Curious
Member
I manage a large sports-related forum running VB 3.8.7. I've been doing this a long time. We were originally UBB and I remember how refreshing it was to go to VBulletin, using an actual database, some 10 years ago. I've been keeping an eye on Xenforo for awhile and I feel that switching here could have a similar positive impact. Two huge draws for me are the alerts system and the instant likes. I'm getting closer to pulling the trigger.
Just the same, it petrifies me because what we have now works, is stable and our core users are so used to it. However, I feel stuck on advancing the software.
I have a lot of questions, so I'll fire them off.
1. How does Xenforo do on speed and reliability for big boards?
I don't know how "big" we'd be considered, but we have about 6-7 million posts and 40K+ members. We get between 800-1000 concurrent users, with infrequent instances when traffic spikes to 3,000. We went through hell for years trying to get the optimization right to avoid major slowdown/shutdown during those spikes and it's running well now. Does either the XF core code or the "slickness" (JQuery, etc.) of Xenforo slow down the user experience on high traffic boards? This is the most critical question I have.
2. What important admin features from VB are missing in Xenforo?
I keep hearing from people that "Xenforo is great, but it's missing some admin features that VB has."
3. How is the search system for big boards?
I've heard I may need to run third party software for search.
4. How are higher quality threads recognized?
I never liked the "Thread Rating" in VB because a 5-star thread could have 1-2 votes or 12 votes and it would still show the same "5-star." First post likes is fine by me, but there's no visibility of it that I see on the threads list. I'd love to see a +4 or +21 next to the thread for how many first post likes it received. Easily changed in a style?
5. Is there a Xenforo style created out there that is a little more similar to VB?
I love Xenforo's default style, but it's a shocking change from what we have with VB. I'd like to convert and make it look more similar to what we have but "upgraded." Point being I'd like to lessen the shock a bit of the change to the long-time users.
6. Is there a way to "turn off" avatars?
We do not currently use avatars (mainly because I worry about server load), though I believe we will start using them if we go to XF. I'm just curious if initially there is a way to disable them.
7. Is it possible to get a demo of Xenforo for longer than 3 days?
The demo system here is great, but would love to have more time for it. I've got a small panel of core users I'd like to demo it to, but I also want to style some aspects of it before showing it to them. I made the mistake of doing that over a few days before I realized the demo was gone.
8. What are some big boards that have made the switch?
I spoke with the owner of Urban75, who was extremely helpful. I'd be curious to know of other big forums that have made the conversion.
I'm sure I'll have more questions, but those are some of the ones I have right now. Whether we convert or not, I just want to say you guys have done fantastic work with XF.
Thank you!
Just the same, it petrifies me because what we have now works, is stable and our core users are so used to it. However, I feel stuck on advancing the software.
I have a lot of questions, so I'll fire them off.
1. How does Xenforo do on speed and reliability for big boards?
I don't know how "big" we'd be considered, but we have about 6-7 million posts and 40K+ members. We get between 800-1000 concurrent users, with infrequent instances when traffic spikes to 3,000. We went through hell for years trying to get the optimization right to avoid major slowdown/shutdown during those spikes and it's running well now. Does either the XF core code or the "slickness" (JQuery, etc.) of Xenforo slow down the user experience on high traffic boards? This is the most critical question I have.
2. What important admin features from VB are missing in Xenforo?
I keep hearing from people that "Xenforo is great, but it's missing some admin features that VB has."
3. How is the search system for big boards?
I've heard I may need to run third party software for search.
4. How are higher quality threads recognized?
I never liked the "Thread Rating" in VB because a 5-star thread could have 1-2 votes or 12 votes and it would still show the same "5-star." First post likes is fine by me, but there's no visibility of it that I see on the threads list. I'd love to see a +4 or +21 next to the thread for how many first post likes it received. Easily changed in a style?
5. Is there a Xenforo style created out there that is a little more similar to VB?
I love Xenforo's default style, but it's a shocking change from what we have with VB. I'd like to convert and make it look more similar to what we have but "upgraded." Point being I'd like to lessen the shock a bit of the change to the long-time users.
6. Is there a way to "turn off" avatars?
We do not currently use avatars (mainly because I worry about server load), though I believe we will start using them if we go to XF. I'm just curious if initially there is a way to disable them.
7. Is it possible to get a demo of Xenforo for longer than 3 days?
The demo system here is great, but would love to have more time for it. I've got a small panel of core users I'd like to demo it to, but I also want to style some aspects of it before showing it to them. I made the mistake of doing that over a few days before I realized the demo was gone.
8. What are some big boards that have made the switch?
I spoke with the owner of Urban75, who was extremely helpful. I'd be curious to know of other big forums that have made the conversion.
I'm sure I'll have more questions, but those are some of the ones I have right now. Whether we convert or not, I just want to say you guys have done fantastic work with XF.
Thank you!
