Making a New forum Software

**Purple Rain** · Jan 20th, 2009, 7:05 am

Okay this may sound to some like I am trying to re-invent the wheel, but over the next year I am going to develop a new forum software. Something that combines the best bits from all the ones currently available. I hope it to be something along the lines of how vBulletin is, i.e. easy to use and lots of customizations and plugins, but what I want to know is:

Whats do you like about current forum software?

What would you like to see, that's not already implemented?

What could be improved in current forum software?

It will likely take me the best part of 2009 just to come up with a milestone version as I will be doing this in my spare time. But I want to bring vBulletin quality forum software to those who can only afford freeware. I would greatly value any opinions you may have.

**Zap** · Jan 20th, 2009, 7:10 am

First opinion...
Don't offer it for free. If you're going to create something that will give vBulletin a run for its money (maybe not at the very beginning), then charge for it. It doesn't have to be a big price tag at first, maybe $20 or $30. But if your product is that good, then word will spread and you'll get orders.
Then, later on, if you're successful, it's much easier to raise your price from $20 to $40 than it is to create a price for a product that used to be free. That will turn users off.

**Purple Rain** · Jan 20th, 2009, 7:18 am

You make a good point there zap. I mean at the moment the only alternative (Paid) to vBulletin is IPB and that is expensive and not very good in many peoples opinions. I take onboard what you have said.

**Zap** · Jan 20th, 2009, 8:07 am

I would think a good goal to shoot for within 2-3 years is to have a product that is far better (not just a bit better) than vBulletin at half the price of vBulletin. IMO, that's a big enough price difference to sway current vBulletin users to try your product.
One other thing off the top of my head...
If you're going after vBulletin users, then you'd better have conversion software available to convert current vB forums into your format, right from the start. And it needs to be super easy to use and understand and work flawlessly.
If you do that, then I think you have a good shot at taking some vB market share.

**JHalstead** · Jan 20th, 2009, 9:29 am

Firstly you have got to be commended for such an ambitious undertaking. Personally I'm not into forums but everyone knows vBulletin needs a better competitor. Perhaps in years to come you will be said company.

A little advice: know what you want to do in the beginning. Code for your plug-in architecture now, keeping your base as clean as possible. Other than that tidbit, good luck in this endeavor and keep us informed.

JH

**Purple Rain** · Jan 20th, 2009, 9:42 am

Originally Posted by JHalstead

Firstly you have got to be commended for such an ambitious undertaking. Personally I'm not into forums but everyone knows vBulletin needs a better competitor. Perhaps in years to come you will be said company.

A little advice: know what you want to do in the beginning. Code for your plug-in architecture now, keeping your base as clean as possible. Other than that tidbit, good luck in this endeavor and keep us informed.

JH

Thank you. The more I think about this endeavor the more intent I am on making a big success of it. I think I might even consider getting other people on board with this project and putting a decent financial commitment into it. The dream is along way off at the moment, but even the smallest of things start somewhere.

**i13** · Jan 20th, 2009, 9:49 am

why don't you join automatic .... there bbpress is a nice alternative.

**grim** · Jan 20th, 2009, 11:03 am

Not to rain on your parade but this is about the dozenth time or more I have read almost this same thread, every other time the people soon realize it was little more than a pipe dream.

**GordyMac** · Jan 20th, 2009, 11:14 am

Well I do wish you the best.. can't wait to see it.. and yeah I agree with Zap.. its easier to up your price when you already have one rather than start charging from free.. you can give it away at the beginning, but make sure they know it SHOULD be say $19.99, but your giving say the first 20 people a free copy.. something like that.. I know this is way down the road, but good to keep in mind.

Best of luck!

**Purple Rain** · Jan 20th, 2009, 11:42 am

Originally Posted by grim

Not to rain on your parade but this is about the dozenth time or more I have read almost this same thread, every other time the people soon realize it was little more than a pipe dream.

I dare say that's what people said about vBulletin when they were first starting out. I believe if you have the time and the money to invest into something and the dedication and not giving up then anything is possible.

**grim** · Jan 20th, 2009, 11:46 am

Originally Posted by CompuSupport

I dare say that's what people said about vBulletin when they were first starting out. I believe if you have the time and the money to invest into something and the dedication and not giving up then anything is possible.

Not really, that was a team of people with the resources and know how. You can not 'take' from a product legally, you need to code it yourself unless it's open source from my understanding.

Do you have a team of coders and are you an extremely, extremely good coder yourself in order to have such an undertaking?

VB is not a tiny little script that someone with a little knowledge can pound out, it's much more complicated than that.

VB also started out small and grew slowly, to create something without stealing from VB that is VB and more is going to be on such a different scale one can not compare.

**Purple Rain** · Jan 20th, 2009, 12:01 pm

Sheesh, I do not plan on Stealing VB and nor did I say that anywhere. And for your information, as big as vBulletin is, they still run out of someones room in a house, no massive office or anything. I feel comfortable enough to code this this myself, and if at any point that I need help then I will pay a professional to help me.

VB is not a tiny little script that someone with a little knowledge can pound out, it's much more complicated than that.

And as I have already said, It's not something that I plan to pound out over night, I have already said that it would take me the best part of a year just to get it to a milestone stage. You said before that you have seen this before and people give up. Its no wonder people give up if they get the sort of encouragement that you are giving. All things have to start somewhere. I am not claiming that it will take over the world or anything, I just want to try and develop something.

