PHPbb vs. vBulletin

[jbird]

I run phpBB 2.0.8 right now, I like the hacks for it, I HATE THEMES! If I want to add a new theme I gotta edit the hell out of files, a pain in the butt. I am anxiously awaiting phpBB 2.2 to come out. But I have recently started to think about vB as a solution.

for "styles" if I install new styles do I got gotta edit a buncha crap?

also, my phpBB is less fourm based, and more user profile based. I have the fourms, but it's more of a hummm... dating'ish site. I know from word of mouth vB has tons of hacks. As does phpBB. But 98% of the phpBB hacks I tried (and I tried a lot) didn't do much to really make the board stand out from just a "fourm"

if I wanted to build a user interaction site that revolves around people looking at other peopels profiles, and having pictures and galleries and all that good stuff. Would vB be a good option? having 1200 hacks doesn't mean much if none of them will do what I'm after

[SVTBlackLight01]

Originally Posted by jbird

I run phpBB 2.0.8 right now, I like the hacks for it, I HATE THEMES! If I want to add a new theme I gotta edit the hell out of files, a pain in the butt. I am anxiously awaiting phpBB 2.2 to come out. But I have recently started to think about vB as a solution.

for "styles" if I install new styles do I got gotta edit a buncha crap?

also, my phpBB is less fourm based, and more user profile based. I have the fourms, but it's more of a hummm... dating'ish site. I know from word of mouth vB has tons of hacks. As does phpBB. But 98% of the phpBB hacks I tried (and I tried a lot) didn't do much to really make the board stand out from just a "fourm"

if I wanted to build a user interaction site that revolves around people looking at other peopels profiles, and having pictures and galleries and all that good stuff. Would vB be a good option? having 1200 hacks doesn't mean much if none of them will do what I'm after

I couldn't agree more. Hacking (modding :ermm: ) phpBB was excruciating. The template system sux. Why have to hack it to death just to get some of the basic functionality. IMO vB is well worth every penny.

But if you have to have a free solution, go with IPB.

[jbird]

Originally Posted by SVTBlackLight01

I couldn't agree more. Hacking (modding :ermm: ) phpBB was excruciating. The template system sux. Why have to hack it to death just to get some of the basic functionality. IMO vB is well worth every penny.

But if you have to have a free solution, go with IPB.

I understand what you're saying, I didn't find phpBB's modding to be too hard tho(edit a few files) vB stock is far far off from what I want my site to do. That's why I'm asking if anyone has turned it into a dating type site. Easy modding doesn't do much for me when the mods aren't out there

[Velocd]

It's capable to model your site with vBulletin into any kind of genre you want. A dating site wouldn't be impossible.

Are there dating hacks out there for vBulletin? Likely not, but that doesn't mean it isn't possible. I'm sure it's possible for PhpBB as well, as well IPB board. I've never used either of those boards extensively enough to know how easy hacking and using the templating system is, but I can tell you for vBulletin it's very easy and user friendly.

[TonyWu]

I like VBB than PHPBB because VBB is very POWER - SECURITY.
---> What you pay, what you get.

[ChrisLM2001]

I like vBulletin much more because of the control features built in for Admins. A lot of the stuff phpBB2 offers that vBulletin has you have to mod yourself. Things like the birthday hack, and to prevent robots from registering are major hacks...these are already in vB.

It mainly deals with if you're willing to pay or not. I got tired of coding the hacks myself that's available to vB owners, so saved those pennies to buy a license. If you love forums but can't spend 15hrs a day with tweaks and modding, get vBulletin. Saves you many l-o-n-g sleepless nights and eating Motrin like candy!!

One other thing: support is truly support. Try getting it from phpBB2 sites without getting grilled. One twerp there was enough to get me to buy vB outright. :angry:

Chris

[msimplay]

Originally Posted by SVTBlackLight01

I couldn't agree more. Hacking (modding :ermm: ) phpBB was excruciating. The template system sux. Why have to hack it to death just to get some of the basic functionality. IMO vB is well worth every penny.

But if you have to have a free solution, go with IPB.

defo i tried phpbb sometime after i bought vbulletin just because i like to mess around
i thought there must be something that everyone always compares
coz i know there are some people out there that swear by phpbb

but dyam it was like a step back for me, i mean i had added like 50 hacks already just to get some of the basic features of vbulletin
and by that time i was thinkin hmm tis not worth it

[moonclamp]

I have phpbb2 on my main forum,

In vanilla format vbulletin is much better but there are fully modded versions available ... in all honesty there are a lot more hacks available for phpbb that I can't yet find for vbulletin:

Phpbb hacks that I can't find for VB:
a fully integrated free photo album
the buddy list lets you see who has added you
you can see who has visited your profile
you can block people as well as ignore them
the ICQ and msn activators all work properly ... they don't here

Also the templates are in files and easier to edit in dreamweaver or similar

best of all is that it is free.

However:
The things that sold vbulletin to me are the new features like the advanced member search, the payment systems and the wysiwyg editor, which are still not available on phpbb

If I can find the hacks above for VB then this will be perfect

[SVTBlackLight01]

Originally Posted by moonclamp

Also the templates are in files and easier to edit in dreamweaver or similar

That was what I hated most about it. Uploading and downloding templates all the time was just too much trouble.

[moonclamp]

each to their own I guess.