Intesting vbulletin competitor
 

Here is an interesting competitor to vBulletin. I'm looking at it for some work based projects..

It's main feature is that it uses Ajax so that everything happens in real time. To use an example based on this site: If I posted this message while you were viewing the lounge, you would see the "new message" count update automatically. Also as new threads were being added to a hot discussion topic they would get added to your screen in real time. No need to keep hitting F5 (or refresh) all the time.

Oh and before someone asks, no I am not suggesting LoT switch to this program. It's still in beta and has quite a way to go development wise, but it's still interesting.

This version of vB also uses Ajax, though not in that way.

Eh. Not very impressive.

Really?

I think they have some interesting ideas, like private forums to replace PM's so you can have multi-party private chats, the ability for the community to rank posts and an easy way for viewers to filter on that.

Did you visit the site and look at what they have or just respond to the one example in my OP?

While this is a good feature for sites like Slashdot, I think it is a horrible feature for open-discussion discussion boards. But I'm sure it can be turned off. Also, a fully Ajax discussion board would be horrible for stand-alone discussion board sites that try to cover server and infrastructure expenses through advertising networks. The networks already pay pennies on he dollar for BB impressions and this would drastically cut down on the number of impressions available for sale.

But there are some cool ideas in there, too. Especially if those aren't concerns.

I saw it but I just wasn't impressed. VB has some of those features, such as private forums, and other features could be added with hacks. I'm just not impressed with it.

I would never want to replace PMs with private forums. I don't like chat rooms. I like the on-board email substitute.