Forum Software

Discussion in 'Managing Your Online Community' started by dilbert, Jun 13, 2013.

  1. dilbert

    dilbert Regular Member

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    Hi,

    Great site, first post.

    I am looking for suggestions on forum software. Our department runs a very small forum for staff to post comments / questions about procedures. We are currently using Simple Machines which runs on php and MySQL.

    We need to upgrade our server and our IS department will not support this configuration. They will let me install php and MySQL on the server, but they would prefer I don't.

    Could you recommend a forum that runs on a Windows 2008 R2 server with MSSQL 2008 and .net? I found YetAnotherForum.NET, any comments on this?

    Thank you.
     
  2. bauss

    bauss Regular Member

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    If you want another free forum software then check out MyBB. It's my favorite among the free forum softwares available, and a great choice. However, I'm not sure if it runs on a Windows 2008 server. You'll have to research that.
     
    ragtek likes this.
  3. ENF

    ENF Regular Member

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    We operate Windows 2008 R2 servers and are using MySQL DB (and PHP too for that matter) on them perfectly fine, without issues. Whoever your server operators are, they seem to not be clued in about anything about outside their Microsoft cloud. What's their reasoning for avoiding a PHP/MySQL stack?

    Now that I got that out of the way...

    Most of the mainstream forums that are discussed around here are MySQL/PHP based. There are ASP/.NET forums running around that operate on MSSQL, but I don't remember which ones are free.
     
  4. s.molinari

    s.molinari Regular Member

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    Is this another case of, "if it doesn't cost a fortune, it must suck" kind of attitude? :) hehehe.....Just kidding. But I know that attitude does exist with larger companies. (I work at one).

    As for MS Sql forum software. I knew of Snitz Forum.

    http://forum.snitz.com/

    It seems it isn't actively developed anymore. Probably because not many people can afford MS Sql and a freeware forum software wouldn't fly often with companies either...hehehe..... for the reason mentioned above.

    There is also Fusetalk.

    http://www.fusetalk.com/Default.aspx?tabid=66

    It supports MS Sql and is nice and expensive too.;)

    And PHPBB support MS Sql too. But it is free, so less chance selling the boss it is good for the company.;)

    https://www.phpbb.com/about/features/?from=submenu&sid=99825e7fc749affcacdc9a2a6d068b2e#sqlserver

    Scott
     
  5. ENF

    ENF Regular Member

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  6. SimplySidy

    SimplySidy Website Consultant, Developer and Strategist

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    Though I havent found any forum built upon YetAnotherForum, but I guess, that is the safest you can have to run on Windows platform. The reason is that it uses ASPx which is native to Windows and also it should be secure. Yes, though it is a little highly priced, still, there seems to be a free version of it. You can download the free one and give it a test as you already have a team for that.

    Also, you should consider installing PHP and MySQL on windows servers as once you get this done, the options of forum applications would increase manifold and you would have many choices... maybe you can also try out the Xenforo which seems to have become my favorite.
     
  7. dilbert

    dilbert Regular Member

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    Thanks all.
    The problem for me is I am a blood banker who also runs our departments website. I am not a web / server person at all.

    Our IS will provide support if I run into trouble with IIS, Windows or MSSQL. They will allow me to install php and will even help configure FastCGI and will allow me to install MySQL - but if I ever have any issues with it, they will not provide any support. The server also has Coldfusion installed and twice I've had CF issues where I needed to hire someone from the outside to help with those issues.

    They agree they have staff who are knowledgeable with these tools, but this is a gigantic organization and they are real sticklers for not bending rules.

    I am currently running Simple Machines and it's going fine, I wanted to see if there are free alternatives that would run on .net and MSSQL. I might be stuck with php / MySQL because I remembered we also use Coppermine Photo Gallery for a label directory.
     
  8. DaringHost

    DaringHost Regular Member

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    Another vote for MyBB. I've used it in the past and found it to be one of the most simplest software I've used which maybe what you want since you said you're not a web/server person.
     
  9. Uzi

    Uzi Regular Member

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    I vote for myBB too, when I created my first forum it was myBB and I've never looked back... the only software out there that I think is almost as good as myBB is IPB (Invision Powers Board) MyBB is just the most amazing experience to work with once you mess around with all the options and figure out all the abilities it has!
     

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