While I do like the forum software we are using here, it is getting a bit long in the tooth and I'm considering an upgrade to something a bit more recent. Here are my criteria:

- Should have per-user 'killfile' support, so that you can selectively filter out messages based on user ID/login.

- Should have a relatively clean, uncluttered interface (no avatars, etc.). Similar to this forum in that respect.

- Good search capabilities.

Anyone here have any recommendations, or have any forum feature requests?

- Jeff @ DreamHost
- DH Discussion Forum Admin

Personally I'm all about PHPBB. You can set up the 'killfile' with a mod or a hack, I found these links
mod
hack 1
hack 2

you can disable avitars, or limit them by file size and dimensions (though I like them off best)

I think it would also be nice to have some forum moderators, as in long time users who frequent the boards, who can close topics if they get to rowdy or whatever. Also they could remove posts when users double post, because I find it really annoying to answer a post and then go the next catagory and see that they posted there too and allready got a response.

It might be nice to have a few alternative styles to choose from and with PHPBB the admin can install some extra styles, and then users can chnage to them if they want.

But all in all, I like this software pretty well, and it loads up fast. As far as I'm concerned I don't think it would be worth much effort to switch to new software. And if upgrading means loosing all of the old posts then it's definaly not worth it.



-Matttail

Don't know about the 'killfile', but I love punbb. It seems like the next logical step from this type of minimal layout. "Its primary goal is to be a faster, smaller and less graphic alternative to otherwise excellent discussion boards..."

> Personally I'm all about PHPBB. You can set up the 'killfile' with a mod or a
> hack, I found these links

I'd prefer to do this without the need for hacks, but I'll keep this in mind. It looks like the 'killfile' concept is a bit more common on Usenet than in discussion forum software.

> I think it would also be nice to have some forum moderators, as in long
> time users who frequent the boards, who can close topics if they get to
> rowdy or whatever.

While there are a number of people here who I think would be very good for this sort of thing, after the last several days I tend to think that people here might be a bit too quick to shut down threads. :>

That's why I figured that the killfile concept may be best - it'd allow people to avoid posts from those they feel add nothing to the discussion and/or annoy, without any actual censorship taking place. That seems like a nice middle ground between a censor-happy-but-useful-forum and a free-for-all-but-open-forum.

> But all in all, I like this software pretty well, and it loads up fast. As far
> as I'm concerned I don't think it would be worth much effort to switch to
> new software. And if upgrading means loosing all of the old posts then it's
> definaly not worth it.

Well, I'd definitely want to find a way to preserve old messages. I'm not sure what the best way would be to do that - keep the old forum around, but disallow new posts?

In general, though, I do like wwwthreads. It has since gone on to become UBBThreads, but even that doesn't seem to support some of the features I had in mind (ie. killfiles).

Anyhow, this is all just a testing of waters... I would announce ahead of time before performing an upgrade.

- Jeff @ DreamHost
- DH Discussion Forum Admin

In reply to:

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I'd prefer to do this without the need for hacks, but I'll keep this in mind. It looks like the 'killfile' concept is a bit more common on Usenet than in discussion forum software.

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phpBB has an "ignore" feature, so you can ignore posts by users

IPB seems nice. But not opensource?

> phpBB has an "ignore" feature, so you can ignore posts by users

Hrm. Must have missed that!

> IPB seems nice. But not opensource?

Maybe, but then again neither is this board. While given two otherwise equal options I'll choose the open-source one, in the end my main concern is what is better.

- Jeff @ DreamHost
- DH Discussion Forum Admin

My take is that the more popular ones like vBulletin or phpBB basically cover all the features that most people would need; that's why they are popular in the first place, right? I personally prefer vB as that is like the standard of business forums; but since DreamHost does include phpBB as one of their one-click installs, not going with it might send a confusing signal. Just my two cents. ;)

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DreamServers.net :: DreamWhois.com :: DreamRegistrar.com

Such a shame neither punbb nor SMF has an ignore feature for posts. SMF will probably get it eventually, but they're still researching on how to make it "right." Barring that feature, one of those'd be my first choice even over vB. And vBulleting over phpbb2.

