The default comment feature on WordPress is good for generating discussion on topics that you start, but what if your visitors want to create their own topics? A forum is the best format for this type of discussion. I have worked with two different forum softwares for WordPress. One is a project of the WordPress folks (Automattic) called bbPress. And the other is a plugin for WordPress called Simple:Press.
Both softwares have their pros and cons. I originally stuck with bbPress because it is so customizable. Since I was used to customizing WordPress, bbPress follows a lot of the same techniques: making theme files with template tags, adding plugins for extra functionalities, using an admin backend for, well, admin things. While the integration process with WordPress was a bit complicated at first, it got better. Then WordPress 2.6 came out and bbPress would no longer integrate. User registrations and logins for WordPress 2.6 and higher would not synchronize with bbPress. I waited quite some time for a fix to come out, but it never did. The bbPress user forums suggest downgrading to WordPress 2.5.1. However, this limits you from using new and updated WordPress plugins that don’t work in older versions. Apparently Automattic is working on a new version of bbPress which will be compatible and better.
You can see a WordPress 2.5.1 integration with bbPress at HECMWorld.com. On this site we’ve created a “member-only” forum accessible to paying members only using existing and customized plugins for bbPress and WordPress. So the bbPress pros: very customizable in theme and function. Cons: ironically doesn’t integrate with it’s sister software, WordPress (unless you use an older version).
The Simple:Press forum had one big thing against it from the beginning. The default install is ugly. And for customizing appearance, you’re stuck with the options available through the admin backend. This was a big drawback for me as I was used to having full control over the design. Recently, though, the folks at Simple:Press have done an overhaul which now gives you much more control over appearance. I am quite impressed with the level of customization I now have over the forum functionality too. One big plus is allowing unregistered guests post as you build up your user base. Another big pro for this plugin is the ease of installation and integration. As a plugin of WordPress, it uses the WordPress user registration and login by default. It also fits nicely into your existing design. Just create a page for your forum, and there it is. See my new and customized Simple:Press forum at Girlebooks.com.
For now I’ll probably stick with Simple:Press. It seems a lively community and the developers are dedicated to their product. I hope they stick around.
Unless the creators add serious community functionalities, bbpress would not be adopted by majority of people who are looking for building community websites.
I was actually referred to bbpress but after i uploaded it to my plugin lists on wordpress my entire website shut down. I quickly uninstalled it in cpanel and my site popped back up again. No bbpress for me ever. I will give simple:press a shot
oh yeah and i liked this article, i thought it was very informative. It was an article that actually helped me make an informed decision about what to do unlike articles where writers never help you come to a solution