Why are vb.org's mods getting ripped/redistributed?

[glorify]

Just stumbled across a site that is ripping Mods, word for word and attachment for attachment.

*link removed*

Total BS. The best part, at the rippoff site:
This modification may not be copied, reproduced or published elsewhere without author's permission.

[SEOvB]

There isn't anything anyone can do about it that already isn't in place at vB.org. I believe that vBulletin.org takes every measure they can to not allow people to freely download these modifications. However all it takes is 1 person with 1 valid license, and the modification is distributed to the entire internet.

Generally sending DMCA notice won't work, they're probably hosted some where that will make no difference. Your best bet is to just keep on contributing to the community and forget about the scumbags that are doing this, as they've been doing it for a while, and won't stop for a while either.

Even modifications that aren't released here such as paid or commercial modifications appear on most these sites, so its a entire WWW problem and not just a vB.org problem.

[CodingMonkey]

You've stumbled upon a piracy site.
http://www.vBulletin.com/piracy.php

[glorify]

First time I've seen it like this. I've seen some other sites that at least link back to the original vb.org thread. This one is just total crap tho.

--------------- Added 1226463067 at 1226463067 ---------------

You've stumbled upon a piracy site.
http://www.vBulletin.com/piracy.php

Well, glad I checked my stats. Thanx for the link. Not sure if they will do anything since it's not actually vb that's getting pirated tho, no?

[Digital Jedi]

Pretty much everything that is released on vb.org is released on many so-called "warez" sites.

However, the one thing these I've noticed about these sites is they're not particularly organized, nor do they have anyway of notifying these users if the product is updated, re-released or removed due to security vulnerabilities. In short, they get the product, but they don't get the support that comes with it if they had obtained it legally.

[Hitterman]

It can be the users from vB.org only who re-distribute the patches.

[CodingMonkey]

First time I've seen it like this. I've seen some other sites that at least link back to the original vb.org thread. This one is just total crap tho.

--------------- Added 1226463067 at 1226463067 ---------------



Well, glad I checked my stats. Thanx for the link. Not sure if they will do anything since it's not actually vb that's getting pirated tho, no?
There is some piracy on that site if you check lower than the mod forums. My guess is that it's running a pirated version of vB.

[iogames]

It can be the users from vB.org only who re-distribute the patches.

Insiders with now honor...

I have seen 3.7.4 'nulled' :'(

[lasto]

we`ve all seen vbull pirated and running - is it the end of the world ??

I used to use a pirated version to test out when someone sent me it when i was looking at which board software to use.I liked it,so in end when i wanted to go legal i paid for it,and ive paid for it ever since.

[Dream]

not even pirates use my mods ~~~~~~^^~~~~~~

[iNRoC]

I think sites like vbteam should be exploited by vBulletin since majority of them have nulled scripts. Im sure vb.com knows all the backdoors and security holes so I'm sure they can bring down a site if they wanted to..

These warez sites with mods and nulls are unacceptable and it is unfortunate that there are people abusing their licences. What is the offense for a person caught posting vb.org downloads on warez forums?

[SEOvB]

I think sites like vbteam should be exploited by vBulletin since majority of them have nulled scripts. Im sure vb.com knows all the backdoors and security holes so I'm sure they can bring down a site if they wanted to..

These warez sites with mods and nulls are unacceptable and it is unfortunate that there are people abusing their licences. What is the offense for a person caught posting vb.org downloads on warez forums?

2 wrongs don't make a right, and just because they are using a nulled vBulletin which no one even knows 100% for sure if they are other than the owner and Jelsoft, it still isn't professional, legal, or right to do it.

[Hitterman]

Pirated (Nulled) versions are not 100% safe. They can be easily hacked . Since their installation is not protected by "Customer Number" , SQL database can be dumped and can be easily hacked.

So moral of this is: Use original vBulletin to protect your site.

[lasto]

Pirated (Nulled) versions are not 100% safe. They can be easily hacked . Since their installation is not protected by "Customer Number" , SQL database can be dumped and can be easily hacked.

So moral of this is: Use original vBulletin to protect your site.

this is not true.In fact a pirated version is proberly better as it does not have any call home rountines to vb sites.Also it doesnot mean u are more at risk of being hacked just cause u are running a pirated version - so long as they kept up to date then they as safe as any other site.
Remember a site is only pirated because they have not purchased a licensed to use the software.Most sites once they are aware of this will purchase a license rather than be shut down.

[KW802]

Pirated (Nulled) versions are not 100% safe. They can be easily hacked . Since their installation is not protected by "Customer Number" , SQL database can be dumped and can be easily hacked.

So moral of this is: Use original vBulletin to protect your site.What's bizarre is that I have been seeing an increase in the number of 'nulled' *free* add-ons like vBadvanced CMPS also showing up, often with the install script changed. Now seeing as how downloading CMPS does not require proof of license and is free, I don't understand why anybody would be dumb enough to run one of the 'nulled' versions.

I mention CMPS but it is just one example of several that I have come across like that.

this is not true.In fact a pirated version is proberly better as it does not have any call home rountines to vb sites.Also it doesnot mean u are more at risk of being hacked just cause u are running a pirated version - so long as they kept up to date then they as safe as any other site.
Remember a site is only pirated because they have not purchased a licensed to use the software.Most sites once they are aware of this will purchase a license rather than be shut down.:erm: That is some mis-guided thinking there.

[TheLastSuperman]

The sad thing is someone asked me recently to help them setup a VB forum, I said sure - when & where lol.... then the next day in PM they asked if I had ever installed a "nulled" version.... long story short, they were not aware it was what it was and that in fact you even had to pay for VB and well of course after my ranting and raving they will not be asking me that again ;)

I was like.... :eek: :erm: :down: NO SIR :mad:

Well maybe I worded it differently but I want my post to be read here lofl!

S-MAN

Edit:



:erm: That is some mis-guided thinking there.

AGREED :D

[CodingMonkey]

Pirated or "nulled" vBulletin websites always have a backhole. The users that null the forum software are usually just a bunch of script kiddies that go into the source, look for callhome scripts and remove them and distribute them. But, in the process, they remove some legit code that protects their sites.

Fail, right?

[Digital Jedi]

Ultimately, using a pirated version of vBulletin is almost not worth the lack of organization and hassle you would get if you just buy a license.

[iNRoC]

Two wrongs dont make a right is dum to say about a site like vbteam. They have nulled vbulletin, styles, mods, templates, and even things like vBSEO which is not right. If Jelsoft did something to vBteam or any major vBnulled sites, I think it would be the right thing to do. Were here paying about 200$ for a license and we have these noobs trying to get what we pay, for free which is unacceptable. They are lucky with these offshore server shit. They think they can get away with this but if Jelsoft comes in and exploits them.. we may finally have a chance to take them down.

[gamerfu]

Two wrongs dont make a right is dum to say about a site like vbteam. They have nulled vbulletin, styles, mods, templates, and even things like vBSEO which is not right. If Jelsoft did something to vBteam or any major vBnulled sites, I think it would be the right thing to do. Were here paying about 200$ for a license and we have these noobs trying to get what we pay, for free which is unacceptable. They are lucky with these offshore server shit. They think they can get away with this but if Jelsoft comes in and exploits them.. we may finally have a chance to take them down.Jelsof cannot do anything unless the host or the user takes it down.

[iNRoC]

Who's stopping them from using 'deadly' force if the host and user refuse to take it down?

[smacklan]

vBulletin isn't too concerned, plus these sites are everywhere. You shut one down and 3 pop up in their place.

[SEOvB]

Two wrongs dont make a right is dum to say about a site like vbteam. They have nulled vbulletin, styles, mods, templates, and even things like vBSEO which is not right. If Jelsoft did something to vBteam or any major vBnulled sites, I think it would be the right thing to do. Were here paying about 200$ for a license and we have these noobs trying to get what we pay, for free which is unacceptable. They are lucky with these offshore server shit. They think they can get away with this but if Jelsoft comes in and exploits them.. we may finally have a chance to take them down.

