If you couldn't use your current script, what would be your next choice?

I would have to see a comparison list to be sure, but things like email notification for PMs and posts to threads is important. Needs to look good too.

 

I never saw any decent comparisation list between forum software. And I really don't think it matters that much. If a person doesn't like software x, it doesn't really matter how many new features a new release has.

The odd thing here is that people concider the software they like, which might not be the best software for the solution they are building.

 

I'd use Invision Power Board or the free version of Community Server.

 

My take...

If I had to switch:

1) vB - mods are amazing
2) IPB - really nice, great support
3) SMF 2 - I saw it in action, also very very nice!!
4) phpBB - I use it and know it like a child
5) MyBB

 

If I had to change this is the order it would be.

1. vBulletin 3 (Sadly with the direction IB is going I'm moving away from them. vB3 will always be my favorite script though)

2. MyBB - This is what I've been converting to. Over all I'm very happy with it and have found all the mods that I need.

3. phpBB - I started with this back in 2005. I loved that fact that it had so many mods and themes.

 

If IPB would dissapear I would go for MyBB or vBulletin. MyBB got the edge since I'm not to happy about the way IB took.

 

But not anymore, wouldn't touch that pile of crap with a pooey stick. IPB would be the only real alternative now.

 

I'm surprised no one has mentioned this one yet. I've been looking around for a vBulletin alternative to a new forum I might start and I think Burning Board 3.1 looks like a top contender.

Jim

 

hmmm I've never heard of Burning Board.

 

It's a little different than vBulletin, but has some great features, including SEO. And you know what a stickler I am about valid code - it's got it. It takes a little getting used to and doesn't have near the mod library available to vB, but it looks like a real decent product. There's also Burning Board Lite - a feature limited free version.

Jim

 

It is very popular in German speaking countries (it's developed by Germans). The only time I've seen it mentioned here was when a couple of people made fun of its developers because they wrote "realise" instead of "realize". Saying how they can't even speak proper English or don't have a grasp of basic grammar.
Funnily enough that stopped when I pointed out to those native English speakers that "realise" is a perfectly acceptable way of spelling the word if you're one of the many million people speaking and/or writing British English (like, the original, before the US-remix). :lol:

 

Burning Board isn't that great anymore (I have a lifetime license)... Once WBBMods took a dive, I stopped even considering it.

If I had to stop using vBulletin (Which I will be for any new sites I start working with), I'll probably be using MyBB, with a lot of custom changes to it.

 

I'd go for the new project smf-friends.org are going to develope.

 

+1 on that. SMF is amazing....imagine what they can do...

 

I'd probably use MyBB if phpBB went down... though I'd definitely use IPB3 if I had the money.