Forum Software

[RVFmal]

Which Forum software is the best option in respects of ease of use and installation and ability to change the style of the board to one that is more individual?

 

[Flipside]

Hey there,
I used the free phpBB software for my forum, which I found pretty easy
to install, even though I've never worked with server side stuff, mysql and apache. Installed some mods aswell which wasn't to hard. I haven't used anything else so I can't really compare it though.

Not sure if users can choose their own theme.
Hope that helps.

 

[chiskop]

If you'relooking for something a little different, try Vanilla. Very easy to install and very pretty. It is a bit different to the typical forum though, and you may or may not like this approach.

Otherwise, you can't go wrong with phpbb. There're plenty of themes to choose from, and if you can figure out css you can modify those as you like.

 

[AntiThesis]

free: phpbb
pay: ipb

Vbulletin is also pretty good.

 

[Gromitt]

Give wordpress a bash. Its more for a Blog but you can adapt it for forums. It also has some good looking themes

 

[Nod]

Joomla or Mambo is also very good. Lots of plugins. Easy to change the style / templates.

 

[Elfreako]

SMF is by far the best free software

 

[Andrewc]

I'll say SMF

http://www.simplemachines.org

here's a example www.backboneit.co.za/forum

 

[GavinMannion]

I used WebWizz forums for my wifes site (www.mommies.co.za/chat). Being a M$ programmer I found it the easiest to work with.

 

[RVFmal]

Thanks for all the links. Very much appreciated. My Fiance wants to set up a forum for animal and horse lovers, so free is the way we are currently looking at the moment due to it being non-profit.

Is there a site that compares all the relevant Forum type software. Had a squiz on Google, but came away with nada.

Nod, isn't Joomla/Mambo CMS?

 

[DraK]

Ikonboard used to Rule, I know the original developers moved off to carry on a free vrsion, can't remember what it was called though