Editing ProBoards (section)

==Software history==
Proboards is coded in [[Perl]], a popular programming language with web developers. Previously, due to the remotely hosted nature of the service, users could not modify the software directly as with some forum systems, but some customisation was possible through the use of CSS or JavaScript codes. With the release of v.5, however, ProBoards gives Administrators and certain other members access to the HTML and CSS of the webpage, for easier coding purposes.

The first day of business for ProBoards was January 1, 2000.  At first, ProBoards originally used software created by the owner, Patrick Clinger. In late 2001, though, ProBoards switched to the YaBB system. At the same time, other changes to the service made it the first remotely hosted service to offer a subdomain with each forum (e.g. username.proboards[servernumber].com)

On June 11, 2002, ProBoards Version 2 was launched. This was coded by Clinger and was a [[Rewrite (programming)|rewrite of the entire software]] rather than improvements to the existing YaBB based setup. The main goals of this rewrite were to improve the overall speed of the software and add new features to keep the product competitive.

In February 2003, version 3 of the ProBoards software was released, again making improvements on the overall speed of the software and including over 30 new features.

ProBoards upgraded to version 4 of its software on April 30, 2005. This time, the upgrade added over 100 new features and enhancements to the service. Despite this, [[Software bug|bugs]] of varying levels of severity still existed.

ProBoards underwent significant upgrades, with Version 2 (launched in June 2002) featuring a complete software rewrite to improve speed and add new features. Version 3 (February 2003) introduced over 30 enhancements, while Version 4 (April 30, 2005) added over 100 new features. The most recent major release, Version 5 (April 2013), brought mobile optimization, live search, and advanced customization tools.

The current version of the software is v5.
[[File:Temp pbserver48.jpg|thumb|ProBoards Server 48 hosted at The Planet]]

ProBoards' servers - physical machines running the ProBoards software - are hosted by [[SoftLayer]]. Previous to November 2010, ProBoards was hosted by [[The Planet Internet Services|ThePlanet.com]], and previous to 2006, EV1 Servers. The servers are hosted in multiple SoftLayer datacenters in Texas.

In 2005, Patrick Clinger was invited by EV1 Servers to take part in a commercial for their business. The commercial opened with a voiceover introducing Clinger as the owner of ProBoards.com, and he then gave a testimonial about how EV1's hosting benefited ProBoards. The commercial was shown at the 2005 [[Houston Bowl]]. Since 2007, EV1 no longer exists as a webhost, having merged with The Planet.

As of March 2009, the server numbers (boardname.proboards##.com) no longer need to be used due to a recent change that allows every ProBoards forum to be accessed without a server number in the URL. (For example, boardname.proboards.com)

Due to the advent of Facebook, ProBoards transitioned into a social network and forum service hybrid with the introduction of version 5 in 2013. In 2014, ProBoards launched Forums.net,<ref>{{Cite web | title=Navigator | url=https://www.forums.net/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19981212025035/http://www.forums.net:80/ | access-date=2025-04-06 | archive-date=1998-12-12}}</ref> a monthly subscription-based service for hosting private message boards for businesses.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://smallbiztrends.com/2014/05/proboards-new-forum-service.html |title=ProBoards Partners with VigLink to Create Monetization Opportunities for Internet Forum Administrators |website=Small Business Trends |date=2014-05-18 |accessdate=2023-04-28}}</ref>