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With more and more forums sprouting up every day, forum softwares companies are making millions out of it, but the point is, do you really need a paid software for your new board? vB costs $130 and IPB is no less, but are they worth the spend for a new forum which is not guaranteed to be successful? So the main idea is to start off with a paid forum software such as SMP or phpBB and if your forum grows big, convert it into a paid one!
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Re: Forum for starters
Converting PhpBB into vB might be a lot of work and can also cause database to damage while transfering. I think getting vB or IPB is not a problem unless you are sure that you'll make it big. -
Re: Forum for starters
A new forum should start on phpBB or other free options. I have seen some many forums fail, that it would be a real pitty spending money while learning to be an admin.
A lot of people think that having a popular forum can be obtained just by having the script installed (and some buy VB or IPB thinking it will make their forum succeed more). Well, the script is nothing. it's the start: you have to mod the theme (how many forums do have a unique look? too few, unfortunatelly), install new mods (even on VB or IPB there are some new mods with more features), post like crazy, promote, getting the first community problems and a lot of sleepless nights.
I have 8 forums right now (or 7) and I have spent thousands of hours managing them. Sleepless nights and almost no personal life. I absolutely love this, otherwise I would have given up.
so .. I would advice all people to start low .. install a free script and LEARN how to use it. learn some HTML and CSS (you're dead without this), learn to edit your images and learn how to manage your community. When you feel like it has a chance, consider spending moneyComment
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