Extending a forum package for site login?

Are any forum packages able to be used for site logins?

[ianevans]

I've got a bit of a two-pronged expansion in mind, so I'm wondering if any of the PHP-based forum softwares might be able to kill two birds with one stone.

Obviously adding forums is prong one.

I'm also looking at using a login system so that validated readers can add reviews, upload photos, participate in giveaways, etc.

Needless to say, the forum systems already have all the signup, lost password, validation, membership database stuff handled so I'm wondering if any of them are extensible so that I can use their login features in my own hand-rolled scripts.

It'd seem a waste to have a sign-in for the forums, a sign-in for this site feature and that...

Any suggestions?

[mcibor]

As the forum has it's own login system, then it's usually done on session variables.
You can use session to store your short time and db for long time relevant data.

Best regards!
Michal Cibor

[vabtz]

phpbb is has an easy to use library

[b0rdslide]

There is an SDK available for Invision Power Board that enables full site integration.

Saying that, if you are a reasonable coder pretty much any forum login system can be extended or used for a site login.

Kev