# New Forum Software - Guess who is the poster child for why things should change? **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [February 5, 2013, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-forum-software-guess-who-is-the-poster-child-for-why-things-should-change/649429 "2013-02-05T23:15:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![codinghorror](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/codinghorror/32/4242_2.png) [@codinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/codinghorror)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2013, 6:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-forum-software-guess-who-is-the-poster-child-for-why-things-should-change/649429/81 "2013-02-09T06:56:01Z")
To be fair, customization is very important to Discourse. It’s a rainbow system, it should work for 99% of communities, from here to [stormfront.org](http://stormfront.org) – > **[What is Discourse?](https://www.discourse.org/about)** > > Discourse is the 100% open source discussion platform built for the next decade of the Internet. > [@](#): > > Sane, safe out of the box defaults, but a million dials and knobs to tweak. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2013, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-forum-software-guess-who-is-the-poster-child-for-why-things-should-change/649429/82 "2013-02-09T16:29:05Z")
I’d just like to point out that _The Squirming Cabal of Twelve_ would be a kick-ass band name. ---
**Author:** ![elmwood](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmwood/32/3060_2.png) [@elmwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elmwood)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2013, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-forum-software-guess-who-is-the-poster-child-for-why-things-should-change/649429/83 "2013-02-09T18:13:52Z")
> [@DrCube](#): > > So what say the Dopers? Is there any compelling reason to upgrade now? Do you think this particular software offers any benefits over the crufty VBulletin we currently use? Any other thoughts or input? The SDMB is already several upgrades behind in the vBulletin 3.\* series, which is up to 3.8.7. However, with vB 5 going gold soon, support for vBulletin 3.\* will be going away. No more upgrades, and no more bug or security fixes. Fewer plugins will be written or supported. The alternatives? Nothing, if you don’t want to piss off the members. _Dopers hate change_. However, it’s inevitable. vBulletin 3.\* will soon be an orphan. vBulletin 4? It’s finally stable at the 4.2 series, but it’s more processor- and query-intensive than vB 3._. vB 4 works with most vB 3.6/3.7/3.8 plugins, and it has a cleaner look than vB 3._, though not as polished as IPB. On the traditionally underpowered SDMB servers, it’s probably not an option. [Invision Power Board](http://community.invisionpower.com/)? It has the familiar UBB-style interface. It has a clean, uncluttered look, but it’s different enough to feel “weird” to those familiar with vBulletin. With vB 5 on the horizon many message board admins are making plans to move their sites to IPB. [MyBB](http://community.invisionpower.com/)? An open source message board with a vB3 look and feel. Maybe. ---
**Author:** ![Cartooniverse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cartooniverse/32/3084_2.png) [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2013, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-forum-software-guess-who-is-the-poster-child-for-why-things-should-change/649429/84 "2013-02-09T18:25:49Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > I’d just like to point out that _The Squirming Cabal of Twelve_ would be a kick-ass band name. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2013, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-forum-software-guess-who-is-the-poster-child-for-why-things-should-change/649429/85 "2013-02-09T19:08:02Z")
> [@elmwood](#): > > The SDMB is already several upgrades behind in the vBulletin 3.\* series, which is up to 3.8.7. However, with vB 5 going gold soon, support for vBulletin 3.\* will be going away. No more upgrades, and no more bug or security fixes. Fewer plugins will be written or supported. > > The alternatives? Nothing, if you don’t want to piss off the members. _Dopers hate change_. However, it’s inevitable. vBulletin 3.\* will soon be an orphan. > > vBulletin 4? It’s finally stable at the 4.2 series, but it’s more processor- and query-intensive than vB 3._. vB 4 works with most vB 3.6/3.7/3.8 plugins, and it has a cleaner look than vB 3._, though not as polished as IPB. On the traditionally underpowered SDMB servers, it’s probably not an option. > > [Invision Power Board](http://community.invisionpower.com/)? It has the familiar UBB-style interface. It has a clean, uncluttered look, but it’s different enough to feel “weird” to those familiar with vBulletin. With vB 5 on the horizon many message board admins are making plans to move their sites to IPB. > > [MyBB](http://community.invisionpower.com/)? An open source message board with a vB3 look and feel. Maybe. Why do you keep putting asterisks next to everything and not putting an explanation at the bottom of the post? And if you were to put an explanation at the bottom of the post, would it be the SAME explanation for everything you’re notating? ---
