Honest opinion needed: IPB vs XenForo.

[Digital Doctor]

Looks like IPB is going for a responsive design, cool.

Before we get too far, let me just state now that there is no expected (or even estimated) release date for 4.0 yet.
/yawn.

I've had some recent experiences with IPB in the last 6 months. The site is slow and unreliable. It might just be this site ... but the site has major money to throw at it and adding new and more expensive servers isn't helping. The alerts are a bad copy of Xenforo.

 

[rollthebones]

Before we get too far, let me just state now that there is no expected (or even estimated) release date for 4.0 yet.
/yawn.

Nor is there one for XenForo 2.0. When plans for it are released, we can discuss them too.

I've had some recent experiences with IPB in the last 6 months. The site is slow and unreliable. It might just be this site ... but the site has major money to throw at it and adding new and more expensive servers isn't helping. The alerts are a bad copy of Xenforo.

The alerts are a bad copy of Xenforo.

IPB had alerts before XenForo was even announced. Source. In all fairness, both software products probably took them from Facebook.

 

[Carlos]

In my short time with IPB/IPS, I have never been interested then, and I certainly am not interested now. If 4.0 ends up being better than 3.3 or whatever abomination they have now... I'll take a look. Other than that, GO XENFORO!

 

[rollthebones]

In my short time with IPB/IPS, I have never been interested then, and I certainly am not interested now. If 4.0 ends up being better than 3.3 or whatever abomination they have now... I'll take a look. Other than that, GO XENFORO!

How exactly is it an abomination?

 

[Carlos]

How exactly is it an abomination?

I'm getting a vB4 vibe from using a IPB3 site as admin - Both from a user side, and from an admin side.

Loading a page was a pain in the @$$ so much, I decided not to buy the product.

Oh, and it doesn't help matters either that, to me, IPB looks like a looney toon designed it.

 

[rollthebones]

I'm getting a vB4 vibe from using a IPB3 site as admin - Both from a user side, and from an admin side.

Loading a page was a pain in the @$$ so much, I decided not to buy the product.

Oh, and it doesn't help matters either that, to me, IPB looks like a looney toon designed it.

Design is subjective I guess, never had a problem with loading speeds or UX. Hopefully you like 4.0 better, it looks like they're really trying to modernise with it.

 

[AWS]

I'm getting a vB4 vibe from using a IPB3 site as admin - Both from a user side, and from an admin side.

Loading a page was a pain in the @$$ so much, I decided not to buy the product.

Oh, and it doesn't help matters either that, to me, IPB looks like a looney toon designed it.

You've obviously never see the admin panel in IPB. It is not even close to being like vbulletin.

I am sure with all your vast knowledge of building 10 user, 300 post forums that you speak from experience and know for fact that IPB is terrible. Jesus, I can stand bashing of a product from people that run active communities and actually know what they are talking about. It bugs me to no end when wannabee admins that think they know it all do it.

 

[whitetigergrowl]

XenForo hands down, without question or reserve.

Friendlier
Faster
Securer
Uses fewer resources (IPB uses more resources than even vBulletin 4)
Easier to customize
Better SEO rating (IPB ranks lower than than even phpBB, vBulletin 4 or 5)

Let's step back and look at this for a moment going by what you stated.

Xenforo is:

Faster and Uses Fewer Resources. Yes. But then again it's a basic forum that relies on numerous add-ons for functionality that is now basic in VB and IPB. Since the forum has (in some cases considerably less) features, of course it's going to run faster and use fewer resources. By default it's a pretty basic forum software. So it's not bogged down by all the extra features people want or need. But if the lawsuit doesnt kill Xenforo as we know it, and the forum at some point actually starts to come out with updates and additions to the software, expect those resources and speed to start to slowly notch down. It's the nature of the beast.

Securer. What do you have that backs up that statement. Xenforo, while now used by some of the larger websites, is still a small player in the big game. It's extremely unlikely the sales numbers and user base rival anything IPB or VB, let alone PHPBB has. It's a fallacy to believe Xenforo is really somehow more secure than the others. It might be somewhat secure. It might be decently secure. But extremely unlikely it's somehow more secure than it's bigger competitors forum software. Then again, it's also got amongst the least of features. And adding add-ons can actually open exploits regardless of software.

Easier to Customize. That's a matter of opinion. I have zero problems easily customizing an IPB or VB forum. I'm sure others have zero to few problems as well.

