Is Forum Software Heading In A New Direction?

Do you think forum software is going to become more and more like social networks until effectively they are social networks with a message board?

 

Yes I think so, as I am slowly seeing more and more social networking themed features appear in the more modern forum software's out there (e.g. Xenforo)

 

Yes XenForo takes the social network approach.

 

I wouldn't say that it will completely become social networks in the future, but just have a few social network features to get people more interested like what xenforo is doing.

 

Although there starting to look a lot more like social networks. Status's, Likes and such, I don't think they will become just like a social network.

 

Yea it just has those features as they are fun to use and more engaging, but its still forum software.

 

I think they are - new features are being implemented that involve social media, like vBulletin 4 contains a friends list, and things like that. It's just about time forums jump on the bandwagon though.

 

I would still like to see vBulletin improve more, it hasn't much on features and stability.

 

Off Topic: VB4 = VB3.8.x with a new lick of paint with a dash of security vulnerabilities

But I'm definitely sure they are all slowly aiming for the in-line notifications & social networking feel, espcially the paid forum software. I think the free forum software will probably lag behind for a while before looking further into social networking features.

 

Ya, I would love to see them create more features as well.. I don't see why they're selling a vBulletin mobile, and couldn't do that on the main software. Sounds strange to me really. Because they could of mixed the features of the mobile with regular vB.

 

I dont see a reason for an official vBulletin mobile suite, they could have spent their time on adding important features..

 

It seems so, I'm developing off a custom script and social network ideas crop up a lot.

 

I do yeah but not to the extent that they will just be social networks. There'll always be a place for discussion forums imo and they will only die out when the internet itself ceases to exist.

 

Yea true, forums will always be out there, and probably 10 years from now (If the world does exist after 2012 ) forums will be much more known and used.

 

I think so as well, because they are always coming out with ways to make forum owning easier for everyone, regardless of your experience level overall. Look at phpBB for instance: Now they are coming out with AutoMod built into the software so the only thing you have to rely on your Cpanel for is style edits. Plus, there are even easier softwares like IPB and SMF where their mods are like a plugin and play system. Some of these softwares are almost elementary level for crying out loud as far as the technical end of things goes. So yeah, I think they are becoming like social network sites as a lot of them are becoming easier to use all the time.

 

It might have some similar features but I wouldnt go as far and say its becoming social networks like FB, and twitter.

 

Yea, and it never will either. A forum is much different than a social network.

 

Your wrong there, a forum is not much different than a social network as it is one. It's a site where people gather and talk in some cases play games, make friends etc. A forum is a branch of social networks.

 

As in social networks I was referring to Facebook, twitter, bebo etc.