Confusion and The Decision making!

[DefenceTalk]

Okay, we are thinking about upgrading our board from phpbb 2.0.6 to either Invision board or vBulletin. I have been researching, read various threads at VB and at IB but both places seem to glorify their product while bashing the other. Some folks say IB is faster, uses less bandwidth, etc and vb is slower and uses a lot of bandwidth. I don't know where do they get that?

We are talking about 160-200 $$$ here, no joke. I like vb very much but before buying, how can I find out which script is better for our forums? I mean, I tried vb ACP, etc also IB's ACP. Is there some type of feature comparison done on both of these script? Is replying/being able to reply to a thread really a feature?

Anyway, help me out here. I need to make a choice either vb or ib. What am I missing if I go with IB and not with VB? What am I missing if I go with VB and not IB?

Thank You

DT

[Andy Huang]

There have been no solid proof of theory for both forums' preformance. A long time ago there was a biased test (something along the lines of IPS sponsor some company with free dedicated server, and get them to compare the speed of IPB and VB on that server) and obviously the results showed that IPB is faster.

From my personal experience however, IPB 2.0 seems to preform slightly slower than VB. This is why I have two VB owned licenses and no IPB license what so ever. Features wise, I think each have their own pros. VB does, however, IMHO, have more functionality for the administrator, and from what I've seen, a bigger hacking community. What the above means is that for you, the board admin, you have more flexibility, and you can make use of the hacking community to get the most out of your forum.

If you go VB over IPB, you get quality customer service (I am personally very pleased with their 30- minutes response time on them support tickets, and often even quicker response time on the forums) and good hacking community. However, you miss IPS' proclaimed "unlimited free updates"; but I wouldn't worry too much about that... IPS have changed their terms of service so many times in the past year or so (from 1.3 to 1.3.1, from 1.3.1 to 2.0 PDR's and PF's, from 2.0 PF's to 2.0 Final, from 2.0 Final to 2.0.1) I wouldn't be too surprised if they stop the "unlimited free updates" without warning their clients like they did with the "unlimited free trial".

If you go IPB over VB, well, you get their proclaimed "unlimited free updates" as explained above... and perhaps more free skins... That I've seen quite a bit of... at least for 1.3.1 anyways. But you miss out on the customer support and hacking community as mentioned above...

All in all, its your choice :)

[Floris]

I'd definitly go for vBulletin :)

[DefenceTalk]

Thanks.

I have no questions about the support. I would be pleased when problems are solved.

I been playing with both softwares since we decided to upgrade and I don't know VB has that simplicity factor which IB doesn't along with more control... as our board grows, I would like more control over the forum. As phpbb user, I am not trying to please vb or anything by saying that.

Another concern that I have is that of template. How much does it cost to integrate existing site template (not really phpbb template) into VB (top banner/menu for over all navigation for the site)?
the Site is running here: www.defencetalk.com/forums (http://www.defencetalk.com/forums)

thank you

[Andy Huang]

I'm not really a skinner, so I cannot really answer the question about converting your template. However, from a quick glance, I'd say that your skin is fairly basic, so unlike the fancy designs such as the one on yaxay.com, yours would probably be fairly easy to convert :)

[Reeve of Shinra]

Porting your templates / graphics from your old forum could be anywhere from free if your proficient enough with html/graphics and up depending on what third party you outsourced this work too. I am sure some people could give you some quotes.

Another thing I like about vb is that they haven't changed thier policies in the 4 years I've been running thier software. I would tell you to take a look at the roit IBP caused in thier various policy and pricing structure changes over the last year but they've deleted those threads. Customer service at ipb was also sorely lacking for a time with tickets going unanswered for weeks although they may have remedied that since.

In my mind, as an end user, I am a little hesitant about ipb in general. I would wait until they've matured as a company before relying on them for important business needs.

[Reeve of Shinra]

btw: I see your using coppermine for your gallery. There is a bridge available on vbulletin.org which will allow your users to use the same log in and password as their forums. The skin is still seperate though so you shouldn't even have to change anything on that. I believe you can read the thread if you want to do a search for it for more details.

