Simple Machines Forum

[Shawn Gossman1]

Have you ever used Simple Machines Forum software?

https://www.simplemachines.org/
SMF used to be my go-to free forum software at one time.

Back when I had, AAF, it was SMF from the start.

SMF is also still doing major upgrades to their software.

How do you all feel about Simple Machines Forum in general?

 

[Aaron]

It's one of the world's ugliest software's. I just don't like it. Not really any reason why.

 

[Shawn Gossman1]

It's one of the world's ugliest software's. I just don't like it. Not really any reason why.

It doesn't look modern.

It looks old.

They've updated the software with a lot of great modern features but they need to update the look and feel, I can agree with that.

But I am sure a lot of people enjoy the look.

 

[Elseb1]

I've never had a forum with it and I dont think I've ever been a member on one, could be wrong. I had a quick search online for a few example forums and I actually kind of like the look In a nostalgia type of way, very 2005. 😁

 

[Shawn Gossman1]

This is what my old admin forum (Another Admin Forum) looked like when it was powered by SMF.

I think it had a good look with that theme in all honesty

 

[Tracy]

I'm honestly contemplating bringing back one of my old domains that was on IPS and using SMF for it.
I still haven't installed the new version in a trial mode...but as with most scrips.. the looks can be changed via the style you choose.
Since i have a 4vCPU/8GB RAM/160GB storage VPS... I think I could try it out and not strain the system.

 

[Tracy]

It's one of the world's ugliest software's. I just don't like it. Not really any reason why.

Haven't played with the latest... but generally ANY decent and recent software script can be made palatable with some work.

 

[Shawn Gossman1]

I had a forum with the latest SMF update for a short time when I got back into forums a few years ago.

It was nice but XenForo is just the perfect software for what I need so I just stick with it.

 

[Tracy]

Playing with it now here.... it's not open for registration since I haven't set up email for the domain yet.

 

[Shawn Gossman1]

Playing with it now here.... it's not open for registration since I haven't set up email for the domain yet.

That's not a bad looking theme at all.

The logo really goes with it!

 

[Tracy]

Was the logo from my IPS site, which had similar colors to the SMF one I chose.
One thing I found with SMF.... there's not many real "add-ons" for it like there are with XF.

 

[Tracy]

Got the mailersend approval for the domain (free tier).... so it's even now open for registrations. Whether it will stay on SMF or not I haven't decided.
One thing... you MUST have the domain live with a site before they will approve it.
With the free plan (you do have to put a credit card on file) you get 12,000 sends a month free.

Have done a little more tweaking to it as I learn it.... different background and logo area somewhat modified.