The Right Script

[Garrett]

Hey! I'm having a little problem and am in need of advice.

I own and operate a Model T Club based on my CharlottezWeb hosted website, Tin Lizzie Online. However, I have a problem. Most of the people that are Model T Enthusiast's use the MTFCA and MTFCI websites. Both websites use DiscusWare Forum, it's that CGI-based forum software I was talking about. However, I don't know if I should use that, phpBB, MyBB, or SMF.

I have used SMF for years now, but it's getting old and I'd like to try something new. Based on my experience, phpBB has the most difficult to use Administration center, and DiscusWare has the least problems in that area. However, in script vulnerability, DiscusWare is most vulnerable to problems (not being updated since 2007) and I'd say MyBB least as it was last released Feb. 2012. I took SMF out of both of those as I want to try something new. So, what should I go with. I'd like to say MyBB as I personally love MyBB, however, many website's don't really use MyBB. phpBB is the most popular, but phpBB is so hard to use. That DiscusWare would be okay, but I don't really want to use it as it hasn't been updated since 2007.  phpBB doesn't have a lot of formatting tools, so does MyBB. DiscusWare makes you visit another page to get the format and you have to type it in yourself.

Well, any advice is appreciated. I am willing to "return" to SMF, but I want to try something new. I also need advice on how to make my website more popular.

Currently, I have MyBB. I am probably going to go back to SMF.



Here's somethings I like about MyBB: User Friendly, Administrator Friendly, Current theme is "okay", Quick Reply doesn't redirect you to the same topic or to the Forum you are in. Support is really fast.

Somethings I dislike about MyBB: Not very many formatting tools.



Here's somethings I like about phpBB: User Friendly, Current theme is "okay", Support is fast.
Somethings I dislike about phpBB: NOT Administrator Friendly, Quick Reply redirects you to topic you are in.



Here's somethings I like about SMF: User Friendly, Administrator Friendly, Support is served at an "okay" pace.
Here's somethings I dislike about SMF: Old. Reply or Quick Reply redirects you to forum you are in.



Here's somethings I like about DiscusWare: Doesn't require MySQL Database, Easily Customizable, Sorta User Friendly, Very Administrator Friendly

Here's somethings I DISLIKE about DiscusWare: Not updated, very vulnerable to problems, CGI-based, Everytime you post you have to reenter your password.




I've narrowed it down to: MyBB OR Simple Machines. Hmmm.... going to be a tough pick. But based on online ratings, MyBB wins over Simple Machines. Personally, I like MyBB better too. So, I think I'm going to keep my MyBB forum.

[Jason]

   Sounds like you talked it through. 

All other things aside, it ultimately comes down to what you need it to do and which one you're most comfortable managing.  It sounds like you've tried them already (which I would've recommended) so that's a good start.

[Garrett]

I'm going to go with MyBB.

However, many of my forum's users are not recognized with MyBB and how to use it. They are more recognized with DiscusWare. How can I teach them to use it?

[Jason]

However, many of my forum's users are not recognized with MyBB and how to use it. They are more recognized with DiscusWare. How can I teach them to use it?

You'll need to direct them to whatever educational information MyBB provides on how to use their software.

[Garrett]

Although I don't want to, I'm going to sadly use DiscusWare. Trying it out.