SMF is too tough to handle

I had my forum earlier on BBPress and it was so simple...all search engine friendly URLs, included..

Now on the advice of many, I moved to SMF, and find it so tough..I have had such a tough time in just upgrading my forum version (by default it was installed at 1.7 version from Fantastico).

Now, mods..I have no clue how to do them...the default theme on my forum is so yuckk...i feel like running away..

 

Have you had a look at the modifications and themes they offer?

http://custom.simplemachines.org/

I would say its on of the easiest softwares to install modifications and themes on.

 

Hi AgentSmith

When I click on the upgrade button, I am taken to this page:

http://mywebsite.com/index.php?acti...1.8.zip;sesc=88773e1c0a9c9455f21eb95e9d78cd1c

I am simply shown a half-loaded index page..that's it..i am not upgraded!

 

My opinion on the matter - the SMF project seems to be going backwards.

For several years I recommended SMF as my first choice of a free forum solution. But in the past couple of months I have started recommending MYBB instead of SMF. I still recommend SMF, but its not my first pick anymore.

The first time I used SMF, which was about 3 years ago, I had some issues that the support forums were not able to help with. I finally migrated that forum over to VBulletin when it was about 6 months old..

8 months ago I set up another SMF site. I had a couple of issues with SMF again. So I went back to the support forum, posted my questions, 6 weeks later still no answer. So I moved that forum to VBulletin as well.

SMF version 2 has been in development for over a year, or somewhere in there. Simple things like ReCaptcha has still not been added. Questions about adding an .htaaccess file to improve security are not answered, users are not notified of security updates,,,,,

Overall I have been disappointed with the path that the SMF developers have taken.

 

How is SMF hard to handle?
they have products and simple updates

Just click next a few times or "ok" and you're setup
Use a free forum that isn't hosting on your server if SMF is to much work

 

I moved from smf to vbulletin to bbpress. bbpress is the best, it just needs time.

 

I took the "hard to handle" meaning as its difficult to work with.

And to me, the admin control panel of SMF was confusing and difficult to work with. Some of the modifications will only install if the theme is set to default. Security seems to be a secondary concern in the SMF support forums......

 

whats the benefit in phpbb ..instead if SMF?

 

I use it and works great for me, maybe you just need to get used to how things are done in smf

 

I feel your pain ... I too started with SMF and had issues, very much as you have described ... my first forum and then months later, I started to question myself about the choice....

The support area for SMF and website ... is like a "Funeral Home"....

Now years later. I have numerous board using PHPBB, VB, and SMF.

I have favored VB formatted forums .... however also use PHPBB

The biggest and most important issue .... is the board that you use should have a lot of support and webmasters using it.... if you are looking for help, you will have a large pool to get help from.

The only humble advice .... and the most important ...be warned ... is as your board grows ... consider spammers.... numerous members joining to drop LINKS... sometimes hundreds daily ... wow ... it can be a nightmare.


You are doing the right thing asking for advice

sincerly

 

have you tried fluxbb Here is little comparison of this fast forum software with SMF

Fluxbb: [ Page Generated in 0.036 seconds, 29 queries executed ]
SMF: [Page created in 0.372 seconds with 21 queries]

So far fluxbb rocks with SEO features and fastest forum software...

 

SMF does (did) over paid support. Have you tried that?

Invision Power Board has really helpful support.

 

I used PHPBB, Vbulletin and SMF.... I much prefer SMF. I always customize my forums so they fit in better for the niche. SMF forums are by far the easiest to cope with for someone how's no expert (like me).

Vbulletin forums are better for search engines though in my experience.

 

can we help OP with details how to ???

OP do yoou have your answer ???

 

Dont know what server you are using for those results. 21 queries is a pretty high number for SMF too. Also SMF can handle forums up to 6 million posts - can fluxbb do that?

SMF
Current load on my boardindex (30 forums) (cached)
Page created in 0.046 seconds with 6 queries.

 

I think SMF is the simplest forum ever made.I mean 1-click to update it,2-clicks and puf! you got a new skin for it,and some 3clicks to install mods

...really,if you say that SMF is weird and difficult than you should try phpbb which yea...it is soooo fun

 

No..I have dumped my idea..I am no longer interested in maintaining a forum. Blogs are better

 

smf is really very difficult. vbulletin is the best.. though expensive

 

It depends on what level of knowledge the user have on SMF, we had used SMf in many of our forums, installing, upgrading, or installing mods and all never been a problem to us.

I do agree that VBulletin is a good script, compared to the cost factor SMF does well in forum zone

 

Is that a joke

I have a question. Have you ever used SMF? myBB is even a ton easier to use than vB.