Forum design, layout, structure, thoughts ?

[weeksy]

I was chatting today with one of our members regarding phpBB who are the guys our forum is created by.

Some of his thoughts were that phpBB are a bit 'home user' rather than a 'business solution' type forum/company/host.

It's a long list of other potential suppliers from XenForo , Invision, VerticalScope, etc etc.

They all offer migration paths from phpBB to their software/platform. Different platforms allow different integration into Apps, media, embedding, emojis, functionality etc.

Now, i've got my own thoughts here but i'm going to keep them to myself at this stage as this is OUR forum, despite it being in my name, if it's not for you lot posting, then it's just me talking shit to myself and that may get dull after a while.

So, here's a list of other forums and their platforms, as you'll see there's also a poll with some choices.

https://pbmagforum.co.uk/ : Invision
https://www.fz09.org/ : Xenforo
https://www.ktmforums.com/ : Xenforo
https://www.adventuremotorcycles.net/forum/ : Invision

Now currently i've not looked into costing on any of this over phpBB but they apparently offer a higher level of technical support than we currently have with phpBB.

So, take a look around some of these and give me a bit of feedback

[Horse]

What sort of problems/challenges/issues do you want to improve?

[weeksy]

What sort of problems/challenges/issues do you want to improve?

Not saying I do as such, but as above, some forums deal better with things like different browsers as per slenvers recent issues, or embedding of Instagram pics, more pretty icons, layouts or smileys, Tapatalk and mobile device integration

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

I'm happy with the forum as it is

[Saga Lout]

I liked whatever it was that WB used for The Revcounter, probably just because I was used to it and knew my way around. I'm getting used to phpBB, but no doubt if you change it, I'll get used to that as well.

If they all have similar functionality, go with whichever is easiest to manage. We'll adapt.

[KungFooBob]

I think it's great as it is.

If it aint broke, etc..

[Skub]

Fine as it is for me too,but between the Invision and Xenforo,I prefer the Invision.

[weeksy]

Would any of these other forums come with adverts? From the host not from you - thats bad

Would any of these other forums give you the option of pushing adverts to non subscribers - that could help pay the bills

1. Potentially, but could be turned off at source.and indeed WILL BE
2. Don't worry about the bills, we've got a cracking bunch of people here and we're financially sound currently.

We're due in 4 weeks or so to renew our hosting packages and if people want to donate over and above their current subscription levels I've nothing against that at all but do not for a second think we need adverts.

The only thing we do need is members. I guess that's the ultimate question, would the forum software encourage or discourage members.

Again, I'm not offering any opinion here as I want you lot to be the catalyst here. I know I keep saying it, but this is OUR forum not mine.

[weeksy]

As this is a Global, it disables thanks, but don't think your comments are not appreciated guys

[Tricky]

Invision (or at least the way its implemented at pbforum) is definitely a cut above this in a few ways (new posts, editor, adding content etc), but the current setup here is pretty decent IMO, and it seems to be reliable and running well so my view is unless the current platform is causing you pain or one of the new options is going to make your life easier/ lower cost etc etc, leave as is

Edit:

I would be surprised if anyone really cares, the content is whats important and that comes from the members

This.

[weeksy]

Invision (or at least the way its implemented at pbforum) is definitely a cut above this in a few ways (new posts, editor, adding content etc), but the current setup here is pretty decent IMO, and it seems to be reliable and running well so my view is unless the current platform is causing you pain or one of the new options is going to make your life easier/ lower cost etc etc, leave as is

We have new posts.... using the quick links button on the left. just under the banner.

[Tricky]

Invision (or at least the way its implemented at pbforum) is definitely a cut above this in a few ways (new posts, editor, adding content etc), but the current setup here is pretty decent IMO, and it seems to be reliable and running well so my view is unless the current platform is causing you pain or one of the new options is going to make your life easier/ lower cost etc etc, leave as is

We have new posts.... using the quick links button on the left. just under the banner.

Yep I know and use it all the time- what I meant was if you're in a thread on pbf, and someone adds to it whilst you're reading, it beeps and pops a box up so you can read it without going out/refreshing the thread- don't think we have that here?

[weeksy]

Invision (or at least the way its implemented at pbforum) is definitely a cut above this in a few ways (new posts, editor, adding content etc), but the current setup here is pretty decent IMO, and it seems to be reliable and running well so my view is unless the current platform is causing you pain or one of the new options is going to make your life easier/ lower cost etc etc, leave as is

We have new posts.... using the quick links button on the left. just under the banner.

Yep I know and use it all the time- what I meant was if you're in a thread on pbf, and someone adds to it whilst you're reading, it beeps and pops a box up so you can read it without going out/refreshing the thread- don't think we have that here?

Not directly, but if you're mid-post it does prompt you and show you that post before allowing you to post, but doesn't ping up a notification mid-typing.

[Yorick]

It's ok as it is. Only need to fix problems, not change for changes sake.

[Rockburner]

What sort of problems/challenges/issues do you want to improve?

Not saying I do as such, but as above, some forums deal better with things like different browsers as per slenvers recent issues, or embedding of Instagram pics, more pretty icons, layouts or smileys, Tapatalk and mobile device integration

I tend to find that all the superfluous crap just gets in the way of the actual posts. What we've got now is pretty good, pretty standard fare. I dislike too many smileys or icons simply because they get in the way of the written word. The obvious ones are fine, but things like 'fried-egg-on-a-locomotive' or whatever simple get in the way of language.

[Rockburner]

The only thing we do need is members. I guess that's the ultimate question, would the forum software encourage or discourage members.

I would be surprised if anyone really cares, the content is whats important and that comes from the members

That.

[weeksy]

You are all aware there's a poll ?

[cheb]

Do what you will, the content is the important part.

[Rockburner]

I've never heard of Xenforo or Invistavision and I can't be arsed to register on forums i'm never going to use.

Where's the 'Whatever works best, I'm happy here' option?

[weeksy]

I've never heard of Xenforo or Invistavision and I can't be arsed to register on forums i'm never going to use.

Where's the 'Whatever works best, I'm happy here' option?

We don't know what works best, we only have this currently, but loads of others out there have things we may like or indeed hate.