Think I'm going to give XF a go!

Razasharp

Well-known member
On one of my boards with over 2m posts. It's in dire need of an update (still on vB3) so think I will give XF a shot - if it goes horribly wrong and my members hate it, we'll move to vB4 (or 5 if it's out by then).

If anyone has any tips or advice (must have mods?) please feel free to share :) and I will apologise in advance for all the questions I am probably going to ask!
 
wich mods are running on your vb forum?
if there are no special ones, the switch will be easy and your user will love it.
I have to disagree.
You can't assume what your members will love.
I guess it depends where you are coming from and what mods they are used to.
I've shown demos to my members and they kinda shrug their shoulders and not interested in changing. That was with two different vB forums. One vB3 and the other vB4.
I respect their decision more than mine.
 
I have to disagree.
You can't assume what your members will love.
I guess it depends where you are coming from and what mods they are used to.
I've shown demos to my members and they kinda shrug their shoulders and not interested in changing. That was with two different vB forums. One vB3 and the other vB4.
I respect their decision more than mine.

Given the option some of my members would still be happy on a phpbb2 board.
 
Given the option some of my members would still be happy on a phpbb2 board.
It´s human nature, we are biased towards what we know and are used to, if it works we do not want to change.
I am also annoyed everytime the newspapers I read change format, whether it is printed or online versions. But after a while, I am used to it and is glad that the decision was made and the papers decided to move on anyway.
The same with forums, sometimes admin must make the tough decision and say, now we move on to what is future platform and design.
 
I think I know what my members will miss the most - reputation comments - they love them. So I might have to buy that expanded like system to make up for it, or create my own.

I think I know what they will like too - alerts for quotes, and I think there's a plug-in for @mentions? That will definitely help. Also new posts link - as it doesn't always work on my current board.
 
It´s human nature, we are biased towards what we know and are used to, if it works we do not want to change.
I am also annoyed everytime the newspapers I read change format, whether it is printed or online versions. But after a while, I am used to it and is glad that the decision was made and the papers decided to move on anyway.
The same with forums, sometimes admin must make the tough decision and say, now we move on to what is future platform and design.

Which is why the choice on software and upgrades will always be up to me and not them.

However.

Their feedback and comments on getting the new system ready is taken very seriously.
 
You said vBulletin 3 ... Did you by chance have the blogs too?

(YES, some of us did have blogs with vb 3)

If so, I would point you to this
http://xenforo.com/community/resources/xi-blog.713/

If you plan on doing any skin customization (template edits)
http://xenforo.com/community/resources/template-modification-system-tms.293/

And just so you're good with security
http://xenforo.com/community/resources/secure-admincp.415/

To help with spam I would suggest this
http://xenforo.com/community/resources/8wayrun-com-xenutiles-tools.104/
http://xenforo.com/community/resources/sonnb-stop-spam-here.845/

If you use notifications (notices) ... This one is better than the built in default (uses less resources too)
http://xenforo.com/community/resources/notifications-powered-by-gritter.870/

And finally, I don't know what type of Admin you are, but if you do check PM's for spam or at least confirm what others tell you (as I do)
http://xenforo.com/community/resources/tlk-readpc.108/


Edit: fixed link to security guide / mod
 
You said vBulletin 3 ... Did you by chance have the blogs too?

(YES, some of us did have blogs with vb 3)

If so, I would point you to this
http://xenforo.com/community/resources/xi-blog.713/

If you plan on doing any skin customization (template edits)
http://xenforo.com/community/resources/template-modification-system-tms.293/

And just so you're good with security
http://xenforo.com/community/resources/secure-admincp.415/

To help with spam I would suggest this
http://xenforo.com/community/resources/8wayrun-com-xenutiles-tools.104/
http://xenforo.com/community/resources/sonnb-stop-spam-here.845/

If you use notifications (notices) ... This one is better than the built in default (uses less resources too)
http://xenforo.com/community/resources/notifications-powered-by-gritter.870/

And finally, I don't know what type of Admin you are, but if you do check PM's for spam or at least confirm what others tell you (as I do)
http://xenforo.com/community/resources/tlk-readpc.108/


Edit: fixed link to security guide / mod

Thanks Adam - some great resources there!

I generally keep mods to a minimum but there are definitely some I've seen that I like :-) that template edits one looks interesting.

We do have blogs btw, but they are just forum sections with a custom design - and we generally use them to move a specific type of thread (threads where the poster does not want a 'discussion' and would like to control/delete replies if they don't like them).
 
I converted from vB3 just less than a month ago. At first it was pretty chaotic as the old timers got used to the new interface. Now, all my stats are up including forum activity, new posts, new registrations and advert revenue.

vB3 finally reached end of life for me when we upgraded MySQL and PHP on my server and vB3 kinda fell apart. It's no longer secure so certain changes had to be made. In hindsight, vB was flat, XF is dynamic and multi-dimensional.
 
Well... the trial import is done, and it looks like it's done a good job - impressed! Will have a play with it over the next few weeks to see what to do with it. Maybe by then a new version will be out (likely?). Thanks to everyone for replying.
 
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