Is phpbb a good software to build my forum? It's Free

[CaptainKing]

I don't have the funds to buy something nice like vbulletin like blackhatworld uses. BUT I want to make a forum site as nice as this site.

I need a software that is easy to use and can easily manage my users. Have you had any experience with phpbb? Can this software create nice forums?

If you know any sites using phpbb send me a link! I want to pick the right software to build my forum before I get into building the site

 

[dspa72]

I have used phpbb in the past and it is a good forum software.
But if you want something simpler to manage I suggest you to use Simple Machines
It's free as well.
here is the link

http://www.simplemachines.org/

 

[ajithrocksca]

phpbb is simply the best forum platform that comes free. It has tons of mods to tweak the site. However the learning curve is slightly steep, you need to have a bit of php editing skills to apply many mods (if you are good with it, then phpbb is simply the best). Else you can go for SMF. SMF is simple and easy to use however it will not have that much features as phpbb.

However both these platforms will bring in a lot of spam (mostly from xrummer), there are a couple mods to control spam, use them.

All the best

 

[poweronics]

phpbb is simply the best forum platform that comes free. It has tons of mods to tweak the site. However the learning curve is slightly steep, you need to have a bit of php editing skills to apply many mods (if you are good with it, then phpbb is simply the best). Else you can go for SMF. SMF is simple and easy to use however it will not have that much features as phpbb.

However both these platforms will bring in a lot of spam (mostly from xrummer), there are a couple mods to control spam, use them.

All the best

Thats very informative. Is SMF also using php coding or it uses html?

 

[sefstar4uk]

In my opinion it doest matter whether its free or paid forum.If you lack experience ,I would say it's a fine idea to start with free software just to see if running forum is working out for you.Anyway phpBB is not 'beginner friendly', considering the other 2 options (MyBB and SMF) but it is a great forum platform once you get to understand it...

 

[CyberSEO]

Yes it's the best freeware forum script.

 

[Tribbey]

I like MyBB. Code is clean and SEO is better.

 

[latinofever]

PhpBB is good but as others have said it does get spammed to death. Ive had to delete thousands of registrations using SQL after getting hit by spammers. Even when implementing spam plugins this doesnt always help. The plugins are all public domain so people will beat them. I find its best to hard code your question such as.. "What is the color of the background on this website?" If you use the standard questions like "what is 4+ 4" bots can answer them.

 

[batman4t]

Vanilla Forums is another good forum option. It also has many plugins if you want to add any features that don't get downloaded with the core.

 

[LongBanana]

phpBB is a free forum software and although it is not as good as some of the paid ones such as vB and IPB, it can do the job well. It is easily customizable if you know PHP and also there are some addons you can use. But, there is an issue with spam.

 

[WhitePwn]

Its an awesome board software.Some of the biggest forums use it,just get a clean skin and install some plugins and youre good to go.The best part is its open source so you have unlimited possibilities.

 

[markhenry121]

As you don't have enough money to invest on paid one then phpbb is a very good free forum software.

 

[Nickel]

I've used phpbb before and it's pretty easy to get up and going.
mybb is simpler but lacks some of the custom features.
Probably the best known phpbb site I know of is warez-bb

 

[dannyvriens]

Uhmmm that's a good question.

My opinion is that this is a good board script but look out for XSS hackers because hackers like it to crack it down most of the phpbb boards.
I don't know if the new version has this same problem, but this was one of the reasons i have wrote one by myself

 

[CaptainKing]

Uhmmm that's a good question.

My opinion is that this is a good board script but look out for XSS hackers because hackers like it to crack it down most of the phpbb boards.
I don't know if the new version has this same problem, but this was one of the reasons i have wrote one by myself

you wrote one by yourself? What do you mean? You built an entire forum software???
So if I put a ton of time into building a forum with phbb it has the chance of being totally messed up by hackers?????????? AHHH

 

[Robvandam]

Phpbb isn't a bad forum software, but honestly, nothing beats vBulletin. It destroys everything out there.

But if you do go for vBulletin, go for the latest 3.xx version, not the 4.xx version, because there's still some issues with that.

 

[jaso009]

I have used phpbb in the past and it is a good forum software.
But if you want something simpler to manage I suggest you to use Simple Machines
It's free as well.
here is the link

http://www.simplemachines.org/

Thanks for the site suggestion. I will also look into this.

 

[futurestic06]

Most of the forums online are made by phpbb . and its simply the best dude. have you used it? its the coolest and the easiest platform to build a forum.
without any doubt i can suggest it to you.
thanks

 

[whiteli0n]

i suggest hitting up scriptmafia for vBulletin. Sickest forum software out

 

[dannyvriens]

you wrote one by yourself? What do you mean? You built an entire forum software???
So if I put a ton of time into building a forum with phbb it has the chance of being totally messed up by hackers?????????? AHHH

Thats right CaptainKing I'm a software engineer from the Netherlands and making a php forum board is nothing for kind of work i do here normal y.
My day job is writing encryption technology for small en medium companies