Does Forum Software matter?

Does it matter what forum software a forum uses? Does it matter whether its vBulletin or Xenforo or IPB? Or any other?

Does it matter to you, or the content is more important?

 

To me it does.. I cant stand phpBB forums along with some freeforum hosting software such as proboards.

I just dont feel comfortable posting on them. And they are ugly.

 

I don't think it does because forum software is a personal choice, as long as it's got good content and a reasonably nice style, then I don't see any reason to not join.

 

I agree, I am not that big of a fan of phpBB, but I love posting on ForumPromotion.. like you said its a personal preference, content is key.

 

I don't think the software has ever turned me away.Even on proboards lol.
Slighty Insane graphics is a huge example of that.

 

It matters to me. I will not own a site that is not created using the phpBB software.

 

Well this thread is not exactly for which one you prefer on your own forum, but will it stop you from posting on other forums or be an active member.

 

Yes, forum software can make a difference in the long run. If not on user preference then at least in terms of security. It's no fun when your site gets hacked, something that's more likely with unpatched and older software.

 

It does matter to me and I would be lying if I said it didn't though at one point before using paid software I didn't care. Now I look for a good software usually XenForo, IPB, vBulletin, PhpBB3, or MyBB before I join. Then I take a look at the content of the site and see if it's something I enjoy or could use as a possibly resource.

 

As much as I kinda dislike remotely hosted forums (outside of Invisionfree, Jcink, and Zetaboards), I'm willing to look past it as long as the layout and content are good, seeing as that is what's important.

 

Yea I agree. But the one thing I cannot stand is posting on SMF forums, I just hate everything about its layout.. i feel very uncomfortable posting on smf forums.

 

I don't really feel confident posting on free hosted forums (forumotion, smf4free, etc) because I know that forum won't be around very long.

I also try not to post on phpBB forums. The User CP is a total disaster and I don't like the feel of the board at all. I wouldn't be surprised if some study proved that phpBB forums are harder to get off the ground because of this.

 

I Hate posting on forumotion forums, they are an complete disaster. But I dont see anything wrong with a normal phpbb forum's UCP. What exactly dont you like about phpBB's UCP?

 

The only thing that matters is that the owner knows that software inside out and enjoys using it, I like xenforo but stick to phpBB as I know it inside out and is my personnal fav.

 

Yes its best that way, if the owner is confident about the software and knows it inside out then im sure the community will enjoy it as well since the owner will do a good job of running the forum.

 

I couldn't agree more mate, when PH converted back to phpBB3 a lot of questions were raised as to why I did it but I did it because I know it rather well, and did'nt want to pay for a piece of software I was not very experienced with.

 

Oh you used vbulletin or something else?

 

PH was kindly given a vBulletin licence to use, so we used it, when we lost it we went back to phpBB3 rather than pay for a new VB license

 

You did the right thing, I wouldn't spend money on something im not comfortable with.

 

Yes, forum software does matter. It doesn't have to be a popular forum software, but it does have to be comfortable for staff, members and yourself. If its not, then the forum will suffer in the long run.