Is VB right for me?

[Tom Kraus]

We are creating a board designed to help service providers in related industries network, share information (technical and non-technical), link to other useful information, etc. The board will be free to join but will have two optional access levels which will be paid. If successful we could have hundreds of thousands of members and millions of posts. Wishfull thinking I know but we are trying to prepare ourselves from the outset.

Features should allow:

1. A standard form (with optional comments) to review members by other members contributing to the member rating system with delayed posting so administrators can approve/disapprove content.

2. Provide adequate and conspicuous advertising space with links to the advertisors.

3. Adequate space in the member's profile to describe their businesses, including website, email, messenger and other links.

4. Private messaging with instant email notification to members and administrators.

5. Allow file uploads without fear of virus/spyware contamination - paid members feature only.

I could probably post many more but I think the point is that we hope to design a very robust site that will be a valuable tool to the members.

My review of this site seems to indicate that some tools/modifications are available but that it will probably take an individual with advanced technical skill to implement changes.

I would appreciate any comments you have regarding how robust the standard package comes and how easy it is to upgrade with bells and whitsles that can be purchased here or eslewhere without having to hire a programmer at every turn. Bottom line: How much should I expect to spend in upgrades, programming, etc. to get a first class, feature rich BB going.

Lastly, does the purchased support from vbulletin.com allow "How to...." type questions?

I appreciate any and all comments that will help push me over the edge and purchase vbulletin.

Tom

[Ranma2k]

Well i can say that Vbulletin can do all of that.
it's easy to learn and you can always ask in the vbulleten.com forums "How to .. " questions.

installing the Mods are really easy and i don't know how much programmers do take for doing the setup for you

But really Vbulletin is very customizable in the way you wan it.

[Dismounted]

1.-4./ Can all be done via standard vBulletin features.
5./ You can control who can upload attachments and who can't by default. The virus scanning will require a modification that I don't believe anyone has created for public use.

[Delphiprogrammi]

hi,

Accept for the upload feature i can't see anything vBulletin cannot do but others can't do it either there is no system that will 100% be confident against viruses and spyware...

When you are licenced you can post in the "how do i questions" forum at vbulletin.com note that support is included with your vBulletin Licence there is no need to pay extra for it (except if you want telephone support that cost extra ...)

[Tom Kraus]

Thank you all for responding. Looks like I will purchase today.

One last inquiry.

Sounds like the support is by email or is it by chat?

Has anyone ever used the telephone support?

Thanks again.

[EnIgMa1234]

Support is usually by a ticket system, which can be found in the members area at vbulletin.com. As for phone support I havent personally used it but I know many do.

[Marco van Herwaarden]

We do offer a Phone Support option for the US market.

But as soon as a problem gets more technical, it is usually faster to communicate using our ticket (website or email) system as it will be easier to provide details.

[blogtorank]

Support is surely not needed by this product whatsoever we have migrated away from another forums software solution to vB back sometime in 2005 I believe and we have NEVER had any sort of issue.

I think posting problems in forums is the best remedy overall, for one it gives others the ability to chime in if they have the same issue as you have had, not saying don't create a support ticket, but the overall functionality with vBulletin, is pretty easy to get and understand. They have a nice Manual for you to read if you are stuck on an option within the interface. Also, you would get other's feedback and help faster in the forums that vB has to offer here on the .org or .com of vBulletin's sites. Also, as you may or may not know, this cuts down the support tickets they have to go through and find.

So overall vB is right for anyone that wants a professionally written forums that is updated continuously due to changes to whatever, if they add new products and services to the base platform, I can contest overall that vB doesn't "price gouge" you and make you pay for the new feature they added.

So overall, go with everyone's feedback here, do your research and see that vB is the right choice overall is my opinion.

Best regards,
BTR

[Tom Kraus]

I am jumping onto the team. Thanks again for the comments. VB looks like the right option. So Marco, where in Holland are you located? I have spent a lot of time in Friesland (sp?), specifially Makkum in the last year or so.

Tom

[Marco van Herwaarden]

Tom,

I live on the westcoast, not in the north-east like Friesland.

Friesland & Makkum, are you into water sport?