Wanna get a forum started. Help?
 

I am curious what to do here. I noticed we have a vbulletin BETA version coming out. If I want to start my forum very soon (tonight or tomorrow), should I install the BETA version or should I install the current version? How easy will it be to upgrade the current to the next version? How about skins and hacks etc.?

Thanks.

I wouldn't go with a beta version on a live site. If you are starting a new community, I would go w/the latest stable release (currently 3.7.4).

Its never recommended to run BETA software on a product site. I suggest going with 3.7.4 and then upgrading once 3.8 is released as stable.

Upgrading modifications and templates are usually pretty easy, but it depends on the changes to vBulletin itself. Modification clean back from 3.5 and 3.6 continue to work on the latest version of 3.7 with no problem if that gives you any idea.

Good luck.

Stick with 3.7.4 because it's basically the same as the new beta release but it is stable.

imho 3.7 is full of useless features that are not needed (social groups, albums, etc...) that only slow it down. 3.6.12 is the best.

but that's only my opinion.

Only useless if you don't need or use the Social Groups, Albums, etc.

Go with the most recent stable version as other have suggested. If you don't need a feature, you simply turn that feature off or just ignore it. You won't be able to stick to an older version forever anyway, so might as well familiarize yourself with the most recent structure of the product. You can, however, install a test board to see if 3.8 is something you'd like to experiment with, and keep your live site as 3.7.x.

As for the upgrading process I was scared to upgrade and I waited all the way from 3.6.4 until 3.7.4, but I finally did it and it was pretty easy. You will definitely want to back up your database and probably save all your forum files before you do it, but it was pretty painless. Generally most things will transition pretty easily into the new version, but it is important to take note of what mods and styles you have installed and to see if they have new updated versions fairly regularly and to verify that they work with your newest version.

If you don't want those features - disable them. The 3.6 branch is now EOF (End-of-Life), meaning it will not be supported any more, and only mandatory security patches will be released for it up until 4.0 is released. Therefore, the 3.7 branch is highly recommended.