Friendlier. Again, a matter of opinion. We'll see just how friendly it stays should more and more stuff eventually get added. Remember, IPB and VB all started out fairly basic like Xenforo as well. Its hard to make money standing still. Xenforo, in time, should it continue, will get more and more heavy with things as well.

Better SEO. I've seem lot's of debate on that. I also would like to see how you feel it's better that can't be done through .htaccess or other means as well. And if it even matters. I see some say it's about content and that SEO really isn't as good as some claim. I dunno. But whatever the case, I can't say it's better.
--------------------------------------------------

I personally think the comparison is very important, as IPS is the only other commercial board software with a legitimate future. While I'm still working through the old XF vs. IPB thread, I did find this very interesting topic: currently open IPB bugs, as of 3.3.4:

http://community.invisionpower.com/resources/bugs.html/_/ip-board/?sort_col=record_updated&sort_order=desc&per_page=25&filters[64][Confirmed - General]=1&filters[64][Confirmed - Skin Issue]=1&filters[64][Confirmed - Minimal Impact]=1&filters[64][Will Fix - IP.Suite 4.0]=1&filters[64][Confirmed - FAO Matt]=1

25 bugs per page, over 7 pages.

There are currently no bugs in XF that I'm aware of, aside from 4-5 minimal-impact issues (not even bugs), that a few people have reported.

Maybe I'm just stating the obvious, but Xenforo also hasn't had any new additions or progression in what, the past year to even give a reason for a ton of new bugs. Look at the number of updates and such IPB has done (and VB) in the time Xenforo has sat still on development. It's hard to get new bugs when, well, you're just sitting still and going nowhere.

If Kier was to release a decent sized update tomorrow there would likely be bugs. Then when an update is launched addressing those bugs there would likely be new bugs found in that. Just because you close one hole doesn't mean a new one won't open up in the process of plugging the one hole. Software is like a leaky dike. Put your finger in one hole, a new hole opens up. Problem is Xenforo hasn't gone anywhere in quite some time to warrant a bunch of new bugs from showing up. I could have also sworn there were still bugs in the tracker last I looked. Could be wrong though.

Right now it's like comparing that car that just rolled off the salesroom floor and out in the street and is just sitting there. Versus the car next to it that's already went cross country and back and has gotten tune ups and some extra stuff added along the way to continue to add value. While the showroom car is just sitting there looking pretty. Really hard to compare the 2.

Long story short a person has to go with what works best for them and not just because of what works for someone else.

Both IPB and Xenforo are good software. With Xenforo you can add a ton of hooks and add-ons to get the equivalent of an IPB or VB in terms of features. Or you can stay basic and simple. Go what with what works best for you.

 

[psTubble27]

Xenforo also hasn't had any new additions or progression in what, the past year to even give a reason for a ton of new bugs. Look at the number of updates and such IPB has done (and VB)

Given that colossal 10million-post XF forums are running without a hitch or need for new updates, while pervasive VB's 'updates' have now completely killed their software, I don't think that is a comparison you should be making.

VB5 is now version 28 Beta. That sure is a lot of updates, which means that it's become an amazingly high-quality software by this point, am I right?

Have you seen this? It looks like a zombie in a post-apocalyptic wasteland.
http://www.vbulletin.com/forum/

.

 

[Carlos]

You've obviously never see the admin panel in IPB. It is not even close to being like vbulletin.

I HAVE USED the admin panel. Yeah, it's different, but from where I sat, loading an ADMIN page was slow for me. My connection is cable, NO EXCUSE for it.

Here's a video I did a year or so ago...

To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

Accept third party cookies

I have no problem loading an xenForo page, but vB4's loading times were astromical, that it reduced my productivity...

And the worst part is, the IPB site I tried as admin/user was a pretty small website. Another well known member offered me an administrator position with an Xbox website, and I took the opportunity to learn a little bit more about IPB. But my experience with it left a bad taste in my mouth. It just reminds me of vBulletin 4 because of how poorly loaded the pages were, TO ME.

I am sure with all your vast knowledge of building 10 user, 300 post forums that you speak from experience and know for fact that IPB is terrible. Jesus, I can stand bashing of a product from people that run active communities and actually know what they are talking about. It bugs me to no end when wannabee admins that think they know it all do it.

I'm a wannabe admin? You're mocking me? You come out here and you sit there and say I only have 10 users, and 300 posts forums....

Let me school you:

CODForums is a 2,866 Threads, 7,388 Posts, 3,489 Members forum.
(Technically, there are 4,700+ members, but xenForo depreciates banned members.)
EverythingHalo is a 5,214 Threads, 52,548 Posts, and 4,461 Members forum.

