I'm a BB Freak - a message about phpBB

[Sal Collaziano]

Okay. I've hosted many boards. First was an ezBoard. Second was a UBB. Third was a vBulletin, fourth is a phpBB. I've seen many others. Yabb, Ikonboard, and a ton of other less popular scripts. They're all getting very nice!

Now. I've mentioned before how I like phpBB. Last week, I had an opportunity to get a close look at one because somebody installed one at one of my sites: www.deerparkavenue.com

It's a very nice system - but there is no comparison to vBulletin. It doesn't even compare to UBB. It is not a robust system. I'm not knocking it - I love it. It's free and it's great. It's serving a good purpose. But for someone who's really seriously into message boards, it leaves a lot to be desired. And, it's actually a little bit complicated.

Anyways. Will there be an official importer for phpBB at any point in the near future? I'd like to convert my phpBB to vBulletin 3.0 - how is the unofficial importer? Any good?

Thanks...

[Grover]

Hi Sal,

I've used VBulletin for a while now and I must say I am very pleased with all the possibilities it offers. I'm also very pleased with the great support they give us here.

The main thing which I am not so positive about really, is the look-and-feel of VBulletin. I run a dutch website. I've noticed that a lot of our dutch visitors found VBulletin a bit hard to learn really. It's a bit complicated to use really in the beginning when you do not have experience with it. At least, that's what a lot of our visitors say to us.

Ofcourse..... there are some reasons for this. The MAIN reason really is: VBulletin STILL has no language support !!

I've just looked at this site: http://www.hairlosstalk.com/discussions/index.php and saw the FANTASTIC looking forum there. I thought........WAUW! What's THIS!?

Founded out that is was PHPBB. Didn't know the product. Went to their website: http://www.phpbb.com/ and again........ WAUW! Amazing.....what a graphic design! Really....... Jelsoft should take notice of the amazing looks of the graphics on that site. The SubSilver (default) style is just brilliant! I think those graphics (look at the buttons!) are very hip and cool. Compare them to the standard VBulletin graphics........... :eek:

Anyway..... I do not know the quality of the software itself (like you do), but I just have to say: it LOOKS fantastic indeed. I think that if Jelsoft took more notice of the LOOKS of the default-VBulletin, it would sell even beter. This purple/blue-yellow..... yùk! The menu-graphics..... hmmm. I know..... I know..... I can alter/design it all myself..... i KNOW! But I just think that the DEFAULT VBulletin should be GREAT to look at to begin with.

Looked at their website http://www.phpbb.com/ a bit more. Ah! Language packs....... even in Dutch!! Ah! A ready-to-use Dutch graphics-pack. Aha!

If Jelsoft are keen to approve their graphic-design, are willing to finally release some language packs...... then we have a very reliable, robust boardsystem which also LOOKS great. (and is easy to use in a foreign language......)!

I hope we do not have to wait that long........

Grover.

[JWB]

As far as the designs go I think vbulletin should hire C: to do about 5-10 default ones :)

[XiXora]

well it looks nice out the pack cos it has rubbish template thinggys. i bet i could make vb exactly like phpbb

[Grover]

Well...they did it the other way round. Look at http://www.phpbb.com/styles/styles_demo/ : there you'll find a PHPVB2 style.

Is there anyone willing to design the exact SubSilver-style for VB?! That would be great.

And indeed....... I think VB would be even more appealing to potential buyers if it comes with a couple of default-styles.

Grover.

[Fusion]

Looking good! :D

[Chen]

Originally posted by Sal Collaziano
Anyways. Will there be an official importer for phpBB at any point in the near future? I'd like to convert my phpBB to vBulletin 3.0 - how is the unofficial importer? Any good?
Judging by the thread at vB.org, it's pretty good.

But an official importer is currently being worked on. The release is probably still not close, but just so you know we are working on it. :)

[etones]

I did a semi conversion of the subsilver template set...

http://www.ocboards.co.uk

Regards

[Razgo]

IMO , i think jelsoft should stick to creating there own default creations and not base it off other forums like phpbb2.

I agree though some nice looking default themes to choose from would be a great addition.

but please stay original as you can, and be creative. using themes based off other forums is not good IMO.