[ManagerJosh]

Happy New Years Defense! :)

IPB's a great product with its own vision. vBulletin is an awesome product with a different mindset and track. However, it is my personal observation is that has two flaws that tarnishes the product. Its staff and its users.

Over the course of IPBs operation, there's been nothing short of many pricing and licensing changes happening suddenly and without warning. I don't believe there has been a pricing and licensing change since the launch of vBulletin. In addition to the lack of professionalism many former IPB users said. Some have gone far as saying the its staff was down right rude. I don't know if what is said about its staff is 100% true, but it seems to be a reoccuring often enough to wonder. I've heard of instances where support tickets go unanswered as well.

I've noticed that its user base often enough just says "IPB is Better" but never really give a legitimate reason. I think vBulletin is a much more solid platform for the following reasons:

-Support - Always someone to help you with something, 24/7.
-Scalable - If you are on a shared or semi-dedicated server, vBulletin can support a high number of users without overloading the server.
-Controlable - There's a high number of features that allows you to customize permissions and allows you to fine tune almost anything in the forums.
-Templates - People have complained that the template systems were weak, and very clumsy. It's one of the biggest reasons why people move to vBulletin and leave Invision Board.

I think you'll be happy with vBulletin, regardless of what size your board is. I've found time and time again that people here, staff, and members are friendly, always trying to help each other, and go that extra mile. Professionalism would need a new definition to represent the quality Jelsoft staff brings to its team.


Is replying/being able to reply to a thread really a feature?

Not sure what exactly is the question...are you refering to the quick reply?

Anyhow, I hope this brings some clarity to your decision. Good luck with your purchase and whatever decision you make, I know you feel its for the best for your community.

Happy New Years! :)

[SaN-DeeP]

Thanks.

I have no questions about the support. I would be pleased when problems are solved.

I been playing with both softwares since we decided to upgrade and I don't know VB has that simplicity factor which IB doesn't along with more control... as our board grows, I would like more control over the forum. As phpbb user, I am not trying to please vb or anything by saying that.

Another concern that I have is that of template. How much does it cost to integrate existing site template (not really phpbb template) into VB (top banner/menu for over all navigation for the site)?
the Site is running here: www.defencetalk.com/forums (http://www.defencetalk.com/forums)

thank you
We switched to vbulletin from IPB.
Support for addons from IPB installed on my forums was pathetic...........

There had been instances, accidentally we messed up the forums and had to wait for days.. to get our problem fixed.

Switching to Vbulletin, we got FREE Access to vbulletin.org.

If there are problems faced today, we get a support easily from someone on vbulletin.org without any worries.


Regards

[DefenceTalk]

Happy New Years Defense! :)
Not sure what exactly is the question...are you refering to the quick reply?

Anyhow, I hope this brings some clarity to your decision. Good luck with your purchase and whatever decision you make, I know you feel its for the best for your community.

Happy New Years! :)

Thanks and happy new years to you too.

No, that comment about reply/replying to was rather sarcastic. :D

As I said, I did find IB's templating cumbersome to play with during my demo-time with both softwares. I am no templating know it all but I know easy when I see one.

I still don't know why some folks prefer IB.:rolleyes: In couple of days we will know what DT is getting anyway. Cheers.

[ManagerJosh]

I'm sure you will become an expert templater in about less time than you think.

[Mike Anime]

i really hate to flame ANY software vendor to promote another so i will just tell you what happened to me bith in IPB and vB and you can decide for yourself.


1)
A) I installed IPB with major issues and got zero help for severial days and i just bought a IPB Licence when i got help the info they gave me was wrong severial months later still no help from my support ticket and the IPB forums are NOT for support.

B) having vB install the software is more expensive i decided to install it myself and ran into some minor issues made some threads and got swift replies within the hour every time

2) A) IPB staff when answering a question were often rude saying we will get to your support ticket when we get the bloody time its only been a day then told me that vb was worse (i found this to be false)

B) vB support no matter how rude a user was to them they were always nice to them

then you have vB is easier to skin and you can arange the templates in just about any way shape or form you want.

