Something with a lot of features, stable, and relatively fast (at least for a flat-file script)?

I'm sure you guys would know since you run this site with so many scripts on it ^_^

(If this isn't the place to post this thread, then go ahead and move it...)

Why not use mySQL or another database? Why flat file? (Just curious)....

Well... many boards are a bit hard to cram into one database due to conflicting tables, right? And some boards which do support table prefixes are too graphics-heavy, and eat lots of resources. I need multiple boards on one site, and I don't have many databases...

Actually, do you know of a forum script that allows table prefixes, uses very low resources, supports avatars, and is still stable and fast?

Discuz! board maybe, it's developed by a chinese team, if you can read chinese, go this way: http://discuz.net/

Looks good. It only loads slow because it's in China, right?

Wait a minute... it's not free, is it ^_-;

Should've made that a condition...

Discuz isn't a Flat-file forum.:D

Ah, I like flat-file scripts. SIPs is a flat-file portal (with news, free for all links, polls, ...) :

Name: SIPs portal (listed on HotScripts)
URL: http://sips.sourceforge.net

mysql based but fast, simple and really good. Also allow table prefix.

http://www.minibb.net/

Doesn't seem to have avatars though...

Try this ::k::, just found it, it's called NavBoard. It runs off flat-files, and it includes avatars, smilies, etc.

http://navarone.f2o.org/

Looks pretty good.

By the way, is EdgeBoard good?

I have personally never tried EdgeBoard or NavBoard. But if I were to choose, I would most likely go with NavBoard because of its wide array of features, and easy installation.

Perhaps you should do test-runs on them both to see which one best fits your preferences. :)

Personally,
I will really warn you to use flat files for an application as happening as forum. Not really worth it.

And I agree about table prefixes problem. But if you really find a forum and like it for its features other than lack of table prefixes,
I am sure it will not be a BIG DEAL at all to modify and get it working with table prefixes. I can help you, if you want.

Regards,
JD

I see...

Is YaBBSE a good choice?

Here is a list of free PHP/MySQL discussion board scripts.


Invision Board (http://www.invisionboard.com)
phpBB (http://www.phpbb.com)
YaBBSE (http://www.yabbse.org)


Best of Luck.

Don't forget:

XMB Forums (http://www.xmbforum.com)
Ikonboard (http://www.ikonboard.com)

Ikonboard isn't PHP... but thanks anyway.

I thought I read that Ikonboard now had a PHP version. I'll have to double check that.

Yeah, it has.

Check http://www.hotscripts.com/Detailed/18477.html

Regards,
JD

Ah, thanks for the link phpkid, I thought I saw that somewhere. :)

True... but that's just a remote-hosted forum, so they'll slap ads on it and such, won't they?

Check,
http://php.ikonboard.com/viewthread.php?threadid=1555

They say it's not ready for download there.

Yep, so you will have to wait. Btw, I have used miniBB and its small, fast and really really cool.

JD

Really? Maybe I'll give it a try even though there aren't avs ^_^

Too much free hosting php don't support mysql .Flat board is a good solution for everyone . i found Tritanium flat board at http://www.tritanium-scripts.de/ . what do you think about this board ?

I think the board looks quite nice.. the posts almost look like the old UBB style, which I haven't seen for a while. I can't give an opinion on actually installing it etc.. since I dominately use perl scripts.. but for looks and functionality it looks fairly clean. Maybe this board will work for you ::k:: ?

All the best finding one :-)

That looks pretty good, although the only English download there is apparently an older version...

That's all right, I'll give it a try, and if I don't like it... well, a lot of you guys submitted others too, so I'll just try some of those.

Thanks all ^_^

I use Ikonboard. Ok its CGI! but there is thousands of mods for ikonboard. for example www.swarf.net . Its MYSQL or DMB (or what ever it is :P)

To get ikonboard go to www.ikonboard.com


I have had many a choose to change to invision board forums and i have always have stuck with ikonboard. :)

I normaly use www.wowBB.com - but it is a Pay-board! - but the features is first class =)

If you have alot of time you should make your own.

I have tried and worked for afew bulletin board scripts in my time..

I havent had much experience with flat file systems as far as discussion board systems are concerned myself, but when i used to do some hosting i found that there were large numbers of users using flat file forums like IkonBoard and they were dragging the system down because of there file i/o systems... A file has to be opened and read for everypage, sometimes more than once.

I know a database may not be avaliable for you, but you should really look into a new host (or even a host that specialises in just db hosting).. you will find your forums run alot faster, use far less resources, spaces, and your host will be alot happier with you.

With what daz said, make your own, this may not be a viable solution for you either, but if forums dont have what you want you may want to look into this and learning some advanced PHP scripting routines.. remember... with your own software you get what you want, the way you want and nothing you dont.


Chris Boulton

yes, With Ikonboard Flat File. It wont make any difference if you have a small forums. ie 3000 posts 200 members +. But if you have currently alot of users and posts the best thing to do is Use MySql its a less strain full on the server. But really this is the same with all flat file forums. Fast when small and then as soon as they grow they will be slow as s**t :(


If i was you, i would find a free host with mysql avaliable cause when a flat file forum grows, there goes ya server :P

I would recommend http://XMBForum.com , I have used it for 2 years now, and is v. fast, easily customisable and has all features you need. Stay away from dodgy freehosts, if you really want free hosting then e-mail me @ hosting@xs57.co.uk, and I'll sort you out the bits. But i'd buy paid hosting from http://AventureHosting.com , it's cheap. £22 year, php,mysql ensim/cpanel etc.

the best flat-file forum around is myupb.com

you should check them out

por a remote hsoted one like ezboard

Does it have to be PHP? Not ASP cause most asp forums are flat file. Also theres UBB forums ;)

I don't want to steal the topic from this thread, but does anyone know of a forum that is SUPER easy to use? Like not too many buttons, and maybe not even needing registration?

I am setting up a website for a Metalsmith Club (bunch of people I know are NOT computer friendly) and I need it to be as easy and accessible as possible.

KingSky,

Most forums these days have it so certain features and such can be turned off and the templates can be edited to make it a bit more user friendly.

From what i have heard (from my school network admin) that phpBB is a pretty simple forum if you are looking for something like this.

When i designed myBB as well as adding all these features for advanced users i also made them so that they can be turned off for people who dont need them and dont know how to use them.

i like
http://www.edgeboard.net/
i think its the best flatfile php board

Hi

Here is a flat file php forum I like: EasyForum (http://www.hot-things.net/htedbs.php). To see it in action, check their support forums.

Mike

ya, i have that on my webpage. It's clean and extremely quick even on slow servers. It's also very easy to install.

Cough** IKonboard **Cough

Just realised a new version.

minibb and xmb is not plat-file board
i suggest simplebb

You mean SimpleBBS? If so... looks nice, I think I'll give it a try ^_^

PBLang is probably the best flatfile board I've seen. Stable and plenty of support from it's developer.

http://pblang.drmartinus.de