Advantages over phpBB

[BrentWatkins]

What are the advantages of vBulletin over fully-modded versions of phpBB, such as IntegraMOD?

I run a site with 300 members, and I'm looking to the future of my site with a bit of concern. IntegraMOD development (i.e. security patches) are always slow, and compatibility with standard phpBB mods is very poor. Basically, I do not think the software is flexible enough.

Generally speaking, are there more mods available on vBulletin than there are for phpBB?

Is it true that when vBulletin 3.5 comes, no editting code will be necessary to install mods? Another question - will mods from vBuletin 3.0x be made compatible with 3.5?

I might be purchasing vBulletin within a few months. I'll play around with it for awhile before going public.

Thanks for your help.
Brent

[BrentWatkins]

One other question-

Would I be able to convert users, forums, topics, posts, and polls to the new software?

[Quillz]

What are the advantages of vBulletin over fully-modded versions of phpBB, such as IntegraMOD?

I run a site with 300 members, and I'm looking to the future of my site with a bit of concern. IntegraMOD development (i.e. security patches) are always slow, and compatibility with standard phpBB mods is very poor. Basically, I do not think the software is flexible enough.

Generally speaking, are there more mods available on vBulletin than there are for phpBB?

Is it true that when vBulletin 3.5 comes, no editting code will be necessary to install mods? Another question - will mods from vBuletin 3.0x be made compatible with 3.5?

I might be purchasing vBulletin within a few months. I'll play around with it for awhile before going public.

Thanks for your help.
Brent
vBulletin 3.5.0 is using a hooks and plug-ins system, meaning you can install hacks on sort of a modular basis, like IPB... You "plug" them into your board, rather than actually editing files. That way, it's easy to turn them on and off, and you can still get official support from Jelsost.

As commercial software, vB benefits from paid support and development teams, which means you are going to get major releases rather quickly. (About one major release a year.) While phpBB isn't bad, it is free software, so the dev team is all volunteer. Notice it's been over two years since phpBB 2.2 was announced, and it's still not even in beta yet.

You can use the ImPex system to convert just about any BBS to vB. Generally, all previous data, save passwords, are imported flawlessly. Be sure to back up your old database, though, in case something goes wrong.

I'm honestly not sure if there are more hacks for vB than phpBB, but look at this way: A stock vB can do nearly twice as much as a stock phpBB. In other words, what generally requires hacks in phpBB is standard in vB, so you actually don't need as many hacks. Check http://www.vbulletin.org for more information.

Remember there are two licensing options, and an online ACP demo. I would recommend the owned license. While it's more expensive initially, it's actually far cheaper in the long run, after just a year.

[BrentWatkins]

Yes, if I end up going through with it, I'll definitely be buying the owned licence. Thank you for your help.

[ctrl-alt-del]

Quills mentioned a few significant advantages over phpBB.

1. Support is from the company providing the product
2. Plugin/Hook system for modifications/hacks
3. Out of the box, vB has better functionality than phpBB

Can anyone list others?

[Zachery]

From a year ago?
Even more default functionality than phpBB.
The template system is a breeze to work with in comparsion.

I mean what else are you looking for?

[ZacUSNYR]

phpbb is dated and the developers are snotty punks who think people should stick with their insecure software till they come out with the new version. heh

Just look at both the communities - the questions asked and the answered received. They have the "it's free what do you want" attitude. You get what you pay for :)

[Zachery]

I think thats abit unfair of a comparsion. The phpBB devs are not snotty punks.

[ctrl-alt-del]

I'm looking for advantages of vB that haven't already been mentioned. I'm already in the opinion of vB superiority over phpBB. Especially since development has been pretty much stagnant aside from security patches. I want convert a phpBB internal site my company uses, but I need all the justifications I can get. That's why I'm requesting your insight and the phpBB converts as well.

[Zachery]

The ease of use and simple single point administration with vBullletin in comparsion to phpBB would have made me convert back in the vBulletin 2 days alone.

[Ghostryder]

i have been using PHPbb board for 4 or 5 years now with no problems, but in the past 6mths i have been riddled with problems tryin to keep bots from registering on my board and leaving pr0n adverts.
i have installed many mods/hacks to prevent this, all which seem to work for a couple of weeks and then i am hit by the same problem again.

What degree of confidence could i have that this problem had stopped, if i switched to a vbulletin board.
sorry if this is not the correct thread but it seemed suitable
thx :)

[eXaulz]

Compare the features;

phpBB (http://www.phpbb.com/features.php) feature list
vBulletin (http://www.vbulletin.com/features.php) feature list

[Ohiosweetheart]

In short... you have to take a phpbb board and hack the daylights out of it to get everything that comes standard with vBulletin.

