With Vanilla we wanted to break the mold created and followed by just about every other forum on the web. We sat down and thought about what we liked, and more importantly, what we didn't like about web forums. We wanted emphasis on the discussions rather than the statistics. We wanted to stop using MSN or AIM to send secret messages to other forum members; We wanted to be able to save the common searches. Basically, we wanted the thing to work for us instead of against us. Most importantly we wanted it to be free and we wanted it to run on just about every web server out there. So, Vanilla is a PHP / MySQL solution that is 100% open-source. You can take it and alter it and use it free of charge.
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this forum looks got but is not valid with sgml parser (admin section) ... try the firefox addon htmltidy and use sgml parser
Posted By: Valerian on May 8 2009 08:57 am
I've used this system to play with and build a small community site.
But after all time, I put into finding a way to extend it's simplicity into something more, I've to say that it is not possible.
This board works fine as "a board" with its modules and so on. Even templating is quite simple. But you shouldn't expect much of it.
If you are in need of an extremely lightweight discussion solution, it could fit your needs but if you want something for a larger Board-Community you should continue your search.
Posted By: Parvez on April 18 2009 02:37 am
I think this is a simple and easy to customise CMS. It's easy to configure too. I am personally using it on a site: forum.bmkp.org
I would say it is best suited for forum users who expect simplicity (and certainly not high-tech).
Posted By: Alpha on April 12 2008 12:38 pm
I took a look at it....had to say that it is a little too plain for me. Honestly, I just like boards with lots of features. If you count that out, it isn't that bad!
Posted By: James Oppenheim on March 9 2007 10:15 am
Looks like a great piece of software. I have just played around with it, but the source code looks great. I think I will use it on my blog.
Posted By: Raoul Duke on February 21 2007 05:07 am
I don't like it. I'm here to evaluate alternatives to it.
Very feature-poor. Some of the extensions they do offer are either buggy as all hell, and/or do things I can't imagine anyone ever wanting them to do. Meanwhile, many of the things I _do_ want them to do simply aren't available.
I also find this software very opaque...not all that user-friendly. I don't grok it too well, anyway.
Posted By: Michael Mayr on December 12 2006 07:24 am
Vanilla is one of the slowest BBS I know :D
Posted By: Dave Davis on November 19 2006 06:49 am
We installed Vanilla about a year ago. Our biggest concern was its scalability and ability to handle heavy traffic. I have to say, one year later, it has delivered in fine fashion. It is stable, fast and VERY secure. While VB is great for a more technical forum, I have found that vanilla suits a community that is not so technically inclined.
Posted By: galib on November 1 2006 07:24 am
We installed the vanilla forum a copule of days ago and we love it so far. Loads of exrentions (aka plug ins), great look and very user friendly. We love it.
Posted By: Smoothie on July 10 2006 06:54 am
Vanilla uses a really nice, original approach to forum software. It's especially useful for smaller scale forums, where topics could otherwise be spread too thinly across many categories. The code, presentation and workings of the system are clean, and the extensions system is particularly easy to use. My only minor gripe: the lack of many themes / styles currently available. Still a cracking system.
Posted By: amygdela on April 25 2006 01:12 am
Neil, I can perfectly browse the vanilla community with JavaScript switched of in Firefox?
Posted By: Neil on April 10 2006 10:57 am
Sadly, this is not going to meet even basic accessibility standards as it requires JavaScript to be enabled and no noscript alternative is offered as stipulated by WAI - and discussion on the home site indicates that it will always require JavaScript. This is a pity, because the source is otherwise valid and it makes good use of css for layout.
Posted By: Herbert on March 31 2006 05:01 am
In terms of features its lacking quite a few things but I will watch it quite carefully it's got so much potential.
Posted By: dennis on February 7 2006 09:26 am
very promisingly forum, really! a pity that it does not support subcategories yet:( would be my first choice...it's 'oh so sweet
Posted By: Herschel on January 27 2006 03:25 am
Will: There's a setting in the admin panel that lets you set the forum to be viewable without logging in.
I'm interested in seeing what this is like a few versions down the line when it has some more features.
