Ok I posted couple of times that free forum software is all good and there is no need to buy Vbulletin. Guess what ! I bought it and I feel like a sheep now. Wish me luck hehe !
PHPBB sucks, SEO-board is good, but most people like VBulletin. VBulletin with SEO friendly urls kicks ass.
It was mybb that got me to buy vbulletin .... as for free software I still think there is no better than punbb
Assuming you aren't in a hurry and can write code Since I don't do code and plan multiple forums where custom code would probably have to be hacked each time, an out of the box powerful solution is very attractive.
.I had the same thing happen to me, I used to be a BIG phpbb supporter and just go on about how vb is probably not worth the money cuz phpbb does all the things and so on.... Then, I finally bought vb... life's odd
If it makes you feel any better, sheep are not nearly as stupid as they are thought to be. We had a small flock for several years and they are VERY clever about finding holes in fences and the best grazing. They also recognize whoever feeds them; When I came out they would gather around. When anyone else came out to the pen they would scatter. Think of it as a more subtile intelligence
With all due respect, why code a new script when you can buy vbulletin that's now on it's 3.6.0 version with free hacks and support from vb.org for next to nothing. VBulletin is really worth all penny spent.