[Scott MacVicar]

Jelsoft hasnt suggested that it is going to be basing styles on forums, that was a comment by another user who is creating a phpBB2 style.

If your converting from say phpBB2 to vBulletin your users may prefer a phpBB2 style as they are more familar with that layout than the vB2 one. I know i used the UBB style after i had converted until my users got use to vBulletin then i gradually changed it to the vB2 style.

[Chen]

Originally posted by etones
I did a semi conversion of the subsilver template set...

http://www.ocboards.co.uk

Regards
Looking good, will you be releasing it?

[JamesUS]

Originally posted by FireFly

Judging by the thread at vB.org, it's pretty good.

But an official importer is currently being worked on. The release is probably still not close, but just so you know we are working on it. :)

Yes one is being worked on, and it should be released in the next few weeks. Hopefully in a beta form by the end of the month.

[HeadStAtE!]

I'm a registered user of vBulletin and I've moved to phpBB, it needs a few minor bugs ironing out, whereas vBulletin is very stable, however, I prefer templates that can be edited in Dreamweaver (and such like) and don't like the way vBulletin holds them in the database.

Also I've found it a real pain to add any hacks as there are that many updates, I'm also not interested in features such as the calendar, it seems like unneccessary bulk.

I'll have a serious look at the vBulletin version 3 though when it's available, is there a feature list for it yet?

[XiXora]

most the features can be turned off. i like templates in the db too. now theres an idea how abut if u get the choice to do templates thru filesystem or db :D

phpbb is never hardly updated. i'm grateful for the updates here at vb.com many bugs been ironed out :D

[HeadStAtE!]

Originally posted by XiXora
most the features can be turned off. i like templates in the db too. now theres an idea how abut if u get the choice to do templates thru filesystem or db :D

phpbb is never hardly updated. i'm grateful for the updates here at vb.com many bugs been ironed out :D Not exactly true - the CVS package is created once a day at 12:01AM Pacific Time.

There's also a lot of contribution within the phpBB community with hacks (as indeed there is with vBulletin), and even both a Visual Basic compiled and (in development) a PHP auto mod program that will read in a file of mod changes and apply them automatically, so (hopefully) eventually there will be no need for manually editing the files and the database each time... I once spent a whole week reapplying hacks to my vBulletin board. :(

I agree it would be nice if vBulletin offered either database or HTML templates via the filesystem.

[XiXora]

if ppl used fireflys vbhacker itd be fine :)

[Chen]

Originally posted by HeadStAtE!
Also I've found it a real pain to add any hacks as there are that many updates, I'm also not interested in features such as the calendar, it seems like unneccessary bulk.

Originally posted by HeadStAtE!
Not exactly true - the CVS package is created once a day at 12:01AM Pacific Time.
You are pretty much contradicting yourself there. :)

[hacker]

Originally posted by Razgo
IMO , i think jelsoft should stick to creating there own default creations and not base it off other forums like phpbb2.

I agree though some nice looking default themes to choose from would be a great addition.

but please stay original as you can, and be creative. using themes based off other forums is not good IMO.

Vbulletin needs improvement in the look and feel department. I mean, technically and feature-wise, it's the best, but look and feel? Hasn't caught up with the rest of the rich set of features and functionalities.

[Grover]

Originally posted by hacker
Vbulletin needs improvement in the look and feel department. I mean, technically and feature-wise, it's the best, but look and feel? Hasn't caught up with the rest of the rich set of features and functionalities.

I TOTALLY agree. Ofcourse Jelsoft shouldn't base the look and feel on other forums like phpbb2 as Razgo said, that was not what I meant: I just wished they would provide an easier way to make VBulletin look different. Supply some default styles/templates for instance.

Indeed, technically and feature-wise it is the vey best, but talking about the user-experience I find that it has room for improvement.

Having said that I think that PHPBB for instance does a create job at the look-and-feel department. Take this SubSilver style for instance: great! It's bright, light and hip. Take the user-experience features of PHPBB:

- They have LANGUAGE packs,
- They have ready-to-use icons for different LANGUAGES
- They have multiple default styles you can use.

