Download phpBB 3.1.0 beta 1

The first beta version of phpBB 3.1.0 has been released. With this program it is possible to create a web forum. PhpBB is made available under the gpl license and uses PHP and a database program to store messages. Besides MySQL, PostgreSQL, Oracle, Firebird and SQLite are also supported as database software. In addition to the complete installation, there are also various upgrade packages to download. Detailed information about the changes in version 3.1.0 is on the phpBB blog to find. This is an excerpt from the release notes:

phpBB 3.1.0 Beta1 released

We have been highlighting various improvements introduced in phpBB Ascraeus 3.1 on our blog over the past weeks, but I would like to feature a few of the more important ones here.

phpBB Ascraeus introduces extensions as a replacement for phpBB MODs. Extensions modify or supplement phpBB’s existing functionality using multiple plugin mechanisms and an event system, without modifying any core code. Extensions will streamline the update process and improve compatibility when multiple packages are used simultaneously.

Our default style, prosilver, has been modernized and updated. Its new responsive behavior makes it a pleasure to use on smartphones, tablets, and other handheld devices. Subsilver, our alternate style, has been removed from the default package, but will continue to be supported as a standalone package, like any other style in our database. Style authors are encouraged to base new styles on prosilver.

The user experience has likewise been substantially improved. A new notifications system, similar to those found on Facebook or Google, will inform you of new replies to watched topics, posts quoting you, or new moderation activity. The authentication system is now capable of supporting OAuth based login mechanisms, such as Facebook Connect or Google+ Logins.

Behind the scenes, we have restructured large parts of the code. The template engine is now based on twig, and you can use its full functionality in custom styles. We have replaced a number of phpBB subsystems with Symphony Components to focus more on phpBB’s functionality and less on maintaining technical subsystems.