phpBB

[Ravenfreak]

phpBB is definitely one of the most popular free forum software on the net, and is often talked about next to MyBB and SMF. It's also older than the two, making it's debut in December of 2000 with both SMF and MyBB being released in 2002. I think it actually might be the oldest forum software that's still being actively being updated and is still widely used. I feel that it's not the best software for beginner forum owners, since the permissions are a pain to set up correctly. I also feel that it's a bit outdated compared to MyBB and SMF. Though I kind of have a soft spot for it, since one of the first forums I ever joined was a Teen Titans forum that used phpBB 2.

 

[Arantor]

SMF and MyBB being released in 2002

Correction: SMF wasn't released in 2002. Its predecessor YABBSE (as a port from the Perl-based YABB) was around in the 2000-2003 period, however.

As for oldest still being supported, that's got to be a toss-up between phpBB and https://www.ubbcentral.com/ at this point in time.

 

[Aaron]

phpBB is amazing. They have a lot of functionality in the Admin CP but not a lot of plugins etc for the front end.

 

[Ravenfreak]

Correction: SMF wasn't released in 2002. Its predecessor YABBSE (as a port from the Perl-based YABB) was around in the 2000-2003 period, however.

As for oldest still being supported, that's got to be a toss-up between phpBB and https://www.ubbcentral.com/ at this point in time.

Oops you’re right I forgot about YABBSE was it’s predecessor. I’m surprised YABB is still around, though things seem to be quiet on the support forums so I don’t think many people use it now…

 

[Arantor]

YABB is still around because people still use it - but it's not moving much at all because Perl is not a hosting-friendly environment in the way PHP is.