I'd suggest trying to get more traffic before making any big changes to the layout, especially ones that would cost money, but that's just my opinion..
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But you see - thats the problem. It's a catch-22.
I'd suggest trying to get more traffic before making any big changes to the layout, especially ones that would cost money, but that's just my opinion..
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Damn it I can't edit my post. You need to do something about that...
There's several major advantages of using IPB over vB, I will list a couple for you, but these are by no means them all:[/b]
- Optimization - IPB uses a different style of coding, it's much more efficient and puts your server under far less strain. There are jokes that vBulletin can be used as benchmarking software.
- Cleaner User Interface.
- Easier to use ACP. This has been true for a long time, but IPB 2.1 makes this even better.
- IPB has a powerful and expansive components system that allows you to plug extra functionality into the system, such as their blog and gallery additions. Whilst vB has a similar system, it's badly implemented (in my opinion) and uses functions that serve only to increase the strain on your server.
- Innovation - New features in IPB keep on coming, these are innovative changes that nobody has done yet. IPB's Version 2.1 added a whole array of new features, which later appeared in vB 3.5. I don't know about you, but I want to be with the innovators, rather than playing catchup.
- Cost - Whilst IPB isn't cheap, it's far less expensive than vB in terms of initial and yearly outgoings.
hanging forum software is extremely noticeable, and will alienate many, many users who are so used to the current layout. I've used pretty much every forum software out there, and IPB is, hands down, the best out there.[/b]
We're running VB and have nearly 40,000 registered users on it. It just makes /sense/ to run it for a forum.
Also - you should have pushed them for a donated copy. They're generous guys.
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-No skins. I know, its small, but this ones fugly, and when people first come to the site, its what they see first.
-No noticable improvements over the last one. Remind me again why we just *had* to have this?
-I lost all my PMs. I guess i should back up all of my PMs whenever i get them, because that just doesnt carry over.
-Login is still screwy with me. I have to log in every time i want to post a reply to something.
-Tags disabled in signatures. I like my sig pics, thank you, and http://www.photobucket.com/ambulace/whatever.jpg just doesnt do my photoshopping justice.
-More and more glitches, like the magical April 14, 2015 date.
All in all, i think this is more pain then its worth. IMHO.