Open Source Vs. Premium Software for Community Management

[Nomad]

Do you use open source forum software or premium software? Well, in the last 3 years I have created 4 forums and all of these forums were built on open source platforms. Currently, I have two forums and both are running on open source. The reason why I use open source is I can keep forum running cost low.

 

[joelr]

For the plugins, modifications, and themes, are these also free?

 

[Nomad]

Open source software also offer a lot of free themes and mods. For example, I am running a forum with phpBB and I am using ultimate points for forum credits, it is free. For my SMF forum I can find a lot of free themes.

 

[joelr]

Open source software also offer a lot of free themes and mods. For example, I am running a forum with phpBB and I am using ultimate points for forum credits, it is free. For my SMF forum I can find a lot of free themes.

One thing that I've always liked about the "free" ecosystems is that people are much more willing to help each other - for free.

 

[Nomad]

That's very true. The Ultimate Points that I am using right now was actually created by a user for Forum Promotion when it was running on phpBB, which is free for all.
One major drawback is a lot of add-ons are no longer maintained by the developer, therefore, updates are not available

 

[Maria]

Problem with open source platforms is you will have to entirely depend on the peers help if you encounter any problem. Sometimes it is not even possible to get help as people who crated the mods or themes no longer support their projects.