Vb is faster, more secure, the search engine spiders love it... need I say more?

[ctrl-alt-del]

Not to me...I'm sold! :)

[I-Web]

Personally i do not think there is any comparison much like a Rolls Royce to an old banger

[Ohiosweetheart]

exactly!

[Steve Machol]

phpbb is dated and the developers are snotty punks who think people should stick with their insecure software till they come out with the new version. heh
With all due respect, those 'snotty punks' spend their own time creating something for free and not asking anything in return. Me wonders if you would be willing to devote your spare time to a project in similar size and scope.

[letsjoy]

security is main thing u will get in VB :D

[Anonymous999]

Security, Support and a rock solid piece of forum software


As has been said before



"You Get What You Pay For"

[Ohiosweetheart]

With all due respect, those 'snotty punks' spend their own time creating something for free and not asking anything in return. Me wonders if you would be willing to devote your spare time to a project in similar size and scope.


very good point Steve

[Theowne]

I don't really understand why people always compare phpbb and VB.

Phpbb = free

Vbulletin = costs money (a lot)

It'd be like asking whether a Ferrari is better then a bicycle. Sure, but it also costs a heck of a lot more.

So obviously VBulletin is going to come out looking better. Doesn't mean PHPBB isn't an outstanding product, I mean these guys have created a really excellent forum system and it's completely free for anyone.

[ctrl-alt-del]

Logical people can compare the two. Ferrari vs. bicycle? A bicycle sure beats the heck out of walking. Do people compare Free BSD vs. Solaris? Yes, because they're both *nix, thus fairly similar. Why can't you compare phpBB and vB? They are both PHP/MySQL(DB)/Apache(HTTPD) based software. It just so happens one is open source and the other is commercial.

[Theowne]

A bicycle sure beats the heck out of walking.

That's comparing a bicycle to walking. :rolleyes:

If you try to compare a Ferrari to a bicycle, the first response will be "yeah, and it also costs a few thousand dollars more"


It just so happens one is open source and the other is commercial.

Which means that operate under completely different circumstances and it's ridiculous to compare them.

[harmor]

So let's say I created a board that was very insecure, barely no features and I charged for it.

Since it is a product you have to pay for you cannot compare it to phpBB?

What would you rather have? My board or phpBB?

[ctrl-alt-del]

Which means that operate under completely different circumstances and it's ridiculous to compare them.

You must be an anti-Linux person because the same argument you posed to phpBB and vB can be applied to Mac/Windows vs. Linux or anything open source and free for that matter.

From a long time phpBB user, I can tell you out of the box, or plain vanilla, vB blows phpBB out of the water. However, a properly modded and updated phpBB has just as many functionality as the stock vB. In fact, I would argue there is a larger development base for phpBB just because of the fact that it is open source and free, thus more developers are willing to code.

Your argument has no valid basis because phpBB and vB accomplish the same goal, thus comparable. (ie. Such as a Ferrari vs. a bike to get you from point A to B) A Ferrari will get you to your destination must faster and with style I might add, but a bike will take get you to the same destination. It just might take a while....a long while.

[Wynand]

Quills mentioned a few significant advantages over phpBB.

1. Support is from the company providing the product
2. Plugin/Hook system for modifications/hacks
3. Out of the box, vB has better functionality than phpBB

Can anyone list others?

Why did you bump a topic older then a year?? :confused:
Last reply was on sept. 2005....

[harmor]

Why did you bump a topic older then a year?? :confused:
Last reply was on sept. 2005....
Technically it's not older than a year.

[Wynand]

Technically it's not older than a year.

Wise guy :p

[ctrl-alt-del]

Because I used the search function and it's still a valid topic. :)

[Wynand]

You really think the TS is reading this?

[ctrl-alt-del]

Okay, what is a TS? Thread Starter?

[Wynand]

Okay, what is a TS? Thread Starter?

yes

[ctrl-alt-del]

Ya...the OP (original poster) is probably not reading it, but I am and I'm the TR (thread resurrector). Okay, I made that one up.

[ZacUSNYR]

In short... you have to take a phpbb board and hack the daylights out of it to get everything that comes standard with vBulletin.

Vb is faster, more secure, the search engine spiders love it... need I say more?
And when you do that you then have an unupgradeable hacked up unsecure package :)