There have been so many things that apparently wouldn't take off and work or were a waste of time. Just a few of them are:

MICROSOFT!
MySpace
FaceBook
Twitter
And tons and tons of other scripts and software.

You just need to focus, and stick with it.

**grim** · Jan 20th, 2009, 12:41 pm

Originally Posted by CompuSupport

Sheesh, I do not plan on Stealing VB and nor did I say that anywhere. And for your information, as big as vBulletin is, they still run out of someones room in a house, no massive office or anything. I feel comfortable enough to code this this myself, and if at any point that I need help then I will pay a professional to help me.

Did not say you were going to steal it, simply facts. There are so many threads of 'making a bigger and better VB' that I honestly don't believe them when I see them. Running out of a house does not matter if they have the skills.

And as I have already said, It's not something that I plan to pound out over night, I have already said that it would take me the best part of a year just to get it to a milestone stage. You said before that you have seen this before and people give up. Its no wonder people give up if they get the sort of encouragement that you are giving. All things have to start somewhere. I am not claiming that it will take over the world or anything, I just want to try and develop something.

Ahh yes I should give false encouragement so someone wastes there time, great thinking.

There have been so many things that apparently wouldn't take off and work or were a waste of time. Just a few of them are:

MICROSOFT!
MySpace
FaceBook
Twitter
And tons and tons of other scripts and software.

You just need to focus, and stick with it.

LOL apples to oranges at best.

But do what you want, sorry for bring facts that there are countless threads of 'I'm going to build a forum software better than VB'

**Purple Rain** · Jan 20th, 2009, 1:09 pm

I don't remember saying I was trying to create something better than vBulletin. I would have to be pretty up my own arse to make a statement like that. Anyway this is gonna get nowhere is it, as Ive seen countless times it's a waste of time discussing anything with you, Ive never known you to back down over anything either here or at DP. I just wish I knew everything too.

Lesson learned. Keep your mouth shut and ideas to yourself.

**grim** · Jan 20th, 2009, 1:11 pm

Yes and lesson learned, never give any constructive criticism to you as you cry like a little baby. A guy who can't even keep his sites from being hacked, who constantly has to beg for money is going to create this grand forum software.

Sorry I'm realistic.

Something that combines the best bits from all the ones currently available. I hope it to be something along the lines of how vBulletin is, i.e. easy to use and lots of customizations and plugins, but what I want to know is:

All the 'best bits' in one sure would appear to be better than VB would it not?

**Purple Rain** · Jan 20th, 2009, 1:20 pm

Originally Posted by grim

Yes and lesson learned, never give any constructive criticism to you as you cry like a little baby. A guy who can't even keep his sites from being hacked, who constantly has to beg for money is going to create this grand forum software.

Sorry I'm realistic.

All the 'best bits' in one sure would appear to be better than VB would it not?

So now were turning this into a personal attack? A guy who begs constantly for money? Ive created the odd thread here and there when I have had no funds in paypal, due to restrictions on my card? You know nothing about my financial situation, and for your information - I am quite well off, but I do not go around shouting about it. You really need to calm yourself down GRIM. And learn that sometimes you might be wrong, or even just try to be a bit more polite and give constructive criticism, instead of the arrogant way in which you normally give it.

All the 'best bits' in one sure would appear to be better than VB would it not?

And no, saying the above does in no way say I can create something better than VB, I was just saying that I would use the best bits from each piece of software, gathered from feedback received from others. That hardly constitutes saying I can make a Better vBulletin. And anyway YOU KNOW NOTHING OF MY CODING SKILLS ANYWAY SO HOW WOULD YOU KNOW.

And thank you for my first groan - only took 1,769 posts to get one. I feel honored.

**grim** · Jan 20th, 2009, 1:31 pm

Originally Posted by CompuSupport

So now were turning this into a personal attack? A guy who begs constantly for money? Ive created the odd thread here and there when I have had no funds in paypal, due to restrictions on my card? You know nothing about my financial situation, and for your information - I am quite well off, but I do not go around shouting about it. You really need to calm yourself down GRIM. And learn that sometimes you might be wrong, or even just try to be a bit more polite and give constructive criticism, instead of the arrogant way in which you normally give it.

No the 'personal attack' would be what you started, do you need the definition?
You are 'quite well off' yet you constantly do not have money to pay for bills, sure you are. :slaugh:

And no, saying the above does in no way say I can create something better than VB, I was just saying that I would use the best bits from each piece of software, gathered from feedback received from others. That hardly constitutes saying I can make a Better vBulletin. And anyway YOU KNOW NOTHING OF MY CODING SKILLS ANYWAY SO HOW WOULD YOU KNOW.

Hmm normally the 'best bits' would equate to something better as all the 'best bits' are combined. Yes if you are such a great coder you would not use third party software, allow your sites to get hacked, etc, etc.

grim added 9 Minutes and 37 Seconds later...

Originally Posted by CompuSupport

I don't remember saying I was trying to create something better than vBulletin. I would have to be pretty up my own arse to make a statement like that. Anyway this is gonna get nowhere is it, as Ive seen countless times it's a waste of time discussing anything with you, Ive never known you to back down over anything either here or at DP. I just wish I knew everything too.

Lesson learned. Keep your mouth shut and ideas to yourself.

This waste of space of a thread has been closed. If you don't believe the above is a 'personal attack' then you need to get a dictionary stat!