Off Topix: Embrace the Unexpected in Every Discussion
Off Topix is a well established general discussion forum that originally opened to the public way back in 2009! We provide a laid back atmosphere and our members are down to earth. We have a ton of content and fresh stuff is constantly being added. We cover all sorts of topics, so there's bound to be something inside to pique your interest. We welcome anyone and everyone to register & become a member of our awesome community.
Does software matter?
- Thread starter Bobbo23
- Start date
As far as usability goes? I prefer SMF, because that's what I'm used to, and IPBoard can get to be an eyesore, in my opinion, but just as long as the people are nice it isn't a deal maker/breaker.
From an administrator's standpoint, it does matter, as I need to have a software where I can at least work some way around it on my own. As a member, I don't care one way or the other. As long as a forum looks nice, is easy to navigate, etc. then I could care less about what software it's on.
Software may have a positive effect on your forum, but it's not key to running a successful forum. I've seen successful forums on all types of software, so just because you have great software doesn't mean your chances of being successful are any higher than they would with less than great software. I personally believe it's what you do with the software that counts. If you have decent software but an amazing personality which then leads to a great member-base, I could care less about software as long as it's stable enough to post and interact.
Yes & No.
From a user standing point... phpBB is normally an eye sore. IPB can sometimes feel a little cold. But generally speaking, as long as its easy to use & the members are friendly... Not much difference.
From an Administrator point of view... vBulletin is very easy to learn & has a lot of support. I'm forever thankful for vBulletin.org and the many things I've learned there. I just wish they would develop better on their over all product (themes are an issue with v4). IPB which someone let me use on their community... Seemed less customizable & very odd to learn.
From a user standing point... phpBB is normally an eye sore. IPB can sometimes feel a little cold. But generally speaking, as long as its easy to use & the members are friendly... Not much difference.
From an Administrator point of view... vBulletin is very easy to learn & has a lot of support. I'm forever thankful for vBulletin.org and the many things I've learned there. I just wish they would develop better on their over all product (themes are an issue with v4). IPB which someone let me use on their community... Seemed less customizable & very odd to learn.
The Visitors said:
It is easy to learn but the support was crap. I often could not get the help I needed from their support forum. One time there was an issue that required me to give a vB staff member all my sensitive data (admin powers, cpanel access, etc). The vB staffer came in and still could not figure out my problems. Told me to upgrade to vb4 then ask (was using 3.8.x at the time and did not want to upgrade to vb4).
Nebulous said:
I will admit that sometimes IB / vB lacks official support from within the company. But there is normally enough 3rd party support within their community & more then enough searchable information (documentation).
I sometimes want to try IPS / IPB, but I have not found a lot of documentation, often they want to charge extra for support, and their pre-sale issues are also an issue in its self.... Before I became a customer of IB / vB, I could at least see everything they offered. Mods for example on vBulletin.org. But with IPS / IPB its all so hush, hush (secret)... Can not even view what they offer.
I guess its a matter of preference though. Can not 100% say I like here vB 4 has gone, but its still good enough (for now).
It hardly affects my decision to sign up, but it definitely affects my decision on whether I will be a regular there. Its not the software thats the problem (usually), its the way its been modified that poses the issues - sometimes its modified well, sometimes it isn't. I personally am not a fan of IPB software, but the way this forum is modded and kitted out is so efficient and well done that it doesn't bother me.
Besides, if everyone used the same, it'd be boring!
Besides, if everyone used the same, it'd be boring!
Software doesn't. vBulletin (all versions) has a bad and stone-age Admin CP along with its ridiculous customer support and management while version 4 is too server-intensive to run even the simplest of forums.
Other than that, if you know SEO, then getting the traffic is not really an issue. IPB and vBSEO (though note its $150 price tag) do a well-enough job on SEO, though you should always tweak your plan to be unique.
Other than that, if you know SEO, then getting the traffic is not really an issue. IPB and vBSEO (though note its $150 price tag) do a well-enough job on SEO, though you should always tweak your plan to be unique.
el canadiano said:
Yeah, they came out with a new version (v4) and the ACP was exactly the same. Why would they overhaul the exterior and not the interior?
The other day I was playing around with an IPB v2 test board and I was comparing the ACP to the IPB v3 ACP and I notice a lot of improvements in the new version.
I don't have any problems with what forum software is being used as long as I can use the features that I'd like to use.
