Webhosts with Forums [Archive]

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Yun

July 5th, 2007, 04:08

Hey guys,

Just a random thought that came to my mind and I thought I'd ask you all:

What do you all think of webhost's that use Forum Software for Support? Does the software they use actually bother you? Such as if a webhost uses phpBB/myBB/<insert some free forum software here> as compared to vBulletin/IPB/<insert some paid forum software here>. And let's say if the packages are the same, which one would you probably use? Or would you not mind and just pick the one you feel that you can trust more?

Darknight

July 5th, 2007, 04:33

lol, Um there is more importent things id consider befor buying, Like uptime, refund policys, TOS, how long they have been in biz, etc etc...
The main site is what bothers me, if its cheaply done I wouldnt bother ;)
As for the forums, No I have never cared what they have, even if they have them except for phpBB as its super gay :P

Starcraftmazter

July 5th, 2007, 04:41

I never use any IPB forums, because IPB is utterly useless software.
vBulletin is better, but not much.

phpBB, FTW!!!

Yun

July 5th, 2007, 05:16

sep

July 5th, 2007, 05:34

When a host has an active forum, its a good place for the clients to share their thoughts and help each other out. Hell, it might even reduce number of stupid support tickets. So ye.. I guess it's a good thing when a host has a forum happening, but it should not be used as primary point of support.

When a host has a free script rather than a commercial one, it may make some people think of them as cheap people. If they can't afford a proper script, how can they afford a proper server?

MonkeyMatt

July 5th, 2007, 07:04

When a host has a free script rather than a commercial one, it may make some people think of them as cheap people. If they can't afford a proper script, how can they afford a proper server?

Unfortunately, It is looked upon that way. However I have no idea why. I choose the solution best suited for the job at hand. That in my opinion is MyBB.

Well, the point of this topic was to ask if the webhost's choice of forum system matters to you, not the rest of the points :p.

It doesn't really matter as long as there isn't spam lurking in every forum and the style is easy on the eyes I don't see a problem. The community has to be friendly too. Like I said I choose MyBB because I believe it has everything paid boards such as vBulletin and IPB do. With MyBB 1.4 set to become even better I don't see myself moving to another software:)

Matt

Jan

July 5th, 2007, 07:10

I can't see that it matters what they use. If I was using a host who had a support forum, I wouldn't be checking what bb they used, I'd be looking for answers to my questions :p And also bear in mind that some people have a preference for a particular bb.

Yun

July 5th, 2007, 11:29

Hmm, must say the replies were interesting, because what I thought most of the replies would be:

"Yeah, if a webhost uses phpBB, it must be some junk host.." :p.

Starcraftmazter

July 6th, 2007, 05:27

When a host has a free script rather than a commercial one, it may make some people think of them as cheap people. If they can't afford a proper script, how can they afford a proper server?

My take on that is, if some customers are so idiotic as to think it's a matter of affordability as opposed to what is better and opposed to open source vs propriety, they are not worth having on my server, since they'll be very problematic and need a lot of support, because they clearly don't know crap about anything.

JonnyH

July 6th, 2007, 10:53

Why would you base the host on their software? You base them on their community/testimonails/support/uptime.

Tatzel

July 6th, 2007, 13:07

I don't really care, as long as it's not nulled software (lol), properly maintained and has a reasonably friendly community. Slight prejudice against phpbb2 installs though, as they're the ones I most often saw not modded or staffed enough to keep spambots down to an inexistent or tolerable level.

If it's a free host using a free board such as SMF or MyBB (or in a little while phpBB3) over VB or IPB may actually be a good thing. That's money that the hoster won't have to recover somehow and/or can be invested in the hosting itself.

Darknight

July 6th, 2007, 15:11

Well, the point of this topic was to ask if the webhost's choice of forum system matters to you, not the rest of the points :p.

and I told you, it dosnt matter.. to me anyway :wave:

BrandonTheG

July 7th, 2007, 01:54

I would care to look because if the host is using a legal, paid forum software then that must mean they have some money, so I should expect more of everything, although that might not always be true.

Some paid hosts are using free software, like I saw one today with MyBB, and they are fine but that's my opinion.

Kwek

July 7th, 2007, 02:26

I personally do not care about the forum software that they use, however if they used a nulled board it speaks badly of them. In that case, everyone should keep away from that host if they aren't even decent enough to not use piracy on their site.

People who just look at the forum software of the host to determine if they're good and if they should go with them should learn that it is up to the host to decide what they use. They can also consider that the host might be using a free/cheap software so as to be able to provide more fundings for their services.

Volt.Networks

July 7th, 2007, 19:23

I personally don't care which forums software a host uses. It's typically nicer to see vB as I'm used to it. It really doesn't matter as long as the board is legally obtained. Also, I would be more concerned with the host's reliability and uptime.

DavidsAwesome

July 8th, 2007, 03:56

our server provider uses vB for their forums, but no one ever posts on the forum, including the admins... so I think there are more important things to look for than just who makes the forum they use.

Plus, I'm a HUGE fan of open source software such as phpBB, myBB, SMF, and all others, and I would only switch to IPB or vB if there was a crucial need.