Blog + Forum package

Preferably free, using PHP + MySQL

[TomAnthony]

Hi,

For a new site, I really want to have Blog and Forum software that requires only a single registration to post comments and participate in the forum.

Ideally, I would like to use Wordpress for the blog, as I know it well, and can make themes and plugins myself. However it is not absolute if someone has a great alternative.

I would much rather open source, free software, but could spend $100 or $200 if I really really had to.

I also would want the theme/skin to be consisten across both parts of the site.

Is my easiest option going to be phpBB, find a skin, then build my own Wordpress skin to match it, and then kludge the databases?

Anyone any ideas/experience with this sort of situation?

Thanks!

[dragsterboy]

Maybe drupal can help you.

[Beagle]

Invision PowerBoard offers a blog add-on that integrates with the forum - the license for the forum plus the blog add-on would be at the upper end of your price range.

[BillyS]

Check out the combination of Joomla and Simple Machines Forum.

[rebelde]

vBulletin (forum software) just announced this week that it is adding blog software. If you can wait a few months and can't find a free & integrated solution, it might work for you.

[bill]

The vbDrupal [vbdrupal.org] project integrates vBulletin forums and the Drupal CMS. As their catch-phrase says, "The best CMS combined with the most popular forum." It lives up to its billing there. I've used vbDrupal for over a year now on a corporate Intranet, and have been very happy with it.

[maccas]

vBlogetin + vBulletin is also a option if you want to go the paid route.