The money isn't an issue, I just want the best solution to make Stafford Forum the best it can be.wmrcomputers said:What kind of costs are involved with each option? If it's not ridiculous, I'm sure you could set up a Paypal donations link to raise the funds. I've gained several customers through the forum so a donation is the least I could do and I'm sure there would be others who would be prepared to chip in a few quid. Just a thought
vBulletin is £289.00 for the full kit & caboodle, which seems to be a combined forum/CMS/mobile suite/blog package that is seamlessly integrated, so I think it would allow me to do all of the above (and more) with a minimum of effort.
Just the forum element of vBulletin is only £123.00, which I believe I could hack into WordPress (which is free) to provide the frontend/CMS element.
I'm just not sure which is the best route to go down! I like the idea of "one package fits all", but WordPress is open source and so has plug-ins/themes/add-ons coming out of its ears, and is constantly being developed.
If anyone has experience of either, I'd love to hear about it. I've love to have a front page that automatically shows the latest pictures uploaded by forum users, along with the most active/recent posts, users' birthdays, things like that.
That's a very generous offer, thanks. I pay for Stafford Forum out of my own pocket, and do it just for the love, but now it is taking up more and more of my time I suppose I will have to start seriously thinking of ways to fund all these grand ideas!wmrcomputers said:I've gained several customers through the forum so a donation is the least I could do and I'm sure there would be others who would be prepared to chip in a few quid. Just a thought