What is best and easiest free CMS and forum to use ?

I want to make a site focused around a niche topic. It should have just an article section, a forum section, and most importantly, a members only(restricted content) section . In the future this members only section will be for paid users only.

Which CMS would be easiest and most efficient to use? Is there a CMS that will integrate with paypal/google checkout to make registration for the members only section automatic?

Thanks in advance.

 

I know this is not a direct answer to your question, but I would be making your content crawlable by the search engines to get more se traffic.

 

Have a look at Mambo or Joomla http://www.joomla.org/

 

I would go with Joomla and SMF Forums. I think there are Joomla plugins for paypal.

 

i would choose ,joomla and VB great support and easy to use with good support.

 

Mambo+phpbb is a good choice for free CMS and forum,
VB is great,but you have to pay for it

 

Choose JOOMLA! You won't be dissapointed. If you'd like to integrate it with a forum, go for VB. It's more safe. phpBB is good, but vulnerable to hacks

 

i think best cms is joomla and best forums for using with joomla is joomlaboard conponent

 

I am looking at either mambo or joomla, and they both look very nice, but I dont see a paid members component thats integratable with google checkout or paypal.