What's the difference between forum software and free forum hosting?
Forum software is known as Community engine, a folder contains files those are usually under your control, and every style, MOD, or any other additional pages must be downloadable and editable, in other words you must upload your own files through your server, not copy and paste in a prepared filelds or ask your free forum host support team to customize it for you.
Basically some forum softwares require file upload and file edits, and some require file edits only which the forum will auto integrate your MOD or your themes.
There are two types of forum softwares: Free software [like phpBB, myBB, PunBB, Smf...] those are downloable with no cost, customizing these softwares require coding experience, depending on the software's difficulty and the way it's programmed.
Paid softwares:[IPB, Xenforo, vbulletin...] They are usually equipped with high security level, built-in MODS, and more advanced forum experience, they are downloadable like the free forum software, however they cost real cash in return, these softwares have social options like social network sites, customizing these software are also advanced and easy with a free demo offered by the owners in order to play with this demo before buying the software, do they send bills? No you can pay for updates whenever you want, once purchased you won't be asked for anything else.
Free Forum hosting [Zetaboards, jaxoboards, invision free, forumotion, freeforums.org...], usually for unprofessional webmasters, webmasters who can't afford for a good host or can't code a proper forum softwares, some of these services are using prepared installed free or paid softwares or a complete edit of old version of software junkies.. Modifications and styles there are offered for customers , these customers can't upload their own files, styles and pages or customize their forum on their own on some services, except paid for "ADVANCED HOSTING" Some services let you only copy and paste bunch of codes in the appropriate fields with no file edits, No total freedom on your database control, no back up file at all or pay to get your back up file, Free hosted forums can't have a chance for many services of promotions, coding or graphics, you can't customize your own files, Email, sql setting or cookies, everything is done in minutes which is really bad.
Getting a proper host and proper software makes you look professional, free forum hosting is only for newbies.
Forum software is known as Community engine, a folder contains files those are usually under your control, and every style, MOD, or any other additional pages must be downloadable and editable, in other words you must upload your own files through your server, not copy and paste in a prepared filelds or ask your free forum host support team to customize it for you.
Basically some forum softwares require file upload and file edits, and some require file edits only which the forum will auto integrate your MOD or your themes.
There are two types of forum softwares: Free software [like phpBB, myBB, PunBB, Smf...] those are downloable with no cost, customizing these softwares require coding experience, depending on the software's difficulty and the way it's programmed.
Paid softwares:[IPB, Xenforo, vbulletin...] They are usually equipped with high security level, built-in MODS, and more advanced forum experience, they are downloadable like the free forum software, however they cost real cash in return, these softwares have social options like social network sites, customizing these software are also advanced and easy with a free demo offered by the owners in order to play with this demo before buying the software, do they send bills? No you can pay for updates whenever you want, once purchased you won't be asked for anything else.
Free Forum hosting [Zetaboards, jaxoboards, invision free, forumotion, freeforums.org...], usually for unprofessional webmasters, webmasters who can't afford for a good host or can't code a proper forum softwares, some of these services are using prepared installed free or paid softwares or a complete edit of old version of software junkies.. Modifications and styles there are offered for customers , these customers can't upload their own files, styles and pages or customize their forum on their own on some services, except paid for "ADVANCED HOSTING" Some services let you only copy and paste bunch of codes in the appropriate fields with no file edits, No total freedom on your database control, no back up file at all or pay to get your back up file, Free hosted forums can't have a chance for many services of promotions, coding or graphics, you can't customize your own files, Email, sql setting or cookies, everything is done in minutes which is really bad.
Getting a proper host and proper software makes you look professional, free forum hosting is only for newbies.
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