IPB or vB?

[Scott]

Spanning from the other thread, I thought maybe we could explore why people picked one over the other? Hopefully it won't get rough :talk:

For me, I felt that vB lacked a lot of default features which were in IPB (multi-moderation and, back then, the warning system). Looks also had a lot to do with it, IPB seemed to be a lot less cluttered and, IMO, still does.

The few things that bug me about IPB include the lack of inbuild ability to mod it. However, I do find this counter-balanced by the fact IPB is written using in a way which is very readable. They've also promissed to improve modding ability for v3...which should be out in about 2010.

[adb22791]

Well, when I was going to move my PHPBB forum to vB (I had just bounced from PHPBB to SMF and back to PHPBB), I did have a good look at IPB.

One of the things I like most about vB that really no other board can offer is the impressive vBulletin.org (http://www.vbulletin.org). Other forums have mod databases and such, but vBulletin.org is by far the biggest. There are a lot of problems with vB.org, but it is still one of my favorite things about vBulletin.

And of course vBulletin.org could not exist without vBulletin's excellent modding capability. Version 3.0.x was pretty good (there were tons of mods for everything, just all the code edits were a bit of a downside), but version 3.5.x fixed this with the excellent plugin system. vBulletin's plugin system is the best I have ever used.

While I agree the vBulletin interface could use a few changes, I like the way it's laid out, and don't find it too cluttered (then again I've practically memorized where everything is, using it for so many years on so many forums).

My main reason for picking vBulletin was modding though. At the time I wasn't too worried about built in features, since I could find all the features I wanted on vBulletin.org


Alex

[okgo]

One of the major reason's I chose IPB was for financial reasons. When I purchased it before the new pricing plan, you were able to purchase a yearly license and after expiring you were able to keep the board running ( of course w/ out updates).

IMHO IPB's acp is a lot less confusing, and easier to navigate. I feel that w/ Invisions latest software releases that they are turning their product into more of a "community" ( converge, gallery, blog ) rather then just strictly forum/portal.

There are also ton's of "user" created modifications; and all available on an IPSbeyond.com which I have found to be an invaluable site.

In conclusion; both products do the trick. If I was going to start a "community" I would choose IPB, if I was going to start a forum I would use VB. I am sure we can all agree that these two products are the leaders in the industry.

[Scott]

One of the major reason's I chose IPB was for financial reasons. When I purchased it before the new pricing plan, you were able to purchase a yearly license and after expiring you were able to keep the board running ( of course w/ out updates).

I agree, their previous pricing plan was a great pull factor. The current one I can't picture working too well for them...apart from the fact they'll get more money :iunno:

[KimmiKat]

That's another difference between IPB and vB... The pricing. vB has maintain their current price structure since the beginning of time. IPB seems to change them faster them many change underwear.

I agree, their previous pricing plan was a great pull factor. The current one I can't picture working too well for them...apart from the fact they'll get more money :iunno:

[Scott]

Same with their site aswell, they also announce new products far too early in my opinion (IP Dynamic has been in development for over a year without anything more than a few screenshots). So yeah, I'm not too big of an IPS compared to IPB.