On another forum i visit, a vb vs. ipb vs. phpbb vs. smf thread pops up every few weeks.

I always stick up for IPB, and vB people always show up to argue the strong points of their software.

What pro-ipb points could be used in an invision board vs. vbulletin argument?

How about that IPB owners know they have quality software so they simply don't get involved in waste-of-time debates?

At the end of the day there's no point getting bogged down in pointless debates, different people prefer different BBS systems. I personally can't stand vB 3, I've been known not to refuse to register on forums because they use vB 3, but that doesn't mean everyone feels that way, or that we've all had the same experience with the product. At the end of the day you're not gonna change any fanboys mind, and anyone with any sense and maturity will try all the main BBSs before picking one.

I'm those people who believe such arguments are just a load of rubbish. They're just forum software, not antibacterial medicine that can save the world from an illness, not a Death Star that may blow the world up, not anything really massive! Just software!

Of course, these arguments start because of personal opinion, which is something usually impervious and impenetrable.

There are some people who wish that wasn't so.

i becomes before v in the alphabet.

Invision has (which vBulletin doesn't)

- Multi quote option

- Multi graphic option

- Inline moderation

- And can make milkshakes on thursdays if the planets are in alignment.

Once the vbers point out these are all available as hacks, point out that they use that arguement on why vBulletin is better than phpBB

Or you could simply ignore the arguement

when's the next day that happens, Thursday I think?

The truth is that IPB is a far better forum than vbulleting. This is coming from a person (Me) who have experienced both forums. I think IPB sticks to the K.I.S.S method (Keep it simple stupid) it makes it easier for users who dont know how to administer the forums. That's my 2 cents.

I like both. And expect this topic to be closed like real soon.

I can imagine such a horrible and idiotic argument in this way:

"vBulletin has topic ratings, better organization, and other stuff that totally pwns IPB."
"Yeah well we have multi-quoting! In ya face, vB!"
"wtf who needs dat?"
"vB has a lower price for a lifetime account!"
"Lifetime my ***! You have to pay $30 every stinking year for access to the members' area, plus for telephone support you have to pay another $200, and with other addons, you pay thousands! IPB lifetime with free telephone support and permanent client area access is only $200. Beat that, vB."
"stfu yall ipbers no nothin"
"vB is more popular among businesses and large forums."
"I'm sure it is. Especially if it's such a memory hog."
"Ugh, I think I might be sick."

The point of this is to show that arguing over which forum software is better is like whether Heinz catsup or Kroger brand catsup is better. They're all the same, period.



Seriously folks, I really don't like or dislike any forum software; I just want something I can run and that is dependable. I'm running a site with phpBB and Invision Power Board running silmutaneously.

Comparison topics are largely quite pointless. It's like arguing which is the best colour. There isn't a definitive answer that is good for everyone.

Some people used the IPB trial last year and tried to get support on the forums which we either closed or politely told them we don't offer support on the trial and they've now done everything in their power to convince who ever is willing to listen that our support "sucks".

Some people have asked strange and wonderful questions as a customer and haven't had an instant response so they tell everyone our support "sucks".

I've seen a load of these topics before and 99% of the replies are from people who haven't tried both pieces of software recently or for any length of time. The last experience most vB owners have of IPB was 1.2 or 1.3 and they then compare that to the latest vB release. Of course, a large percentage have never tried IPB and just spread heresay or stuff they've heard on other forums.

I think that whatever people think of IPB one fact cannot be denied. If vB was such an impressive system that "owned" every other forum system in the world, how come we were allowed to come from relatively nowhere and muscle in on their territory and expand so quickly giving them some serious competition?

I've read some vB fans say that they don't even post on a board if it's not a vB. That strikes me as really stupid and confirms that they are over zealous fanatics who don't represent the rest of the world.

Different strokes for different folks.

Oh, and the best colour in the world, which owns all other colours is purple. I've tried all the other colours and they suck. I wouldn't use anything other than purple for my website.

ehm, don't you mean blue?

and btw I used a lot of colours in a big production environment and green is #1!

Like my team... yeahhh!!





Sorry. :">

Well said.

Well now, that actually IS true.. Purple rulez!

Yeah Chris, get lost!

I have been working (and still am) working as staff on a very big vBulletin hosted forum, and i always loved it.

Still, my own Forum, is IPB, and when i got it for the use of the company i work for, i got it as it came with a invision server, so that i didn't need to set up my own dedicated server.

My experience is that both have advantages and disadvantages, and to switch to IPB after 6 years being with vB - is quite a shock when you enter the admin cp

But, i think both products are quality products, and as long as the pages load fast, everyone is happy

I dunno about that... If anything phpBB is the death star

j/k . But when you look at vulnrabilities that could wipe out a server because it's there.... well

I thought the same thing when Matt posted that.

Would have been believable if you said blue

BTW, clear is definitely the best color.

I run a couple of vB3 sites, and love them. Usually, I'm pro-vB.