Granted, they're small compared to DigitalPoint... And granted, I only own one of those sites, and co-administrate the other.

In the words of The Rock: "Know your role, and SHUT your mouth!"

To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

Accept third party cookies

I have been administrating a lot of forums over the last 10 years, I've seen almost everything. So don't you dare, undermine my vast knowledge. I share my knowledge from MY experiences. Not yours, not his, not hers, and definitely not another person.

I started as a moderator for an iKonBoard, and worked my way up the totem pole over the years. Each time, I've experienced something new. Burning Board 2, vBulletin 2, PHPBB2, vBulletin 3, PHPBB3, vBulletin 4, IPB3.

Oh, and my network has gathered over 200,000 visitors worldwide combined. One website went as far as eating up 60% of that number with over 150,000 visits, and uniques.

That's not even all, more people know who I am than that 200,000 visitor number. Not even 200,000 people. Go higher, and you'll know just how well known I am.

In conclusion; I bid you a good day, sir.

 

[Ditto]

Oh, and my network has gathered over 200,000 visitors worldwide combined. One website went as far as eating up 60% of that number with over 150,000 visits, and uniques.

You're obsessed with how many visits your forums get. What matters is how many are using it, not visiting for 2-5 minutes and then leaving. Are you including social networking hits your sites get from facebook and twitter, most hits will be robots.

COD Forums (members: 2, guests: 26)
MVC3 Forums (members: 0, guests: 6)
MeatalGearFans (members: 0, guests: 8)
EverythingHalo (members: 0, guests: 5)

You have two members online out your 4 forums, one of them might be you currently online their. I don't need spell out that is very poor statics for 4 forums combined. Your forums are not "small" compared to Digital Point, they are at microscopic level.

Digtal Point (members: 155, guests: 1,780)

 

[Carlos]

You're obsessed with how many visits your forums get. What matters is how many are using it, not visiting for 2-5 minutes and then leaving. Are you including social networking hits your sites get from facebook and twitter, most hits will be robots.

COD Forums (members: 2, guests: 26)
MVC3 Forums (members: 0, guests: 6)
MeatalGearFans (members: 0, guests: 8)
EverythingHalo (members: 0, guests: 5)

You have two members online out your 4 forums, one of them might be you currently online their. I don't nee spell out that is very poor statics for 4 forums combined. Your forums are not "small" compared to Digital Point, they are microscopic.

Oh, now you want to jump into the conversation and side with him. And you want to twist my mouth?

Here's CODForums' progress from start to now. It's an ongoing project that's currently dropping because Black Ops 2 is slowly declining...

http://xenforo.com/community/threads/codforums-experiencing-growth.19188/

......But Modern Warfare 4 is rumored, as every year, there's a new Call of Duty title. It used to average 30 to 40 to 50 users online every hour in december. So I dunno whatchoo talking about.

I don't expect a whole lot from MetalGearFans right now, as Metal Gear Rising was a failure, I was away on a trip. I hold optimism it will grow in it's own time. EverythingHalo was an old site that is in desperate need of a revival, which I am hard at work on. Halo 4 launch was a failure for us. MVC3Forum is doing pretty fine for a niche forum, actually. It's still getting some visits here and there, and it's consistent. I don't expect much growth any time soon, as Marvel Vs Capcom 3's community has died off. It was, however, a popular MVC3 site, gathering 21,000 visitors worldwide by the time 2013 started.

Keep talking. Keep talking $#!^. I have people like you all the time. They all got proven wrong.

Keep the hate, man. Keep it, it's people like you that motivate me to succeed even more. I have more projects in the pipeline and by 2 years from now. You won't talk $#!^ anymore. Same goes for you, AWS.

Keep going.

To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

Accept third party cookies

(Crank the volume up.)

 

[Ditto]

Keep talking. Keep talking $#!^. I have people like you all the time. They all got proven wrong.

Don't see how I'm being proved wrong at all, your forums online stats speak for itself. I judge a forums success by how many users are online "using it", how often new posts gets made from them e.t.c. Hit statistics means very little, not if nobody is hardly ever online their posting out. Unless, you're showing ads and just want high traffic to get clicks on them, it more about that side of things (making money).

