phpBB

Author: Hans Bauer

Although the current version is a little bit old (a new one is in development) the board has everything one can imagine. Using well documented modifications (hundreds available) even subforums are possible. Masses of available styles allow different look and feel. A very active community is closing any security leak as fast as possible. Best of all: The installation is for dummies. I was absolutely new to php and MySQL, but the script was running within less than 10 minutes after the download.

Author: John

phpBB is very bad BulletinBoard . Bugs and easy to hack BB :P . Small functions no subforums etc.

Author: Lhunmoth

Almost all of the reviews are 5 stars. You simply can't find a better message board than phpBB. Unchanged liscense since the first day, great features, easy customization, mega support, and they are always working on a new version. Next release is going to be amazing.

Author: Joseph Bilac

This is by far the best discussion board I have ever seen. It is very efficenint, supports numerous modifications including "Fast Reply", in which you do not have to exit the thread view to make a post. Considering it's great support and user-friendlness, I think that the next version of phpBB (phpBB 2.2) shall be the best one yet! It supports an UNLIMITED amount of ranks for users on the board, so as your forum grows, the number of ranks can grow with it. I give this TEN THUMBS UP. May it live!

Author: Rick

Being brand new to PHP, I was very impressed with the ease of installing PHPBB. As I scale up the learning curve, I plan to make use of some of the more advanced features available, but for now, I have a professional-looking BB with minimal fuss.

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installation was a breeze; very rich in features; better than expected!

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phpBB is by far the best BB available, it knocks spots off its rivals. The template system is very easy to modify. This BB attracts all levels of users from beginners to advanced programmers. Everyone who ever wanted to run a BB or just experiment in getting one on-line should choose phpBB as their first option. The set up script that comes in the install package is as easy as it gets, modifying your forum when installed is as easy as you want it to be. The support at www.phpbb.com is second to none.

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This is THE BEST most customizable php discussion software available. There havn't been any problems on ANY of the boards I set up, or administer. MODS are easy to install and there are Hundreds of them already. Security is tip top, and there are thousands of free templates to download. Two thumbs up.

Author: James

Beating every discussion boards scripts, and the best it's free. Its function not enough for you? Personalise your forum and expand its functionality with the modifications. Can't get it up? Loads of members in its support forum will help you with a great smile, expecting nothing from you...

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I am not a web developer adn decided to create a website for an organizion I am with. As it grew we decided to put in a BB. I chose this by it's ratings and must say this is the easiest thing I have ever setup!! once I downloaded and expended the files, uploaded them to my site, everything was automated!!!! No scripting, No reformatting, No linking - NOTHING Just go!! I think this is one of the best computer products I have ever used!!

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Everything about phpBB is just right. It's easy to install (doesn't even need documentation), everything apart from the upload process is done via a web interface so there is no need for an in-depth knowledge of FTP, the initial interface is clean so there is no need for customisation, and if a more customised look is needed, there is a web-based stylesheet editor. Perfect for the amateur user! Yet it has enough room for an experienced user to customise to one's needs... I would recommend this for anyone.

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phpBB was the first forum board i have ever used and I think it is GREAT! Compare to all the other ones this is the best in design and has some really good features but not all! I suggest you use this!

Author: CSpot

"Citius, Altius, Fortius!" This motto should definately be addopted by phpBB, because its true! -Swifter- phpBB uses php and MySql - A well proven combination, possibly the fastest for making a good forum possible. -Higher- phpBB is always striving to make sure it includes the features that the community feels would add to it, which is one of the greatest things about the phpBB team - they interact with their users and actually listen to feedback. -Stronger- phpBB is robust - VERY robust. Its as (hacker/spammer/lamer)-proof as anything out there, and you wont find a more bug-free board in miles. Well done to the phpBB Group, you've successfully outdone anyone in the past - you've created the perfect forum.

Author: Neil Skirrow

I've used an uncountable number of forums over the years and all have had problems of one or another but phpBB seems to be an exception. It's very well designed and programmed. The code is very clean and even a non-php programmer like my self can easily modify it. I've never used PHP before but found it very easy to modify. Generally a very well designed script with a good team behind it. Support forum is very good and the number of hacks/addons is quite impressive. Definately the best free forum I've seen to date.

Author: Michael

I’ve tried all of them, from the free to the costly and phpBB wins every time. Graphically it looks great, cool icons and a nice colour scheme (all of which can be modified by your admin). Perhaps one of the most important things to keep in mind is the fact that it will run on Linux and Window’s 2000 / NT servers. I’ve tested it on 2000 using, apache / mysql. And it goes like a train. It’s easy to administer with a full Web-Page based setup/install and update facility. Try it you won’t be disappointed. Mike

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Was a bit bewildered with choice when looking at forum applications, but plumped for this after some other forum users raved about it. It's brill! I am a bit of a newbie in some respects, but found the install to be a piece of cake, and the functionality, ease of use, and security of the board is just the ticket. The fact that you can restrict access to forums means that you have an instant extranet for project management! Aye carumba!

