Newbie Question about choosing software

alexbryan · 09-13-2007, 05:04 PM

Hi,
I've been given the task of researching the best forum software for my company's website and ultimatley implementing and maintaining it. I've looked at a number of reviews and phpBB seems to be a good free option and vBulletin as the best pay option, at the moment I think we want to go with the free option unless there are really good reasons why the paid option is better. Our site is developed with .NET and I'd need to be able to give a theme to the board so it looks like the rest of our site and it would need to be pretty easy to install as I'll be learning this while I go along. Other than the ones I mentioned, what forum software is worth my looking at? Is there one that would complement a .net environment?
Any information and advice would be really useful.
Alex

**Oldiesmann** · 09-13-2007, 06:21 PM

Try Yet Another Forum - it's written in ASP .NET (and it's free), so it would probably be a good option for you.

**powerspike** · 09-13-2007, 10:50 PM

Vbulletin and PHPbb are both written in php, which would mean you'd need to check support for them, they are both templated so putting in a template that looked like your site wouldn't be too much work for you, As your using .net, maybe go with what Oldiesmann suggested, i don't use windows servers for websites so would be unsure on that front.

alexbryan · 09-14-2007, 10:40 AM

Cool, thanks for the advice guys, I'll have a look.

**Tikitiki** · 09-15-2007, 04:28 PM

Try phpBB, MyBB, SMF, etc. They're all good in their own ways; Also simply setting up Xampp will allow you to easily run these applications using PHP, MySQL, & Apache

**Will** · 09-15-2007, 04:35 PM

If you want a free one use MyBB. Its really nice

I run one forum with it and I like it

and if you dont mind buying one get vBulletin (I run a forum with vB too), which is really really nice

**Brandr** · 09-15-2007, 05:58 PM

I am so in love with vBulletin, I'd be hard pressed to recommend any other message board software, free or proprietary. A license is worth every penny in my estimation. You can play around with a demo vBulletin by going here: vBulletin.com
Or have you already tried it? If you do decide to go with vBull, and you need any assistance setting up the database, uploading the files, etc. I'd be happy to assist you -gratis.

I'll leave it to someone like Oldiesman to provide any information on the technical desirabilities of vBull. But the php is scripted like a symphony. The plasticity of forum design possibilities is also a plus.

Best of luck!

B.

**Christophaa** · 09-16-2007, 12:26 AM

Personally, I recommend vBulletin (commercial grade software). It's not only packed with features, but it has a fantastic user interface, and is extremely customizable (in other words, you can do just about anything with it). vBulletin is also very secure, and very reliable.

If you would rather go with a free piece of forum software, then I would recommend MyBB, which also has a nice interface, and a great set of features.

Before making a decision, however, be sure to check out the software demo system here at AF.

Chris

**Brandr** · 09-16-2007, 12:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Christophaa

Personally, I recommend vBulletin (commercial grade software). It's not only packed with features, but it has a fantastic user interface, and is extremely customizable (in other words, you can do just about anything with it). vBulletin is also very secure, and very reliable.
Chris

I think you articulated the fundamental desirabilities of vBull with exceptional eloquence. Yes, the user interface is awesome!

B.

**Christophaa** · 09-16-2007, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brandr

I think you articulated the fundamental desirabilities of vBull with exceptional eloquence. Yes, the user interface is awesome!

B.

Thanks, Brandr!

Chris

09-13-2007, 05:04 PM	#1
alexbryan Lurker Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 2	Newbie Question about choosing software Hi, I've been given the task of researching the best forum software for my company's website and ultimatley implementing and maintaining it. I've looked at a number of reviews and phpBB seems to be a good free option and vBulletin as the best pay option, at the moment I think we want to go with the free option unless there are really good reasons why the paid option is better. Our site is developed with .NET and I'd need to be able to give a theme to the board so it looks like the rest of our site and it would need to be pretty easy to install as I'll be learning this while I go along. Other than the ones I mentioned, what forum software is worth my looking at? Is there one that would complement a .net environment? Any information and advice would be really useful. Alex

09-13-2007, 06:21 PM	#2
Oldiesmann Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 72	Try Yet Another Forum - it's written in ASP .NET (and it's free), so it would probably be a good option for you. __________________ The Oldiesmann To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Compliance Manager / Marketing Team member To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. - RC1 now available!

09-13-2007, 10:50 PM	#3
powerspike Rookie Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Sydney Posts: 26	Vbulletin and PHPbb are both written in php, which would mean you'd need to check support for them, they are both templated so putting in a template that looked like your site wouldn't be too much work for you, As your using .net, maybe go with what Oldiesmann suggested, i don't use windows servers for websites so would be unsure on that front. __________________ 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.

09-15-2007, 04:35 PM	#6
Will Forum Enthusiast Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Maryland, US Posts: 2,138	If you want a free one use MyBB. Its really nice I run one forum with it and I like it and if you dont mind buying one get vBulletin (I run a forum with vB too), which is really really nice __________________ 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.* Submit your sites -> *To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.*

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09-14-2007, 10:40 AM	#4
alexbryan Lurker Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 2	Cool, thanks for the advice guys, I'll have a look.

09-15-2007, 04:28 PM	#5
Tikitiki Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: California, US Posts: 108	Try phpBB, MyBB, SMF, etc. They're all good in their own ways; Also simply setting up Xampp will allow you to easily run these applications using PHP, MySQL, & Apache

09-15-2007, 05:58 PM	#7
Brandr Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: US Posts: 101	I am so in love with vBulletin, I'd be hard pressed to recommend any other message board software, free or proprietary. A license is worth every penny in my estimation. You can play around with a demo vBulletin by going here: vBulletin.com Or have you already tried it? If you do decide to go with vBull, and you need any assistance setting up the database, uploading the files, etc. I'd be happy to assist you -gratis. I'll leave it to someone like Oldiesman to provide any information on the technical desirabilities of vBull. But the php is scripted like a symphony. The plasticity of forum design possibilities is also a plus. Best of luck! B.

09-16-2007, 12:26 AM	#8
Christophaa Forum Addict Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 1,518	Personally, I recommend vBulletin (commercial grade software). It's not only packed with features, but it has a fantastic user interface, and is extremely customizable (in other words, you can do just about anything with it). vBulletin is also very secure, and very reliable. If you would rather go with a free piece of forum software, then I would recommend MyBB, which also has a nice interface, and a great set of features. Before making a decision, however, be sure to check out the software demo system here at AF. Chris

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