No really its not dumb to say to wrongs don't make a right, because it doesn't. Just because someone is breaking the law doesn't mean someone gets to be a vigilante and do the same. Just like there are legal consequences (or lack there of is some places) for using pirated software, gaining illegal entry and destroying data or defacing websites is illegal especially where Jelsoft is located.

How many actual professional business people would use vBulletin if they caught wind that they could at any time come in and take their site down? Whether its a nulled copy or not makes no difference, the fact that someone could become a disgruntled employee one morning and simply hack every vBulletin forum to peices, would be enough reason not to use vBulletin any longer and find an alternative for many, many users.

[Paul M]

Just to remind people, the topic of this thread is not nulled vb sites. :)

[lasto]

topic should be changed to to : Are you an Internet cop :)

People are passing hacks around but end of the day they dont get the added support like we do on here so stop letting it worry u that someone is getting something cheaper than you.So long as u all above board then u can sleep safely at night in the knowledge that u paid for your vbull.

[Magnumutz]

Why?
Because people can.
And because there are a lot of others that can't get them from here, because they are not licensed.
So, some folks with "big hearts" (LOL), distribute them to those unlicensed.
It's as simple as that :)

[codershark]

<removed>

[Shelley_c]

If by anychance the author is bothered or even aware that their script is being distributed by an illegal participant then report it to the authors (bare in mind you'll be spending your time pming) Report the site to the author and if he/she is not happy with their scripts being distributed then they have the choice of removing their script or do what everyone does and get's on with life.

[lasto]

If by anychance the author is bothered or even aware that their script is being distributed by an illegal participant then report it to the authors (bare in mind you'll be spending your time pming) Report the site to the author and if he/she is not happy with their scripts being distributed then they have the choice of removing their script or do what everyone does and get's on with life.

or wait till vb releases a new version of its boards software and then all the existing hacks will then be obsolete.

[Shelley_c]

That's not a deterent nor a solution in preventing scripts being distributed. As soons as the new line of the vbulletin software is released the majority of authors have updated their scripts. They can either carry on releasing here and have valid license holders download their scripts and forward them on to these third party suspect sites or they can simply stop releasing them period.

You can eventually get one site shut down but 3 will pop up in it's place and the same rules applies to authors who eventually get sick of releasing scripts and remove/abandon them. They will leave and 3 other coders will pop up in their place.

It's a vicious circle, unfortunately they will always prevail so I stand by my original comment by saying get on with life and forget about making any kind of impact or plea here to prevent it or even question why scripts here make their way to warez/filesharing sites.

[onehost]

That's not a deterent nor a solution in preventing scripts being distributed. As soons as the new line of the vbulletin software is released the majority of authors have updated their scripts. They can either carry on releasing here and have valid license holders download their scripts and forward them on to these third party suspect sites or they can simply stop releasing them period.

You can eventually get one site shut down but 3 will pop up in it's place and the same rules applies to authors who eventually get sick of releasing scripts and remove/abandon them. They will leave and 3 other coders will pop up in their place.

It's a vicious circle, unfortunately they will always prevail so I stand by my original comment by saying get on with life and forget about making any kind of impact or plea here to prevent it or even question why scripts here make their way to warez/filesharing sites.

with that attitude the pirates have already won...jelsoft could recruit some volunteers on their behalf to go out and send emails, contact providers, etc...and it would not cost jelsoft anything more then just to try...there are always people willing to help out, its better then doing nothing at all...and some people are online that have nothing better to do, I say give them a mission, and they will have something to do...in cooporation, ive had many domains remove my pirated software, if you are nice and polite to whom you are writing too (provider) most will comply. If you do nothing, guess what? expect nothing.

[Shelley_c]

With an attitude like mine? I've had scores of sites shut down, I've seen my styles become one of the most populour styles on the scene, had most of my submissions here posted, sold by legit members of this community and you telling me I lack motivation. Your damn right, I couldn't give a $#!+. :)

If you know how bad piracy is then you already know it's a one way street. Do you think jelsoft gives a crap about peoples submissions here? They couldn't care if mine or your work is re-published and spending time and money chasing after low-life kids is a waste of time. Go knock yourself out and see how far it get's you in "teaming up" and forming this vigilante group of renegades. Like I said, this thread is hilarious and before you get on your high horse are you actually a victim of piracy?

The only mission I have is to be lazy, and let people get on with whatever they want to get on with.

[smacklan]

The only mission I have is to be lazy...
LMAO! I'm with you 110% on that point ;)

[PoetJA-1975]

With an attitude like mine? I've had scores of sites shut down, I've seen my styles become one of the most populour styles on the scene, had most of my submissions here posted, sold by legit members of this community and you telling me I lack motivation. Your damn right, I couldn't give a $#!+. :)

If you know how bad piracy is then you already know it's a one way street. Do you think jelsoft gives a crap about peoples submissions here? They couldn't care if mine or your work is re-published and spending time and money chasing after low-life kids is a waste of time. Go knock yourself out and see how far it get's you in "teaming up" and forming this vigilante group of renegades. Like I said, this thread is hilarious and before you get on your high horse are you actually a victim of piracy?

The only mission I have is to be lazy, and let people get on with whatever they want to get on with.
ha! Incredible post.

Jacquii.

[RLShare]

Wow, something I actually agree with Jacquii about..

[PoetJA-1975]

ROFL - I was just thinking the same - Something I finally agree with John about LOL

Jacquii.

[Magnumutz]

With an attitude like mine? I've had scores of sites shut down, I've seen my styles become one of the most populour styles on the scene, had most of my submissions here posted, sold by legit members of this community and you telling me I lack motivation. Your damn right, I couldn't give a $#!+. :)

If you know how bad piracy is then you already know it's a one way street. Do you think jelsoft gives a crap about peoples submissions here? They couldn't care if mine or your work is re-published and spending time and money chasing after low-life kids is a waste of time. Go knock yourself out and see how far it get's you in "teaming up" and forming this vigilante group of renegades. Like I said, this thread is hilarious and before you get on your high horse are you actually a victim of piracy?

The only mission I have is to be lazy, and let people get on with whatever they want to get on with.
Just ignore them Shelley, this really isn't a serious thread...
People re-distribute stuff because they can.
And don't take that guy serious... they just can't deal with the fact that there are people that actually think for themselves and not the herd.

[Dream]

someone go ask those guys to use my mods :( I feel so left out.

on the piracy of your work: yeah, that sucks. good thing I don't care about where what I post here end up, or else I would be upset.

[Shazz]

someone go ask those guys to use my mods :( I feel so left out.

on the piracy of your work: yeah, that sucks. good thing I don't care about where what I post here end up, or else I would be upset.

Your mods must suck dream Im sorry :(
I could send a request to them, meaning they would be "legally doing it" lol

[PoetJA-1975]

LOL - Score 1 for warez :rolleyes: ((giggling raucously))
Anyway... Dream - If I were in to having a nulled vBulletin again - I would certainly use the TV & Radio modification https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/

Jacquii.

[Brad]

Pirated or "nulled" vBulletin websites always have a backhole. The users that null the forum software are usually just a bunch of script kiddies that go into the source, look for callhome scripts and remove them and distribute them. But, in the process, they remove some legit code that protects their sites.

Fail, right?
Where are you getting your nulled vBulletin from? I assure you there are plenty of copies going around without backholes. Just because it's warez doesn't mean it's automatically not secure. I've personally seen copies without back holes going around..I know because I've downloaded them and compared them line for line with a legit version. All most of them remove is the .js call home in the admincp and the step during installation where you have to input the customer number. I've even seen copies floating around that supply you with a customer number to use during installation..I assume whoever released it just modified a certain constant in a .php file. ;)

My point is vBulletin is easy to nullify and anyone that can read the source code can do it in a couple of minutes. Yes there are warez copies with backholes floating around the internet but they are the minority. Most warez groups pride themselves on releasing good software, not crap.

