What is the BEST forum software available today?

[Viceroy]

Thanks for reading this post.  I am trying to determine the best forum software in existence today.  In order to answer the question of "best" I need to put this in perspective.  I am seeking the best forum software solution upon which to build a sort-of bitcointalk2.0 as described here:

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=244678.0

At the time of this writing the community proposed:

     -Discourse    
       http://try.discourse.org/latest/more

     -vBulletin
       http://www.vbulletin.com/vb5-trial/

     -Xenforo      
       http://xenforo.com/demo

     -MyBB          
       http://www.forum-software.org/demo/mybb

     -SMF
       http://www.simplemachines.org  

     -IP Board
       http://www.invisionpower.com/apps/board


Why does one make more sense than another given the problem we are trying to solve above?


I also added a poll to determine the browser people use to surf this forum here:
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=246961.0


edit:  

unresolved
can software integrate with two factor authentication like google authenticator?

[dillpicklechips]

xpost idea requested by op from other thread:

It would be cool if when you sign up, you also register a Bitcoin address. To modify any  profile settings you must sign a message with that address to have it saved. This address could also be used if password is lost or forgotten or to prove someone else has your account.

[Teka]

I think that discourse has a very good design that looks extremely modern and different. I'm not sure how easy it is to code for but it definitely looks good to the end user.

[Viceroy]

I just looked at discourse and I cringed because I did not like the interface at all.  Of the group SMF appears cleanest and most professional on first view (in my humble opinion).

What system do you normally use to interface with the forums?  I typically use a desktop machine.  That is mainly because I prefer a full keyboard.  (I like to write alot  ).  

I added a poll to determine what browsers people use here:
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=246961.0

[Teka]

I just looked at discourse and I cringed because I did not like the interface at all.  Of the group SMF appears cleanest and most professional on first view (in my humble opinion).

What system do you normally use to interface with the forums?  I typically use a desktop machine.  That is mainly because I prefer a full keyboard.  (I like to write alot  ).  

I added a poll to determine what browsers people use here:
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=246961.0

In that case, I would definitely go with IP Board.Fyi, I use a laptop with chrome most of the time but when i'm on the go I use my windows phone.

[jackjack]

What I proposed in the other thread

Be strict about '+1's
Make a popularity count (using votes from very-established users only)
Display posts count+registration date next to avatar
Posting limits: no more than 1 post per hour (or 2, or 0.5, or whatever you think would fit) during the first week after registration. Then 2p/h during the second, etc.
IMO mobile phone support is not a top priority
Be clear about the acceptance of altcoins: Full no/Yes to all/Yes to some(which ones?)
NO social media support!
NO tracking like Google Analytics or shit like this at all
Mods paid by users through public donation addresses
No ads in signatures allowed. Or if people find this too anti-freedom.of.speech, no colours/glow/big font.

[Inedible]

I agree with Jackjack - there should be priorities as there's never enough time in the day to implement all the wants.

Things like mobile could be left till later.

[Viceroy]

Any well written modern software should include smartphone support as a native option.  If it does not it soon will or it will go the way of the dodo bird.

No social media support?  Why not?  I think plugging into the 1 billion members in Facebook could be beneficial.

No tracking like Google Analytics or shit like this at all  Why not?  Why should the forum not generate ad dollars or have the option to?


> there should be priorities

Certainly but until we exhaust the discussion of what the problems are we cannot even consider trying to prioritize the solution.

[jackjack]

Any well written modern software should include smartphone support as a native option.  If it does not it soon will or it will go the way of the dodo bird.

No social media support?  Why not?  I think plugging into the 1 billion members in Facebook could be beneficial.

No tracking like Google Analytics or shit like this at all  Why not?  Why should the forum not generate ad dollars or have the option to?


> there should be priorities

Certainly but until we exhaust the discussion of what the problems are we cannot even consider trying to prioritize the solution.

Ad money can be generated exactly like here: ads under the first post.
I'm very uncomfortable with my privacy being raped once again, moreover on a bitcoin forum. And I'm sure I'm not the only one.

If people want to share through FB/Twitter/G+ they can still post the URL.

[Viceroy]

Ad money can be generated exactly like here: ads under the first post.

I was thinking advertising should be much better integrated.  Having the OP auction off all available ad space once per week to crooks and con men is part of the issue here. (for example - BFL's ads in this forum may be criminal if BFL is a scam) 

How does adding google analytic's invade your privacy?  And isn't the question one of creating a stronger privacy policy rather than avoiding modern analytical tools?

[Viceroy]

bump

[Phinnaeus Gage]

Ad money can be generated exactly like here: ads under the first post.

I was thinking advertising should be much better integrated.  Having the OP auction off all available ad space once per week to crooks and con men is part of the issue here. (for example - BFL's ads in this forum may be criminal if BFL is a scam)  

How does adding google analytic's invade your privacy?  And isn't the question one of creating a stronger privacy policy rather than avoiding modern analytical tools?

I'm curious as to concerns pertaining to the analytic/privacy aspect.

How about firing up a mock IP board and let's take it for a five day free test drive?

http://www.invisionpower.com/demo

We can do so with the understanding that the content may be lost once the test period is over, but during the interim we should be able to gain a myriad of knowledge.

[escrow.ms]

You should change title from "best open forum software" to "best forum software" as many forums softwares  (Xenforo/IPB/VB etc) are paid one.

[Viceroy]

done.

[skilo]

I think this theme would make a nice default theme for Bitcointalk.

http://custom.simplemachines.org/themes/index.php?lemma=1788

Just add a Gold or yellow bitcoin logo to the top and it will be all set.

[roy7]

How did vBulletin not make this list?

[Viceroy]

results prior to reset

Discourse    2 (14.3%)
IP Board    3 (21.4%)
MyBB    1 (7.1%)
SMF    4 (28.6%)
Xenforo    2 (14.3%)
(propose other)    2 (14.3%)
Total Voters: 14


added vBulletin

[Teka]

How did vBulletin not make this list?

The latest vBulletin has way to many problems to be functional.

[escrow.ms]

How did vBulletin not make this list?

The latest vBulletin has way to many problems to be functional.

and VB5 is SQLi vulnerable.

[Viceroy]

Well VB is just crap, then.  Speaking of crap, is there a good example of discourse somewhere?  The default user interface is not inviting.  Though I like the strategy.