If Jelsoft finally provides those language modules... it will boost up the foreign sales enormously. If they change the look and feel of Vbulletin.....even more people will be pleased with the product. If they provide an easier way to change the look and feel of Vbulletin.....that would be even better. And I STILL think an INSTANTE MESSASING AND/OR CHAT add-on would be a KEY to atrract even more buyers.

Grover.

[Fusion]

Originally posted by Grover
And I STILL think an INSTANTE MESSASING AND/OR CHAT add-on would be a KEY to atrract even more buyers.

Grover. Personally, I feel that instant messaging or live chat features goes beyond the natural scope of a bulletin board software. For want of a better term, it smacks of teen/kiddie-needs, and I think that's exactly why Jelsoft has been slow, even reluctant to implement it.

[Chen]

Couldn't agree more with Grover's post.

[Fusion]

Originally posted by FireFly
Couldn't agree more with Grover's post. Either you're being elusive by choice, Chen, or else you're one of them teens. ;) Seeing as you agreed to his post in its entirety. For the record, I too think vBulletin could benefit from a few, not just one, example-styles as well as language-packs. Especially language-packs. That said, I assume they've avoided several styles in an attempt to urge people to do their own innovations, as it is somewhat dull to see people use the same "cool" style, with little or no changes.

[Grover]

Originally posted by Fusion
Personally, I feel that instant messaging or live chat features goes beyond the natural scope of a bulletin board software. For want of a better term, it smacks of teen/kiddie-needs, and I think that's exactly why Jelsoft has been slow, even reluctant to implement it.

Well, I do understand your point. But look at it this way: when I talk about a COMMUNITY (VBulletin is 'Instant Community' like it says......) it do not only see VBulletin as part of it. I think there's more to a community than a great bulletin-board.

I think that a REAL community should offer his visitors at least a CHAT functionality. Or instant messasing for that matter. I do not really understand why Jelsoft should be that reluctant, because I am CONVINCED it would be a KEY factor in attracting even more buyers. When they integrate (meaning: only members can chat) a chat with VBulletin I think it will be become an ESSENTIAL add-on for a lot of the VBulletin websites out there.

I've read somewhere on this forum that it has something to do with providing a server-solution (IRC?) for it. I do not really see a problem there, because Jelsoft even offers a Vbulletin-hosting solution lately.....

Just provide it as an add-on so that people who are not interested do not have to buy it. They are doing the same with their CMS-module, aren't they? I am very much looking forward to this last one also.

If it goes beyond the natural scope of a bulletin board software like you say, then provide it as an add-on module, so that everybody will be happy. I am willing to pay the extra $ for it, ofcourse.

I run a website for patients who suffer from any kind of hairloss-diseases. I am very pleased with VBulletin. We just need a integratred chat-module BADLY. And language packs for that matter.... ;)

Keep up the good work.

Grover.

[Fusion]

Grover, there are java-based chat-addons that integrate nicely with vBulletin. Some are buyware, others, equally good, are adware. VenusGirl ran one such adware solution on her site that looked nice. The ads were in no way intrusive. You might want to PM her and ask. Just say I sent you. ;)

[Fusion]

Originally posted by XiXora
if ppl used fireflys vbhacker itd be fine :) I know full well 'm tempting fate here, but has Jelsoft considered making such a script an addition to vBulletin? If not, would you consider it?

[Pilot]

I think Jelsoft should enter into partnerships to offer extended facilities. Eg - they provide a built in template/Java applet integration to IRC and an IRC host offers private chat room hosting for a modest cost.

People can either use their own IRC, another one or for those (like me) who like a simple life - opt for the Jelsoft associate host.

The fact that people are driven to hacks is a bad thing - it means that the product is not meeting customer requirements.

Yes, there will always be those who fiddle with it and that is a good thing - providing the popular hacks become features without too much delay. Holding back killed off UBB (I was one who gave up waiting).

PHB/BB is great for free - the main reason to pay is if you get added value - easy add-ons with no hacking is the way.

[HeadStAtE!]

Originally posted by FireFly



You are pretty much contradicting yourself there. :)
I don't use the CVS version so it's no contradiction, I was merely pointing out that there is a choice for those people that want regular updates.

