Forum Software

DigitalJoseph · 02-24-2009, 08:59 PM

Okay, I am not sure which forum software I should use. It needs to be a free/open source one (as I cannot afford a commercial license at this time).

Which forum software would you recommend that will allow me to post tutorials and have downloads? I mean, as in, having sections...not a tutorial forum or downloads forum.

**Will.Spencer** · 02-25-2009, 02:45 PM

With tutorials and downloads, you're not really looking at a "forum software" anymore.

You could use Joomla and then implement modules for tutorials (Alpha Content), downloads (Remository), and forums (Fireboard).

**Shawn Gossman** · 02-28-2009, 11:52 PM

First off, I suggest MyBB - Free PHP and MySQL Forum Software as your forum

They have a download section mod which could suit your needs and you could also integrate MKPortal which have download and even tutorial addons.

**rockinaway** · 03-01-2009, 01:41 PM

As mentioned, Joomla would be very useful. You can also use SMF and integrate it into Joomla so you get a fully functioning forum as well as other additional modules.

**theezy** · 03-03-2009, 12:00 PM

Im a phpbb3 fan myself. Its a really a great software. I know phpbb2 has a bad rep but phpbb3 is a totally different software built from the ground up. The ACP is a little hard confusing at 1st but after a while most people figure it out and it becomes fairly simple.

**Xhaiden** · 03-03-2009, 03:04 PM

As mentioned above I would look into mybb, phpbb3, and SMF and look at their addons to see if you can get what you want from all that. Those in my opinion are the top 3 forums that are free. I use all three consistently. Usually whichever platform offers the best theme for what I need is what I go with. If those don't quite meet what you need then I couldn't suggest Joomla any more strongly. You'll find peoples opinion on it is a love or hate but I really like it. Not a big fan of fireboard which is the forum extension for it but it is very easy to do what you want and integrate just about any forum into it using a new addon called jfusion.

**Will.Spencer** · 03-05-2009, 06:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xhaiden

Not a big fan of fireboard which is the forum extension for it but it is very easy to do what you want and integrate just about any forum into it using a new addon called jfusion.

I hadn't seen JFusion before -- it looks sweet!

**Sir TVDinner** · 03-06-2009, 12:17 AM

if you are looking for free then I suggest phpbb3

if you are looking to pay then I suggest Utra BB - User Friendly Forum Software or Vbulletin.

**Cerberus** · 03-10-2009, 01:01 AM

I would suggest a common tutorial script and maybe use a common download script. They have multitudes of free php scripts out there that can accomplish what you are looking to do.

For example this is a really nice free tutorial software.
TutorialMS - Tutorial Management System - Home

TutorialMS is an open source script that helps webmasters index and manage tutorials (written by them or by another site). It is designed so users can easily find the tutorial(s) they are looking for. It provides a powerful backend to the webmaster who can easily manage tutorials, affiliates, admins, news and more. It also provides an easy to use styling system so webmasters can re-design their system as much as they please.

**Will.Spencer** · 03-10-2009, 03:45 PM

Cerberus:

Can that share authentication databases with vBulletin or any other forum software?

02-24-2009, 08:59 PM	#1
DigitalJoseph Lurker Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 2	Forum Software Okay, I am not sure which forum software I should use. It needs to be a free/open source one (as I cannot afford a commercial license at this time). Which forum software would you recommend that will allow me to post tutorials and have downloads? I mean, as in, having sections...not a tutorial forum or downloads forum.

02-25-2009, 02:45 PM	#2
Will.Spencer Apprentice Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 256	With tutorials and downloads, you're not really looking at a "forum software" anymore. You could use Joomla and then implement modules for tutorials (Alpha Content), downloads (Remository), and forums (Fireboard). __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

02-28-2009, 11:52 PM	#3
Shawn Gossman Apprentice Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Illinois USA Posts: 150	First off, I suggest MyBB - Free PHP and MySQL Forum Software as your forum They have a download section mod which could suit your needs and you could also integrate MKPortal which have download and even tutorial addons. __________________ Shawn (WildBB Developer) To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. \| To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

03-03-2009, 12:00 PM	#5
theezy Groupie Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: California Posts: 48	Im a phpbb3 fan myself. Its a really a great software. I know phpbb2 has a bad rep but phpbb3 is a totally different software built from the ground up. The ACP is a little hard confusing at 1st but after a while most people figure it out and it becomes fairly simple. __________________ *To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.* - Promote! Get Results!

03-03-2009, 03:04 PM	#6
Xhaiden Rookie Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 26	As mentioned above I would look into mybb, phpbb3, and SMF and look at their addons to see if you can get what you want from all that. Those in my opinion are the top 3 forums that are free. I use all three consistently. Usually whichever platform offers the best theme for what I need is what I go with. If those don't quite meet what you need then I couldn't suggest Joomla any more strongly. You'll find peoples opinion on it is a love or hate but I really like it. Not a big fan of fireboard which is the forum extension for it but it is very easy to do what you want and integrate just about any forum into it using a new addon called jfusion. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

03-01-2009, 01:41 PM	#4
rockinaway Apprentice Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 286	As mentioned, Joomla would be very useful. You can also use SMF and integrate it into Joomla so you get a fully functioning forum as well as other additional modules.

03-06-2009, 12:17 AM	#8
Sir TVDinner Veteran Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: USA Posts: 960	if you are looking for free then I suggest phpbb3 if you are looking to pay then I suggest Utra BB - User Friendly Forum Software or Vbulletin. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Promote your forum for FREE. Directory for Forums. OVER 2000 forums currently on the Forum Directory. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

03-10-2009, 01:01 AM	#9
Cerberus Rookie Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 18	I would suggest a common tutorial script and maybe use a common download script. They have multitudes of free php scripts out there that can accomplish what you are looking to do. For example this is a really nice free tutorial software. TutorialMS - Tutorial Management System - Home TutorialMS is an open source script that helps webmasters index and manage tutorials (written by them or by another site). It is designed so users can easily find the tutorial(s) they are looking for. It provides a powerful backend to the webmaster who can easily manage tutorials, affiliates, admins, news and more. It also provides an easy to use styling system so webmasters can re-design their system as much as they please. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. - Have an To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. ? Maybe it is To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. ? Come check us out!

03-10-2009, 03:45 PM	#10
Will.Spencer Apprentice Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 256	Cerberus: Can that share authentication databases with vBulletin or any other forum software? __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

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