I laugh at comments like that. The IPB ACP interface is A LOT cleaner and simpler to use than vBulletin's. vB's is extremely hard to use and its like the developers stuffed everything into an ugly interface, especially the really unintuitive and very difficult-to-use skin management system. Talk about ick!

As for the original post, I would suggest just announcing it. Tell your members that the new software will bring in more advanced features and will enhance the usability and aesthetic beauty of your forums.

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The Teen Element - Teen support, 24/7. Period.

Depends what kind of forums you run, if you're running say a makeup forum then you could most likely flick the switch and nobody would care

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Personally I think it's a good move from smf as I used that before I decided to buy an IPB earlier this year.

I'm sure your members who may be against the change will soon come around once they start using it. There's always one or two that will go against the majority anyway and I wouldn't worry about it.

Good choice!

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The Net Addicts

I was recently with a forum that ran on IF, they switched to phpBB. Everyone was so displeased with it they refused to post on the new board, and continued posting on the IF board.
Just to say, members DO care about what software. Whether they know the software or not, they may feel more comfortable with SMF, or just want to stick with what they are used to.

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One important thing that I don't think anybody has mentioned yet is to announce before. Not when it is made, not an hour before it is made, and not one day before it is made, but do it a week (or more) before the change is made.

This way, your members do not experience that "shock factor". It gives them time to ask you any questions they have about "why" and more importantly, it gives them time to anticipate. If you make the change without letting them know beforehand, people may leave and never come back...but if you let them know a week beforehand, they know it's coming, and by the time the change happens, it's almost a thing of the past.

If your users are not tech-savvy, I wouldn't hold a poll...because they'll have no clue what the differences between SMF and IPB are, and most people who don't know either way are going to stick to the "old school" way of doing things.

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...some super-sweet signature

My view of forums is that the owner should always be happy with the place and the direction it goes in. Meaning it should be up to you. Go for it.

And lol @ vBtards.

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Even if today is painful
Someday it will become a warm memory