Author: Gaylen Fraley

WOW! I am extremely impressed by this product. And I found it through NorthernLight.com, out of many possibles. I was after a feature rich board system. You could not ask for more. The insatll script is, by far, the best I have seen for a web based product, and I have been in this business for 31+ years (obviously not in the web that long :)). I highly recommend this product and will do all that I can to help develop and support it. The only recommendation that I have is that you keep up the good work. Great work TEAM!!!

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As another reviewer said, "This rocks." Unpack the tar file, set the permission on config.php to 777, run the installer, input your database name, user name and password and it's done! Then set your config.php permissions back to 644 and run the admin to set up your forums etc. Dead easy! The forum itself is superb with most of what anyone would want. I can't wait for the next version. Can they possibly make it any better?

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Easy to install - in fact being a complete newbie it was my first ever phpScript installed! Worked well, really great! Looking forward to 2.0!

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To make a Linux newbie like me look good to my computer geek friends is amazing! Literally in 1 hour, I installed RedHat 7.1 on my test server, installed phpBB, and had it up and running. It was far and away the easiest istall of ANYTHING in Linux so far. Simply put, it just works...period. Congrats on a great product. For anyone even considering this one, you'd be a fool to not at least try it. If I can do it, ANYONE can.

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I have used this forum for about a year now... Its working great.. No problem at all.

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This board has been a real asset to our site. I think that its features will greatly increase the sense of community that we are trying to develop. Also, there's a pretty helpful and timely support forum on the homepage. We're really grateful we found this.

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Straight out of the box this thing was ready to go!! With in a few hours I had a BB that was all my own, Colors, images, CSS, some Javascript and it was a whole different board. It is extremely easy to edit and modify. I like it alot.

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I've tested several different BB scripts out on the market and the free arena, for a software development companty to put out such a product and support it so well make most of the large commercial BB systems look bad. To me it's a simple measure of how well people support their product and respond to their users' requests for assistance. I am more put off by developers that talk down to you or ignore your requests for some real knowledge on how to get their product to work. Being new to php/mysql when I first set my board up I had some problems getting through the configuration, a quick response to me by one of the lead developers set me in the right direction and I had my board operational within min's of making the adjustment to my configuration. I certainly hope that the future brings more good stuff from this group and they continue to grow...

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This is probably one of the better bb scripts I've tried - once you get it working. Installation is not a breeze on most servers, mostly due to cookie issues. On the bright side, they have excellent support forums where they answer even repeat questions without flaming someone for asking and posting their individual info rather than trying to muddle through answers given to others. As with any script, getting it to work on F2S seems to be a pain, but then again, that's why I just paid for my hosting and left F2S behind.

Author: W Page

phpBB is an exciting project. It encourages folks who want to learn php. The administrator stays in tune with forum users and responds to their questions quickly, and pays close attention to "users" wish list for the forum.

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A nice script that has a great BBS support group. Rating a script for me depends on 3 things: 1.) functionality - is it easy to use 2.) support - is suport up-to-date and friendly 3.) looks and features - does it have what I want or will want To be honest I've found other scripts that 1 and 3 win out a little but #2 was the key for me. I can't program, my cutting and pasting is haphazard at best, but if I post a message I get a reply within minutes to hours. Can you beat that?

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Another project that owes its success to an open-minded project leader and a crew with a variety of talents. This project has risen to the top after only 6 months of development and is sure to beat vBulletin (IMHO the best pay-for-use script out there) with its upcoming 2.0 release.

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Brilliant forum to use, setup, modify, and generally mess up if you do something stupid ;) Very good.

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Easiest board I have installed, ever. Only a few lines to change and the install script will setup the rest, including the mysql tables. Administrative panel is powerful, with different options and features than other boards. I was using YaBB but PhpBB is faster.

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phpBB is a very good BBS. Its a UBB clone, but has better features. Very fast, and just getting faster. Try it today!

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I must say, after using many Forum/BBS scripts the past 4 years phpBB is by far the best so far. What makes it so great in my opinion is the speed and ease of installation. All you need is a mySQL database created then you run the install. It doesn'e get any easier. I have been using phpBB for a few months now and was in with the beta and the support I've received from the Developer (theFinn) has been nothing short of OUTSTANDING. My visitors (who can be harsh at times about the boards I've used) have had nothing but great things to say. This is a must Forum script for the Pro webmaster or for someone just starting out. UBB LOOK OUT, here come phpBB! :-) Great job to all who made it happen!!!!!

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More features than UltraBoard or UltimateBoard. Easy to install love the smilies. Just a great board for me! kaosAngel

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Has some cool features, although I would recommend them getting a person to re-design the look of the forums.

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This script is fantastic!! A must have for anyone running a website that wants a fast flexable forum! take my advice.. Dump those perl scripts and get this one... The Author of this script is agreeable to your input and run's this open source program In the true GPL sense! For free you get twice what others are charging hundreds for... I guess you can tell, I Like it!!!!

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This freebie board (yes, just version 1.0.0) is already looking a LOT better than vBulletin... Which is, correct me if i'm wrong, top-notch out there...

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I've been involved during the beta cycle of this software and am amazied what you get for free (GPL of course). Ease of setup (at least on the 'nix side :D ) is amazing and the flexiblity is there. Can hardly wait for 1.1 and 2.0!