Opinion on new forum software for this newsgroup

[David H.]

ShopSite is considering going to a web-based forum using software such as
Invision Power Board, vBulletin, or phpBB.

Two questions for current newsgroup members:

1) Would you prefer a switch from the newsgroup format to a web-based
format?
2) If yes, do you have any suggestions on the software program ShopSite
should use?

Thanks,
David H.

[Rodney]

I like the newsgroups, but it would be nice if they were available on the
web as forums.

I personally prefer vbulletin for professional type forums. They have great
staffed support and good community based support.

I think having support areas in forum format would help make past questions
and answers easily searchable (and maybe cut down slightly on repeat
questions).

There is also a plugin available at vbulletin.org that will import the
messages from the nntp newsgroup into the vbulletin powered forums (and
allow posting and replies between the two pretty easily). That way both
could ways of posting could still be available.

Just my 2 cents

--
Rodney


"David H." <DavidAlanHills@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:e9rf1a$rdd$1@eval.shopsite.com...

ShopSite is considering going to a web-based forum using software such as
Invision Power Board, vBulletin, or phpBB.

Two questions for current newsgroup members:

1) Would you prefer a switch from the newsgroup format to a web-based
format?
2) If yes, do you have any suggestions on the software program ShopSite
should use?

Thanks,
David H.

[Randall]

I'm a newbie to this SS, and not all that used to newsgroups, but I
generally prefer a forum because it avoids the chronological
orientation and in case of heavy volume, it would allow you to create
topical sections.

(For example, "Questions Newbies Will Someday Feel Embarrassed By"
.

FWIW, I've been pleased when using PHPBB at a couple of vendors.

[Larry Bohen]

I prefer Web based forums because discussions can be setup into various
subjects and I can optin to receive email notices of new posts and/or
replies to posts (threads).

--
Larry Bohen
www.audiobooksonline.com
"Randall" <shopsitegrp01@rensch.com> wrote in message
news:e9s3lg$4fo$1@eval.shopsite.com...

I'm a newbie to this SS, and not all that used to newsgroups, but I
generally prefer a forum because it avoids the chronological orientation
and in case of heavy volume, it would allow you to create topical
sections.

(For example, "Questions Newbies Will Someday Feel Embarrassed By" .

FWIW, I've been pleased when using PHPBB at a couple of vendors.

[Randall]

Also, a forum can allow users to revise their post, in case of error,
long-windedness or ill-advised comments.

[David Gray]

Be sure to consider spamming in your decision. Both the vbulletin and phpbb
captchas have been defeated (see http://sam.zoy.org/pwntcha/) so if you are
not currently having a problem with spam on your newsgroup you might not
want to fix it!

--

David P. Gray
Gray Design Associates
"David H." <DavidAlanHills@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:e9rf1a$rdd$1@eval.shopsite.com...

ShopSite is considering going to a web-based forum using software such as
Invision Power Board, vBulletin, or phpBB.

[Rodney]

I haven't had a problem with spam with the vbulletin forum that I run.

I think it can be managed effectively with most forum software and a little
moderation.

"David Gray" <david@nospam.dgray.com> wrote in message
news:ea4s5t$8k6$1@eval.shopsite.com...

Be sure to consider spamming in your decision. Both the vbulletin and
phpbb
captchas have been defeated (see http://sam.zoy.org/pwntcha/) so if you
are
not currently having a problem with spam on your newsgroup you might not
want to fix it!

--

David P. Gray
Gray Design Associates
"David H." <DavidAlanHills@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:e9rf1a$rdd$1@eval.shopsite.com...
ShopSite is considering going to a web-based forum using software such as
Invision Power Board, vBulletin, or phpBB.