NOTICE about hacking your vB if you mod or hack your vB board you pretty much voide your GUARENTEED support BUT they will help you to desearn if it is a hack or mod that causes any issues with your vB board if it is a hack or mod messing up your forum just remove the problem hack and or mod till you can contact the author to fix the issue(s) it/they cause.

[ManagerJosh]

Well, i've found Jelsoft always to come to my aid everytime we ran into issues even with hacks installed.....so in some sense, they do support boards with hacks installed...just not the hacks themselves :)

[DefenceTalk]

Why would they support hacks that they don't write? But boards with hacks are supported, correct? I know, I will be installing hacks once I get use to the software so I don't want to find out sorry pal no vb support with hacks... :D

thanks all

[Andy Huang]

It really depends. If it is obvious that the problem you're experiencing is a problem with VB, then they will help you out right away. If it is unclear whether or not its the hack that's causing it, they will often tell you to try to replicate the problem on an unhacked installation. If the problem presists, then they will guide you through it, if not, then you will need to contact your hack's author. Personally, I think as long as you have backups and you don't do drastic database rewrites etc. VB gave me very little problems :)

[Mike Anime]

9 out of the 10 voices in my head like vB more :D

the other voice we haven't heard from in a week we think its time to send out a serch party:rolleyes:

[Steve Machol]

That voice must have been from a hack you installed. ;)

[DefenceTalk]

Yeah. I had another look at both IB and vB template editing and sorry I can't do iB. Simplicity isn't there with ib. I hope there are tuts out there for templating with vb though.

Now, to converting phpbb 2.06 to vb. Let me make sure if its the right process:

1. backup database (phpbb)
2. backup forum files (phpbb - in /forums/ directory)
3. install vb in new directory (install in /vbforum/ directory)
4. install importer?
5. run importer and import phpbb database into the newly created vb database?
6. lost...

thanks

[Steve Machol]

You don't really need to to #2. Here is the Online Manual for the Impex system:

http://www.vbulletin.com/docs/html/impex

And the Importing How-To Thread:

http://www.vbulletin.com/forum/showthread.php?t=116398

[DefenceTalk]

Yeah, I have read those - thanks. But where do I install new vb? In same directory ( /forums/ ) as phpbb or new one?

[Andy Huang]

My suggestion is that you rename your current forums directory to something like "/archives/" or alike, and install your forums on your favorite directory "/forum(s)/" (include or exclude that s based on personal preference). Configure ImpEx following the procedures outlined above in the documents, and let it go crazy :)

Do let us know once you purchase the license and post in the members forums if you run into any problems. We'd be more than glad to help you out with the importing :)

[ManagerJosh]

You can install your vB installation anywhere.

Personally, i would rename ur phpBB directory to /phpBBold/ and install vB on /forums/ :)

[DefenceTalk]

thanks! I figure because you don't want people posting to the forums while your trying to port it. I did buy the lincense and will test it out before doing the real thing on thursday. Yay!

[ManagerJosh]

Congrats on your purchase :)

Don't forget to fill this out for priority support.
http://www.vbulletin.com/members/me...rt_priority.php (http://www.vbulletin.com/members/membersupport_priority.php)

[DefenceTalk]

Okay, I installed a test board... I must say templating was not as hard as I expected.

http://www.defencetalk.com/vbtest/index.php

Wonderful! Tiny changes need to be done but major issues resolved. Thank you!!!

[SaN-DeeP]

Okay, I installed a test board... I must say templating was not as hard as I expected.

http://www.defencetalk.com/vbtest/index.php

Wonderful! Tiny changes need to be done but major issues resolved. Thank you!!!
Welcome to the Vbulletin Team :) dont miss to check vbulletin.org

[ManagerJosh]

Welcome to the Vbulletin Team :) dont miss to check vbulletin.org
Family, not team ;) Team is reserved for people who works @ Jelsoft :)

[DefenceTalk]

After its all said and done:

http://www.defencetalk.com/forums

Had no problem with import of the database. Pretty cool. Thanks for all the help!

[adguru]

After its all said and done:

http://www.defencetalk.com/forums

Had no problem with import of the database. Pretty cool. Thanks for all the help!
Glad that you chose vBulletin for your wonderful community. :)