vB Integration and Features.

[insolentmuse]

I am currently using SMF and am running into problems integrating my forum with the rest of my website, and am looking at vB as an alternative.

I have worked with vB as a moderator on other websites, and am quite pleased with the interface/layout/etc, but I am reluctant to spend the cash for either license on my website if it turns out I am unable to do what I want with it. (My site is currently very small, but the potential to grow is there if I can just get it all to work together the way I want it to!)

I am experienced enough to do some cosmetic tweaks to the forum template, and to manually install mods and addons. I am unfortunately clueless as to how to create my own, so I am at the mercy of the mod community

My goal is to have an at least somewhat integrated website with the Community area (forums) an online store, and a small, but functional CMS system as the front page.

Now, I realize that some will only come to the forums and not ever buy anything from the shop. However, I do have a donator account on the forums, and I'd like to be able to give those members an automatic 10% discount in the store, which is slightly annoying to do manually right now, and I can imagine if we grow much bigger will just be completely unmanageable. I used to use coupon codes, but those can get passed around to those outside the group.

My first thought was that vBulletin w/one of the vBportal systems would work well, because I don't need a HUGE CMS. I just need the basics. But that leaves the store out in the cold.

Joomla is way more feature rich than I need, but it does have a cart addon which would work well, but that leaves the forum out in the cold.

I can bridge Joomla-vB, I believe, which would work.'

But is it possible (does it exist) to bridge vB directly to a cart, such as ZenCart (preferred) or another free cart? (I can't afford to purchase BOTH at this time ). Or is there a cart system out there that integrates directly? I did some searching and I can't find one that appears to be current.

I would much rather the second option, as Joomla is way too big and feature-rich for my needs, but I thought I would ask.

I am also looking for a links and gallery system for my users. Again, I'd rather integrate vB specific mods than to bridge with Coppermine or other outside software.

My ideal situation is to have my website system completely based off of one piece of software with addons and modifications. Not only for uniformity, but for ease of use for my members, and for templating on my end!


One more: Is there a mod to hide "Last Edited By" when an Admin or Mod (or a usergroup I set) edits a message?

Thanks in advance for help, I'll be making my purchase as soon as I know! (I'm literally sitting here with the screen open to order it.)

Even if you only give a partial answer, or something about only one of my "needs" would help. I'd like to buy today, if at all possible.

TIA.

[insolentmuse]

Thanks.

[Paul M]

Originally Posted by insolentmuse

One more: Is there a mod to hide "Last Edited By" when an Admin or Mod (or a usergroup I set) edits a message?

No mod needed, it is a usergroup permission setting.

[insolentmuse]

Thanks.

I've gone ahead and purchased and installed vB.

Still not happy with the bridging situation, so I guess I'm stuck having my store separate. I guess that might be best in the long run from a customer standpoint.

[0ptima]

Take a look at this
http://www.nuhit.com/forums/arcane-e...ne-engine.html

[insolentmuse]

I am not going to pretend that I have a clue what to do with that, but it looks like it could possibly work at some point in the future, and when I can look a little deeper. Thanks for the link.