Which free forum software is your favorite?

I was always surprised by this too. Don't quote me on this but if I remember correctly a year or so back one of the lead developers was quite the arrogant one and seemed to alienate a lot of people from the community.

 

I think I know who you're referring to - hasn't changed much.

 

I think I know who you are talking about too. I've had quite a few 'run-ins' with him in the past.

 

To be quite honest, I haven't run into many MyBB forums on the web. I think phpBB has a large base that promotes their product and as a result, it snowballs as more and more forums use it. Its usually the first free forum software that comes to mind and one that I see recommended for beginners.

 

It's definitely recommended due to its simplicity and ease of use - although I would personally suggest something even easier to handle (such as bbPress) for someone who is just entering into the world of forums. I'm not really a fan of phpBB.

 

Ironically, I think phpBB is a bit harder to understand for a new forum owner. Like you said, Chris, something like bbPress or even MyBB/vBulletin would probably be a better choice, depending on if you're willing to pay or not.

 

Right on. This is particularly true about phpBB3 - the admin control panel is ridiculous (IMO).

 

I've never been a fan of PhpBB one bit. I've always despised it to the maximum humanly possible. When I come across a forum that runs PhpBB, I'm outta there as quick as I came. It's a huge turn-off.

As far as this undesirable MyBB developer: I have no idea who you guys are referring to as I don't follow the MyBB community, but is he still an active developer?

 

I believe that he is, yes.

 

I don't really like any free forum software because they so ugly but if i had to choose i would take MyBB or PunBB depending of wich type of site it is. PunBB is a very lite forum software with not very much features.

 

What attracts you to PunBB if it doesn't have the greatest feature set? I'm just curious, as I've never really looked into PunBB.

 

Possibly its ease of use? I've always found the simple forum software scripts to have an "edge" when it comes to that aspect.

 

Duh :doh:
I missed the part of his post where he mentioned "depending on what type of site it is". Therefore, It seemed to me that he considered MyBB and PunBB to be interchangeable.

 

Like Chris say its ease of use. It is simple and i like it.
+ The creator of PunBB is swedish like me :p

 

I'm seriously thinking about setting up a MyBB forum just to learn how to skin (design) it. Might be a good thing, if my paid client base drops off due to vB's price increases and vB4 packaging choices.

 

MyBB has evolved into quite the free forum software script - v1.4 is above and beyond all previous releases.

 

I'll have to check it out.

 

This might be a good idea. But I've always wondered how designers that offer premium skins for free scripts do - in terms of business. I mean, how many people who use a free script want (or are able to afford) a premium skin?

If you're going to learn something new, have you considered checking into IPB?

 

The administrative interface in particular is nice. It's tabbed and is organized in an efficient manner. I'm still partial to vB's (I'm addicted - it's as simple as that), but MyBB's is up there when it comes to the "wow" factor.

 

I agree - I really like MyBB's control panel. vBulletin's isn't the most beautiful one out there, but it gets the job done; it's easy to navigate and find what you need.