Getting back on topic; I stopped caring about my modifications begin on warez sites ages ago. If it bothers you I advise you to send a DMCA notice and hire a lawyer because you're going to have to do it yourself.. it is your responsibility to protect your own IP if you choose to do so.

You'll never stop the warez scene so your best bet is learning how to work with it. Keep in mind that someone using a pirated copy doesn't automatically mean you lost a customer (assuming you code for money). Most people that pirate wouldn't have bought your software anyway.

[Ziki]

Why are vb.org's mods getting ripped/redistributed?

Simply...because they can.

[aeturner89]

They are already free to download here, so what's the problem? You can download them here free of charge so what's the difference if they are somewhere else free?

[Dean C]

They are already free to download here, so what's the problem? You can download them here free of charge so what's the difference if they are somewhere else free?

Because only license holders can download mods here. Essentially by having them on other sites, users of pirated vBulletin have access to them.

[AuroraStorm]

I found a site that was redistributing paid works of some coders and warned one coder of what was happening. She, in turn, posted a thread about it warning others that their works were stolen but the thread was censored by a mod because I guess she wasn't supposed to post it. I was on my way to notifying some of the others when I saw her being dressed down about it so it made me back off.

Now, I'm not a coder and I appreciate the hard work of those who put out fabulous work but it seems to me that vb only want to hear about it when their software is ripped. The coders do a lot of work to enhance vb software and it would only seem fair (to me) to at least allow them some way to warn others when the works have been stolen.

[Brad]

I found a site that was redistributing paid works of some coders and warned one coder of what was happening. She, in turn, posted a thread about it warning others that their works were stolen but the thread was censored by a mod because I guess she wasn't supposed to post it. I was on my way to notifying some of the others when I saw her being dressed down about it so it made me back off.

Now, I'm not a coder and I appreciate the hard work of those who put out fabulous work but it seems to me that vb only want to hear about it when their software is ripped. The coders do a lot of work to enhance vb software and it would only seem fair (to me) to at least allow them some way to warn others when the works have been stolen.
You are correct that Jelsoft doesn't "care" that hacks/mods are begin uploaded to warez sites. Well I wouldn't go so far as to say they don't care..when I was an admin here I did all I could to control it and we even went as far as designing a way of tracking who downloaded said files. The reason they don't track them anymore is due to one person (a coder) complaining that the .zip files he was uploading were begin modified on the fly. So if you want to complain about vB.org not begin able to control this problem you have one of your own to blame.

As for the thread in question I didn't see it but I'm willing to bet she posted a link to the site which is a no-no. Even if it was a "pm me for link" type of post I would have deleted it too...

What it comes down to is this; As programmers and designers we are responsible for our own work. So if we want to pick and choose where it is released it's up to us to hire our own lawyers and start fighting these warez sites through the legal system (if that is even possible, a lot of places don't respect copyright laws).

In summary;

1. Jelsoft is only concerned with stopping people who pirate vBulletin.
2. It's up to whomever released the modification to deal with people that distribute their work. Send DMCA notices..hire lawyers...pay court fees...etc.
3. Hunting down the people that upload modifications is useless as there will always been more people to replace them.

Something to think about; Is it worth spending time/money shutting down sites that distribute modifications that were released for free in the first place? Keep in mind that users of such sites have a hard time getting proper support because they can't post here. Also keep in mind that you're not losing anything if your free modification is on a warez site...if anything it's helpful to you because it gets your name out there. The warez scene respects quality code and programmers just like we do here...is a little promotion on a shady site really such a bad thing?

Last but not least; People that use warez software rarely pay for commercial software anyway. So even if one of your commercial modifications is on a warez site you probably didn't lose any money. Heck you might even make some money. A lot of people use warez software to try out things before they buy them.

The point I'm trying to drive home; You gotta learn to live with warez and the people that use it because it/they aren't going away any time soon. The scene is as strong as ever and as long as usenet is still active I don't see it slowing down anytime soon.

[AuroraStorm]

But I wasn't complaining about vb not wanting to control the problem. Even with my uncoder spidey senses, I know that's not a possibility because of the infinite status of the information superhighway. My thing was that a coder should have been able to warn others that their work was being pirated like that, and yes I do believe she posted the link although as yourself, I didn't see the actual thread because it all happened too quick. Some of the works that were distributed were items that were NOT free, such as skins and other programs I saw offered on other sites for pay. I know people like getting stuff for free and well, I'm not generally the one to kick sand on free things, I was just thinking that the coders should be able to sound an alarm. That's all.

[Roms]

I'm sure Jelsoft is concerned about sites that create warez sites to distribute vBulletin software and its modifications. If they had billions of dollars they would go after them, but as it is they use the money they do have to put out a good product.

Policing the internet is not Jelsoft's directive... If Jelsoft had the resources I'm sure they would make a good effort. Hell, my styles are currently on warez sites and I'm not happy either, in fact it pisses me off! but what can I do?!?

In short, the internet needs a new set of laws if it is to be governed (these laws should have been set in the first place by countries).

Just my opinion.... :confused:

[Wayne Luke]

I'm sure Jelsoft is concerned about sites that create warez sites to distribute vBulletin software and its modifications. If they had billions of dollars they would go after them, but as it is they use the money they do have to put out a good product.

This... Fighting Piracy is already one of the single largest costs of the company. Devoting more resources would only increase prices.

However if a site is reported on the forums for Piracy, the link is entered into the anti-piracy database with the thousands of other URLs under investigation currently and removed from the forum posting. This is so the offending site doesn't get advertising and the reporting individual maintains some sort of anonymity so there are no reprisals against them.

[Guest190829]

Please keep the thread on topic, thanks!

[Ziki]

Last but not least; People that use warez software rarely pay for commercial software anyway. So even if one of your commercial modifications is on a warez site you probably didn't lose any money. Heck you might even make some money. A lot of people use warez software to try out things before they buy them.


Very good point Brad,I never though of it that way.I knew they would download it for free,but you are right,they wouldn't buy it either :)

[Brandon Sheley]

no mods or styles are safe if added to vb.org :(
if you look down the member list, you'll even find members that have the word "warez" in their username :eek:

and ya wonder how the hacks get out :erm:

[Marco van Herwaarden]

Just to clear 1 thing up: regardless if Jelsoft would want to address warez sites offering modifications. They can not. They are not the copyright holder of the work and have no say over the sites it is distributed on. The only person who can take any (legal) action is the copyright holder.

There are thousands of sites that offer warez content. Posting the link of each such site would only end in endless postings of links to warez sites. This is not soething we want or need. Of a coder doesn't want his work on warez sites, do a simple search on google or such for your work, it will result in a better list of sites distributing your work then any links posted in a thread on vB.org will have.

[Marco van Herwaarden]

if you look down the member list, you'll even find members that have the word "warez" in their username :eek:

You are more and more acting like a troll. You are now posting messages about this, reporting posts, complaining to jelsoft that we allow such a username, PM'ing staff for at least 2 months because there is 1 member with the word "warez" in his username. There is nothing in our rules that prevent such a username and we will not remove it only because he has such a name. So please stop your trolling behaviour as it won't change anything.

[Brandon Sheley]

You are more and more acting like a troll. You are now posting messages about this, reporting posts, complaining to jelsoft that we allow such a username, PM'ing staff for at least 2 months because there is 1 member with the word "warez" in his username. There is nothing in our rules that prevent such a username and we will not remove it only because he has such a name. So please stop your trolling behaviour as it won't change anything.

was that a joke? a troll being passionate about anti-pricy or stopping scammers.... k guess you got me :)
You know darn well there are several members here that have warez sites.
I have had 100's sign up on my site, show me a link to their profile here on the ORG and they show me a link to this website and GUESS WHAT!! They have pirated wares on it..

