PHP Forums

[Mathew]

Hi all been away for some time Jayne if you see this message good idea. I hope to have a new looking website up and running soon. One thing I would like to get is my own forum I know this forum runs of this programme http://www.phpbb.com. But how does it all work do I download the programme a place it on my server???

Also do you think it will make a difference to my business?

Hope you guy can help.

[TWD-Tony]

To be honest (no disrespect to the UKBF team) I wouldn't touch phpBB with a barge pole!
It has a track record of security holes and exploitable code - the newest versions may well be a lot better, but mud sticks and all that...

There are several alternatives, one of which i have been "messing" with recently is SMF (Simple Machines Forum), it to is 100% free and is a very good bit of kit!

All forums (php or otherwise) will need uploading to your server via FTP and then a database setting up and then the forums installed to use this database (there are a couple of forum packages that do not require a database but I couldn't comment on their quality...)

As for are they any good....

It depends on your business and how busy you expect the forums to be - a good, busy forum can dramatically increase your profile and SE ranking - but a poor one with no visitors can have the totally opposite effect :(

[Ravenfire]

I have used phpbb before and I have to agree with Tony. In my opinion the best two are IPB and Vbulletin (you have to pay for a license with both but can do a one off amount). I previously used IPB but have recently changed to Vbulletin and they are far superior to phpbb which is known to have quite a few security issues.

[JoyDivision]

I use PhPBB but wish I didn't. I am a moderator on a VB forum and that really is the way to go if you want to go big. This forum is about the biggest PhPBB one I have ever seen.

PhpBB is a lot better than it used to be, at least my host have stopped issuing the security warnings now I have upgraded it.

[Jayne]

Hi,

I've been on a forum that looks just like that, is that your forum?

Jayne

[Rob Holmes]

As a host I see all types of forums hacked. phpbb is the most common - but if you keep it very up to date and a few backups you should be ok.

Invision seems ok too and theres http://www.simplemachines.org/ as Tony mentioned and http://www.xmbforum.com/

Hope this helps,

Rob

[Mathew]

I like the look of VB

[JoyDivision]

I like the look of VB

Its very very good now that VB3.5 is out, but its not free.

[Mathew]

Yes it not free but it does look like a very good option

[annethedonn]

I use a simple machines forum which is included in the web hosting (which we also provide). IE it's a free 'extra'.

www.freelanceofficeservices.co.uk/forums/

You just download it from the control panel and Bob's your uncle!

www.freelanceofficeservices.co.uk/hosting_packages.htm

[Mathew]

Yes it not free but it does look like a very good option

[Ravenfire]

VB is excellent. I have a very busy forum and its great, admin site is very good as well. You can run a demo of it on the VBulletin site.