A Message Board Question

[Andrew]

I am checking how the site looks from the unit and all I can think is, "Thank goodness I can finally see the site again."  For a long time now (about a year), I could not check when I had spare time.  The old host had a good support staff, but a large chunk of their network was blocked by the USMC NOC.  Heck, the old semi-dedicated server we were on had porn sites on the same box.  The new host does not allow adult sites and it looks like the USMC NOC does not block any of the IP range.

Anyway, a short question for everyone:  Again, I am thinking about changing from the present message board (Phorum) to something else.  vBulletin is probably the best paid for, but I keep looking at SMF.  I know that Gerry runs SMF over at SciFilm.org and that message board has matured a lot.  The newest release even has converters for Phorum, so all the old posts could be carried over.

What has been eating some of my time lately is doing coding for Phorum to get all the tweaks right and make it more user friendly.  Honestly, I would rather be writing reviews.  Also, the new server is going to require me to do the overall administration - since it is a VPS, not semi-dedicated.  I want to investigate a different message board software, so that everything will be easier.

I am going to see how it looks if I set up a SMF message board and tweak the theme to look like the present board.  However, I do not want to go changing things if it is too much trouble for everyone and causes problems/plain frustration.  So, let me know.

Here is the homepage for Simple Machines Forum (SMF).

The newest release of SMF also supports letting guests submit replies if they solve a CAPTCHA (the "what does this say" or "solve a math problem" question).

[Menard]

The only thing I don't like with SMF is that they have the worst smileys of about any forum; of course, as everyone keeps reminding me (I'll take it as gratitude) I solved that problem long ago.



The SMF forum, I guess though that it depends on who is using it, seems like a pretty fast forum script that offers many of the features of a PhpBB or IPB forum, but does not seem as heavy.

[ulthar]

Andrew Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

> Anyway, a short question for everyone:  Again, I
> am thinking about changing from the present
> message board (Phorum) to something else.
> vBulletin is probably the best paid for, but I
> keep looking at SMF.  I know that Gerry runs SMF
> over at SciFilm.org and that message board has
> matured a lot.  The newest release even has
> converters for Phorum, so all the old posts could
> be carried over.

I think you are going to get a log of 'if it ain't broke' or 'I like this forum' responses.  For my $0.02, I vote for whatever YOU find easiest to maintain.

I'm not familiar with VBulletin, but I host a SMF forum and mod on another.  It is pretty easy to admin.  Would you divide the board up into different sub-forums like most 'modern' message boards, or keep it consolidated as one monolithic discussion area?

One nice thing about SMF (and I would guess the others as well) is that you can assign user groups and make different boards visible only to certain groups/users, etc.  This is handy for having a Mod-only area, a Member-only area and Public Area.  SMF allows moving threads or merging theads pretty easily, so your mods can keep info where it is supposed to be.

SMF does offer "post counts" and "Karma" (though I don't think you HAVE to use either).  Like this current board, there are Private Message features. There are also polls and other niceties.  I've only got experience with SMF and phpBB2, and I like SMF MUCH, MUCH, MUCH better.

If anyone would like to take a look at another SMF board to see it in action:  SailFar - Small Boats, Long Distances  Actually, there are a BUNCH of SMF boards on the 'Net, and it is very well supported.

>
> What has been eating some of my time lately is
> doing coding for Phorum to get all the tweaks
> right and make it more user friendly.  Honestly, I
> would rather be writing reviews.  

See my above comment about supporting any move that lowers your effort in maintaining this GREAT site.

> The newest release of SMF also supports letting
> guests submit replies if they solve a CAPTCHA (the
> "what does this say" or "solve a math problem"
> question).

FYI, here's an article you might want to read:  SANS Internet Storm Center - Reducing Forum Spam without Captchas that was just out this week.  There might be some ideas in there worth trying.

[Andrew]

ulthar Wrote:

> I'm not familiar with VBulletin, but I host a SMF
> forum and mod on another.  It is pretty easy to
> admin.  Would you divide the board up into
> different sub-forums like most 'modern' message
> boards, or keep it consolidated as one monolithic
> discussion area?

I think that many boards try to break things up too much.  However, I think that a few different sections could be a good idea.  I am brainstorming those:

General Discussion
Movie Reviews (by readers)
Press Releases (one thing I feel bad about not doing is supporting the makers and distributors better)
Reader Comments on Movies (I would like to change the system for user comments.  Just roll it all into the board)

Those are all that jump to mind.  I do not want to cut it into too many small pieces.

> SMF does offer "post counts" and "Karma" (though I
> don't think you HAVE to use either).  

From what I can tell, you can turn them off.  I probably would do so.
 
> FYI, here's an article you might want to read:
> SANS Internet Storm Center - Reducing Forum Spam
> without Captchas that was just out this week.
> There might be some ideas in there worth trying.

I saw those too, think it was via Slashdot.  Some good ideas there.  Actually, the current comments system does great at avoiding spam, just because of that crazy little "ILIKEJELLY" requirement I put in.

[trekgeezer]

I'm with Ulthar, whatever makes it easier on you. I too would prefer to have you writing those great and witty reviews than constantly having to tinker with the message board.

[raj]

Count my vote for "whatever is easier for you, Andrew."
I'm fine with the current system, but would rather have more reviews.  And it might be easier to have sections, such as press releases.

[Flangepart]

Dittos!
As long as the sign in don't overtax my itty bitty brain, i'm all for it.
Mind you, it don't take a lot to OW MY BRAIN HURRRTS!...[/color]

[Yaddo 42]

I'm not tech savy enough to comment on lots of this but from a general use standpoint, count me as another "whatever makes things easier for you" vote. I enjoy these boards enough to hopefully not take them (or you) for granted.

Since the site is your labor of love, seems like whatever reduces your labor time and effort, and lets you enjoys your site and forums more should be what counts.