phpBB vs. IPB (Invision Power Board)?

[pelican]

Hello. Can you guys give me some recommendations on which php board is better, phpBB or IPB (Invision Power Board)? I'd like to know the advantages and disadvantages to using both. Thanks in advance.

[Jenstar]

Welcome to WebmasterWorld [webmasterworld.com] pelican!

I use phpbb on several sites, and absolutely love it. You must keep up to date with the current versions, but you can completely customize it, make it Google-friendly, and there are plenty of mods and hacks you can add on as well.

I don't have any experience with IPB, but someone else may have information on it - I hadn't heard of it before. But I definitely give my votes for phpbb.

[pelican]

Thanks Jenstar,

Could you also tell me if there is anyway to set up your site so that members use the same username and password on multiple places on your site....for example on your message board, on places to submit poetry, on a "personals" section (well, my personals section in not intended to be romantic), etc....

[Jenstar]

If you go to phpbbhacks, they have some portal options there which can be integrated with phpbb. I have never used any of the portal mods/hacks though. I am pretty sure I saw a "personals" option there. Take a look at both phpbb.com and phpbbhacks.com and see if the various mods and hacks are suitable for the different options you need.