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graz
Chief SQLTeam Crack Dealer

4149 Posts

Posted - 2010-04-12 : 14:33:28
I've been mulling over all the requests for better software and I'm curious to see what's out there.

Are there forum packages that you've seen that you like?

- It can be paid or free
- Must use SQL Server
- Prefer ASP.NET but would consider PHP

Are there specific features you want that haven't been covered in the recent threads? Or if you want to reiterate those here feel free.

=================================================
Creating tomorrow's legacy systems today. One crisis at a time.

tkizer
Almighty SQL Goddess

38200 Posts

Posted - 2010-04-12 : 17:42:35
I like vBulletin although I'm not sure if SQL Server is supported or not.

Tara Kizer
Microsoft MVP for Windows Server System - SQL Server
http://weblogs.sqlteam.com/tarad/

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Kristen
Test

22859 Posts

Posted - 2010-04-13 : 09:04:23
Amongst the other forums that I use vBulletin seems to be the most common, with SMF second. OF the two I think vBulletin has more features (not all are desirable!)

I came across a WordPress offering the other day http://bbpress.org/forums/ haven't looked at it in detail as yet, but at first glance it had quite a "fresh" look, whilst still being "familiar"; haven't looked back to see when it started life (but I had got back at least as far as 2008 in their Blog) but the first "stable" release of version 1.0 was July 2009 - so I reckon its quite young and may thus be being actively developed.

Don't think there is much / anything that uses SQL Server. There is a comparison of features here: http://www.forummatrix.org/ (although it doesn't include Snitz, so may not be "ultimate" in its scope)

There is also a comparison tool here: http://www.cmsmatch.com/compare/discussion-boards/493+1450+455+500 which seems to know about far more "brands". Their "Search Tool" (LINK) lists Discussion Boards by "score" which may be useful in identifying popular favourites

For ASP/.NET en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_Internet_forum_software_(ASP) has a section, right at the bottom, on what type of database is supported; all bar-one support MSSQL, but I haven't heard of any of them other than Snitz

Of the PHP Forums software on Wikipedia (LINK) only two support MSSQL (Invision Power Board and phpBB3). Several support PostgreSQL (in case that is a viable contender )

And of things that are neither ASP/.NET / PHP (LINK) there are 6 that support MSSQL - but I've never heard of any of them.

Summary: perhaps phpBB is the best contender as being full-featured and supporting MSSQL?
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tkizer
Almighty SQL Goddess

38200 Posts

Posted - 2010-04-13 : 14:39:31
I hate phpBB. When one of the forum sites that I visit regularly switched from vBulletin to phpBB, I stopped visiting it. Perhaps it's just how it is implemented though on that site.

Tara Kizer
Microsoft MVP for Windows Server System - SQL Server
http://weblogs.sqlteam.com/tarad/

Subscribe to my blog
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tkizer
Almighty SQL Goddess

38200 Posts

Posted - 2010-04-13 : 14:40:21
If we do switch forum software, what will happen to all of the old posts? Will they just be archived or will they get moved into the new forum software's database?

Tara Kizer
Microsoft MVP for Windows Server System - SQL Server
http://weblogs.sqlteam.com/tarad/

Subscribe to my blog
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Kristen
Test

22859 Posts

Posted - 2010-04-13 : 15:46:51
quote:
Originally posted by tkizer

I hate phpBB


I'm not sure I've used phpBB of late. Very useful feedback Tara. I expect that there is a lot in your comment "Perhaps it's just how it is implemented though on that site" as I can well imagine that switching to any different brand of forum software brings Gotchas and unexpected issues - in particular not realising that a new feature should be enabled / disabled / "styled" until users start moaning ... but we'd be hung out to dry if that happened on any of our (collective) in-house projects, so with our combined skills it should be possible to dry-run anything new to aim to get a 99%-ish rate of pre-empting issues and circumventing them.
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Kristen
Test

22859 Posts

Posted - 2010-04-13 : 15:53:51
quote:
Originally posted by tkizer

If we do switch forum software, what will happen to all of the old posts? Will they just be archived or will they get moved into the new forum software's database?



My $0.02:

IMHO all existing URLs should continue to work "as-is" (or redirect with "301 -Permanently moved" code) so that there is no loss of Google ranking as part of the move. That almost "demands" that the existing posts are migrated into the new system - although "archiving" would be an option - so one migration path might be to: leave SNITZ in place for a while, allow existing users to continue to post on active/existing threads, but not allow users to create any new threads, copy all users' Logins to new system, all new posts have to be in the new system; on-balance I reckon that will prove to be "messy"

I'm just thinking-out-loud, I don't have strong views, but I'm very happy to help with any such migration where I can and where, at my age!!, I am considered to be of some use ...
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graz
Chief SQLTeam Crack Dealer

4149 Posts

Posted - 2010-04-14 : 00:23:39
quote:
Originally posted by tkizer

If we do switch forum software, what will happen to all of the old posts? Will they just be archived or will they get moved into the new forum software's database?



My goal is to find a SQL Server based forum. That will allow me to migrate all the posts.

I know there is an ASP.NET version of Snitz. I'm not sure what shape it's in though.

=================================================
Creating tomorrow's legacy systems today. One crisis at a time.
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Kristen
Test

22859 Posts

Posted - 2010-04-14 : 02:59:51
As a straw poll:

What web building skills have we jointly got? Not sure if you guys and girls are actively involved in building web sites, or just the SQL side - or maybe building Windows APPs or somesuch?

I have skills in web site building - our e-commerce product is used by companies taking up to 3,000 orders a day, so optimal web performance, search engine ranking, keeping search engine ranking when changing URL structure, and so on are things our clients expect us to be skilled in.

But hopefully I'm not the only one in the web-end of the market?
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