Best Social Networking Script?
 

I've written in the past that either a custom job or vbulletin would be the best solution for new a social networking site. I still stand by a custom script as being the best - you get exactly what you want and can look original. Bust what is the best commercially available networking script?

Here are some of the seemingly top brands (in no specific order) :

1. PHPFOX : http://www.phpfox.com/

2. ABLESPACE : http://www.abledating.net

3. HANDSHAKES PRO : http://www.dzoic.com/

4. ALICIA (free) : http://www.phpizabi.net/

What do you have to say. Can you recommend any of the above. Have another recommendation? Let me know!

I tried these all in depth

I swear by phpfox.

I used custom script on mine and would never do otherwise. Handshakes apparently kicks ass though

How's this free one? I had a rough idea for a social networking type site, didn't have to be all that fancy or anything, just want to try it out...

I like Joovili with a few add-ons

I can't recommend it based on personal experience. However, it's their latest offering and word of mouth is good. I actually prefer the look and feel to it's paid counterparts. Sounds like it would be perfect for what you need.

Looks pretty nice. What add-ons?

that site is completely busted in IE (doesn't say much about the css competence) --> http://demo.joovili.com/profile.php?username=demo

Use a custom script if you plan on doing it seriously.

The above are fine until you get big :) Most have encoded modules...

Can you please share your experience briefly with each? And have you tried dolphin? thoughts?

I totally agree. The site I have in mind though wont attract huge amounts of traffic. It's more specialized.

We have a custom script for our networks, one as allready over 275k members and growing at the rate of +400 new members a day. I don't think any of the above script would have worked well for us.

Jman is right big growth. Any out of box script probably wont handle it.


Dolphin>> ZOMG! By far the nicest looking script out!
Here is is in action at http://suicidedolls.net/

It took me literally 4 weeks to debug it. very little or zero tech support for it.
It was a fucking mess. I finally go it working good but I'm afraid to actually launch that site with Dolphin running it.
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1. PHPFOX : http://www.phpfox.com/ Best forum support, most mods and ad ons but out of the box content rich, stable and amny themes you can go with.
I'm running it on two social sites for the last few years. Latest stable version has so many cool features.


2. ABLESPACE : http://www.abledating.net this was a glorified dating script.
Members cant alter their profile design. People use myspace as a barometer and love to change thieir page design. way overpriced

3. HANDSHAKES PRO : http://www.dzoic.com/
This would be my second choice althogh, no user profile customization capabilities.


4. ALICIA (free) : http://www.phpizabi.net/
Came a long way over the years, still lacking flexibility/member use ability.

First thing you should always check when buying boxed software is their support forum. If its active and timely reply to support questions then thats a good sign.

That's an awesome contribution. Thank you!

So far I'm leaning towards PHPFOX. I have a relatively small community in mind. Will likely never go beyond 50-100K members.

PHPfox seems to rock.

Xoops.org can work very well and is terrific being that it is free to use and modify. A new beta module is available also (Yogurt) that you may want to take a look at if you do consider this CMS.

Dolphin is good for a free script, although it needs A LOT of work to get working how you want it

bookmarked im looking for some social network script as well

Anyone know of any good barter software that doesnt cost an arm and a leg?

Actually, you can edit the supplied profile capabilities and even create new ones.

Here's a special profile page I added followed by the intimate profile page

http://easycaptures.com/fs/uploaded/146/5613806822.jpg

Why would you waste your time on creating a social network?
There's no money in that. :2 cents:

How about plugins for Joomla like Jomsocial. I am just venturing out on a mainstream project and looking to use this for the first stage of growth.

It looks like its lacking is photo and video tagging which would be pretty important...

The thing is I'm looking for something which integrates blogs/news/product reviews as well, so I think there will always be development to be done.

Elgg.

End of thread.