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After paving the way with its third version, Woltlab Burning Board (Wbb) appears poised to impress users once again with its upcoming fourth version. By showcasing its quality and experience while also addressing modern needs and user expectations, Wbb successfully implements the necessary functions. I had the opportunity to review the currently available Burning Board 4.0.0 Beta 1 release. While I had previously examined the demo version, experiencing it firsthand from installation was a whole new level of excitement for me.
Let's start our review from the installation process. There hasn't been any change from the familiar installation method of version 3.x. Similarly, we first create a database, upload the installation files to FTP, and proceed with the installation through our browser. Whether it's due to its beta status or not, I can say that I went through a significantly faster installation process compared to version 3.x. The modern interface that greeted me during the installation process made me eager to explore further. Despite the short installation time, I couldn't wait to dive into the forum.
Moving on to the control panel, there has been a significant change in the appearance. The familiar control panel icons are absent, replaced by a simpler and more fluid layout which, at least from my perspective, is fantastic. I used to complain about the unnecessary icons in places where visual appeal wasn't crucial. Wbb4 did not disappoint me in this regard. The clutter in manageable areas has been removed, making it easier to find what we need without wasting time on minor adjustments.
Now, let's talk about the forum itself. I may be exaggerating, but it's simply excellent. The modern simplicity of the interface has left me in awe. A non-intrusive, visually appealing, and functional design has been implemented. Unlike the single-column layout in version 3.x, they have opted for a two-column design. While our forums are listed in the first column, the second contains features such as recent topics, most active discussions, and activity flow, enhancing its functionality. You can also choose to hide this second column if desired.
For management functions like "Close forum" and user options like "Mark forums as read, scroll down, RSS, sitemap," we can easily access them through icons located just above the forum area. Menus have been revised to become more functional.
Additionally, many features obtained through plugins in version 3.x are now included by default. The "Share" feature at the end of each comment provides you with the necessary codes to share comments on other platforms. Buttons like "like, dislike" found under each message are wonderful. Social share buttons have also been placed below topics for sharing content on social platforms.
Users' online status is displayed with excellent visual flair in the avatar within topics. A reflection feature has been added to avatars for an extra touch of aesthetic appeal. Ranks are presented beautifully below avatars. Notifications such as likes, number of topics, number of comments, and so on are conveniently placed beneath the user panel.
Notifications like "Quote, private message, like," are instantly delivered to you. I appreciated that these are now default features since there were significant issues related to them in version 3.x. Though I couldn't test it thoroughly, I noticed a feature from the installation files – a sound alert when notifications arrive, making it easier to anticipate notifications.
In terms of visual appeal, fluidity, and speed, along with all the essential features required for a forum being default in the system, we can say that Wbb 4.x is well-equipped to meet all your needs. It proves to be a contender in the forum software market even in its Beta version.
There isn't a specific date for when the full version will be available to users. However, from what I've been following, I estimate that we might get our hands on this fantastic software in January 2014.
The released beta version is available in English and German. If you wish to experience this software, you can download the beta version from here and use it for seven days. There are no time constraints if you have a license.
Let's start our review from the installation process. There hasn't been any change from the familiar installation method of version 3.x. Similarly, we first create a database, upload the installation files to FTP, and proceed with the installation through our browser. Whether it's due to its beta status or not, I can say that I went through a significantly faster installation process compared to version 3.x. The modern interface that greeted me during the installation process made me eager to explore further. Despite the short installation time, I couldn't wait to dive into the forum.
Moving on to the control panel, there has been a significant change in the appearance. The familiar control panel icons are absent, replaced by a simpler and more fluid layout which, at least from my perspective, is fantastic. I used to complain about the unnecessary icons in places where visual appeal wasn't crucial. Wbb4 did not disappoint me in this regard. The clutter in manageable areas has been removed, making it easier to find what we need without wasting time on minor adjustments.
Now, let's talk about the forum itself. I may be exaggerating, but it's simply excellent. The modern simplicity of the interface has left me in awe. A non-intrusive, visually appealing, and functional design has been implemented. Unlike the single-column layout in version 3.x, they have opted for a two-column design. While our forums are listed in the first column, the second contains features such as recent topics, most active discussions, and activity flow, enhancing its functionality. You can also choose to hide this second column if desired.
For management functions like "Close forum" and user options like "Mark forums as read, scroll down, RSS, sitemap," we can easily access them through icons located just above the forum area. Menus have been revised to become more functional.
Additionally, many features obtained through plugins in version 3.x are now included by default. The "Share" feature at the end of each comment provides you with the necessary codes to share comments on other platforms. Buttons like "like, dislike" found under each message are wonderful. Social share buttons have also been placed below topics for sharing content on social platforms.
Users' online status is displayed with excellent visual flair in the avatar within topics. A reflection feature has been added to avatars for an extra touch of aesthetic appeal. Ranks are presented beautifully below avatars. Notifications such as likes, number of topics, number of comments, and so on are conveniently placed beneath the user panel.
Notifications like "Quote, private message, like," are instantly delivered to you. I appreciated that these are now default features since there were significant issues related to them in version 3.x. Though I couldn't test it thoroughly, I noticed a feature from the installation files – a sound alert when notifications arrive, making it easier to anticipate notifications.
In terms of visual appeal, fluidity, and speed, along with all the essential features required for a forum being default in the system, we can say that Wbb 4.x is well-equipped to meet all your needs. It proves to be a contender in the forum software market even in its Beta version.
There isn't a specific date for when the full version will be available to users. However, from what I've been following, I estimate that we might get our hands on this fantastic software in January 2014.
The released beta version is available in English and German. If you wish to experience this software, you can download the beta version from here and use it for seven days. There are no time constraints if you have a license.