I also got to throw in my support for phpbb. I know it is easier to just have it "off the shelf" but some serious hacks and phpbb boards fully modded are available.

Phpbb 3 will be out in beta soon which will certainly be a must upgrade path considering phpbb is well over two years old now and needs a major update.

Although vb forums etc look very nice I believe and strongly support open source thus phpbb will always be my first choice.

I don't think that PHPBB has the ability for the 'user status' where is says "matttail (DH Regular)" without a mod. And that's a cool feature.

And while I'm on that subject, what are the different user levels and all?

-Matttail

In reply to:

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I suggest also looking for something with Karma or post-ratings like Slashdot and Amazon comments have.

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Pleeeeeze no. No, no, no, no, and no. This kind of karma silliness is (was? maybe they turned it off -- I haven't been there for a while) one of the most-abused features of the official Everquest2 message boards. One-star bandits abound. Concept's fine, but it's hard to implement without it becoming easy to abuse. After it gets abused enough nobody pays attention to it anymore, and then you might as well not have it in the first place.

I also have to vote for phpbb. Just please don't use the default php theme :-)

[rant] Version 3 is looking pretty cool, especially the LDAP authentication part. It can use an LDAP auth server which means it can easily be integrated into an existing database. If had a local school lab and everyone is using LDAP you can have a public support/discussion board based off their account information. [/rant]

happylittlethings.com

Edited by wjd on 03/25/05 09:19 PM (server time).

In reply to:

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Except admin's, it's just based on number of posts; obviously not quality ratings. :->

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So right!

I don't like phpbbs search function...Dreamhosts is proven better. But I do like the stickys, I like the fact that I can *watch a post.* I like that I can ignore a malfunctioning user. I like the fact that I can see announcement lists (and not have to log in to my web admin panel.) I like the way they have a 'quote' button to create quotes

If we're attached in the forum to our webadmin ids, I would like a quick link to things I want/need, I'd like to instanly be able to use the one click downloads without having to log in to my web panel...I am a needy girl.

and for what I want most... a link to the kbase, an easier way to post hot links (I am on a macintosh...so if there is one, let me know,) longer times to edit posts...(I do sometimes get worked up and rant...but when I get up at 1am...sweating over a post I replied to...I would like the ability to delete it...maybe a 24hour delete :)

Okay, maybe I am needy...

But, I am glad you are looking at our needs.

Barbara

I'm currently messing with myBB. It might not have some of the features of others, but it's getting a 'gold' version soon which fixes some of the problems of the old version.

I think that you should just make some mods to these forums. I don't think you'll get a forum package that is perfect out of the box with extra things (like avatars). I think that if you do get one of these packages you should let us write mods for it (if needed) because you've got a big pool of programming resources here :). I can do mybb and phpbb mods.

Speaking of Slashcode and open source, I wonder why DreamHost doesn't have more of the attitude expressed here?

With regard to what? Their main customer-facing custom application is the Panel which, being written specifically for thier network and services, likely couldn't be open sourced without a huge amount of work to abstract out all the DH-specific stuff. Custom apps like this usually aren't very portable unless they're designed that way from the beginning. Even commercial control panels like Cpanel and such aren't very flexable, and must be a nightmare to integrate into an existing setup. Aside from this, DH uses primarily existing applications.

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If you want useful replies, ask smart questions.

Anyone here have any recommendations, or have any forum feature requests?

How about something that supports actual HTML tags (a limited subset, of course) instead of this pseudo-HTML that's so popular with forums these days?

Here's something you probably couldn't do with an existing package, but it could be interesting: DH-specific tags for quick linking to pages on other DH sites. Similar to inter-wiki tags, you could have tags that generate links to knowledge base or wiki articles, or to pages in the panel. Examples:

<dh-kbase:658>
<dh-wiki:MySQL>
<dh-panel:domains.manage>

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If you want useful replies, ask smart questions.

G'day, Jeff and everyone.
Is it really necessary to upgrade/replace the current system? Apart from kill file support, the current system meets your criteria. I wonder how crucial it is to have kill file support; can one not simply skip a post if one finds it useless/objectionable?
All the best -
marsbar
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Thou shalt not feed trolls.