I want to give a shout-out to prototech here on phpBB.
About a month ago, I ask for some advice/help in converting my old Discusware board--a forum that has been on the Internet for over 15 years--to phpBB.
One person PM'd me offering his services--prototech. We began to discuss the details.
I contacted a lot of boards looking to make the upgrade/conversion...I won't mention the companies or the other boards by name--they are the usual list of suspects, some of whom are extremely well respected and widespread.
I registered and logged in on the support forums of all these "other" boards asking questions. In many instances, what I found was that the support forums in particular were dominated by people who were less than helpful; who lacked patience; and who seemed to be more about making themselves look good than helping the questioner. Even moderators and other support personnel.
Eventually I decided to go with phpBB not only because the help on these forums...while not 100% free of those same problems...was so much better, but also because in my dealing with Prototech I was both pleased and literally astounded by the generosity and patience of this individual. He has been prompt, responsive, forthcoming and always willing to share his immense amount of knowledge...even if it meant dumbing down the explanations (sometimes necessary for "users" and clueless newbs like myself).
I cannot say enough good nor describe how pleasant my dealings with Prototech have been.
We have our old Discusware board--
The Crispin Colloquy--converted to phpBB now (a conversion that I have been told is particularly difficult) and it went off without a hitch.
Thank you Prototech.