What exactly is Fireflys vbhacker, and what does it do to ease hacks, does it modify code, templates and the database automatically?

[Chen]

Originally posted by HeadStAtE!
I don't use the CVS version so it's no contradiction, I was merely pointing out that there is a choice for those people that want regular updates.

What exactly is Fireflys vbhacker, and what does it do to ease hacks, does it modify code, templates and the database automatically?
You can also continue running 2.2.0 if you want, it's your choice whether to upgrade or not.

It hacks your files, if the script can (the files obviously must be chmoded correctly). It also hacks your templates, runs queries and created new templates if necessary.

The fact that people are driven to hacks is a bad thing - it means that the product is not meeting customer requirements.
I will humbly disagree (see Fusion, I don't agree with everything ;)). Some users want special functionality that their site require. If you take vB.org for example, I had to hack the "Install" thing for hacks, because I want people to be able to track hacks they've installed. Does that mean the feature should be in the official release? Of course not, it is site specific and built to accomplish my goals.

[HeadStAtE!]

Firefly - thanks for the prompt response.

Have you got a link to the vbhacker? (I assume it's on http://www.vbulletin.org/)?

Which hacks work with the vbhacker?

[Fusion]

Originally posted by HeadStAtE!
Firefly - thanks for the prompt response.

Have you got a link to the vbhacker? (I assume it's on http://www.vbulletin.org/)?

Which hacks work with the vbhacker? Just enter the Hack-section at vbulletin.org and do a search for vbhack.

Chen: That's not really disagreeing. It's a given that hacks aren't a BadThing(tm); history's riddled with hacks that led to new inventions, how do you think the first computer was built? ;)

[Chen]

Originally posted by Fusion
Chen: That's not really disagreeing. It's a given that hacks aren't a BadThing(tm); history's riddled with hacks that led to new inventions, how do you think the first computer was built? ;)
Now you're just trying to annoy me. ;) :)

[Fusion]

Originally posted by FireFly
Now you're just trying to annoy me. ;) :) :D

[Grover]

Originally posted by Pilot
I think Jelsoft should enter into partnerships to offer extended facilities. Eg - they provide a built in template/Java applet integration to IRC and an IRC host offers private chat room hosting for a modest cost.

People can either use their own IRC, another one or for those (like me) who like a simple life - opt for the Jelsoft associate host.
I think this is a fantastic thought. They have my vote!

The fact that people are driven to hacks is a bad thing - it means that the product is not meeting customer requirements.
Well.... i do not agree at all. There will always be SPECIAL requirements for some people. Hacks that are ONLY wanted to accomplish a task for 'non-regular' websites. I think that offering the possibility of hacking VB is GREAT. So much good comes out of this. Look for example at the 'New vbcode.js - vBcode and smilie user interface improvement'-hack. An example of an essential improvement of the user-experience of VB.

Yes, there will always be those who fiddle with it and that is a good thing - providing the popular hacks become features without too much delay.
Yeah... well I think that it would be a good thing if the hacks which are an improvement of VBulletin for MOST sites could be integrated into the official VBulletin at some point by Jelsoft. The 'New vbcode.js - vBcode and smilie user interface improvement' for example is an important improvement of the user-experience and therefor important for any user of VBulletin. It would be great if hacks likes these could be integrated into the official VBulletin at some point. Hacks that do NOT apply to ALL websites, but DO get requested a lot, such as a CHAT-option, could be provided as an add-on module.

Other request should just be provided as hacks, like it works at the moment.

Grover.

[boatdesign]

The fact that people are driven to hacks is a bad thing - it means that the product is not meeting customer requirements.
When I first read that I heard an AOL voice saying something like 'the fact that people are driven to creating their own web sites is a bad thing- it means that MSN and AOL aren't meeting everyone's requirements' :D

I'm glad that every vBulletin doesn't look and function exactly the same, ala ezboard. The ability for everyone to customize vBulletin so it fits their needs, without tons of bloat, is what makes it strong.

[Tommy Boy]

Damn, I never realized that phpBB looks so good! I never saw their new version, but it looks so much improved from the last one. They also have a vB importer, and their homepage looks so comprehensive and full of goodies...

I hope vB3 won't fall far behind! ;)