Why do you suggest vBulletin as a forum?

[mikemac]

Hi Peter

In the Traffic Blueprint videos you suggest a vBulletin forum.

I'm just about to launch a private member forum. I first started out with a php2 forum but wasn't happy with it. So I uploaded a Simple Machines forum. I had to modify the Simple Machines forum script a couple of times to keep member's e-mail addresses hidden from both other members and e-mail harvesting spyders. But I like the Simple Machines forums because I can use tables and codes in my posts which I'll need to explain what I am saying. I believe I can also use Google AdSense scripts or an alternative with a Simple Machines forum too. I haven't got that far yet. Also I use Host Gator and they have the Simple Machines forum script in Fantastico so it doesn't cost me anything extra to use it.

Is there any particular reason why you suggest a vBulletin forum?

Thanks
Mike

[mikemac]

Also I really like your idea of not allowing members to use a signature file until they have made at least 15 posts.

Is there a way to automate this or do you just change the permissions once a member has posted 15 times?

Thanks again
Mike

[JustOneUK]

VBulletin is definately the best. Great support, amazing mods, etc. I have a phpbb forum and I hate it so much I hardly post there so I will probably switch too.

regards
James.

[matt1biz]

I'll second VBulletin. It's simly the best commercially available forum software and is as scaleable as you need it to be.

[mikemac]

Thanks guys.

But Simple Machines forums has a real good support forum too where the moderators reply to your questions right away.

matt1biz I've heard the term scaleable referred to forums before but I really do not know what it means.

Maybe you guys could be more specific than just saying it is great or the best?

You know what I mean, without specific reasons as to why Peter or you guys saying that a vBulletin forum is the best then I don't know why I would change. Especially seeing that I have already gone to the trouble of modifying my Simple Machines forum. And the fact that it would cost me for a vBulletin forum where I get my Simple Machines forum for no extra cost because the script is in Host Gator's Fantastico.

But now is the time for me to change before I launch the forum, if I am going to change.

Can you be more specific?

Thanks
Mike

[peterjhale]

Defo go for vbulletin - it's so easy and difficult to hack.

We also have a ton of anti spam measures here which are mods from the vb developers - most popular forums are vb - people are used to them and like posting to them

[mikemac]

Thank you Peter

Well they are definately good reasons.

I wonder if the $85 per year lease license includes support to upload it to your server?

It was easy to install a Simple Machines forum script using Fantastico but I don't know if I have it in me to do it myself.

Mike

[matt1biz]

matt1biz I've heard the term scaleable referred to forums before but I really do not know what it means.

Scaleable - as it grows you won't find yourself having to change from solution to solution or having to perform any massive changes to the code. It's all there out of the box

Other reasons why I prefer VBulletin are,

Stable and isn't intensive on server resoures
It isn't as easy to spam as other forums, there are several plugins available the make this ever harder. As you forum grows spam can become a MAJOR headache.
There's a vibrant development community creating free mods and plugins

[mikemac]

Some more good reasons.

Yeah I've been going to this php2 forum about another topic where the admin and moderators have to delete porn and perscription drug posts just about on a daily basis. A spammer PMed a porn site to the members the other day.

My forum will be a private member forum that members won't get access to unless they join 2 programs. I'll be verifying that they joined before giving them access. I tested it by joining with a different e-mail account to see if a registered member can PM or e-mail other members but they can't until I give them access to the forum. Well they won't even be able to e-mail members once I give them access unless the member gives them their e-mail address.

But still you guys are making it hard for me to stick with a Simple Machines script.

Is it difficult to upload a vBulletin script without Fantastico?

Being on a fixed income the 85 bucks is a bit of a problem too.

Thanks
Mike

[peterjhale]

I went for VB initially because of all the easy admin functions.

Since then (about 3 years ago) all other forum software have had terrible hacking problems whereas VB has had none.

Additionally the support and add ons that members make for free make it all worth while

But I guess if yours is a members only/ behind closed doors, your vulnerability will be less, the spam will be less and admin tasks less - so you may as well stick with what you have.

As we are operating a public and free forum, we need something more robust.