Glad you can sleep at night knowing that YOU LET the company you work for, lose more and more money. I guess I just carry a bit more respect and honor for the work I put out, and the companies I've always worked for. :rolleyes: Don't worry.. I wont waste my time reporting scammers and wares owners. I know nothing will happen.

I ban these users, without a second chance to steal any styles posted on my forum.

Don't even get me started on the way's this site lets scammers and pirates get away scott free. :eek:

[nexialys]

scott towels ?! FREE ?!

i want some, i want a ton !!!

[x3lite]

we`ve all seen vbull pirated and running - is it the end of the world ??

I used to use a pirated version to test out when someone sent me it when i was looking at which board software to use.I liked it,so in end when i wanted to go legal i paid for it,and ive paid for it ever since.

LOL, and I thought I was the only one.

I tested out a nulled vb and paid for legal one.

The only thing that sucked is paying money for "something that you already had."
It may sound stupid but it hurt. I had to also buy vbseo.. so $350+. I'm glad to have done the right thing. I love VB and I'm glad that I can help support it.

[CodingMonkey]

Brad, just because you think there is no backholes, that isn't quite right. There's always a backhole in every script that has some kind of advanced processing system...

If it's nulled, chances are the script kiddies that nulled it left a backhole to hack their own software and gain control of the board that they didn't make. I've seen it numerous times.

* CodingMonkey will not be replying anymore to this topic - it's becoming stupid.
Where are you getting your nulled vBulletin from? I assure you there are plenty of copies going around without backholes. Just because it's warez doesn't mean it's automatically not secure. I've personally seen copies without back holes going around..I know because I've downloaded them and compared them line for line with a legit version. All most of them remove is the .js call home in the admincp and the step during installation where you have to input the customer number. I've even seen copies floating around that supply you with a customer number to use during installation..I assume whoever released it just modified a certain constant in a .php file. ;)

My point is vBulletin is easy to nullify and anyone that can read the source code can do it in a couple of minutes. Yes there are warez copies with backholes floating around the internet but they are the minority. Most warez groups pride themselves on releasing good software, not crap.

Getting back on topic; I stopped caring about my modifications begin on warez sites ages ago. If it bothers you I advise you to send a DMCA notice and hire a lawyer because you're going to have to do it yourself.. it is your responsibility to protect your own IP if you choose to do so.

You'll never stop the warez scene so your best bet is learning how to work with it. Keep in mind that someone using a pirated copy doesn't automatically mean you lost a customer (assuming you code for money). Most people that pirate wouldn't have bought your software anyway.

[Sp32]

we`ve all seen vbull pirated and running - is it the end of the world ??

I used to use a pirated version to test out when someone sent me it when i was looking at which board software to use.I liked it,so in end when i wanted to go legal i paid for it,and ive paid for it ever since.

I did the same thing and got caught... But my intention was paying for a license I just wanted to run it for a month and see if I could get everything working properly



but who cares about piracy considering if you have pirated mods/vbulletin half of them are bad code which can mess up sites and the support for pirated vbulletin on the internet apart from vbulletin sites is so poor so at the end of the day they aren't really getting anything


and then they have to request everything from someone who has a license, I think there should be a more secure system so people can't do things like this, like enter customer number to install mod :)


at the end of the day it is always going to happen so there is only so much vbulletin can do

[Shelley_c]

And what about the people that you've added to your licensed account? For them to have access to the scripts here they would need to know the license holders acount id which poses extra sercurity risks to the software you've bought.

[King Kovifor]

And what about the people that you've added to your licensed account? For them to have access to the scripts here they would need to know the license holders acount id which poses extra sercurity risks to the software you've bought.

Attaching a license to a user here does not mean that you give access to account IDs. It is paired by email, you must know the email for you that they added and authorized.

[basil2070]

Piracy of anything, including modifications, is bound to happen. All I can say is I wish people didn't do that, but that's just the way it is. I don't see piracy ever stopping, same as with I don't see general crime stopping anytime soon as well.

[Shelley_c]

Attaching a license to a user here does not mean that you give access to account IDs. It is paired by email, you must know the email for you that they added and authorized.

I know that KK, what the guy is proposing is to implement additonal sercurity by having users here download content by inserting their customer number. And anyone added by e-mail to a persons license would also need to insert that licensed members customer number to download content here. Firstly, just to download content here it would pose additonal sercurity risks if somene is added to your license via e-mail. And secondly,I wouldn't trust this site holding my customer number and lastly, it's not your content and/or jelsoft to implement this suggestion.

what I'm saying is, the people listed on your license would need to know your customer number if content could only be downloaded by inserting your customer number.

[King Kovifor]

I guess I missed that post, in that case, I would be highly against implementing such a system.

[Brad]

Brad, just because you think there is no backholes, that isn't quite right. There's always a backhole in every script that has some kind of advanced processing system...

If it's nulled, chances are the script kiddies that nulled it left a backhole to hack their own software and gain control of the board that they didn't make. I've seen it numerous times.

* Brad will not be replying anymore to this topic - it's becoming stupid.
Run away from the argument if you want but it doesn't change the fact that I am right. There are plenty of warez copies floating around without "back holes" in them. Anyone can confirm that by downloading a warez copy and comparing it to a legit copy from the member's area with Beyond Compare.

You obviously don't spend much time around the scene (which isn't a bad thing). If you did you'd know that most real deal groups pride themselves on releasing good software. On that note most real deal groups wouldn't waste their time on "cracking" vBulletin anyway..there is really no challenge in it after all.

What you're getting are second hand warez copies (someone took a good release and placed a backhole in it) or something released by a shady group that isn't well known (because if they were they wouldn't risk their reputation on releasing crap).

[lasto]

they always come out with backdoors/viruses etc to frighten people to not use warezs versions.
Ive used nulled versions before and never had any problems and as brad says in the scene there are respectable groups who pride themselfs on what they do and if there was backdoors then it would`nt be to long before someone found them.
Anyway we getting away from the intial thread which is why are vb.org getting ripped :

Well it like everything - we get ripped off big style on here and what happens - nothing
Same as when people copy hacks from here to somewhere else.

Live with it is the attitude i think.

[Shelley_c]

Perseverance is the way to go lasto. There's absolutely nothing wrong with sticking to your guns despite what anyone says. When the day draws to a close you'll gain a lot more respect despite the feeling of being worn, torn and thrown to the dogs. Am I making much sense? probably not though I know what I'm trying to say.

Ps. Nice sig. :)

[Xphusion]

with some treacking down i think i found AAA webhosting provider

Malaysia WebHost (i tracked this webhost down according to the whois info on their site i just tracked the nameservers down and it lead to this host..

http://www.tm.com.my/business/small-medium/data-services/vpn/ipvpn-premier.asp

and according to this they might not be so safe after all considering malaysia does have copyright laws

http://www.lawyerment.com.my/intellectual/copyright.shtml

just some info that i have tracked down by research incase someone wants to try and stop these fools

[nexialys]

ya know, you worked for nothing... all these informations are well known to everybody, and spreading them on this forum would help nobody...

actually, the AAA is not a problem here, as the only thing they do is re-release what is supposed to be free...(ok, if you do not count the paid scripts)...

they are not ripping the work of others for profit, they do not lie to others saying it's their own work, and they do not try to invent a new world...

the problem comes when we see a coder who steal someone else's work and ask to be paid for it. I just had someone paying a fortune for one of iTrader's addon that was in the graveyard... the guy who did that is the one who is to be pointed at... because all these addons are for free on my site, and i never charge for them.

[Shelley_c]

Nexy, simply because the scripts and graphics are free doesn't mean they aren't doing it for money. With the amount of modifications they steal from here they can demand donations (which they do). You think your work (generally speaking) is any better than the person who is providing it for free. And lets not forget, you deal with the AAA to have them not distribute your scripts which kinda explains your response in a nutshell in your opinion that it's not a problem.

What you should have said it's not a problem for you personally because you have negotiated with the staff/admins.

