Forum Software

[Ulsaba]

Can anybody recommend good (preferably free) forum software.

Also what kind of hosting do I want to get with this?

Many thanks

 

[CaterTrade]

I've always used PHPBB but updating it if you have mods can be a pain. I have transfered one of my sites to MyBB and so far I love it. Mods are easy to install and can be enabled or disabled quickly plus there's good support.

You would need hosting with PHP and at least one MySQL database. Something like this ariotek.co.uk/hosting/shared-hosting

 

[mattrepreneur]

If you're looking for free then I'd recommend PhPBB - it's probably the most popular and it's easy to use, customize and manage. If you're willing to invest a little cash then Invision Power Board or vBulletin is your best bet, with thousands of mods and styles for each, it's a certain winner.

In terms of hosting, you're looking at PHP and MySQL enabled hosting. Depending on how popular you think your forum will be depends on how much monthly bandwith you'll require - if it's a startup forum you should be ok on the cheapest package and working your way as it gets more popular.

So yeah, if you're looking for free forum software - PhPBB. Paid forum software - IPB or vBulletin. Hosting-wise, I'd have to recommend HostGator as they're an established hosting company with cheap and reliable packages.

 

[KidsBeeHappy]

Talk to Sugster for hosting. If you go paid for then would highly recommend vbulletin.

 

[tony84]

I recommend mybb

 

[BusinessIdeas]

SMF lots of great mods with one click install

 

[CaterTrade]

A lot of hosts including ariotek (my host I linked to) have Fantastico as standard with their hosting which is a package of various pieces of software which will autoinstall without you having to do much. Mine comes with SMF and PHPBB. All you have to do is name the folder, add admin username and password and click go. It then installs the forum with the standard template and you're ready to go.

 

[Us44]

I like PunBB, can't post a link because I'm a new member of this forum, but just Google it!

I like it mostly because it is simple and without any unnecessary features

 

[Ulsaba]

Thanks for all the replies. Lots to google and learn ;-)

 

[NeilT]

If you're looking for free then I'd recommend PhPBB - it's probably the most popular and it's easy to use, customize and manage. If you're willing to invest a little cash then Invision Power Board or vBulletin is your best bet, with thousands of mods and styles for each, it's a certain winner.

I've used IPB for 7 years now and found it the best for easy of use and functionality. Also the support is second to none.
Red Bull use IPB for their forums too, so it can't be that bad and reasonable on price.

 

[stugster]

It depends what you're looking for. If you want basic forums that might cause you a lot of heartache when upgrading, adding modifications, and actually getting the software doing what you want then yes, go with the free ones like phpBB

However... if you want a truely stable scalable forum software, you're going to have to fork out. vBulletin is the dawgz bawz. Does everything you need it to do, and more.

Go have a look at some forums online - I bet you most are vBulletin run. Why? Because it's just so good at what it does!

 

[That Guy]

Have a look at MyBB here: http://www.mybboard.net/

Its a great FREE forum package. It has a huge plugins database for a wide range of extra features, good selection of themes and a great support forum.

I would suggest once install that you install the following plugins:

Google SEO:
http://mods.mybboard.net/view/google-seo
(makes the forum more SEO friendly)

ReCAPTCHA:
http://mods.mybboard.net/view/recaptcha-ii
(helps cut forum spam)


Very easy to use once setup. Its also updated often. Its a really great product and its all free