Discussion Forum Software Evaluation - Summary
Followed 90 links to discussion board software websites. Some software would not run on our servers, and other software was disqualified for various reasons. 23 applications remained, and were further pruned down to a selection of 9. PHPBB, UBB, and YABB were desirable but had potential security problems. More study on those problems may be in order. Detailed analysis of the evaluation is available here. Forums are listed in order of preference.
1: Snitz Forums

Requirements: ASP, SQL Server 7/2000

Positive Comments: Fast, versatile, uses NT Authentication

Negative Comments: None

Price: Free

Support: Support forum

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2: ASP Playground.NET Forum

Requirements: ASP, SQL Server 2000 Standard or Enterprise edition OR MSDE 2000 w/o Case Sensitivity

Positive Comments: Looks very nice and clean, runs fast, has a calendar with recurring events, many slick features

Negative Comments: None

Price: $297 until October 22

Support: Support forums, email

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3: ASP Message Board (AMB)

Requirements: ASP, SQL 7.0 & 2000, Access 97/2000

Positive Comments: Looks great and runs fast

Negative Comments: None

Price: $150 for 1 server, $30 per year for upgrades

Support: Support forums, email

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4: Encore Web Forum

Requirements: "Encore Simplex Database," SQL Server optional, Perl, CGI

Positive Comments: Very colorful, nice-looking layout, runs fast

Negative Comments: None

Price: $160 (includes Simplex Database)

Support: Email, Support forum

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5: Active Data Online MessageBoard2000

Requirements: ASP.NET - needs Microsoft .NET framework version 1.1, SQL Server 2000

Positive Comments: Built-in support for Windows authentication

Negative Comments: Discussion forum appears inactive

Price: $500

Support: Email (note License Agreement, Item 3)

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6: Toast Forums

Requirements: Windows, IIS

Positive Comments: Extensive message formatting options, seems fast

Negative Comments: None

Price: $149, $499 with source code

Support: Email, Support forum

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