Kier's new forum software: XenForo

[Nick]

[This is part two of the thread that discussed the former rumor (now a reality) that Kier is developing his own forum software]

Alas, it's true! I'll let it speak for itself:
XenForo
XenForo Community

[Nick]

Originally Posted by Gordie

I predict that this is the beginning of the end of vBulletin, as the leader in forum software - that's assuming it still even is.

There is no doubt in my mind, that it will take Kier and his team some time to be fully competitive with IPB and vB in terms of features, but I fully believe he will catch up quickly and then vB is toast.

You've just gotta think, that momentum wise, Kier is going to have a massive push behind him from disgruntled vBulletin users.

Bring on XenForo I say!

I agree 110%! So many people are already enthusiastic about the project (look at how many people supported him before they even got a glimpse of it) because 1) It's Kier. And everybody knows we all love Kier, for his work ethic and quality productions. And 2) almost everybody in their right mind is fed up with vBulletin. We need something new in this market. Something fresh and something exciting. Kier and his team have done a great job making that necessity a reality.

I have no doubt in my mind that XenForo is well on its way to success.

[Abomination]

[MsJac]

Wow! Definitely looks like an innovative piece of software - will be staying tuned!

Jacquii.

[BananaQueen]

it looks quite good

[Mikey]

Sigh. It's not /just/ Kier's software. Mike Sullivan too.

[gnatster]

this ought to be interesting.

[gill.g]

I've been hoping this would happen and am delighted! I really like the software - it's fresh and so easy to use (so far!!) and I've enjoyed trying it out on the new company forums along with everyone else!!

I think vB will be toast quite quickly given events over the past year or so. Internet Brands have destroyed the product and the number of disgruntled customers appears to be huge. In comes Kier and Mike and hey ... surely they will pick up a massive chunk of that market.

I see in the longer term - but not too long - that the main competition will be between IPB and XenForo.

[Mikey]

Don't count on every vB owner dropping their licenses and moving to xenForo. What most likely will happen is they will keep their exisiting boards on vB, and any new startups will be powered by xenForo.

[gill.g]

Fair point Mikey. If the pricing is competitive and with ease of transition which will be the case, perhaps more than we think will move over.

[MordyT]

I will move over...

[Abomination]

Originally Posted by MordyT

I will move over...

Me too... At least that is my intention today. I'd like some support details & pricing before finalizing.

With end of life, no large bugs ever being addressed in vb3.8 (as per their announcement regarding support policy changes), I think others may also seek a solution and move over.

[Brandon Sheley]

Originally Posted by Abomination

i agree

Originally Posted by Abomination

Me too... At least that is my intention today. I'd like some support details & pricing before finalizing.

With end of life, no large bugs ever being addressed in vb3.8 (as per their announcement regarding support policy changes), I think others may also seek a solution and move over.

it's still in alpa guys
I'd say this is still a ways out before production. 6-9 months maybe?

[Abomination]

Originally Posted by Brandon Sheley

i agree

it's still in alpa guys
I'd say this is still a ways out before production. 6-9 months maybe?

Dunno. I believe it will be more like 6-9 weeks. Regardless, we have changed our plans because of it.

We were going to ipb. Just yesterday I almost put a large deposit down on a ipb skin, but the guy must have already gone home for the day because it went to voice mail.

[Grover]

Originally Posted by MordyT

I will move over...

Our company and foundation will probably too, if xenForo can provide integrated Blogs and a CMS solution in 2011. It is truly remarkable, almost unbelievable that 2 talented (and very respected) developers can pull off something like this, whereas Internet Brands are capable of destroying a brand and supporting community in no-time and at the same time are unable with how many developers/staff: 20+? to provide their paying customers with a stable and good looking package.

I have put out soooo many suggestions and ditto bugreports on the utterly bad userinterface of vBulletin4 (especially the forumproduct) and almost nothing has been done with it by Internet Brands (what do you think this does to the motivation of a once very loyal/enthusiastic vBulletin customer/promotor?). Then xenForo steps in and... immediately solves all the issues I have with the unfinished/unprofessional/dysfunctional userinterface/userexperience of vBulletin4.

When is Internet Brands going to get it? I am afraid never. I hope that xenForo will become an unprecedented success. I will do everything I can to promote it (if the backend is as good as the awesome frontend... I just will wait for other new customers to get it into production on their sites and see what their experiences are) to my contacts and interested people, even if I do not use it myself (yet).