 

[Carlos]

Don't see how I'm being proved wrong at all, your forums online stats speak for itself. I judge a forums success by how many users are online "using it", how often new posts gets made from them e.t.c. Hit statistics means very little, not if nobody is hardly ever online their posting out. Unless, you're showing ads and just want high traffic to get clicks on them, it more about that side of things (making money).

Keep going. Keep going. You will shut up in 2 years' time, maybe even less.

Keep going....

What you did was pissed me off enough to bring back that spark to succeed even more.

Kids like you are so judgemental, that you just assumed that I do this for hits, clicks, traffic, and money.

You want to hurt me by saying "hits mean little," and my sites are "microscopic" compared to DigitalPoint. Try it more, lets see just how pissed off I can be.

 

[AdamD]

Been trying to use IPB on a converted staff forum in the last few days, it's not "bad", but I do prefer XF over IPB still.

 

[Digital Doctor]

IPB's own site is pretty fast.

 

[AWS]

I HAVE USED the admin panel. Yeah, it's different, but from where I sat, loading an ADMIN page was slow for me. My connection is cable.....Snip a bunch of nonsense

Vast knowledge? Haaaa! I give you one thing at least you try and are passionate.

 

[whitetigergrowl]

Given that colossal 10million-post XF forums are running without a hitch or need for new updates, while pervasive VB's 'updates' have now completely killed their software, I don't think that is a comparison you should be making.

VB5 is now version 28 Beta. That sure is a lot of updates, which means that it's become an amazingly high-quality software by this point, am I right?

Have you seen this? It looks like a zombie in a post-apocalyptic wasteland.
http://www.vbulletin.com/forum/

.

Again, Xenforo is sitting still. It hasn't had any major revisions, updates, feature additions, etc. in quite some time to warrant any new bugs. Both IPB and VB are in forward movement status, Xenforo is sitting still.

Many times those bugs as I have stated come about when you fix one thing and it inadvertently opens up another bug elsewhere. I mentioned both IPB and VB and you singled out VB. Problem is, Xenforo development appears to have ceased. So what you get is what you get. Bugs, no bugs, or whatever.

The Xenforo software is pretty basic and simple because it just barely got past Version 1. To get remotely close to what IPB or VB has for features with Xenforo you would need to add numerous add-ons. Add-ons that CAN open up security holes and exploits in the software itself. Let alone bog down the software and server resources in time.

You diss on VB 5. And yes, you have reason to. BUT it also has a much larger user base. A more vocal one. And one more prone to noticing every little bug and hiccup it does. And a much larger code base that can create new bugs when 1 bug gets fixed. It's the nature of the beast. Creating forum software or software of any kind is not a perfect science.

Which is more road tested. The car that drove off the showroom floor to the end of the parking lot and stopped. Or the one that keeps getting upgraded and driven much farther distances more often.

IOS has bugs. They come out with an update to fix those bugs and new bugs get found with the new update. Same with Windows. Same with video games. Same with other forms of software. But all of them are progressing forward. Xenforo has done zero in terms of development to warrant any new bugs. So your argument is empty. Now if they ever come out with new updates and revisions and improvements and it's still bug free after each one or has very very few bugs, you may be right. Problem is, that isn't happening. And likely won't for quite some time. So keep pawning over the showroom car sitting on the parking lot.
_______________________

Some also complain about speed issues. Xenforo is a vanilla forum in terms of features and capabilities compared to forums like IPB and VB. Less features tends to equal less server strain and less load times. I believe some of it is also server deployment and how its optimized as well as user connection.

For example I've used IPB for quite some time. On shared hosting it can run slower. But on Dedicated or Semi-dedicated servers I have had zero problems with speed. I also go through and optimize things. For every one person that makes a video about how slow something is, another can make one about how much faster it is than those people try to show. But in their mind they are right regardless of any evidence to the contrary because of their experience.

 

[psTubble27]

Again, Xenforo is sitting still. It hasn't had any major revisions, updates, feature additions, etc. in quite some time to warrant any new bugs. Both IPB and VB are in forward movement status, Xenforo is sitting still.

VB is moving forward in such a way that they're about to destroy themselves. "Another such victory and we have lost!" and all that.

Meanwhile XF is standing still in such a way that nothing major is really lacking. Sure we all like new things and shiny new updates to play with, but if we're talking in terms of functionality, XF can never even have another update and be good as forum software for the next 5-6 years. Again those 10-mil forums are running out there and not a single one is complaining. We've just heard of two-three more 10+mil forums moving to XF in the last month alone.

 

[AdamD]

Xenforo is vanilla? Compared to VB5 it's freaking feature rich