What are the differences between BBS software?

[starlifter]

Well, I've begun to wonder about the differences in BBS software that I've seen mentioned in many places. I know a lot of computer stuff, but I one thing I'm not too familiar with is current BBS software, such as the pros and cons and limitations. Also, what about BBS software and the associated 3rd party enhancements?

I remember last year that TF's old BBS software began trashing the database, and he installed this one which (seems) pretty good, at least to the end user like me.

So is there a "best" BBS (probably not; eveything has its highs and lows)? And what are the important differences from an user's point of view? What about from the Admin's point of view?

Thanks .

 

[gonzo_for_civ]

from an admin's PoV for a less busy site, phpBB is the best because it is free and easy to use. If you'd like an example, stroll on over to gamecatcher and see an example of phpBB in use.

Click here to visit phpBB's features page.

For busier sites that have a little more money, VBull is the best. You obviously can see the user functions plus there is an absolute ****load of hacks that have been formed for it.

Here is VBulletin's features page. You can see that both BBs are very well programmed but VB has many added features that phpBB doesn't have. Of course, there's always the monetary issue and VB is quite expensive IIRC.

Also, visit here for a demo of VB. You can log into the admin account using the password and username admin. phpBB has a similar feature but it was having database problems at the time of this post.

UBB is just crap!!! Actually, I don't know about UBB except that CFC used to use it and it was causing all sorts of problems.

 

[Black Fluffy Lion]

phpBB is the best...if Jelsoft died and were replaced by some kind hearted company and vBull was free then phpBB would still be the best.

those who have $160 to spill - you would be better just getting phpBB and spending the money on something else.

ubb and all similar flat file based fora systems are crap (I think ubb is flat filed, isn't it??)...they aren't flexible, aren't easy to run and are resource hogs...all (yes this includes vBull) fora software which are dbed are better than flat file ones.

 

[gonzo_for_civ]

phpBB is the best...if Jelsoft died and were replaced by some kind hearted company and vBull was free then phpBB would still be the best.

those who have $160 to spill - you would be better just getting phpBB and spending the money on something else.

After all the effort I took in my post to be unbiased and not pull out phpBB ranting, you had to go and do this! :shottie: :slay:

BIASED!!!!!!!!!

BOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!

phpBB is good, but you have to back it up if you wanna use words like best.

 

[Black Fluffy Lion]

Originally posted by gonzo_for_civ
After all the effort I took in my post to be unbiased and not pull out phpBB ranting, you had to go and do this! :shottie: :slay:

BIASED!!!!!!!!!

yep, but I'm right

vBull is going down in popularity, it'll be dead before phpBB

 

[IceBlaZe]

vBull tops phpBB a bit.

I've been in many forums that use both, I still think vBull is better.

UBB is crap because it uses CGI. CGI is a major resource hog since most server admins, even experienced ones, do not run the server right to handle heavy CGI loads without hogging the CPU.

phpBB and vBull are both better because they both use php and mysql which runs well even on not-so-good configured servers, as long as the forum doesn't get too busy.

 

[IceBlaZe]

Also, UBB lacks features and convinience phpBB and vBull have.

Also, I know a good CFM forum.

 

[gonzo_for_civ]

yep, but I'm right

vBull is going down in popularity, it'll be dead before phpBB

MORE BIAS!!!!!

Do I really have to write out a whole comparison between the two BBs so we can study each individual feature and decide which BB is better.

:ak47: :slay: :shottie: :rocket: :rocket2:

DAMN YOU! You made me remember all the gun smileys!

 

[starlifter]

Do I really have to write out a whole comparison between the two BBs so we can study each individual feature and decide which BB is better.

That would be a nice reference for those of us what are unfamiliar with the 3 types of BBS software thus far mentioned.

 

[gonzo_for_civ]

Ok starlifter, I will write out a whole comparison. I'll even throw in UBB even though it stinks! Well, IMO, at least.

 

[damunzy]

Bah, I like the way vB runs...phpBB seems like it is still a beta product...

 

[Black Fluffy Lion]

Originally posted by gonzo_for_civ
MORE BIAS!!!!!