Your word is not gold, nor is it final and if somebody wants to press to get AAA kicked off their host or sue they are very much entitled to do so despite your own personal opinion.

Yes, I read over there, and have had attempts by them to steal my styles and bumped into numerous threads of yours gloating to other members about being protected. It's nice when it doesn't happen to you, your opinions can span a wider spectrum and point out to others how wrong they are.

[nexialys]

hum, Shelley, i would say as a mirror, that your word is not gold either... you just point at me, but i'm not pointing at anybody on my side... and basically, my opinion worth what it worth, i'm not telling that i'm the reincarnation of a god here...

i had a deal, maybe... that does not mean nobody would steal my stuff... actually they did last week, 20 minutes after i released iTrader, a guy there copied it to their site... does that mean i had a deal?!... nope.. that just mean that what he have done was not worthing a panic.

you can not be happy with someone steal your work. i mean, nobody can be happy... does that mean you have to focus 24/7 on piracy?... jut close the shop and there will be no more. do your job, do it well, and the people that worth focussing on, your real clients, will be there to pay for your efforts and worth. there will always be pirates, there will always have someone stealing others ideas... just think, China sent some guys in space 2 months ago, just because they wanted to. they are now heros in their country... 40 years after the USA... does that mean the USA have to bail them for the ideas the chinese stole for the trip?

i personally don't care if the guys there steal my work and have donations for the scripts... even if they rename the files, drop the credits, etc... because the one who download the results are unable to give a penny for the job, they would not pay me more if they come to my site, because they would not pay for it.

it's an american way of thinking to focus on profits. i personally prefer to be paid for the respect and great exchanges between the client and the coder... i hate dirty money, so having credits where the things are pirated is not interesting for me... they can drop my names, its even better for my reputation.

you don't see things the way i see them, that does not mean my way is wrong.

[Brandon Sheley]

this happens all over the place
even paid mods with small memberships
I don't think there is anything the Org can/will be able to do about it

Just share your work with everyone, include a readme file with links to your site and info installing, and just maybe, a few of those pirates will turn into good members and visit your site.

[pein87]

They're only disableing the the customer authen code and anything that requires its info to work and removing the linkbacks and data thats sent to vbulltein.com's databses. If vbulletin really wonts to stop pirating make software that depends on authen so pirates wold literally need to re-code the entire software itself just so it will work or create an auto locking mech that checks for hidden codes to see it there there using preg_match(); or something aong those lines and if it returns false it closes the site down by removing the database. That simple nullers shouldnt be allowed access to stuff us members pay for. Who cares if they lose there database and member info, certainly not me I know someone from a site I joined who posts nulls to some sites and hes a member here. I dont konw his username on here or the nuller site(or the site he does it on) but one of the guys I work with has posted my templated edits on one of those site. I feel that vbulletin security needs to get beefy if vb is to survive the nullers. There even nulling dreamweaver and adobe isnt doing anything I payed 200 dollars with student discount nullers need to be shutdown and fast.

[nexialys]

actually you did not pay to access vb.org, you paid for the software you use, and though here, your license that you paid 160$ is not nulled by anybody, even cracked, it's all yours, nobody else can use it... that's the only security Jelsoft need to apply on what you are refering to.

for the Xth time, vb.org is a privilege, not a gain when you pay your software... you may loose that privilege, but you only have to behave properly and nothing will happen. it's a per-person basis management.

piracy?... i can count at least 50 nullifiers who release their own version of vBulletin 30 seconds after each release... if that's not one of them, someone else will do it, pathetically. vB is not costly enough, people can renew anytime, and they can share their gain anyway. look at Esvon, which is 650$ for the minimalist package... i'm not rating the script, but try to find it on the nulled market... hackers just don't want to purchase it just to leech.

[Shelley_c]

hum, Shelley, i would say as a mirror, that your word is not gold either... you just point at me, but i'm not pointing at anybody on my side... and basically, my opinion worth what it worth, i'm not telling that i'm the reincarnation of a god here...

i had a deal, maybe... that does not mean nobody would steal my stuff... actually they did last week, 20 minutes after i released iTrader, a guy there copied it to their site... does that mean i had a deal?!... nope.. that just mean that what he have done was not worthing a panic.

you can not be happy with someone steal your work. i mean, nobody can be happy... does that mean you have to focus 24/7 on piracy?... jut close the shop and there will be no more. do your job, do it well, and the people that worth focussing on, your real clients, will be there to pay for your efforts and worth. there will always be pirates, there will always have someone stealing others ideas... just think, China sent some guys in space 2 months ago, just because they wanted to. they are now heros in their country... 40 years after the USA... does that mean the USA have to bail them for the ideas the chinese stole for the trip?

i personally don't care if the guys there steal my work and have donations for the scripts... even if they rename the files, drop the credits, etc... because the one who download the results are unable to give a penny for the job, they would not pay me more if they come to my site, because they would not pay for it.

it's an american way of thinking to focus on profits. i personally prefer to be paid for the respect and great exchanges between the client and the coder... i hate dirty money, so having credits where the things are pirated is not interesting for me... they can drop my names, its even better for my reputation.

you don't see things the way i see them, that does not mean my way is wrong.

I'm not focusing on anything other than the facts. Your reply is vague (or would appear vague to people when you stated that a certain site isn't stealing if the work here is posted as a free piece of code/graphic. You stated it wasn't a problem, I stated it wasn't a problem for you because you dealt with them. And on occasions the community told you were to go, they were going to post your works regardless. I'm just opening the discussion behind your opinions on how this was deemed not important and to state another fact that they do make money from stealing peoples works. Content is valuable, and last time i checked they have just that tons of stolen content without the permission of the authors which in my books is stealing. You can distract from the facts or side track this thread and post additional jargon but they are stealing and making money off peoples works here.

I'm not questioning your motives or how you conduct your business, just simply simplifying the reasoning behind your comment prior to the post which I responded to which is not this post but the post prior to this post. hmmm yeah, bit of a tongue twister but you'll get your head around it. It's late and it's all work work work. And a little more helping of work.

And the comment about you not caring about them stealing your work. I'm sure that's not the case otherwise you wouldn't have dealt with the staff at this site you simply just gave up and deemed it a waste of time to pursue any action, I'm sure we care a little but trying to avoid this is merely a waste of time so I do agree with you on that which you knew. I'm sure there is a few white lies in that response but who am i to judge and I can't be bothered quoting each and everything you said because we both know that's just a sidetrack ploy.

People care, you simply don't. End of subject as far as I'm concerned.

[Xphusion]

i do care about is as i and a new vb designer on the vb scene and guess what they already tryin to rip my **** so im doing everything i can and just to help fellow designers out there...

I have an idea you can have your theme live on the site for view without having to fear of them being ripped....and i will tell you how ....and i plan on doing this myself.. What i have come up with is this when u design you or theme make 2 copies of it and 2 copies of the coded version as well.. one version will be a total leigt version in which your customer base gets and the one on the preview will have a transparent( but clearly readable ..watermark over the entire theme... that way u can still see the live preview in action but...if they try to rip it they will get a theme with water marks all over it..... so in a sense the ripping of the theme would be useless...

i think it will work but not 100% but i think that will crack down a bit on those idiots..maybe slow em down ...now if your a designer that does not know how to add this water mark contact me and i will be glad to make a short video tutorial on how to do this(but im sure if you can design a theme u should be abel to figure it out)

[Princeton]

alright, let's stop the you said-she said drama...
it's getting off-topic

thanks

[nexialys]

the problem with your technique, Xphusion, is that the rippers usually don't bother with the watermarked images, 75% of a theme is without images, and most of the others are easily replicated. what the "kids" want most is usually the structure of your forum, they can handle the images, as you've done when you created yours...

everything that is "seen" on the net can be replicated, and if it's visual, nobody can really protect you, because lawyers now give the reason that you gave access to your site so the leechers could be inspired by it. the logic of copyright is not broken if they are just inspired (what lawyers say because they are lazy)... the respect is not part of copyright. i know a lot about this, my wife is teaching Arts, and they always have debates about what can be copy-protected and what not... if you inspire yourself from Van Gogh, you do not break it's art's copyright... even slightly inspired is not the original, and if you did not painted in the same technique as Van Gogh, not using the same colors or paint, this is not wrong, UNTIL you try to sell it and say it's a pure Van Gogh... on the other side, you would break the copyright if you leech his painting and apply your name instead of his...

ya know what, code, design, inspiration, everything is based on what you think is good or bad... when you purchase vBulletin, you do not pay for the code inside the files, you pay for the work the guys are putting to create the engine... because the code is PHP, free and copyprotected... so it's all up to you to evaluate the value of the work they put in... leechers give it no value at all, and that's where the stick tongue the most... i know at start that they do not respect me or anyother here, so why bother... i'm sure at 99% that their mothers do not know.

