This is specific to the paid scripts (but even open source ones come into play).
The major question I am putting put forth is... how dependent are you upon 3rd party developers to provide what you (as the site owner/admin) consider a core base compared to what the developer of your script offers (or considers is adequate) to it's license holders (and ultimately users)? Is the package you are using a fairly full featured one (this leans towards Invision Community) or are they more "we give you a basic forum and you can get a resource manager and gallery but you want more.. pay more to outside developers and hope they stick around" attitude?
If you have had direct exposure to the major paid scripts, what have you found that are the major differences for those admins wanting to offer more to their users at the core level without having to spend hundreds (or in some cases thousands) of dollars that you may not recoup compared to their competitors?
Personally... I know with XenForo it is VERY dependent upon 3rd party developers when compared to the other paid scripts... but I'm so invested in it I honestly can't "afford" to change since I gain no inbound monies from my sites since they are ran free of ads or "membership fees".
This topic is more so that those investigating the various paid scripts can get a true opinion from those that have used any/all of the various paid scripts as a comparison. Every script has its fanbois... but elucidate on why you think that your choice is better than another. Realize... each paid script offers different core functions... and for some those may not be "important", but don't simply discount the fact that those may be "more" important" to others.
Basically... discourse on the strengths & weaknesses of the script you use compared to others.
Personally... my biggest complaint with my script of choice is their stubborn stance on pushing the extension of it off onto 3rd parties (many of which are not around long, and others have questionable coding ability).... many features that they ignore should in reality be core... especially considering that they are not a major paradigm shift from what they currently offer... only an extension of it.
One of my reasons for this topic is I have a domain that I am contemplating "extending" into actual use.. so first party input of what they see as strengths in their script and it being compared to other scripts would be of benefit to both a new admin and an "old timer" that may not be aware of other choices.
The major question I am putting put forth is... how dependent are you upon 3rd party developers to provide what you (as the site owner/admin) consider a core base compared to what the developer of your script offers (or considers is adequate) to it's license holders (and ultimately users)? Is the package you are using a fairly full featured one (this leans towards Invision Community) or are they more "we give you a basic forum and you can get a resource manager and gallery but you want more.. pay more to outside developers and hope they stick around" attitude?
If you have had direct exposure to the major paid scripts, what have you found that are the major differences for those admins wanting to offer more to their users at the core level without having to spend hundreds (or in some cases thousands) of dollars that you may not recoup compared to their competitors?
Personally... I know with XenForo it is VERY dependent upon 3rd party developers when compared to the other paid scripts... but I'm so invested in it I honestly can't "afford" to change since I gain no inbound monies from my sites since they are ran free of ads or "membership fees".
This topic is more so that those investigating the various paid scripts can get a true opinion from those that have used any/all of the various paid scripts as a comparison. Every script has its fanbois... but elucidate on why you think that your choice is better than another. Realize... each paid script offers different core functions... and for some those may not be "important", but don't simply discount the fact that those may be "more" important" to others.
Basically... discourse on the strengths & weaknesses of the script you use compared to others.
Personally... my biggest complaint with my script of choice is their stubborn stance on pushing the extension of it off onto 3rd parties (many of which are not around long, and others have questionable coding ability).... many features that they ignore should in reality be core... especially considering that they are not a major paradigm shift from what they currently offer... only an extension of it.
One of my reasons for this topic is I have a domain that I am contemplating "extending" into actual use.. so first party input of what they see as strengths in their script and it being compared to other scripts would be of benefit to both a new admin and an "old timer" that may not be aware of other choices.
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