Is Open-Source Forum Software (like phpBB or MyBB) Actually Holding Forums Back?

[Shawn Gossman]

Are these free, open-source forum platforms actually hindering forum software development?

If the free ones closed down, that might force people to switch to advanced platforms like XenForo or Invision. That means these platforms might put even more effort into developing and modernizing their features because it would be in demand from those needing to switch.

Could it be that free forum platforms are the real cause of the decline of advanced platforms and the lack of modernized features? Because many people are using free versus paid services?

 

[Tracy]

Discourse and NodeBB are progressive and offer features that some of the paid options have not even contemplated.
Now, if you are referring to older style forums formats that have basically been around since the 2000's then they really don't have a lot of influence on the development process of what the paid scripts do as few of any them push the boundaries.

The only thing that I can see the open source ones stopping production doing is lining the pockets of the paid script developers. That does not equate with promised advancement in any of them though, just more money going into their bank accounts.

In reality, you find that a lot of the innovation is coming from those open source products, and a lot of them are very active in their development and getting regular updates pushed out and not taking 6-8 months.

 

[Shawn Gossman]

Some sources say that there are 80,000 phpBB communities online, thousands are still using MyBB, and one source says 500+ are on SMF. I could believe that. I don't see too many SMF forums out there anymore.

Now imagines if those three platforms shut down and people had to migrate to a paid platform like XF, VB, or Invision.

If people wanted that old school forum feel still. That's what I mean.

Are all these people on free platforms potentially causing slow development on paid due to them not having an influx of new buyers in demand?

Just a little theory that might be completely full of crap, LOL.

 

[Tracy]

Are all these people on free platforms potentially causing slow development on paid due to them not having an influx of new buyers in demand?

I don't think so. People use the free scripts for a reason.. usually because they can't afford to go to a paid script. So if there are no more free offerings, many would most likely just not set up a site using a forum format.