vBulletin

Anyone who visits forums regularly will have seen the familiar phrase, "powered by vBulletin." vBulletin forum software is very likely the most well liked among commercial discussion forum software scripts. vBulletin is a powerful, scalable and fully customizable web site forums software package. Based on the PHP language, backed with a "blisteringly fast" MySQL back-end database, vBulletin is the ideal community solution for all medium-to-large sites.

Features

Fast MySQL based backend database

Completely database driven - reduces file security worries.

Scalable solution - database server and web servers can reside on separate machines and in some cases with separate operating systems.

Comprehensive templates system Importation facility - seamlessly upgrade from other bulletin board systems like Infopop's Ultimate Bulletin Board, UBBThreads, OpenTopic, ezboard, and Ikonboard.

Powerful database-driven search engine

Unlimited forums, messages, and categories

Children's Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998 compliant

Powerful administrative functionality - edit, delete, move, and lock posts with one click

Moderation queues on posting and registration - check new posts before they become publicly viewable and new registrants before they can post

User email notification of answered posts

Smilies, vB Code or HTML in messages

Templates system

User editable profiles

Unlimited moderators

User email address confirmation during registration

Easy back up - download one text file with one complete forum image.

User groups - give select moderators and users admin privileges

Private forums

Word censor facility

User IP address and email address banning

Integrated private messaging

Posts since last visit marked as new - allows moderators to quickly discern if there have been new posts in a particular forum.

vBulletin Reviews

vBulletin Review - from Computer Shopper

vBulletin Links

vBulletin Forum Software official site