i have triy any forums software, and i give some of descriptions about that software :

1.SMF [simple machine forum] - this forum software is simple, and admin menu is not hard, it math for the beginner if you want to build forum start from beginner, but for advanced users, is usually not using this, because admin menu to configur this forum is not advanced, but you can try some modules, and this software must be patch by yourself because this software is many bugs, like CHMOD must bysel

2.IPB [invision power buletin] - this software is match for beginner and advanced user, because admin menu and look style is familiar, like using windows and, have any patch , new path from provider try this one
but this software is not free like SMF

from Indonesian
nongkrong.info

Well I guess I like the idea that SMF is free first of all. I don't like spending much money, or atleast till I have actually tried the product. IPB sounds like a good system to work with, generally when you have an advanced software you can often do more things with it, although complicated. SMF would be good to start with, but if I had a choice I might move onto IPB after I felt comfortable with the easier to use software

In my opinion FREE is always better. I mean serious who is going to pay 300+ dollars for SOFTWARE! I mean I will for photoshop but not somehting witch I cant even use forever! Its stupid. Its a forum board also witch support my argument further.

As people say FREE is always better for starters. SMF or phpbb would work perfect for personal use.
Well, taking the advantage of the topic... i would like to ask something:
Is the IPB forum able to be integrated on any CMS? (Content management system, like Joomla or PHPnuke)
I want to know cause for being paid the IPB software looks pretty cool, and as i can see it has a lot of useful features that other forums dont have.