Nope, just my prediction... *looks into crystal ball for a prediction*

invisionboard will grow in popularity and will overtake all php/mysql bbs. Then, when phpBB 2.2 is released, phpBB will become the most popular. After invisonboard have improved a bit to catch up with phpBB then, vBull will go DOWN DOWN DOWN and people will get phpBB or invisionboard if they want a php/mysql fora...gradually, vBull will dissolve into nothingness (hopefully pulling jelsoft down with them too), and phpBB will nose in front again. Flat file ones won't go down so easily though, same for the ezboard/other crappy remotely hosted bbs fora.

Do I really have to write out a whole comparison between the two BBs so we can study each individual feature and decide which BB is better.

if you want, but I already know that phpBB is the best. I could contribute to the phpBb section

Bah, I like the way vB runs...phpBB seems like it is still a beta product...

boo!! murder him!

Also, I know a good CFM forum.

oh??

 

[gonzo_for_civ]

BFL........have you gone off your meds again?????

invisionboard = WTH????
phpBB =
VB =

I predict the makers of phpBB will lose interest over their non-profit project and when VB is being improved constantly it will easily build on it's already massive lead over phpBB. phpBB will become ONLY an open source project. ezboard will never die out because people are cheap

 

[Black Fluffy Lion]

invisionboard = good bbs
phpBB = even better bbs
vB = money leeching scum

if you haven't even heard of invisionboard then I suggest you suss up on bbs before trying to write a comparison between them

predict the makers of phpBB will lose interest over their non-profit project

it has been stated that unless all the devs of phpBB die in a plane crash and the project is taken over by some capitalist scum (enter jelsoft ) then phpBB will always remain free. the project isn't gonna crash that easily either...the people who code it are dedicated people

it will easily build on it's already massive lead over phpBB.

someone hasn't noticed that phpbb.com has thousands more members than vbulletin.com

phpBB will become ONLY an open source project.

it already is

ezboard will never die out because people are cheap

yep

 

[gonzo_for_civ]

Members don't indicate which board is better, just whos is cheaper. All developers seem dedicated at a point. And I don't know abuot invisionboard, most likely because I really only visit a few BBs anymore, and have never seen an invisionboard. If you have a link, share it.

Of course, that would require actually providing proof to go with a statement

 

[Black Fluffy Lion]

Originally posted by gonzo_for_civ
Members don't indicate which board is better, just whos is cheaper.

so that's why vBull's 'already massive lead over phpBB' is non existant??

And I don't know abuot invisionboard, most likely because I really only visit a few BBs anymore, and have never seen an invisionboard. If you have a link, share it.

www.invisionboard.com they're one of the main contenders in the php/mySQL bbs nowadays and will probably overtake vBull and maybe phpBB too before the release of phpBB 2.2 IMHO

 

[gonzo_for_civ]

Don't you ever go to bed?????

Anyways, I'll go check out invision board.

And by lead I was referring to having the better product, not just more members.

 

[Black Fluffy Lion]

Originally posted by gonzo_for_civ
Don't you ever go to bed?????

And by lead I was referring to having the better product, not just more members.

and just how is vBull better than phpBB??

 

[gonzo_for_civ]

YAWN

I got work in 3 hours so I'm gonna go to bed. I'll have my write up in a few days.

I believe even you yourself said that phpBB couldn't handle the traffic that VB takes. Not sure if it was you, I'm too tired to check as well.

We'll continue this in the morning

GO TO SLEEP!!!!!!

 

[Black Fluffy Lion]

Originally posted by gonzo_for_civ
YAWN

I got work in 3 hours so I'm gonna go to bed. I'll have my write up in a few days.

but I want to argue now!

I believe even you yourself said that phpBB couldn't handle the traffic that VB takes. Not sure if it was you, I'm too tired to check as well.

WTH?! I would never say that as I know it's not true. phpBB can take as much load as invisionboard and vBull and practically any other mySQL based fora. The limit is on the db system, not the bbs. mySQL crumples easily under a heavy load, that's not the bbs fault, it's the db

GO TO SLEEP!!!!!!

bah...sleep is for non-vampires :vampire: