Modded And Skinned IPB To vB. Small Board
 

I run a EXTREMLY small board (8 members) due to mysql errors (upgrading IPB 1.3 to 2.0)
I have been a big fan of vB since I saw a IPB forum upgrading to it
But with such a small board... Is it worth it?

I like forums because its fun to mod em and add skins to em and play around the acp.

I have tried the admin demo many times and must ask you:

1. Are the ods easy to install? Or do they give a challenge?
2.If I buy a leased version, can I upgrade to full with out paying the full 160 again?

I run a heavily modded IPB. About 20 mods (unless that aint hevaly modded)
I see so many mods here so I would like installing em.
But the problem is skins.
Ive taken a look at vBulletintemplates.com and am not impressed. Its terrible compaired to invisionize (IPB resourse site)
And thats saying a lot for IPB 2.0 due to lack of skins.

I do not want to come to vB with out knowing a skin is waiting for me.

1. Did you have trouble finding a free skin?
2. If you requested a free skin, did you get it?
3. Do you still use the defualt skin?

Now back to square one. Is it worth it? With a small board I dont know it I want to spend that much money and maybe not succeed
\
~Bunny1

P.s - if you could not undertand what I was asking ill be a bit clearer :D

i used to use skins and i know vbulletin has a lot of resources dotted about the place but in the end i found a lot of skins too graphic heavy for my 56k users so i made a custom blue skin and minimed the image files

I cant skin. Ive tried it for IPB but cant :/

1. Not 100% sure what you are asking, but both vBulletin and style packages are very simple to install.
2. When you buy a leased license, within 30 days you can pay another 85 to upgrade to a full license, after that it will cost a full 160.

1. Nope, I make quite afew of them :) so I'm not the best to ask, vBT is currently less active as we are working on the vB.org and vBT merger :)

2. Err, this depends, I would say no most of the time.

3. Nope, and of course again I am abit differnt than alot of the users here :)


If the board doesnt fly, you still have your license, you can start another one ;)
Worth it? I would say in most any case yes, if the site grows you have no real growing pains outside of maybe moving hosts, you will not need to change board softwares (at least I would hope not :))

I started my first forum with vB and nothing else, and it ran very well for 2 years before i packed my bags and started again :)

I've attempted to look a the IPB skinning system and found it horrid in comparison.

If you can point and click you can change the basic colors of vB :)

I mean are most mods easy to install?
I like a challenge. Phpbb gave me a challenge but I downloaded a prerelease of Ibpro arcade (great mod btw :D) and the instructuuions were simple... Maybe like 2 edits

the majority of the vb mods are easy to install, so long as you can follow instructions.

1. are there many unofficial skin sites?
2. Is the skinning system easy in vB?
3. Have you created a skin?

Next:
1. After a year with an owned lisence, do I HAVE to pay or its it optional?
2. Will I still get free support?
3. Will I still be able to download MODS (Not updates to the software itself)

1. a few here and there, most are paid only

2. Compared to most other systems yes.

3. Yes :) Several
http://www.vbulletin.com/forum/showthread.php?t=111141
http://www.vbulletin.com/forum/showthread.php?t=113473
http://www.vbulletin.com/forum/showthread.php?t=114500
http://www.vbulletin.com/forum/showthread.php?t=114504
http://www.vbulletin.com/forum/showthread.php?t=115620
http://www.vbulletin.com/forum/showthread.php?t=116146
http://www.vbulletin.com/forum/showthread.php?t=116246
http://www.vbulletin.com/forum/showthread.php?t=117899
http://www.vbulletin.com/forum/showthread.php?t=119262

Plus a few that are not freely distrabuted :)

1. Its optional.
2. You are still entitled to support for life even after the first year
3. Yes, you can access the vBulletin.org / vBT forums at any time as long as you hold a valid license.

Some of em I like :/
Really the olny thing I am afraid of is the skin...

Support.
Is support good?
I never bought IPB because I heard their support is bad
I heard from NBS Designz that vB is very good support

Converting.
I do NOT want to have to restart *starts to cry* again
Will I get the support I need even if I am deemed.. hopeless?