[Shelley_c]

Interesting last paragraph Nexy. Couldn't agree with you more. Where some people will give up and stop releasing My way of thinking is to release. I wouldn't say my work is valuable but then I wouldn't say it's any more worthless than anyone elses. An author will always or in most case put a high value on their work, they spent the time in creating it and it came down to their imagination, creativity and that's where I think you miss the point. When you create something you have created it from scratch, you've developed it with months sometimes years of your time to see it grow and evolve into something your proud of and whether you agree or not when someone comes along and makes a duplicate copy/ steals or decides to distribute it without your consent it's stealing no matter how much you sugar coat it.

With regards to re-creating images, watermarking them is not a deterrent or atleast not a good one. As stated, they can easily be re-created then implemented to the style. Is copying stealing? I'd still say yes, I know if someone copied any of my images i would know, I intentionally make graphical errors in my images so only i know and will know if someone purely copied it or stole it and used it as part of their style to distribute and sell off which they do and I regard this as stealing also.

Most people don't want to work nowadays, they don't want to put in the time into creating something that would benefit the community they want an easy solution to a way of either making money and/or receiving credit when in some cases credit shouldn't be applied to this group.

Hmmm Yeah. Rambling hour.

[nexialys]

hey hey, i just said to my wife 5 minutes ago that i had to work for $$$ today, unavailable for painting the walls...

btw, Joe, it's a debate, not a drama...
* nexialys will avoid Joe for the next hours!

[TheLastSuperman]

Browsing mods yesterday... viewed a Demo link and BAM! Ripped style... this will never end and best not to think about it unless your developing a solution... good attempt Xphusion w/ the watermarks but when they find one of your clients site not using the watermarked images as they have the paid version... it's thiers then. Also what about all the new downloader add-ons for firefox and IE etc??

You can just about DL entire forums these days and piece them together which is sad, thank goodness not everyone is code savvy eh?

Like I said, don't let it stress you UNTIL you NEED to address the issue in regards to yourself. I do take the time to report suspected pirated themes to their owners though.... that is less than a minute process and I consider it respectful to say the least.

S-MAN

Edit: I still LOVE that sig Shelley C :D

[nexialys]

good points Michael...

everybody can download a complete site for Offline Browsing, which is not considered leeching, as Mozilla, Apple and Microsoft are including a specific TOS for it... the bug comes when you resell or re-release it.

anyway, the best way for you to not see your style leeched is to avoid a copyright notice in the theme... these thingies are indexed by google... go search for "vbulletin", and 99% of the results are copyright lines in the footer, these are not even sites related to vbulletin code, hack, etc... it's hard for anybody to find a real vbulletin site because of this, but very easy for leechers to find a style and leech it.

[Xphusion]

yes nexi thats why i dont use Text based © just for that reason heh i put my © on an image that way i can completly remove the text based © from the footer.

I know this is NO way right now to completly prevent the ripping goin on...but there has to be ways to slow it down and what i think ..is all the designers need to sorta band together in a small forum somewhere and try to come up with a good solution to slowing this kinda stuff down cause doing somthing like that would prob benefit the community.

I use to be a designer for php-nuke but the ripping GOT so dam bad i just had to leave...so i came over to VB...to find out its the same over here (not as bad) but its here aswell and its sad to see such a great portal like vb have to deal with this kinda Shat

[deetwelve]

I use to be a designer for php-nuke but the ripping GOT so dam bad i just had to leave...so i came over to VB...to find out its the same over here (not as bad) but its here aswell and its sad to see such a great portal like vb have to deal with this kinda Shat

It's not just with vBulletin its with every single portal, cms, forum, etc. PHP-Nuke, Joomla, IPB, vBulletin, phpBB3 etc. those all are in the same boat as the next one.

You will never stop the hackers, lechers, nullers - it's like trying to stop a virus that's already spread. You cure 1 person and 20 more people are infected. It's a never ending battle and there always 1 step or two steps ahead of the game.

What needs to be done is - congress needs to sit down with these country's and come to some kind of agreement to get offshore people the ban. It would be like hosting in the USA, DMCA notice and BAM there shut down.

[Xphusion]

It's not just with vBulletin its with every single portal, cms, forum, etc. PHP-Nuke, Joomla, IPB, vBulletin, phpBB3 etc. those all are in the same boat as the next one.

You will never stop the hackers, lechers, nullers - it's like trying to stop a virus that's already spread. You cure 1 person and 20 more people are infected. It's a never ending battle and there always 1 step or two steps ahead of the game.

What needs to be done is - congress needs to sit down with these country's and come to some kind of agreement to get offshore people the ban. It would be like hosting in the USA, DMCA notice and BAM there shut down.


the day that happens ill personally buy everyone i know a vb license lmao:cool:

[BSMedia]

this happens all over the place
even paid mods with small memberships
I don't think there is anything the Org can/will be able to do about it

Just share your work with everyone, include a readme file with links to your site and info installing, and just maybe, a few of those pirates will turn into good members and visit your site.

Pretty big attitude change from someone who thru a fit like a 4yr old about it not to long ago eh?

[lasto]

for the Xth time, vb.org is a privilege, not a gain when you pay your software... you may loose that privilege, but you only have to behave properly and nothing will happen. it's a per-person basis management.

I have to disagree once again :)

Why should we consider a forum that is aimed at the software we purchase to be a privledge ?

Without members vb.org would not exist - its a members forum - nothing more - nothing less.

It certainly is not a Privledge in the sense you meant it.
This board is a platform to sell more copies of vbull - as people come here and see what can be done so purchase the software.

Note : The text above is copyright to me,and that means you cannot Quote it.

[nexialys]

so how would you explain why you have access to the files only when your license is verified and your account granted?!


Sub-note: i did not quote you... i'm safe!

[Marco van Herwaarden]

I have to disagree once again :)

Sorry, you can disagree, but what nexialys is stating is correct.

[Xphusion]

all i know is something has to be done sooner or later or vb is gonna end up like all the rest of the CMS's...dead.......coders will leave,designers will leave iv seen it happen WAY to many times before i mean sure people will still use it but progression in the modding /design part of the community will come to a halt (unless of coarse your one of those folks that just do it for free)

[nexialys]

all i know is something has to be done sooner or later or vb is gonna end up like all the rest of the CMS's...dead

where did you see any CMS dead ?!

i founded Postnuke 8 years ago and it is actually pretty well going, after a commercial turn of faith... (Adam, one of my co-worker, moved the cms to a new level here: http://zikula.org/ )...

if you talk about another vBulletin portal, you can see that vbAdvanced is pretty well alive, and Jelsoft is planning a new Content Manager for 4.0, which will lead any good coder to develop any range of portal, wrapper, cms of any kind...

vB.org, dying?!... nah... mutating... lol

[Xphusion]

nah not the actual CMS as a whole just some of the key parts died off like before VB i was a phpnuke junkie myself i was a theme designers with some of the best nuke theme designers out and i worked for php nuke platinum and Nuke-evolution, and since all the ripping started (its was pretty small in the community when i was there) but winthin the past say 4 years the ripping has grown like wildfire...now the designers and coder for the php nuke communities( at least the really good ones) have up and left...and honestlyi see vb going that way to.