**Author:** ![pricciar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f4b2a3/32.png) [@pricciar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pricciar)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2013, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-forum-software-guess-who-is-the-poster-child-for-why-things-should-change/649429/86 "2013-02-09T19:59:55Z")
He’s using the star to indicate a wildcard. 3.\* meaning 3.0 - 3.9999999 (or whatever the numbers are.) ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2013, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-forum-software-guess-who-is-the-poster-child-for-why-things-should-change/649429/87 "2013-02-09T20:15:50Z")
> [@pricciar](#): > > He’s using the star to indicate a wildcard. 3.\* meaning 3.0 - 3.9999999 (or whatever the numbers are.) Aw. Shoulda just answered, “yes.” > [@kaylasdad99](#): > > And if you were to put an explanation at the bottom of the post, would it be the SAME explanation for everything you’re notating? ---
**Author:** ![pricciar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f4b2a3/32.png) [@pricciar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pricciar)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2013, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-forum-software-guess-who-is-the-poster-child-for-why-things-should-change/649429/88 "2013-02-10T01:18:09Z")
hah! Funny. You should have gotten that in before\* me! ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2013, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-forum-software-guess-who-is-the-poster-child-for-why-things-should-change/649429/89 "2013-02-11T22:47:24Z")
> [@RaftPeople](#): > > A good chop to the stomach can really break up the tension in a meeting when someone says something stupid, don’t dismiss it so hastily. Sure, and getting arrested for assault can really liven up your day, but I think I’ll give it a pass. ---
**Author:** ![RaftPeople](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/6f9a4e/32.png) [@RaftPeople](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RaftPeople)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2013, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-forum-software-guess-who-is-the-poster-child-for-why-things-should-change/649429/90 "2013-02-11T23:14:47Z")
> [@Irishman](#): > > Sure, and getting arrested for assault can really liven up your day, but I think I’ll give it a pass. Ok, but that’s your choice. Many of us gamble, choosing the chop to the stomach knowing that the good for humanity far outweighs our own personal negative if we get some jail time. It’s a very selfless act. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2013, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-forum-software-guess-who-is-the-poster-child-for-why-things-should-change/649429/91 "2013-02-11T23:44:35Z")
> [@RaftPeople](#): > > Ok, but that’s your choice. Many of us gamble, choosing the chop to the stomach knowing that the good for humanity far outweighs our own personal negative if we get some jail time. > > It’s a very selfless act. It’s an act that’ll get you jailed, fired and sued. ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2013, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-forum-software-guess-who-is-the-poster-child-for-why-things-should-change/649429/92 "2013-02-12T17:19:02Z")
Everybody needs a hobby. ---
**Author:** ![Moonlitherial](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4bbf92/32.png) [@Moonlitherial](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moonlitherial)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2013, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-forum-software-guess-who-is-the-poster-child-for-why-things-should-change/649429/93 "2013-02-12T20:09:25Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > I have a program on this very computer that can, in fact, be configured to produce forum software with any set of features the user wants. > > It’s called a C compiler. Hey, I never said that configuring it was _easy_. That wouldn’t work either Chronos, it’s not just that everyone wants their own view, they want everyone else to use their view too so there are no potential references that they might miss out on if people are talking about a feature they have that others do not and do not want. /avatar agrument > [@Czarcasm](#): > > Are we there yet? > Are we there yet? > Are we there yet? > Are we there yet? > Are we there yet? NOW we’re there. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2013, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-forum-software-guess-who-is-the-poster-child-for-why-things-should-change/649429/94 "2013-02-13T03:17:40Z")
I’m all in favor of upgrading the software so long as we can keep the boards looking and acting precisely as they do now. Except for the search thing. I kind of resent having to go to Google to search our own site for anything even moderately complex. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-forum-software-guess-who-is-the-poster-child-for-why-things-should-change/649429.md?page=4)