But I amazed myself yesterday when I bought an IPB license spur-of-the-moment. I don't know why, I don't need it, but I just needed it

I'm Mr. Pro-vB, with 3 years vB experience, but here I am, an actual IPS customer. So far I'm likin' it.

I've overcome that urge to stick with my own vBulletin homies (after all, it's not about favorites -- it's about which is the best product!), and we'll see what happens. I'm going to use IPB next week and have a thorough look around, maybe do some code hacking. Now that I have a license of two reputable, competing products, I'll be writing an article comparing the two. So far I've got the installation done and IPB seems to be a winner for the non-technical users.

I do however know one thing I like with IPS over Jelsoft: professionalism. Jelsoft makes a product and sells it, but somehow IPS goes the extra mile in this respect.

Anyway, I've rambled on enough.

Ahh This Brings Back The Memories Of The Old Days...

WWIV Is Better Than Wildcat, Reneagade BBS Beats All!

CORKBOARD IS DA BEST BBS!!!!1111

Seriously, vB has some things that IPB lacks, and Vice Versa. phpbb only has one unique Feature - Group Leaders. #

Having Said that, each board has its own Purpose. Im Hoping though that IPB can Wipe vB off the map with 2.1.

Your name will now go on the list.

Its strange, sometimes we are so overwelmed with features that we forget what on earth the forum is for LOL.

Well both IPB and vB are great products. There are some really great things that IPB has that vB dont, visa versa, and some things they both have. But for me (programmers perspective here), IPB is easy to modify without major modification. So if there are some things vB has that IPB doesnt, and I want it bad enough, I'll open my favorite PHP editor and give it a go, and surprisingly some of the most complicated hacks ive done take no longer than an hour to do, which is really nice (this doesnt include new plug-in modules. Those take about a day).

I used to mod for phpBB, and.... It was HELL! I always had an un-easy feeling about the phpBB hacks and their stability. With IPB, I know everything is solid

Damn straight, if you can post on em then they are working I'm fine with either vB or IPB btw. phpBB is a nightmare, but that's just my opinion.

I believe IPB maybe faster than vB but haven't tried any of the 3 series yet.

Red is a better colour. Stands for revolution :-"

Look at Matt in the user list when hes online, its clear his favourite colour is purple

when it comes to software, you shouldn't try to argue which software is better, but rather point out what is missing in each software.
Only then can you create a better product.

If a lot of peeps are missing a topic rating system in IPB (I don't btw) then maybe it should come around somewhere.

I am very unlikely to signup on non-Invision based forums :">

Even version 1.1.2 of Invision pwns phpBB or vB... maybe I am just more used to Invision?

that is just.. stupid?

It's not a forum's software that makes a board good, it's the content.

Yes but when you use an Invision forum for so long its hard to get used to a VB one. So some people choose not to register.

what's so hard to get used to. slam something on your keyboard, press a button.

As a newbie you won't be concerned how to update your avatar, change your posting style, whatever.

And the Republican party. Coincidence? I THINK NOT!

I love clear blue!

I thought that was a pregnancy test.

Which without he would of had to go to a doctor for. THANKS CLEAR BLUE! YOU CONFIRMED THAT I DIDN'T KNOCK UP THAT GIRL ON NEW YEARS EVE 2001!

Argh!!! Is car insurance driving you crazy?!

Calm down, it's only a commercial.

i wonder what would happen if IPB and VB had a babie forum together?

I'm not sure IPS and Jelsoft (vBulletin) would conglomerate; they're two seperate companies, software that differs muchly.

However, if they did: vIPB.

I don't mind vBulletin, but how a bulletin board treats read topics is very important to me. vBulletin is not so nice in that aspect, IMHO.

I agree, vB's read markers suck However, it's being revised for the new fabled "point release" due out soon.

I'd imagine that even if they were in the position to do so, Invision Power Services don't actually want to "wipe out" vBulletin. It is my opinion that a close rivalry between Jelsoft and IPS will allways push either company to improve their products and services -- that is why friendly competition shouldn't be frowned upon.

In my opinion, making direct comparisons between bulletin board software is irrelevant and ignorant unless they share the same market and purpose. Some may suggest that Invision Power Board and vBulletin are targeted at completely different users for disimilar roles. I myself own and IPB licence and a vBulletin licence and I'm very happy with both. The two communities that I run require different needs and thus different bbs software to run them. It's a crap anology, but I own a landline phone and mobile / cell phone -- I use them both in different ways and for different reasons. I can make comparisons, but I see it as pointless trying to argue which one is better.

If that made no sense, I apologise. On the verge of going out.

Get's my vote for best post so far this week.

Very Important Person Board?

I know nothing about v3 other than it looks nice. If I could wish for something from IPB it would be a better skin than the existing default.

You think so rbiss? I can't STAND the vB skin... The overall design and skin engine is just disgusting. That's the main thing I do not like about vB, it's decent software but it's design is just horrible.

I also disagree with a better default skin for IPB, the current one is great. A lot better than most.

Funny, I'm quite the opposite

The default vB skin looks amateur to me. Maybe it's because we both spend so much time looking at one specific design Perhaps the default IPB skin will seem the same to me in time.