Which is the better forum software VBulletin or phpBB

[temi]

I am thinking of converting the software that powers this forum to VBulletin, there are much more control of thinks on Vbulletin. Though phpBB is also good (its even free) but there are lots of restrictions and its less search engine friendly than VBulletin.
I wonder what members though are on this, anyone out there with experience of running both software?

[Duke]

I don't like the price associated with vbulletin and some of the templates I've seen are horrible. I haven't done much looking into it as I don't have huge requirements for my forum as of yet.

I know that vbulletin is infinately configurable but some of the forums I see are overly complicated and cluttered. Maybe it's just the way the sites I member at who use it configure things but I'm not a big fan of vb for this reason.

Not sure how many plugins there are and if there are plugins, how much do they cost, etc.?

[temi]

You are absolutely right about VB templates, uninspiring but functionality wise its superior to phpbb. VB usually plug any holes found pretty quickly unlike phpBB for example I just discovered that you can register on this site just fill in your details including your website address and you will get a back links from Google because of the way phpbb works, that is annoying because this site end up "endorsing" sites that I don't necessarily want to endorse, with my other forum that uses VB I don't have that problem, there are a few other features that makes VB superior and its really not that expensive if you are running a serious forum, its less than $200. I think I will upgrade this site to VB when I have the time.

[Duke]

I think that when you purchase the vb license that you're able to use vb on a small number of other sites too (something like 3 to 5 I believe). I can check into it a bit because a good friend of mine uses vb.

Also, why don't you post this backlinking problem at nukecops? I'm sure they'd not only like to know about it, but also would love to opportunity to fix it if they knew it was making people seriously consider vb.

[temi]

But I don't use Nuke Ken, just phpBB so if I want to post it anywhere it should be phpBB.com

I think VB allows you to install one VB (Unless you purchase multiple licences) I think the one I bough only allows me to install on one site

Thanks for the suggestions

[OldWelshGuy]

Personally I would not move to VB. PHPbb is easily modified to be 100% search engine friendly, it is a simple copy & paste bit of script to remove session ID's for the bots.

OK sure you can register then spam a link, but a simple bit of removing any members with zero posts does that over.

VB is no longer open source, it has sold out, and anyone who writes any mods for the platform now has to pay VB for the privalidge of improving their product.

[temi]

Personally I would not move to VB. PHPbb is easily modified to be 100% search engine friendly, it is a simple copy & paste bit of script to remove session ID's for the bots.

OK sure you can register then spam a link, but a simple bit of removing any members with zero posts does that over.

VB is no longer open source, it has sold out, and anyone who writes any mods for the platform now has to pay VB for the privalidge of improving their product.

You are right OWG,
I think I will just have to do a little bit more admin task removing dead/dormant account etc, I had a help of a job converting webmaster serve from SMF to vb, I am not relishing another such conversion again.

[novocaine]

i don't even want to read this thread...
VBULLETIN VBULLETIN VBULLETIN VBULLETIN VBULLETIN VBULLETIN VBULLETIN VBULLETIN VBULLETIN VBULLETIN VBULLETIN VBULLETIN VBULLETIN VBULLETIN VBULLETIN VBULLETIN VBULLETIN VBULLETIN VBULLETIN VBULLETIN VBULLETIN VBULLETIN !!!!!!

sorry.. i just love that forum engine.. it rocks.. a lot of options.. sub-forums.. This way we could improve the look and feel of the forum..

go Temi go!!!
(you can get Vbulletin for free...)

[temi]

Converting from one forum to another is no joke though, lots of compatibility issues, members not being able to login etc etc. I may well go for V Bulletin when I have lots of time, it has more advanced features than phpBB which is something I like very much.

Yes, perhaps in a few months time I may convert to vb.

[novocaine]

that's a plan .. if you need any help.. i'm here