Just noticed that the new NamePros design went live and as far as DNForum is concerned, theirs was implemented a while ago. It’s important to note however that we’re not just talking about a new design but rather about something very significant: a platform change.
Both forums switched from vBulletin to XenForo and this means that a lot more has changed, not just the design. As far as I’m concerned, I kind of like both designs but then again, I had nothing against the previous ones either.
The decision to move from vBulletin to XenForo was probably made due to other reasons, as it seems a lot of webmasters are switching over to XenForo these days. I haven’t tested XenForo, so I don’t know how things look under the hood but some of the reasons could include:
1) the fact that XenForo uses less resources (forums are notorious resource hogs, so the hosting costs associated with running active ones tend to be quite high)
2) the fact that XenForo is better in terms of security and spam control
3) the fact that they have more confidence in the team behind XenForo
… and so on.
These are just assumptions of course, as I have no experience with XenForo whatsoever but this much is certain: switching to a new platform tends to be quite a headache for website owners and the fact that so many people are deciding to go through something like this nowadays (switching to XenForo) makes me think they have valid reasons to do so.
May 14th, 2014 at 6:08 am
Personally I don’t use DnForum and always preferred NamePros. The previous design was good and everything was user-friendly which I don’t see with the new platform. There surely are some new features implemented and will have many benefits because changing to a new platform is really a headache.
May 14th, 2014 at 6:30 am
When I started investing I used DNForum and was very happy with the forum, although one of the moderators is newbie ‘unfriendly’, ive been back and forth occasionally but haven’t used the site for a long time.
The DNF College is excellent. I would recommend subscribing to DNForum for the info you can from its users. Imo.
The NamesPros platform had always put me off.
May 14th, 2014 at 7:34 am
I don’t use Forums. But I like the new format better.
May 14th, 2014 at 8:28 am
I hate the new upgrade to dnforum, was much more better before, a forum should be a simple place to discuss that’s it.
May 15th, 2014 at 12:54 am
Personally I love the design/interface on NamePros. Parts of it are a little confusing at first but once I figured it out it’s more fluid and easier to navigate. DNF is too dark and gloomy IMO.
Since NP and DNF have the same platform, I don’t see a reason to pay for DNF. NamePros has more activity anyway.
May 15th, 2014 at 10:13 pm
DNF changed a month before Namepros, but Namepros launched with Chat whereas DNF did not. Either way I like both of them and the change.
Julian has a good point tho.