Hey, my friend is starting up a forum and he's trying to choose between one of four forum software packages. They all have the necessary functionality, so we're just looking for opinions on looks. Which forum package do you think looks nicer and is easier to use? phpBB Standard Installation - http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/c ... silver.png phpBB.com - http://www.phpbb.com/community/ NF.net -http://www.neofriends.net/ Various different styles - http://www.phpbb3styles.net/db/ myBB Standard Installation - http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/e ... bindex.png myBB.net - http://community.mybboard.net/ Various different themes - http://mods.mybboard.net/themes Simple Machines Forum Standard Installation - http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/6/69/SMF.png SMF.org - http://www.simplemachines.org/community/index.php/ Various different themes - http://themebot.com/free-website-templates/smf-themes vBulletin Standard Installation - http://webscripts.softpedia.com/screens ... n-1415.png vBulletin.org - http://www.vbulletin.org/forum/index.php TAZ - http://www.theadminzone.com/forums/index.php Various different themes - http://www.themesbase.com/?category=vBulletin Invision Power Board Standard Installation - http://webscripts.softpedia.com/screens ... d-1412.png IP.com - http://forums.invisionpower.com/ Various different skins - http://skins.invisionize.com/index.php/
I picked mybb because it was simple sleek, and easy to read. And it looked good too, I assume your friend will end up using whatever color scheme they like, so I will not comment on colors. Hope this helps.
Familiar with 4/5 - I'd pick either phpBB or Simple Machines...both of them are really nice Yeah, I like the feel of Neofriends...it's plain, but it's good although I do like Simple Machines' skins too. Hmm, at least I can choose two on the poll
If you're looking for maximum functionality, vBulletin. Or if you'd like functionality for free, phpBB. Aesthetic, go for XMF forum
lol no, phpBB fails at functionality Modding is a huge pain in the *** with the lack of a proper hooks system. Vanilla installation also lacks several important features which require installation of mods :S