Hi,
I'm new to Moodle but have been quite impressed with the funcationality I've seen thus far (after having downloaded, installed, and administered an easy quiz via Moodle).
I'm curious about the Forums module. Seems quite good; it also seems "home grown" by the Moodle development effort. Nicely intergrated.
Has there every been any thought given to auto-integrating software that focuses on forum functionality? Something like phpBB maybe? I plan on loading phpBB forums on my site and would love to integrate them into Moodle and/or not have "duplicate" forum-like discussion across my two "server applications (phpBB and Moodle)".
Alas, I'm new to this world of LMS/Moodle/etc, so forgive me if this is an uninformed rookie perspetive...and/or an already-answered FAQ.
-Matt
Rookie asks: Why use home-grown forum software?
Number of replies: 3Re: Rookie asks: Why use home-grown forum software?
Matt,
Before you judge Moodle's forum features, hang around Moodle.org for awhile and see how people actually use them. I think you will be impressed by what you see and learn! 
Re: Rookie asks: Why use home-grown forum software?
Yes, I see many differences. My general impression is that Moodle forums are prettier on the eyes but far less functional then phpBB 2.0.10 forums.
A case in point: I want to monitor replies to only this thread, and I do not seem to have an option to do so (maybe I'm missing something?). I instead have to watch the entire forum, which is not very appealing to me. This is one example among many. The search capabilities (or lack thereof) are another example.
Please don't get me wrong; I'm not using Moodle to get forums. That's what I have phpBB for. From what I see thus far, I very much like what I see of Moodle's educational-focused capability.
I will probably continue using Moodle forums to learn more.
-Matt
A case in point: I want to monitor replies to only this thread, and I do not seem to have an option to do so (maybe I'm missing something?). I instead have to watch the entire forum, which is not very appealing to me. This is one example among many. The search capabilities (or lack thereof) are another example.
Please don't get me wrong; I'm not using Moodle to get forums. That's what I have phpBB for. From what I see thus far, I very much like what I see of Moodle's educational-focused capability.
I will probably continue using Moodle forums to learn more.
-Matt
Re: Rookie asks: Why use home-grown forum software?
Moodle is not static: development is proceeding, including the exact things you mention.