I havent even been in the vb scene for more then 1 year and i do themes iv release about 4 or 5 free ones here...and im already being ripped and so have many of my buddie designers that have just came over here...makes me as a designer not even wana continue here...and i haven't even been here long at all...im about to say hell with it and already pack up n leave..

[lasto]

Sorry, you can disagree, but what nexialys is stating is correct.

i have to disagree with your post as well.
Just cause u say its right does not mean its right.
I myself do not see this this board as a Privledge.Its a board that caters for the software that it sells and without this board,Jelsofts profits would certainly be down.

[nexialys]

the goal obtained by Jelsoft is not what make this site a privilege or not, because the first goal of the site is to gater the software fans, and in second place is to gater the modifications released... then if someone else is making profits from it, that's good... i can tell that the real commercial-like coders here are making more profits than Jelsoft, because it's here they have clients from, not from anyother place... without these coders, the site would be dead... clients or not, jelsoft or not.

[Xphusion]

the goal obtained by Jelsoft is not what make this site a privilege or not, because the first goal of the site is to gater the software fans, and in second place is to gater the modifications released... then if someone else is making profits from it, that's good... i can tell that the real commercial-like coders here are making more profits than Jelsoft, because it's here they have clients from, not from anyother place... without these coders, the site would be dead... clients or not, jelsoft or not.



good point thats what im saying if the ripping and stuff keeps up coders will leave designers will leave and well as both u and i said this already it will be dead...

now the Questions is? Is there a solution? (their may be but according to Jelsoft it could takes years) but i don't think people wana wait years by the time jelsoft does something coders/designers will all be long gone..

i guess its just a lose lose situation

[lasto]

the goal obtained by Jelsoft is not what make this site a privilege or not, because the first goal of the site is to gater the software fans, and in second place is to gater the modifications released... then if someone else is making profits from it, that's good... i can tell that the real commercial-like coders here are making more profits than Jelsoft, because it's here they have clients from, not from anyother place... without these coders, the site would be dead... clients or not, jelsoft or not.
regardless of jelsofts role - i do not see access to this site as a Privledge.
If u feel privledge every time u log in then you maybe you need to get a life :)

Hands up all those who feel warm and rosey and Very Privledge when they vist vb.org ?

[nexialys]

define: privilege;

a special advantage or immunity or benefit not enjoyed by all. prerogative: a right reserved exclusively by a particular person or group (especially a hereditary or official right)

for me, this is describing very well what is the privilege here... if you have a different definition, please teach me, because you just show nothing right now...

[Shelley_c]

all i know is something has to be done sooner or later or vb is gonna end up like all the rest of the CMS's...dead.......coders will leave,designers will leave iv seen it happen WAY to many times before i mean sure people will still use it but progression in the modding /design part of the community will come to a halt (unless of coarse your one of those folks that just do it for free)

Vb will not die, or more specific vb.org won't. Coders, designers will leave and 10 will pop up in their place and evolve into advance coders who's abilities will get better and better thus contributing better and better content. The org is community driven which is a big factor why it's such a successful site to the point we see copycat sites pop up who will always try to be what vb.org is.

You may have seen it all before but in my opinion the org is different. There are motivated people who will continue to contribute to a site whether or not content is being stolen because often than not the source files are held by the authors not the stealing sites that enduces people to come here/register here to receive modifications of their graphics and styles and support for the scripts they choose to install.


Site's may become stagnated, but designers/coders will never halt in making their submissions. The site is free to an extent sure you still have to own a license but it's free in the way that after your purchase people post their 3rd party addons for free which makes the future of this site strong both for this site and more for jelsoft.

Without this site, jelsoft would not get as many customers as they do or atleast that's merely my opinion in making that statement.

[Paul M]

regardless of jelsofts role - i do not see access to this site as a Privledge.

Access to any forum is a privledge granted by the forum owners/administrators, and can be removed by them at any time. You have no automatic right of access.

[Regs]

Paul hits the nail on the head above.

[nexialys]

i have to correct you Regs.... Paul ALWAYS hits the nail...

;)





hey, that looks like a VISA ads... lol

[lasto]

Access to any forum is a privledge granted by the forum owners/administrators, and can be removed by them at any time. You have no automatic right of access.

well finally i have to agree with someone as ive been at the recieving end of having my access restricted.

But somehow i still dont feel privledge :)

When i have to pay for something then Privledge does not come into it and without paying for it or even needing the software then the site becomes obsolete.

In all fairness this board should feel privledged to have some of the fine coders that have made this place their home and then ashamed of letting the con aritsts have a free reign.

[nexialys]

ok, so the staff here have to be ashamed of letting people leech the site?

hum, ok, i missed something now... are you telling me it's Paul's fault if there is not enough anti-piracy politics on the planet?!

PAAAAUUUUULLLLLL

[TheLastSuperman]

regardless of jelsofts role - i do not see access to this site as a Privledge.
If u feel privledge every time u log in then you maybe you need to get a life :)

Hands up all those who feel warm and rosey and Very Privledge when they vist vb.org ?

Hand UP :p

I love this site, I love helping others but hate the tactless few on here who put others down 24/7 instead of developing or contributing to the community themselves.

Vb will not die, or more specific vb.org won't. Coders, designers will leave and 10 will pop up in their place and evolve into advance coders who's abilities will get better and better thus contributing better and better content. The org is community driven which is a big factor why it's such a successful site to the point we see copycat sites pop up who will always try to be what vb.org is.

You may have seen it all before but in my opinion the org is different. There are motivated people who will continue to contribute to a site whether or not content is being stolen because often than not the source files are held by the authors not the stealing sites that enduces people to come here/register here to receive modifications of their graphics and styles and support for the scripts they choose to install.


Site's may become stagnated, but designers/coders will never halt in making their submissions. The site is free to an extent sure you still have to own a license but it's free in the way that after your purchase people post their 3rd party addons for free which makes the future of this site strong both for this site and more for jelsoft.

Without this site, jelsoft would not get as many customers as they do or atleast that's merely my opinion in making that statement.

Look @ me for an example, seriously... last year this time, I knew 1/8th of what I know now and I learn more every weekend it amazes me. So 1 good coder leaves and 9 more of me pops up... you would be better off staying and battling it out lol or well seeing as I have been posting lately maybe not :p (J/K).

All good points, all good statements even from Lasto who has to disagree with most rofl... I still wuv you, just like my wife... hard headed and stubborn. What it all boils down to is good vs bad... morals/ethics the lot of it and think about it - Not all hackers/pirates/thieves were that way since they were born. CHOICE and whether you make the right one is what matters no matter how else you try to disguise it or cover it up. It's our actions that define US not everyone else as well so loopholes are everywhere we might as well get used to it until we all blend together as one planet and start exploring the universe but then we will have to deal w/ Klingons and Vulcans and the BS will be back!

ROFL... serious and yet not serious but take it w/ a grain of salt will you eh?

[Dismounted]

But somehow i still dont feel privledge :)
I think you're taking the word "privilege" in a different way. You're taking it as something very, very special. Say, for example, the best seats at a footy match. Privilege, the way we are talking about it, is the opposite of "un-restricted" (kind of...).

[hambil]

Well, I'm here to 1) have fun and 2) try to make a few bucks.

I've never seen a rip off site that was even remotely fun, so there goes #1. And, people who don't pay for vBulletin and have to get mods from rip sites are certainly not going to pay for anything else, so that rules out #2.

I just ignore them. They aren't my audience, and nobody who goes there is my audience, or was ever going to be anyway.

[Marco van Herwaarden]

When i have to pay for something then Privledge does not come into it and without paying for it or even needing the software then the site becomes obsolete.

