Considering switching bulletin board software...

[icedawg]

Hey,

I'm considering switching bulletin board software. Currently we're running phpBB, and I'm rather dissatisifed with it for various reasons, plus I'd just like to try something different (since we've had it for over 3 years now). I'm aware the phpBB group is getting closer to having phpBB3 out (since they've just released the first beta), but I would be willing to bet a stable release is still at least 6 months away. Besides, I have a copy of the beta version running on my server and I already don't like it.

I've looked at both vBulletin (which tends to be on the tips of everyone's tongues the moment someone inquires about which bulletin board software is the best) and Invision Power Board. Personally, I much prefer Invision; I particularly find the admin control panel more easy to navigate and whatnot. Neither of them is free, btw.

Anyway, I'm just looking for some opinions on the various bulletin board software out there. Particularly I'm looking for something fast, since I'm concerned about the board's speed here, and I'd like to try changing software before we give up on this host and find a new one.

[BeautifulDreamer]

I like it how it is, really. But vBulletin is fast normally, and Invision's fine. I'd like to see something that looks real professional. Not like Ld4all's.. theirs seems more aimed to.. 13 year olds, you know?

[Ynot]

speed problems may be due to the backend db, rather than the frontend server software
might be worth running some benchmark tests
particulary note what kind of tables you're using (some table types are not really suitable for certain types of usage)

Also, double check any custom queries you have, just make sure you're not doing anything silly
table not properly normalised, bad sql, etc.

but onto software.....

You might want to check out SMF
http://www.simplemachines.org
Heard rave reviews of it, but have no experience personally

[Alex D]

IPB? Hell yes.

Shame it would mean no chat tough. Then again, there are various IPB clients.

[icedawg]

Tony,

No doubt some of the things I've done here have affected speed. Unfortunately, I'm looking for a cut & run solution because I have less and less time to devote to this place. I just want to grab a nice bulletin board package, set it up, and let it run.

Again it looks to me like Invision will provide what I want (along with easier methods of moderating problematic users, which would be wonderful).

[MSG]

would that mean that all the old posts get deleted?????

would all the members remain here?

would... chat die

but a new board would be cool, its just phpBB seems more homey than other boards. Expecially the theme we currently have.

its inbetween pofessional and homey, IPB just seems too corporate and boxy.

[Dangeruss]

why don't we just get an irc channel? then we wouldn't have to worry about the inherent crappiness of this chat or using up too much bandwidth.

[MSG]

because not everybody knows how to work IRC

most people only want to click "chat" and be done with it

If the chat becomes overloaded then sure, it could be a possibility

[Umbrasquall]

I think Invision is very clean and efficient. I am also curious of what will happen to all the old posts.

[icedawg]

Originally posted by potato sOOp
would that mean that all the old posts get deleted?????

if it really came down to losing all those memorable topics by our good buddy pOOp (or pOOp soup, or whatever you're calling yourself these days) i wouldn't dream of it! fortunately, IPB provides a migration service (or tool). thus, you needn't worry.

furthermore, tech & kaniaz said they may be doing an IPB version of chatspot at some point. plus, i believe there are a couple chat add-ons (including a flash chat) that IPB has available.

anyway, the people at IPB have done something pretty cool for me, so don't be surprised if you log in in the near future and find us running IPB. now i just have to find some time to set it up. hmm.

p.s. if you ever call my work "homey" again, pOOp, that\'ll mark the end of your footloose, fancy-free days here.

[MSG]

Originally posted by icedawg
p.s. if you ever call my work "homey" again, pOOp, that\'ll mark the end of your footloose, fancy-free days here.

I didnt mean homey like "homeboy" I meant like its a familiar sight to see, its nice with round edges, a soft background, drop shadows, not too harsh colors, like that. this theme seems more "huggable" than some of the IPB stuff I've seen

oh god im so banned now

curse you broken backspace key

[Courtney Mae]

Huggable.
tee-hee.

[Umbrasquall]

Originally posted by potato sOOp




I didnt mean homey like "homeboy" I meant like its a familiar sight to see, its nice with round edges, a soft background, drop shadows, not too harsh colors, like that. this theme seems more "huggable" than some of the IPB stuff I've seen

oh god im so banned now

curse you broken backspace key

I actually read that as "horny" the first time around.

[OpheliaBlue]

Originally posted by Squall

I actually read that as "horny" the first time around.

lol so did I

[MSG]

new... dreamviews wallpapers!!!!

Click here

I like the new board... it works 100x better/faster on my POS sidekick

and oh my god you can add attachments????

noice

[FreshBrains]

Home, home again...
Hmmm... I dunno, I might be used to the old software, it's harder to navigate.
And there's no chat!
Is IRC still an option?
-Edit: OOh, I am a "DV Expert."
Schweet.

[Dangeruss]

it's always an option, someone just has to take the initiative to start the channel.

[MSG]

chatspot is tied directly into phpBB

it cant work without it.... to make a chat for IPB you would probably have to start from scratch

IPB is also php so I'm not sure they'd have to start COMPLETELY from scratch

but I would be willing to learn PHP if it would mean getting chat back

[docKnubis]

new... dreamviews wallpapers!!!!

Click here

I like the new board... it works 100x better/faster on my POS sidekick

and oh my god you can add attachments????

noice
[/b]

love the wallpaper

[Umbrasquall]

Yeah... it's awesome. What do the stars next to this thread mean anyway?

[MuffinMan]

I like the new banner...Staying up all Night eh... Pretty Sweet

[MSG]

I like the new banner too. It looks a little CG-ish... but its not bad CG, and it's certainly better than that grainy thing that was on the last website

Muffinman I know who you are ^_^

[Tom_Peace]

The new board looks very cool.

[OpheliaBlue]

What do the stars next to this thread mean anyway?[/b]

lol I've been trying to figure that out as well

[Burns]

What do the stars next to this thread mean anyway? [/b]

I think you can rate threads... see up at the top right?