3 replies to this topic

[paddyfoote]

I’m looking to start a new forum, but I do not know much about the options that are out there so I figured I’d ask people who’ve had some experience (hopefully with several of them) to get a broader perspective.

I’d like to know things like:

• What are the most important features?
  
• Which software does the best job of each?
  
• Should I go with a freeware or a full paid software and why?
  
• If I choose to pay, who gives the best value for the money and why?
  
• Which one do YOU use and what made you choose that one?
  
• Do you plan on keeping the software you have or switching to a better one? Which one and why?

Thanks so much everyone. I just want to make sure that I am making an informed decision when I purchase (or not)

[Benny.]

in short ......   IPS

[B.Melcher]

In My opinion, IP.Board is the best you can get with forum boards.

--It has TONS of add-ons from the Marketplace, IP.Board also has the best price options I have seen anywhere.
--IP.Board, again, is a really nice, easy to use, stable forum board.
--I am not sure what you mean with freeware or a full paid software, if you are referring to another board, you should probably get a license (paid) to have full technical support, and so your site will not get shut down.
--IP.Board again, (in my opinion) because they have a lot of FREE applications, skins, etc. It is a more widely known Forum Board. It is EXTREMELY EASY to use for Administrators.
--I use IP.Board because it is on almost every forum board I am ever on. It is easy to use, it has GREAT pricing plans (as low as $5 a month!)
--I plan on STAYING with IP.Board because I am accustomed to it and am becoming really good with it.

I appreciate you wanting to buy an IP.Board plan.

Hope it works out well for you!

[bfarber]

paddyfoote, on 08 February 2012 - 07:02 PM, said:

I’m looking to start a new forum, but I do not know much about the options that are out there so I figured I’d ask people who’ve had some experience (hopefully with several of them) to get a broader perspective.

I’d like to know things like:

• What are the most important features?
  
• Which software does the best job of each?
  
• Should I go with a freeware or a full paid software and why?
  
• If I choose to pay, who gives the best value for the money and why?
  
• Which one do YOU use and what made you choose that one?
  
• Do you plan on keeping the software you have or switching to a better one? Which one and why?

Thanks so much everyone. I just want to make sure that I am making an informed decision when I purchase (or not)

• The "most important features" will vary from person to person, so this is hard to answer.  Your best bet is to identify what features are important to you, and then compare software based on those options.
  
• I think you'll hear that IP.Board does the best job at everything it does predominantly on this site.  If you are looking for objective opinions, posting on a vendor's site isn't usually the best route to go.  There are third party sites such as theadminzone.com where you can get more objective opinions.  Suffice it to say, I will recommend IP.Board over any other software every time.
  
• Each has their advantages, however paid software generally has some benefits free software don't: full guaranteed support (most freeware packages have community-only support and you can never guarantee help in such an environment), incentive to advance the product (if your product makes you money, you have incentive to continue improving and selling it) and the company having the resources to truly advance the product (money to invest in research and development, security audits and professional consultations, for instance).
  
• Again, you won't get an objective opinion on a vendor's website.  I personally feel IP.Board gives the best value for your money.
  
• Just about everyone here will be using IP.Board
  
• Again, just about everyone here is using IP.Board, and if they were considering switching, likely wouldn't be hanging out on this site and helping prospective customers.

You seem to be looking for objective opinions about all available software, and in the spirit of fairness, you would be better posing those kinds of questions on a neutral site.  I would suggest everyone here is going to tell you IP.Board is the best, just like if you posted on a competitor's site, everyone there will tell you their software is the best.

Perhaps you can tell us what features or services are most important to you, and we can confirm for you if IP.Board can satisfy your requirements.