Open Source Forum vs Code from Scratch?
-
Hi all, I'm looking to bolt on Forum / Social networking features to my site www.workoutbox.com (which is still under development). WorkoutBox is completley custom built from the ground up and runs on MS SQL 05. The forum / social networking features I'm looking to add are very similar to these: http://www.gyminee.com/forums http://www.gyminee.com/groups/search/1[^] Basically a nice clean Web 2.0 forum, with groups and profiles, thats easy to use and not over the top. I now have two options, either have my freelancers build the forum, profiles and groups from the ground up, or use an open source forum engine like http://forum.yetanotherforum.net[^] and intergrate / reskin it into the site and plug in into my existing login / registration system. I'n theory the open source route sounds quicker, but since I'll probably want to extend/customise whats there a fair bit anyway, that could give me more hassle than its worth. I'd really be greatfull for some outside advice on this one, as bad decisions here can turn your development project into a nightmare.. Thanks guys, Simon
modified on Friday, September 19, 2008 6:57 AM
-
Hi all, I'm looking to bolt on Forum / Social networking features to my site www.workoutbox.com (which is still under development). WorkoutBox is completley custom built from the ground up and runs on MS SQL 05. The forum / social networking features I'm looking to add are very similar to these: http://www.gyminee.com/forums http://www.gyminee.com/groups/search/1[^] Basically a nice clean Web 2.0 forum, with groups and profiles, thats easy to use and not over the top. I now have two options, either have my freelancers build the forum, profiles and groups from the ground up, or use an open source forum engine like http://forum.yetanotherforum.net[^] and intergrate / reskin it into the site and plug in into my existing login / registration system. I'n theory the open source route sounds quicker, but since I'll probably want to extend/customise whats there a fair bit anyway, that could give me more hassle than its worth. I'd really be greatfull for some outside advice on this one, as bad decisions here can turn your development project into a nightmare.. Thanks guys, Simon
modified on Friday, September 19, 2008 6:57 AM
Simon, it is really a tough call. As a .net programmer I would normally say build your own. However, forums have been done so many times that I am thinking it would be easier to use the open source forum. You might have to make a few minor design sacrifices, but it will save you time and money in development costs. Really it is up to you though. Your site looks cool, I might just sign up when it is done.
I didn't get any requirements for the signature
-
Hi all, I'm looking to bolt on Forum / Social networking features to my site www.workoutbox.com (which is still under development). WorkoutBox is completley custom built from the ground up and runs on MS SQL 05. The forum / social networking features I'm looking to add are very similar to these: http://www.gyminee.com/forums http://www.gyminee.com/groups/search/1[^] Basically a nice clean Web 2.0 forum, with groups and profiles, thats easy to use and not over the top. I now have two options, either have my freelancers build the forum, profiles and groups from the ground up, or use an open source forum engine like http://forum.yetanotherforum.net[^] and intergrate / reskin it into the site and plug in into my existing login / registration system. I'n theory the open source route sounds quicker, but since I'll probably want to extend/customise whats there a fair bit anyway, that could give me more hassle than its worth. I'd really be greatfull for some outside advice on this one, as bad decisions here can turn your development project into a nightmare.. Thanks guys, Simon
modified on Friday, September 19, 2008 6:57 AM
I'd say it comes down to cost. If you want a fully customised forum then obviously you have to have it developed, which would probably be more expensive than taking an open source one. I suppose the other thing to consider is how open source is it? If you have the source code then its a very good starting point to extend from. Always a difficult decision, but at the end of the day is it worth spoiling the look and feel of the site for the sake of a few more quid?
Bob Ashfield Consultants Ltd