released today or yesterday I think...

Originally posted by Website Rob
I did the switch from my heavily customized version of Ikonboard v3.01 (the HTML output is crap) to phpBB2 and must admit, after about a week of getting used to how "it" worked I'm happy I made the switch. Still lots to learn about the PHP Language, but find it fairly easy to customize -- much easier than PHP-Nuke or PostNuke, that's for sure. I think I'm one of the few who have the Forum outputting valid HTML (http://htmlhelp.com/cgi-bin/validate.cgi?url=http%3A%2F%2Fforum.potentproducts.com%2Findex.php&warnings=yes&input=yes) which is important to me. I'm slowly adding more custimizing to make it more Accessability Friendly and the look I want.



PHPNUKE And POSTNUKE are more weblog than forums so you can not really compair them.

ALso I would advise all web host, do not run phpnuke, to many security problems ( i have it baned on my servers ). Postnuke, still in the alpha stages has very few known security problems and runs like a charm



Mike from adehost

Originally posted by freakysid
Actually WHT member ffeingol hosts the phpBB site. Where are you Frank? :)

I'm here, sitting, watching, reading :D.

I basically don't get involved in the phpBB vs vBulletin discussion. My recommendation is to figure out what your requirements are and then figure out which one most closely matches your requrements.

Frank

We just set up our forums a few days ago with phpbb and it is great. We actually include it every account. When customers ask what they are going to get we can show them we use the same thing they will.

It seems very easy for a newbie to set it up but also can be customized by the experienced. Nice community they have as well.

I do agree in a earlier thread about the comment on less admin feature for phpbb2.

Overall, phpbb2 is as good as vbulletin in term of performance. I think phpbb2 is faster ? ( some guys mention it earlier phpbb2 is build in mind of speed instead of function ).

In a nutShell, it's FREEE!

Customise the board and you get a Great board! :D :D :D

Hi. I run both phpbb2 and vB. You can hack and add mods for PHPbb to get it near the same feature set as vB. If you need a basic discussion board and are on a budget, phpBB is an excellent way to go. If you need more features than what comes with phpBB and have the time, add the necessary mods. If you got the money, then get vB.

Steph