For discussion board programs, check out AnyBoard at http://www.netbula.com/anyboard

I don't think being free means people can't legitimately complain about something being inferior, epecially when there are other free resources that are infinitely better. WWWBoard has more bugs than a roach motel and I would be ashamed to have such an inferior product bearing my name. Look at all the programs that have improved on it, and most of them are free! If you're going to do something, do it well, free or not. Granted, you have a right to expect more when you pay for it, but there are certain expectations even on free stuff.