Lightweight Forum Software

[darkpedro]

Hey there. I'm wondering if anyone can recommend a lightweight forum software. I'm looking for very few frills, mostly just secure. I'd like to set up a forum for alpha testers for a project I'm working on to give them a place to troubleshoot issues they come across.

Let me know what you recommend. Thanks.

 

[cr4zyguy]

Try Vanilla - Free, Open-Source Forum Software
I've used it as an in-house communication tool and it's worked very well. Very clean design, and easy to install add-ons.

 

[Fewleftstanding]

SMF probably..

If you are willing to pay go with vBulletin.

 

[pfgannon]

Vanilla - Free, Open-Source Forum Software

 

[Supergeek]

Vanilla - Free, Open-Source Forum Software

I used to hate Vanilla because it looked different, but it's starting to grow on me now.

But really, he was looking for something lightweight. I don't know how the different forums compare for resource usage, and honestly I don't know that anyone has done a comparison. I would guess fewer features = less resources.

 

[che1959]

well the wordpress support forums run on bbpress. It seems like a good solution for them. It lacks some of the nicer features like avatars, but it seems to work well for their needs. it's open source.

I have a couple of simple machines forums. They work good and don't ever put too much resource demands on the server. It is the best free forum software out there and best of all, it's secure.

 

[eXtremeSG]

Hi,

SMF is probably the most resources friendly from a web host point of view.
Also has a decent range of user generated mods etc.

Cheers!

 

[Drake]

SMF is easy to setup and I am a programming moron. Lots of hosts have one click installs for that and other things too. Maybe check with your host(s) on what is in Fantistico or some other install program.

 

[darkpedro]

Thanks guys. I'll take a look at the 3: Vanilla, SMF, & simple machines.

I appreciate your help.

****
Edit, I see that SMF is simple machines.