Forum Board Question

[Mr Webname]

I have to provide a forum for a customer and using CPanel I appear to have a choice between PHPBB2 and InvisionBoard 1.2
The forum will be a Private Area for a small number of users, (starting with about 10 and possibly 100 max), anticipated traffic will be low, maybe 5/10 posts per day, though it could grow but nothing like DNF or anything.

Could any of you guys help me choose between the two for the following priority of requirements:-

1) Low space/bandwidth requirements
2) Security
3) Ease of administration
4) Ease of complete backup
5) Easy to personalize Header etc
6) No member = no view posts

Many thanks in anticipation.

 

[4tex]

I recommend PHPBB and can help with modifying installation if required.

PM Sent with detailed advice

 

[Mr Webname]

PM received thanks.

 

[system0]

id personally use invision

i run a vbulletin forum but i tried invision for a month or so last year. i currently run a phpbb site for my friends to hang out and chat etc and im really not happy with it. Its prone to silly errors and the admin panel is quite poor

 

[Mr Webname]

1 each so far - any other opinions?

 

[sponk]

well, invision really has a lot of features, but I heard that now you have to pay for support for invison board. However, I'm sure they are other unofficial support sites for invision board. That would be the only downfall for invision i'd say.

 

[com]

I would pick the ones not included in your list:

7) Reliability
8) Scalability
9) Data integration
10) Quality
11) Ease of modification (plugins, expansion, customization, etc.)

 

[.com.net.org]

both has your requirement.

I recommend invision.

But both will work well for you.

 

[com]

Quick questio - why not VBulletin?

 

[Mr Webname]

That's a good question - reason is that the customer doesn't want anything fancy and the hosting uses CPanel with FREE options of PHPBB and IKB - his thinking ... "why pay when it's free?" - I can't argue!

 

[Jack Gordon]

I like Invision

 

[Manu]

both phpbb2 + invision are very good for a new board just starting up you wouldnt require alot of hosting / bandwidth 100MB's with 5GB bandwidth will do you fine.

The main thing to do is if you're security concious is to update your scripts every time they are updated via phpbb or invision as when security holes are found and your forums broken into it won't look very good on your part blaming the hosting company

 

[Mr Webname]

Thanks for all helpful comments so far.
At this point I've had a look at both and my first thought was that Invison was better in use and admin, however it seems very short on support.
On the other hand I have found phpbb very easy to work with and customize (even though I've no php experience) but more importantly the support via the phpbb.com site is excellent and comprehensive.
The Invision site has almost no posts and support information - are there support forums for it anywhere else that you guys use?

 

[Keith]

If you need support with Invision, I am sure I could help you out. So if you ever run into a problem, you can just PM me if you wish.

 

[RON2]

Both are excellent products. PHPBB probably has a better modifications community, but you can't go wrong with either product.

 

[nicpal]

I am currently in need of something like this as well for a few boards and I have the option of using both of the above as well. I am looking for one of the boards to be fee based like this one is. Can you create user level permissions with either PHPBB or Invision and can you integrate a subscription service into them like 2Checkout or PayPal? Thanks!

 

[Keith]

Hmm, you can create different level permissions. And integrate PayPal. THOUGH.. I do not know a way to change the permission level of a user besides doing it manually. Like you get payment, and you go and edit their account and move it up.

 

[adoninet]

phpbb is a nice freebie

many free templates for it too

huge support community

 

[linkdomain]

i give a vote to phpbb too. i use it for a few sites.

 

[Keith]

What do you all like about phpBB that you dont like about Invision?