Can i use textpattern to create a discussion forum?

brookmarker · 2010-04-30 15:43:12

I have never used textpattern before ever in my entire life…. so, i’d like to know from an expert whether textpattern can enable me (a web developer) to add a discussion forum within the structure of my website.

MattD · 2010-04-30 15:51:12

It could add commenting to your site but if a discussion forum is what you need I’d recommend forum software instead. That’s white this site uses PunBB and not Textpattern.

merz1 · 2010-04-30 16:27:38

i’d like to know from an expert whether textpattern can enable me (a web developer) to add a discussion forum within the structure of my website.

Short answer: No. Textpattern does not offer community features.

Longer answer (in short):

A) Simple

You can use Textpattern as your CMS to blog, post articles, etc.
In one folder/directory which is not occupied by Textpattern you can of course install a forum software as a stand alone solution inside your website structure.

b) More complex (inside the structure of a TXP site)

Inside Textpattern you can create a section for the forum.
With the help of <txp:php> you can include every PHP code you like.
Problem: You have to find a forum software which supports this way of inclusion.

c) Defnitely ‘No’, if:

The community features are crucial and the main feature of the website.
The community features are the only feature of the website.

PS: Recommended CMS solutions with community features

Drupal
ExpressionEngine

amordecosmos · 2010-05-01 10:39:41

The other posters are quite right, if a discussion forum is a vital part of your site then you will be much better off with dedicated forum software.

However, as a TXP Absolutist, I say that you can make TXP do almost anything, if you can live with some quirks.

This is not quite a discussion forum (and note that it is brand new) but my new site has a Question & Answer forum that allows regular users to post questions and have other users suggest answers. Snipe

(It’s done by mem_self register IGN Password Protect and messing around with the comments.)

keith · 2010-05-01 16:33:50

txphorum

jakob · 2010-05-01 19:02:29

txphorum is okay for a very basic forum setup but if you have a lot going on it quickly gets untidy – see some notes here and here. I found the original version still had some major problems and I made quite a few modifications before I used it for a simple situation. Later, Stef/Bloke and Uli took my version and improved on it further for another project. If you do consider txphorum, you may want to contact Stef for a more robust version.

keith · 2010-05-02 07:57:25

Not saying I’d use or recommend Txphorum, Jakob, simply pointing out that it can be done.

jakob · 2010-05-02 10:27:47

Absolutely, Keith. Sorry if that came across differently. I used it myself in the past and it works fine but there are some caveats.

keith · 2010-05-02 13:06:19

Oh no, Jakob, no problems with how you came across – in fact I wondered (after the event!) whether my comment might have seemed a bit more brusque than intended.

Anyway, we agree that although Txphorum is a clever “proof of concept” it’s probably not the best forum solution for most people.

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#1 2010-04-30 15:43:12

Can i use textpattern to create a discussion forum?

#2 2010-04-30 15:51:12

Re: Can i use textpattern to create a discussion forum?

#3 2010-04-30 16:27:38

Re: Can i use textpattern to create a discussion forum?

#4 2010-05-01 10:39:41

Re: Can i use textpattern to create a discussion forum?

#5 2010-05-01 16:33:50

Re: Can i use textpattern to create a discussion forum?

#6 2010-05-01 19:02:29

Re: Can i use textpattern to create a discussion forum?

#7 2010-05-02 07:57:25

Re: Can i use textpattern to create a discussion forum?

#8 2010-05-02 10:27:47

Re: Can i use textpattern to create a discussion forum?

#9 2010-05-02 13:06:19

Re: Can i use textpattern to create a discussion forum?

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