Forum software, want to start with free software and later update to paid (advanced).

I'm looking for forum software where i can start with a free version and later update easily to a more advanced (paid) version. I would like the paid version to be like Vbulletin.

Any ideas on what software?

Best regards,

Eiso

 

You can use phpbb to start with and later buy vbulletin, there are tools available to do the transition with out loose of data.

 

I use punbb on a few sites very successfully. PHPBB has had quite a few security issues recently.

 

http://www.simplemachines.org/ is what i use. Mods can be downlaoded and installed from the admin panel. So far i had found it to be very reliable, easy to set up and does far more than i will ever need it to do. there is also a games mod for it that will track the score on over 90 games that may be of intrest for some types of site.

 

A common misconception but nonetheless inaccurate.

The problems with phpBB are (1) many webmasters install an early version and never update it; and (2) script kiddies like the ones who gave us the Santy worm know this and therefore target phpBB forums to probe for exploits.

The actual vulnerabilities exploited were vulnerabilities in non-updated versions of PHP rather than phpBB per se. That can be fixed by upgrading the PHP version and by updating the forum software. The version that was targeted last fall and at Christmas 2004 was 2.0.6 -- the current version is 2.0.17. There have been no significant new security vulnerabilities in phpBB for several months, although the number of phpBB installations out there that STILL have not updated from version 2.06 or 2.08 astounds me.

 

Its the mindset, u pay $100 for free updates and u keep visiting their site for any change or updation. u get phpbb for free and why bother?

sometimes paying for things will make u more caring for the thing.

 

If you keep your phpbb installations up to date its amazing. There are a lot of hacks and templates availiable and vBulletin has the ability (with a converter that they have) to move all of your info over.

The Simple Machines Forum has to be the worst thing I've ever seen so far. Maybe once they update it so when you use back to get back on the main page (which I do with my tabs) without double posting I'll reconsider.

 

What did you finally do?

 

For free forums... i use Invision Power Board FREE ( www.invisionfree.com )

Then when you update you can just upfate to regular IPB or use the Databases and use vBulletin!

EDIT: w00t! 200 posts