roydeanjr

The most compelling argument for choosing one over the other is the simple question of maintainability. How long do you have to wait before a plugin is declared compatible with the just released version of WordPress?

WP Symposium’s set of “standard” plugins includes gallery and events; two of the most common requirements for an effective “social” website, IMHO.

The biggest problem I have with these two plugins has already been mentioned: waiting for the update when WordPress is updated. Sometimes the plugin you chose to provide this functionality is never updated. Now you have a dilema: choose a new plugin (lose all previous data) or never upgrade WordPress (sometimes not a choice at all because of security holes).

The second biggest issue is money: the cost of WP Symposium is similar to the cost of ONE additional plugin added to BuddyPress. You begin to add multiple plugins to BuddyPress, your cost will escalate.

Just these two plugin if supported and developed by BuddyPress core developers would make BuddyPress much more compelling.

I am just now trying WP Symposium again and finding the $39 annual subscription much easier to swallow than the hundreds I have paid for other plugins.

That being said, there is room for all; just be sure you have what you need before launching a site based on either one.