I'm wanting to build a website for an umbrella nonprofit organization I'm forming that sponsors various local nonprofit and community projects/groups. I started with the idea that I could use vBulletin to run multiple forums (each group would have it's own set of user permissions so some would be private for their members only, others would be for their leaders only, and some would be open for the greater community to read & participate in).
Then, I thought it would be great if, based on these same group/level permissions, there could be some associated web-pages and wiki-type collaborative authoring type pages so they could better coordinate their fund-raising efforts, community service events/activities, and we could provide them with low-cost alternatives to having their own website until they are big enough to spin off on their own.
Someone mentioned Drupal and it's CivicCRM module. I understand Drupal works with vBulletin, but how about those two with CivicCRM? Can this be done? Is it fairly basic, or would it be an expensive customized website?
Also, my installed version of vBulletin is old (3.6.2), as my life changed direction shortly after I purchased it and I didn't get things started. My expired license allows me to download 3.6.8 patch 2, but for $50 I can purchase the 3.x - 3 months Maintenance Pack (to download latest 3.8.6 patch 1). Alternatively, the regular upgrade to 4.0 is $175, and for $250, I can get the 4.0 publishing suite which includes Blogs, and CMS modules.
I read somewhere that vBulletin 4.0 doesn't integrate as well as 3.x. Is that true? What's the best way to get some advice on figuring out the best software/CMS/modules for my goals? And, would it hurt later development if I went ahead and started building up my community just by using the existing vBulletiin?
Thanks heaps!
KiwiKay
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I would look at Organic Groups and see if that suits your needs better than vB. vB does have an integration module but I don't know how much it does beyond synching user accounts. Trying to get the level of integration you're looking for may be more headache than it's worth.
Michelle
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Shell Multimedia - My sporadically updated mostly Drupal blog.
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I agree with Michelle, vB integrating with Drupal and CiviCRM sounds way too much for what you seem to need it. Drupal plus the Organic Groups should do fine. Having said this, Drupal is fairly complex, too, and you might need to spend a couple of days learning your way around it and finding a solution (modules) that work for you.
Thanks
Thank you both for your suggestion. I will go ahead and check out Organic Groups.
KiwiKay