If you know to install some security hacks and follow the updates you're safe with phpBB. Saying a script is more secure than the other is debatable. My latest hacks were targeting the entire server....

First you can use a free script. I used it for 2 years almost and don't regret it. having to mod phpBB and create themes for it made me very relaxed with scripts. Now I can create a unique layout for...

The site won't open for me .. maybe it's my connection (again). Don't worry .. it's a good number for a first month. Keep on promoting, add new topics and it's gonna be OK

My best in SEO terms is a PHPBB forum. Was never able to make IPB or VB work from this point of view. I also have some bad SEO-d phpBBBs and myBBs .. in the end I think it's more our fault ...

I have used most of the known scripts and believe that all have ups and downs. For the paid script I'd go with IPB next time, I had only huge issues with VB, the only forum script that never worked...

I don't think paid membership would work unless the forum does provide something unique and it's very developed. Stick with free and have ads ;)

I wouldn't advice to have the host install it automaticaly. The scripts they have in cpanel are always outdated. Get your hands on the latest release of the script you want to install and do it...

I never used this and I don't have to complain about quality of the posts. Quality in posting is done with personal example from the staff and admin. When people see we don't post spammy one liners...

Out of the box phpBB is the worst. Still it can be tweaked so nicely ...

As an update; I have a VB license now. for my webmaster community. It does have many features, but I almost cried when had...

Well, a community is made by more people, not just you. It's true that you NEED to post new threads on a daily basis. Even if no one replies at first THEY WILL eventually. Start some post exchanges....

I just looked at getvanilla ... I cannot use it at all. I had a forum I used to post at and now it's on vanilla and not on phpBB anymore. When I saw this awkward script (it's not as all the others we...

well, as an update, my forums have now member email activation. Makes some of them angry, but getting a lot of mail.ru and cashette.com spammers really made me change my mind :D

Well, I have to tell you that it can destroy it all. I closed a forum for this already, so now I'm not that relaxed when things heat up. And even if the members sometimes like some "blood", a war...

Well, I had a month of Adwords going on. Not a lot of visits, but it did get some traffic. I have posted a lot and had some new members join. They are posting too, and it seems we're starting to have...

Just keep on posting. I have set myself a table with my new topics plans for the 6 forums I run. I made it a rule for myself to try to come with 5 new topics a day (if the forums are not that active...

Don't know about the invisionfree stuff, but I think it's not allowing you FTP access (or does it?). You can go with phpBB and not have an issue (I am running 4 phpBB forums and I love them all), but...

Well, an update.

I got myself an ADWORDS ACCOUNT ... woohoo ...

Well, I have a Visa Electron card for my salary. Got to the bank today and placed the adsense check I got from google (150 USD,...

In most of my forums guests have no access to the profiles. It's in the end a question of security. I am now in the position I don't like being part of a forum that lets guests see my email address...

Well, I am seeing a plus in the posting. Had 2-3 youngsters who liked to post something like "me too" and still posted a lot. Deleting all those messages and telling them yet again they should make...

This is also a good argument. My communities catter to people all over the world too. I am from Romania, I got members from China, USA, Canada, India, I doubt we could have a consensus as politics...

Good info ...

The only forum I own and I don't post that much is my Romanian MA forum. I have some very dedicated members who are also instructors, so I just keep the board running. When opening...

There is not a fixed number for this. i have a forum with more than 300 members and 13000 posts, with a great postcount/member ratio and still i can't say it can go by itself. You need to work...

I have always kept off this. I have forums about webdesign, martial arts, women issues, music and movies, so I really don't use politics and religion since they have nothign to do.

Sorry to go off topic: is nasty a bad word? Why should I edit? Sorry for this, I am not a native English speaker, so accidents always happen to me ...

Back to the topic. I said nasty with a...

I will never try this ;)

This could attract people in my forums perhaps, but what if next morning my members come and hit new posts and all they see (or a lot of this) is just those news? I am...

We all had our share: people who are not being respectful to the staff and reply with 'nasty' words. Do you warn? Do you ban?

I have already started the war on an admins forum and on my community, want a heated discussion here too :)

Nope, am not trolling, just want a serious debate :)

I see many forums add news in...

There should be something in the admin panel. If not, maybe a mod to be installed? (I am not using VB, but I know there's a mod for phpBB that does this. So I think the VB developers have thought...

I have just installed a hack that won't let people post messages under a set number of characters. That makes my people stop posting one liners. Love it.

Did you install such things?

If daniweb is facing this problem too, then I can be more relaxed. I have noticed that too. I do have some people come and post once and vanish. Some return and become serious members, others just...

my last banning experience came after a member insulted my moderator.

I have a music forum and I have some people post in there. As I always do, I require good meaningful posts, not just spammy...

Agree with Dani on this one. Content is THE ONLY thing I can offer in my small community. This is why I think ads in topics is not something I would like to do. It would ruin the entire idea of an...

I am still looking at that moment. Or I think I will never be able just to enjoy it only.

I have 6 forums now. Not big, they are young and small. but I have a lot of work to do on them. I have to...

Now this is tough ...

For a while I'd put the PM system on hold. Then I'd try to see which members are causing problems and are in a "harvesting" spree in your forums. They should be banned.
...

Since some of us are forum admins ourselves, I thought we could have a nice chat about this too: what did our last banned member do to get shown the door?

This is the main problem: you need to spend a LOT of time in your forums in order to make them survive at first and then grow. If you have the time to do it, then it's a good idea, but otherwise...

You can do this for free. You just need to see in many webmaster communities people who ask for post exchanges. Visit their sites and see if you're pleased with the way they seem to handle the...

Your idea is indeed nice, but I am Romanian .. my female friends are not all that willing to chat in Enlgish ;)

By making my forums in another language I kinda cut my way to have too many friends...

I agree with you :)

I already feel what is like to have people who come in just to plub their ad. I am not willing to pay for the site and have useless junk like that. In my opinion, advertising...

I am not willing to pay.

I am willing to work on the theme, mods and create hundreds of topics in just days. I promote for free and little by little I get people sign up and post. My communities...