Why does everyone use the same forum software?

[Jason]

It's cool XF is very popular, but why does everything need to be the same? However, I get the argument from XF fans. The fact is, that XF is very good at delivering the goods, so why use something else? Is that a good argument, though?

 

[Tracy]

The fact is, that XF is very good at delivering SOME goods as long as it is basic forum related. However, I get the argument from the XF cult membesrs that thinks it is perfect for everyone and you are crazy if you think you need more

Corrected that for you.
There are other paid scripts that offer better features in some areas and then also offer some features that Xenforo does not even have. XenForo is a good script if it fits your needs. Invision may be more to ones requirements with it being a full functional suite of products. Then you have Woltlab, which I have not played with recently nor even looked at.

Now, if you are talking site to site... I really like the fact that the functions between each XF site are similar. It would be a literal pain in the ass to have to learn the different interfaces on the sites you go to. Consistency is a plus here and not a minus.

 

[joelr]

It's cool XF is very popular, but why does everything need to be the same? However, I get the argument from XF fans. The fact is, that XF is very good at delivering the goods, so why use something else? Is that a good argument, though?

I think there are two factors at play:
- The price point of Xenforo is very accessible. It's one of the cheaper entry solutions for a forum.
- There's something to be said for wisdom of the crowds. If all of your peers are using something or visiting something or eating something, then it's probably already vetted to be good enough for yourself too.

 

[Shortie]

One of the reasons I always used Xenforo if I wanted to use something other than free software was that it was and still is the cheaper option for forum owners. Xenforo prices for a forum out of the box are very affordable compared to others.

I will admit that the add-ons are great but not always something that is necessary or needed by most who use Xenforo.

 

[Ravenfreak]

Not everyone uses Xenforo. It just happens to be the most popular paid script at the moment. For a while many forums were using MyBB, I feel like these trends come where one software is the most popular one to use for a while and then another one takes it's place.

 

[Baw$e]

I use Xenforo because I like the functionality, and it's also mobile friendly. I was using MyBB before but switched to Xenforo because it didn't have a mobile friendly theme, and is no longer receiving updates.

 

[Tracy]

I use Xenforo because I like the functionality, and it's also mobile friendly. I was using MyBB before but switched to Xenforo because it didn't have a mobile friendly theme, and is no longer receiving updates.

For future reference, SMF is easily mobile friendly, probably one of the better of the "old style" forum formats. So if one does not want to spend money on a paid offering, it is a viable alternative.

 

[Baw$e]

For future reference, SMF is easily mobile friendly, probably one of the better of the "old style" forum formats. So if one does not want to spend money on a paid offering, it is a viable alternative.

I'll keep that in mind if I start a 2nd forum.

 

[Heatman]

Everyone is not using the same forum software! I get the fact that XenForo is very popular, it doesn't mean that everyone is working with it. Yes, a lot of forum owners are using XF but there are many other paid scripts which serves very well like XF do.

 

[Henrywrites]

I think there are two factors at play:
- The price point of Xenforo is very accessible. It's one of the cheaper entry solutions for a forum.
- There's something to be said for wisdom of the crowds. If all of your peers are using something or visiting something or eating something, then it's probably already vetted to be good enough for yourself too.

Without mincing words, Xenforo has proven to be the software that is user-friendly for most forum owners. Even as a beginner, you have plenty of options on features that make your forum better when you make use of Xenforo, unlike other forum software.

 

[Tracy]

Even as a beginner, you have plenty of options on features that make your forum better when you make use of Xenforo, unlike other forum software.

Errr.... for someone that wants only a place to post (the ever commented on "forum only site") then NodeBB is a decent option to look at now. I am really impressed with how responsive it is, how easy it is to use as a user and the fantastic mobile presentation without needing an app or even PWA. I think Neo is going to probably end up sticking with it on that site and has even commented to me if I would be interested in setting up another site for them using it.
It does lag behind on some things, like using ReCaptcha v2 instead of v3. But that's to be expected when you don't have that large of a user base and developers devoting all their time to it.

 

[Heatman]

[COLOR=rgb(var(--xgtBirincil-m))]It does lag behind on some things, like using ReCaptcha v2 instead of v3. But that's to be expected when you don't have that large of a user base and developers devoting all their time to it.[/COLOR]

Assuming that even though it's better to use ReCaptcha v3 instead of v2, as long as the v2 still gets the job done, it can serve. Personally, I prefer v2 because it offers visible security. This makes it very challenging and harder for bots to solve.

 

[Tracy]

Personally, I prefer v2 because it offers visible security. This makes it very challenging and harder for bots to solve.

v3 can kick the same ability in if it detects issues I believe. It's just cleaner on the user if it does not detect them as it has no interference.
I still prefer CloudFlare Turnstile honestly though.

 

[Heatman]

v3 can kick the same ability in if it detects issues I believe. It's just cleaner on the user if it does not detect them as it has no interference.
I still prefer CloudFlare Turnstile honestly though.

Yeah, that's very correct. v3 is an upgrade on v2, the developers are bound to make it look better with an improved feature or it's not going to make any sense as an upgrade.

 

[Jason]

I admire those loyal to their software, even if it's not the best, but MyBB has gotten pretty bad.

 

[Tracy]

but MyBB has gotten pretty bad.

The last time I played with it (and it has been a few months ago) it was worse than "pretty bad". After being used to SMF and now NodeBB, it is archaic. I can really see no great reason to use it other than it might be what the admin is used to.

 

[Jason]

The last time I played with it (and it has been a few months ago) it was worse than "pretty bad". After being used to SMF and now NodeBB, it is archaic. I can really see no great reason to use it other than it might be what the admin is used to.

NodeBB is way too expensive for most people, assuming you want your own domain.

 

[Tracy]

NodeBB is way too expensive for most people, assuming you want your own domain.

Really?
https://xenforohelp.com is only costing what the VPS does (about $6) and the time I have invested in setting it up. And that has been a few hours since it's the first time I've set it up in a few years. And the domain cost was what it is for anyone wanting a domain... around $11 from CloudFlare if I remember right when I purchased it.
As for the script, it was a simple git pull to install it.
Now, if you are talking about them hosting it... then yes it will cost.

 

[Heatman]

I admire those loyal to their software, even if it's not the best, but MyBB has gotten pretty bad.

I know very well from experience that most people prefer to make use of and stick to what they are used to instead of trying out something new.