Forum Software

[JimmyStephans]

I'm looking into new forum software.

What do the long time forum users prefer?

Whats the most secure against spammers?

I new helper preferss SimpleMachines, but we'd like to hear what others say.

[AAB]

I've tried MyBB and while it's a half decent script, support is worthless. I'm looking to switch to something different. Hence BUMPAGE

[fatfoo]

I tried BB forum software also. It works well.

So, I used to have a forum called adultwebmastertalk.com with Tiffany Preston's fan sign. But, my problem was that like 50 bots signed up every day to post total spam. There needs to be some protection against these bots. I can see that GFY has the protections, because these bots don't post here.

[CyberHustler]

phpBB3 is what I use... it fucking rocks! Very underated script, probably because phpBB2 sucked ass. But they got it right with phpBB3. I can show you simple tricks to make it spam free without any mods and hacking...

[Tamashi]

vBulletin all the way. It's not free, though.

[bbobby86]

vBulletin all the way. It's not free, though.

[Tamashi]

http://www.vbulletin.com/ is their homepage. Forgot to link that
The GFY board is also vBulletin

Licenses are priced at $175 for the forum, and $250 for the full suite (including the forum software). Yearly.

[HomerSimpson]

small forum phpBB, myBB or similar
big forum - SMF (free) or vBulleting (paid)

[Cyber Fucker]

I've tested all of them... and imho vbulletin 3.8 is the best one you can have.
But it's the most expensive, the support doesn't exist and the new version 4.0 is one big joke.

[.:karon:.]

+1 for vBulletin

[mikke]

i love punbb for small boards, but for big boards i prefer vbulletin..

[Spawn of Ktulu]

I've used a lot different forum software, and Invision Power Board has by far been the best in terms of support and being very advanced yet easy to use. It's a bit pricey, but if this forum will be in place for many years then I would recommend buying it, it will be worth it. I use it on several of the larger sites I run. There are a lot good modifications and skins for it, free and paid. The latest version is awesome for keeping out spammers.

As far as free forum software goes, SMF is my favorite. It's easy to keep updated (you can do it right from the admin control panel). It does have problems with spam sometimes, but not any worse than other free software.

Software I don't recommend includes phpBB (a lot of bugs and spam) and vBulletin (their tech support is worthless, which isn't good since you're paying to use it).