Need suggestions on Forum Software

[rumblepup]

I've got a local project where I'm starting a Community Forum for a local city. I could really use some suggestions on good forum software.

Now, since this forum software is for non techs, just regular web users, I need a forum that is as user friendly as possible. In other words, I'd like for people to get on and start posting. However, I'm also aware that I need something that won't be spammed daily, and that could provide some SEO friendliness, like SEF's, Posts Titles as Page Titles, etc.

Any suggestions?

[Kefaire]

phpBB has a simple, user-friendly interface, a helpful FAQ and a generous administrator control panel.
You can choose the databases server (MySQL, MS-SQL, PostgreSQL or Access/ODBC), the functionalities (at first I was a little discouraged by the mods installation process but I found great support on the online community and the documentation they provide answered all my questions) the skins... Everything is customizable so you can create the forum you wish.

If you haven't got much time, and want to see what the new phpbb3 can offer, just try it out on this host : free forum hosting

Hope this can help!

[Toni Anicic]

as mentioned above, phpBB could be a good place to start, however I got some bad expirience with phpBB and spamm...

so if you would like a profesional solution I'd say vBulletin is a way to go, if you need a free solution, my favourite would be SMF

[southplatte]

SMF is a very nice package in the free arena - I like it over phpBB for security and features, though I have not used a recent (read as phpbb 3.0.0) yet to compare the features of it to SMF so someone may have more to say on that.

[dharrison]

Hi Rumblepup

I've asked this question recently and was recommended BB Press which is easy to set up and customise. I have also heard a lot of good feedback regarding phpBB version 3 (the recent one)

Having said that, whichever you choose you'll still want to make some modifications to stop spammers (eg CAPTCHAS, random questions etc)

HTH

[davebarnes]

I personally would recommend IP.Board (aka Invision Power Board).
Invision Power Services :: Community :: Board :: Home
It costs a small amount and you can them to install it.
And, most importantly, you can get help.