New BB Software?

b0b · Post by **b0b** » 20 Jan 2005 3:21 pm

David, I have been studying PHP and SQL, the languages used by most BB software today, with that task in mind. I bought some books. I believe that it can be done.

Will, you're correct that the user Help file is pretty weak, but it appears to be easily expanded. I've changed the help file here a few times to make things clearer and to answer frequently asked questions. Not that anyone ever reads it or anything, judging from my email...

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<img align=left src="http://b0b.com/b0bxicon.gif" border="0"> Bobby Lee
-b0b- quasar@b0b.com 
System Administrator

Ben Slaughter · Post by **Ben Slaughter** » 25 Jan 2005 10:53 am

b0b, I just spent some time on this site, and it seemed to work well, especially the search function. However, I don't know anything about BB software.
http://www.theeldergeek.com/forum/index.php?act=idx

I do like the WOW format too.

I've also noticed things getting pretty clunky here.

b0b · Post by **b0b** » 3 Feb 2005 12:07 pm

Our trial WowBB is about to expire.

I've been spending a little time at the Entropy.ch Discussion Forum. Their implementation of phpBB looks clean and simple.

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<img align=left src="http://b0b.com/b0bxicon.gif" border="0"> Bobby Lee
-b0b- quasar@b0b.com 
System Administrator

Will Holtz · Post by **Will Holtz** » 3 Feb 2005 1:53 pm

I spend a lot of time on the TapeOp Messageboard (an amazing resource for anyone interested in low budget/creative recording techniques), which is a phpBB board with slightly customized visuals. Its a good system overall. Navigation isn't always as simple as it could be (switching forums involves backing up to the top level page, I like the systems that have a drop down list on every page that can get you to any forum). And the search function is good but not great -- as it doesn't do quoted phase searches.

Chris Lasher · Post by **Chris Lasher** » 3 Feb 2005 7:42 pm

phpBB seems a bit weak as far as features go. Also, I'm not real fond of relying on "the community" for technical support.

Community service can come at a professional level, especially in the realm of Open Source Software. I would not dismiss phpBB so quickly. Many sites run phpBB quite successfully. It's search is quite good. Since it's free, why not give it a try and load-test it. If it breaks, some time, but no money lost, and you can look for a proprietary solution. If it doesn't break, you (the Forum, too?) save a couple hundred bucks, and everyone comes out a winner.

As far as load tests go, well, LinuxQuestions.org's forums are powered by vBulletin. They routinely have thousands of visitors per hour, and they've had a max of 2100+ users online at once. That's hefty.

b0b · Post by **b0b** » 3 Feb 2005 7:59 pm

I have downloaded phpBB, and I'm experimenting with it. No decision yet.

Greg Cutshaw · Post by **Greg Cutshaw** » 5 Feb 2005 4:02 pm

B0B, I hang out at the AVS forum a lot and have had good luck with searches there.
click here

Greg