MyBB vs. SMF and phpBB

Since we have the vBulletin versus IPB thread, how about MyBB versus SMF and phpBB?

Which software do you prefer of the aforementioned?

Of course, I love MyBB. I am a die-hard fan and enjoy having both boards of mine powered by their wonderful software.

Not only is it flexible, but it is a great software for post-vBulletin users. vBulletin and MyBB are very much alike.

Your opinions? Have at!

 

Umm, I love MyBB, isn't it noticeable???

MyBB IS the best free forum software out there and it's competition to vB, that has a LOT to say.

phpBB :| They are ok, but I don't like them

As I said, SMF makes me think moldy food look prettier.

 

Yes, MyBB is vBulletin's competitor indeed! I thought IPB and them were to be competitors, but more and more are migrating to MyBB...

phpBB for me is "meh." I really don't like there software. From a designer's point of view, very bland and limited.

SMF, let's not go there; this thread will be hi-jacked to the point where nobody could stop me. :rofl:

 

Hey, I like SMF!

MyBB is probably the best free software, but it has a few problems.
1. It's not made for big boards. There's no way to edit multiple users at once at all, annoying...
2. Most themes are cartoony (I blame the stars and rating column on forumdisplay)
3. Lack of good themes/MODs

Other than that though, the base package is excellent. It looks smooth, handles well, and if you do it right, can work for even the most hardcore boards. I mean, look at this metal board. Metal&Shit Forums
Looks pretty pwny, amirite?


I absolutely despise phpBB. It's hard to work with, hard to Modify, the codebase is a convoluted piece of shit wherever I looked, it has close to no AJAX features, the ACP is monstrous and terrible, and it eats babies for breakfast.

I think SMF is a great platform, it just looks shitty and needs to work on that.

 

You weirdo, you!

Big boards or Big-Boards, huge difference. And yes, you're right. It sucks that you can't select more than user and do whatever is needed with all of them in a bulk. This is certainly a flaw.

Bad, bad, Jonah! You can always turn to people like Nei and I, N-Designs, or any other custom MyBB skinner. Justin S. is also a good skinner!

Are you kidding me? You can go to Labrocca for custom modifications, plus there are various hack sites to go to for cool modifications.

Tom Loveric is a great coder as is Justin S. and Labrocca. I'm sure there are others, but those are the only half-decent(meaning really good) three I know of.

All in all though, nice points made and I'm glad to see other points of view; differences make the world go 'round, right?

 

My vote when to MyBB.
I consider it the free version of vB. I almost want to be the first person to own a true "big-board" powered by MyBB because I don't think they ever get very big for whatever reason.

 

Actually MyBB IS made for Big boards, they've set up a board that has over 1 million posts.

 

I've seen forums powered by MyBB that are actually quite large - it's rather impressive.

 

Some boards are pretty successful.

I think it's bias bull crap to say certain powered forums can't or will not succeed. What really matters is the quality of the forum, right? Themes, modifications or any thing else should not play a role in a forum's success. However, sometimes it is the case.

MyBB forums have succeeded and more and more are succeeding every day.

 

I think the have a couple actually. You can view them here: The Biggest Boards - MyBB Forums.

 

It's not that it can't succeed, it's just missing some admin tools that make it easier, that's all.

 

See, many MyBB powered sites succeed.

 

MyBB, hands-down. phpBB is nothing more than a bunch of crap, and SMF isn't much better.

MyBB is a great platform and I thoroughly enjoy using it when vBulletin isn't a choice.

 

Both phpBB and Simple Machines forum can be compared to a Geo Metro: they work but are horribly designed, serving absolutely no useful purpose whatsoever.

MyBB, on the other hand, is a fantastic (free) forum script. It's feature-packed, easy to use, and has an excellent administration interface. Over the years, this script has been developed tremendously. I'm a bit surprised that it's backed by a rather small community, but I'm sure this will change as future versions are released.

 

What does everyone have against SMF? Seriously.

 

Looks ugly. Works terrible.

 

Cause it's a Simple Machines Forum.

 

Looks-I will agree on. But correct skinning can fix that. I think it worked just fine.

 

Different strokes for different folks.

 

Hey, stop stealing my line.

I was the first to use it here, Chrissy.