Best Forum Software

[GoodKarmaKid]

Just curious as to everyones thought's on the best Forum Software. I've researched quite a few different options and I think I have narrowed down my choices.

I realize some of the forum software isn't free and options like phpbb or an older version of invision powerboard may may be included with your hosting package, etc, but for sake of this poll lets talk about the best forum software.

I'm leaning towards VBulletin, I like the look and feel, secure, lots of Modifications and Hacks available, very big community of users with helpful information and plug-ins. $85 a year for a license, $160 to buy. Personally, I don't mind spending the money if it is the best option.

My second choice is Invision Power Board, which is the forum software that Jeremy uses here on PokerAffiliateWorld.com, although there is a more current version (2.02) than this board (1.3). There are also some Custom Skins and Hacks available for Invision Power Board. $69.95 for a yearly license or $185 to buy.

phpbb comes free with my hosting plan and is very popular, has a pretty large community with hacks and mods available. From the research I have done, there seems to be a lot of security issues around this platform.

Community Server was also mentioned in several forums as being a very good forum software. I believe it is only for the ASP.Net platform but I may be wrong. I really don't know much about this forum software.

SMF (Simple Machines Forum) was also mentioned as being very good forum software.


I'm sure there are lots more, but in my research on the subject, these seemed to be the top players.

Any great forum software that I missed?

What do you use?

Positive experiences? Negative Experiences?


I'd be interested in hearing eveyones opinions.


Thanks,

Jason

[Nick]

Have a read of most blog post on How to Run a Forum, it discusses choice of forum software.

[NeverBeg]

personally i am a fan of phpbb, for me it is the easiest to use, and I am able to move things around quite easily for my forum as a beginner. I had little experience with SMF, and I just didnt like the way it looks. Everyone talks about these security issues with PHPbb, i am yet to see it, so I dont know for sure.

[Georgia Poker]

Unless you have a large board you're unlikely to get a hack or virus attack.

Build your community for free with PhPbb then migrate to VB once you get 500 or so members.

It's hard to build a forum driven site, trust me, I've been there.

[GregK]

Spend the money for VB!

On the phpBB thing, you'll see it when your whole database & forum has been wiped clean & theres nothing but hacker tag in its place...

"Hacked by (insert assclowns name here)"

Big or small forum, you're still at risk.
Most all of these script kiddies use Google to find ya. They just search for "phpBB"

If you're going to run phpBB, at least get rid of the "phpBB" in the footer, so you're not advertising it. Thats the simplest & most effective way to safeguard yourself, besides being a fanatic on keeping your version up to date with the most recent patches.
Even then, the phpBB guys take months a lot of the time to release patches, after the exploit is known & in the wild.

Good luck, you're gonna need it!

[texignweb]

What about replacing the phpBB footer with something else like... Custom Poker Board v1.0

Would prob through them off if you also have a skin and change up some features.