Article
Forum Software Roundup
Web Wiz Forums
http://www.webwizguide.info/web_wiz_forums/
Another ASP forum solution, Web Wiz Forums has a reasonably large feature listing which makes it a popular ASP discussion board application. The full feature list includes such features as avatar galleries, image and file uploading, styling/skinning support, a powerful permissions system, private messaging, a statistics system, and others. This means that Web Wiz Forums is almost an equal contender with the like of IVB and phpBB.
The latest version (7.01) was released on 27th April 2003 and is available in 2 versions -- Access 2000 and SQL Server 7.0/2000. The Access version is the more popular, but the SQL Server version is the higher performance system with added tweaks for high traffic boards. Other downloads available include 2 avatar galleries. The Web Wiz Website also provides in depth and detailed documentation to help users install, administer, and troubleshoot the software.
In addition, a large list of modifications and add-ons is available. These are also available on the Web Wiz Website, and range from a Latest News Mod to a Photo Gallery Mod. Although there aren't as many as for phpBB, they are available, and allow you to customise the forums to your own requirements. Skinning (as it is called by Web Wiz Forums) is also supported. Although there are only currently 10 skins available, one of these will make the forums look like the default IVB style! All the software available on the Web Wiz Website is free. However, you can pay to have the link removed using the WorldPay system.
After you download the 988kb .zip file and extract its contents, all the files you need to upload can be found in the /forum directory; documentation is also available. There are around 3mb of files to upload to your Web space, and once you've uploaded these, you do not need to modify any files or even run any installation scripts -- Web Wiz runs ‘right out of the box'.
The default style is not stunning. It features a grey look and icons for the menu options. The profile page looks quite like the phpBB profile page, as does the administration area. The admin area is much more comprehensive than the Snitz Forums area. Again, it allows you to modify every aspect of the forums, set up new categories, view forum statistics, and email members.
Overall, the Web Wiz forum system is probably the most feature-packed and extensive of the free ASP forums, with support for skins and modifications, and some standard features that are only available as extras or modifications in the other forum applications. The Web Wiz Website forums are where you will find support for the application. However, they do not appear to be as busy as the other support forums. There is no other way to obtain support, although a troubleshooting document is available.
Summary
Language: ASP
Database Support: MS Access, MSSQL
Modifications/Styles Available: Small number of styles or modifications available
Overall: 6/10
Pros: Good features listing and administration area
Cons: Small number of styles/modifications available
Ikonboard
With well over 50,000 downloads in the past few months, Ikonboard is truly one of the most popular systems available. Powered by CGI, Ikonboard 3.1 provides a whole set of features that match -- and sometimes beat -- the features available in other applications. Its key features include full language support, extensive skinning support, SSI enabled-templates (for including other parts of your site), advanced permissions, graphical and colour modification options from the control panel, and news management.
As well as the CGI version, you can obtain a hosted version, a PHP version, and a light version. Most of these are still in development, but you can find out more via the Guided Tour.
There are also a number of dedicated sites that provide IB skins and modifications. The Skins site includes over 50 skins for IB3, plus over 200 graphics for download. The modifications or ‘hacks' are also available via a dedicated section of the IB Website.
The support for the application appears to be the best available. By signing up to the member's area you gain access to priority support tickets, support forums, FAQs and live chat -- all, apparently, for free.
Downloading the 1.16Mb system does not require registration in the member area, although you are advised to register to receive the support. Other downloads include older versions and a graphics development pack. You have to upload just over 3.5Mb of files to your CGI-enabled Web space. The instructions provided are comprehensive, but could easily be confusing for new users. Installation on Windows is easier as no chmoding is required; however, you have to chmod various files on Unix/Linux.
You then use the installation screens to install various files so that Ikonboard can run. I chose to use a MySQL database to store the data, although other available options include PostgreSQL, Oracle, and even DMB database.
The default style of the forum is quite nice -- grey/blue with chrome type buttons. At the bottom, it includes an option to ‘Invite a friend to the board' which is interesting and a nice feature to help you promote your forum. The Control Panel allows you to set up various options for posting and altering your profile, and it's split into different sections, which keeps it tidy. My only problem with this default style is that the three Search/Members/Help buttons look out of place in the top right corner, as they are the only graphical buttons in the whole interface.
Like the IVB administration area, the options down the side are expanded by selecting the category name, which again keeps the interface neat. The overall look of the IB administration control panel is clean and tidy. There are many options here to allow you to change features -- from database management to setting up news functionality.
Overall, IB is a very good application. Even though it uses CGI, there is barely a noticeable decrease in speed, though the administration area did feel slightly sluggish. The software provides a very good feature list and easily matches the PHP systems. However, the installation was slightly complicated (I had to go through about 6 screens before I was able to access the forums), and the administration control panel skin could be improved.
Summary
Language: CGI
Database Support: DMB, PostgreSQL, MySQL
Modifications/Styles Available: Many skins and modifications freely available
Overall: 9/10
Pros: All the features you could need
Cons: Slight admin area slowdown, bad admin area colours
Conclusion
There are hundreds of other forum applications available. I have reviewed the most popular, but these may not suit your site. What I did discover was that ASP forum systems seem to offer the least features. This is disappointing for ASP Website owners, considering that PHP and CGI forum applications currently outweigh any free ASP system.
In addition to these HTML-based forums, there are Flash forums currently in development -- some are even available right now. Time will tell if these are successful, but there is no reason why they shouldn't be, provided they can match the features displayed by the applications reviewed here.