Perhaps you could draw up the comparison table that shows that? Yes, it has all the "core" features like forums, sub forums, pms etc. But it is not just the front end that is important, it is the back end that matters the same, if not more. As I have said already, I like both, it just depends on what you want to do.
I think these are two forum platforms on different leagues, whilst SMF in my opinion delivers a platform for smaller communities, vB is for larger communities and is already loaded with tons of features, vB will remain the best platform if you are serious about your project. - Meti
Coppermine & Gallery can both be integrated with SMF, although I'll concede there may be more work needed to configure them. Oh dear, I'd best close down my forum now then since I mustn't be serious about it.
Ok folks, go head to vbulletin.com community section and take a look at the new beta announcement ... ah hell, here is the link http://www.vbulletin.com/forum/showthread.php?t=249460 Even more features that vbulletin will shortly have out of the box which smf doesn't. Like I say, totally depends on what you are trying to do. You can run a serious site with most scripts.
Read it a few days ago, mostly social networking type rubbish, if I wanted that personally I'd use something more suited to social networking type rubbish. Alas I concede the MyFace generation will no doubt love it .
Ahhh, but vbulletin is community building software, not a forum script... I guess that is the biggest difference here. SMF = forums Vbulletin = community I am aware that a 'community' can exist on a forum in the technical sense, but they are aimed at different directions. A better comparison is phpbb vs smf Vbulletin is a cross between forums and social / phpfox etc
i cast my vote for SMF --not only is it Free but, as someone wrote, the SSI makes it really easy to integrate forum with rest of site. it's simple to put 'recent posts', 'recent topics' etc on any web page of your site. my forum's popularity and membership have jumped quite a bit since switching to SMF (from phpbb). must confess i've never used vb but don't feel the i need to
FYI: SSI is amazing from SMF and I applaud them for it. You can do similar things using the RSS feeds from vbulletin if required, not quite as fancy, but hey. The thing with vbulletin is I run my homepage using the vbadvanced free plugin so then I can have posts, pictures, polls, news, whatever like on see yourself out.com but everything gets the correct styles, can be edited in one admin etc. I guess at the end of the day it depends what cake you like and how you like to eat it. As long as we are all happy what does it matter
Until vB 3.7 you could have said that vB was a forum but now it's a mish mash of in between-nes (yes I made that word up). I quite like vB, I have a license (had to to evaluate it properly) but chucking in all this social networks stuff is a step back IMO. Said the same when IPS introduced their ugly profile system, Jelsoft seems to have taken it a step further. http://www.vbulletin.com/forum/member.php?u=11606 is bloody awful IMO. Still I assume there will be an option to turn it all off, at least I would hope so. Still, someone people will no doubt find a use for it but people wanting a proper social networking type site would be better off with someone like phpFox (yes I accept thats one terrible script in reality). Exactly, what bugs me is when people who have never used anything but vB claim it's the best thing sliced bread.
I agree that it looks awful, but I think the whole default vbulletin install looks awful. That is why I spend a lot of time customising Its a great launch pad though
What do you want, a software that has a steep learning curve for the administrator however is pretty user friendly and most of the users are already accustomed to it or a software that is easy for the administrator, but not for the user?
Bendo, SMF and vB are two completly different platforms, and SMF will probably never offer what vB does, not for the community members, but for the administrators. I see you manage a quite large forum, SMF is a good platform but not in the same league as vB. phpBB can possibly be a competitor to vB, however vB still remains the best and I'm sure it will for at least a few years from now, phpBB is better than SMF if you know how to operate one. - Meti
Thanks, however having evaluated both, I'm more than aware what my needs are and what suits them best, rather than being a fanboy and shouting for one or the other.
Gas + matches = flame flame + throwing at someone = flame war this should be fun I love it when I see the word fanboy as you know the following posts will be enjoyable
Fanboy? I have more experience than you could ever imagine, I've used phpBB/myBB/vB/IPB and even vB. I'm quite aware of the features they all provide, however I agree with you on being realistic and choosing the platform that is the best for your needs, in the end that's why you see lots of forums powered by different platforms. - Meti
Im using it ...and loving it My Theme is cool My Mods are cool ... Check it out to see what you can do w/ smf vb might not be worth buying in my opinion