I am planning to manage my web projects through a private forum. Think abut creating a separate forum for each company and allowing reading the messages in that forum for specific user groups (e.g. web development group, content writer group...). Then i can open separate threads for projects on each forum, write project requirements and conditions (deadline, pricing, delivery of reports) there and ask the developer post messages there instead of using emails or other mediums. This is the basic idea but i have a few more ideas that may be implemented later. I want this so that i can easily track my projects and previous history of projects.. What do you think about this idea? I know vbulletin is stable and secure but it costs and for at least 2 months i cant handle its cost for this purpose. So i am thinking to use a free alternative. As far as i know the best alternative is SMF. Do you think is it a good idea to install SMF for this purpose? Can it give me the flexibility, stability and security i need? Doest it allow user groups and have an advanced permission system? Thanks.
Permission system of SMF is pretty advanced. So it's definatly possible to create those different membergroups. To be honest I think it's a bit stupud to spend $160 for vB if it's just for that. I also asume that you won't get any revenue from the forum itself? So SMF is the best choice. Use it aswell on my forum and it works great!