In all fairness this board should feel privledged to have some of the fine coders that have made this place their home and then ashamed of letting the con aritsts have a free reign.
Once more, you don't pay for access to the vbulletin.org forums (or the vB.com forums). You only purchased a license that allows you to use vBulletin and to receive support using the support ticket system. Everything else is not what you have paid for. Access to the forums can be denied to anyone at any time.

[veenuisthebest]

I was surprised to see the toksta mod I released yesterday at vb.org, got posted at vbteam in not more than 5 minutes with the attachments and all. How was this done? It even ranks good in google.

btw the one who has posted this has a vbseo logo avatar :p

[Xphusion]

well its kinda clear that someone here with a license is delivering all the new mods to them

[lasto]

Once more, you don't pay for access to the vbulletin.org forums (or the vB.com forums). You only purchased a license that allows you to use vBulletin and to receive support using the support ticket system. Everything else is not what you have paid for. Access to the forums can be denied to anyone at any time.

but if im not licensed i cannot access the forums and i cant be licensed without paying for the software.

[TheLastSuperman]

well its kinda clear that someone here with a license is delivering all the new mods to them

In a slight french accent...

But of course :p

They will pay for a license to get the versions they want to tinker away with, and as a bonus they get to DL all the mods they want and view all the codes and such w/o a "Only Licensed Members can view blah blah" and find more useful info. They would be stupid not to do so if you think about it. Still hate the ones doing it and one site had it to where you had to prove your a vb owner... when I take my new site public (3.8.2) and I post any mods for DL, the actual DL link is going to be the one on here so they will in fact have to login and that will prove they at least purchased a copy since they are licensed on here. I just think some sites that put up their own mods for DL on their own sites should not even if it requires registration as when they are registered there goes your work out the window.

[nexialys]

Your technique was good in the past, Michael, but now with these leechers, it's not that useful,...

that's why i do not apply any verification process on my site. there is not that much interesting stuff on my site yet, so i'm not leeched to death, but i can tell that even if i had a verification process, my stuff would be leeched away because one nuller would visit vb.org for the code, or a hacker would nullify it, etc...

anyway, if someone leech my code freely, that just mean they would not pay for it anyway, so i prefer having them visiting my site for support, it help me learn how to support better and it also show me how much my stuff is really interesting or not. i also visit vbteam because i want to see if my stuff leeched there is grabbing any interest... (but as my name is related to vbteam, you can say that google make a good job here, my stuff have a better view on google than vbteam itself...)

[TheLastSuperman]

Your technique was good in the past, Michael, but now with these leechers, it's not that useful,...

that's why i do not apply any verification process on my site. there is not that much interesting stuff on my site yet, so i'm not leeched to death, but i can tell that even if i had a verification process, my stuff would be leeched away because one nuller would visit vb.org for the code, or a hacker would nullify it, etc...

anyway, if someone leech my code freely, that just mean they would not pay for it anyway, so i prefer having them visiting my site for support, it help me learn how to support better and it also show me how much my stuff is really interesting or not. i also visit vbteam because i want to see if my stuff leeched there is grabbing any interest... (but as my name is related to vbteam, you can say that google make a good job here, my stuff have a better view on google than vbteam itself...)

Sadly I know this but better than nothing IMO however you bring up good points regarding support and seeing how much attention is drawn but I have no time for that so I'll stick to my way for now as that helps me sleep @ night eh? :p

[nexialys]

yeah, people have no time anymore... it's easy for me to say that, i work 2 hours per day, taking care of my family the rest of the time... browsing the internet is like spikes of spared time.. lol

[TheLastSuperman]

yeah, people have no time anymore... it's easy for me to say that, i work 2 hours per day, taking care of my family the rest of the time... browsing the internet is like spikes of spared time.. lol

ahh yes but sometimes Family is work enough, not meant in that "way" but you know what I mean :D

[DionDev]

Its funny I stumbled upon this thread.

I googled my latest shoutbox release and found downloadable versions on at least 20 different web sites (none of which I seem to recall even being registered on)...

[hambil]

Its funny I stumbled upon this thread.

I googled my latest shoutbox release and found downloadable versions on at least 20 different web sites (none of which I seem to recall even being registered on)...

It's amazing that 20 different download sites would have that bad a taste in mods :p (j/king)

[nexialys]

remember that most of them are not hosting the files, they just are RSS Feeds of vb.org, so you "think" they have your releases... take care of that when you visit the sites.... i found some of my friends being accused falsely about piracy they were not doing because of that.

[Carnage]

Want to do something about your mods getting ripped?

http://www.adtoll.com/contact_us.php?subject=Terms%20of%20Service%20Enqu iry

They are the advertising agency used by [x]. Submit a complaint to them about [x] publishing your mods without permission, as its against the tos for their clients to have illegal sites, it'll hopefully get their ads suspended. As a lot of you probably know, ads are what a site relies on to pay hosting fees. Without the ads [x] will be in a bit of a mess financially and it will hopefully cause the site to go under.

It may also be helpful to submit a piracy report to vbulletin as the site distributes nulled copies of vb as well.

Its not up to vborg to do something about mods getting ripped; its upto the person who owns the mod. They have ripped at least one of my mods, so i'm going to take them down; all i need is a few more guys who've had their stuff ripped to submit complaints as well.

I sent this complaint to their advertisers:
edit:
This complaint is in regards to the website www.vbteam.info which publishes adverts provided by you. From your terms of service:

"The Publisher agrees that their site does not violate any applicable local, state, national, or international law or regulation. "

However, vbteam publishes a large quantity of content for which it doesn't have the rights to do so. Specifically, http://www.vbteam.info/vb-3-7-x-addons-template-modifications/9434-advanced-ip-ban-manager.html Is a modification for vbulletin which was written by me and released exclusively on vbulletin.org. My permission was not given to vbteam to publish the modification on their site. They have 100's of other mods on their site and also publish pirate copies of vbulletin itself.

I trust that you will be swift in dealing with this issue.
<my name>


I have removed instances of the site in question from this post and replaced them with [x]. [x] refers to vbteam.info / vbteam.org wrapped in code tags so unlicensed users can't see it.

[nexialys]

actually if you fill a complaint against this guy, you will accuse a celebrity in the Radio stations in Los Angeles...

it's a fake account, and you just fallen into the trick... which would be pathetic.

do you seriously think that a pirate would register his real name on a domain registrant at 5$... that's a real show here, you really know nothing about the internet and you want to play the Net Cop...

stop that.

[Carnage]

actually if you fill a complaint against this guy, you will accuse a celebrity in the Radio stations in Los Angeles...

it's a fake account, and you just fallen into the trick... which would be pathetic.

do you seriously think that a pirate would register his real name on a domain registrant at 5$... that's a real show here, you really know nothing about the internet and you want to play the Net Cop...

stop that.

Point taken, I removed the whois information I wasn't as thorough as I usually am about that stuff.

However, the advertising link is valid.

[hambil]

Also, it's valid to report the nulled copies they blatantly have up. vB has resources we regular users don't.

[Carnage]

Yep I've reported them on that front as well. Chances are they themselves are using a nulled copy as well.

Since they are probably hosted in a country that doesn't care about copyrights the advertising is probably the easiest to get them with thou.

[lasto]

you not going to get nowhere so dont waste your energy.If you take one down they just move to a new host and send new url out and the only loser will be you wasting your time on it.
My view on sites hosting vb hacks is i simply dont care.I come here to get what i need and thats all that matters to me.Remember a hack is like everything else,its only useful if someone can find a use for it.Many hacks will be copied from here and posted on other boards,but that dont mean there is 1000`s of users lining up to download them.

[Carnage]

I'm not attempting to take them down, my attempts are focused in cutting off their profits.

[napy8gen]

Allow me to interrupt.
As I am also the victim of piracy.

There are 4 threads linking from the vbteam concerning request to rip my stuff even my skins are sold at a very affordable price.
But I dont really care about them because I got overexposed. At one time a vietvb also releasing my skins and I contacted them because their thread doesnt recognise me as the rightful owner.They release it just like their own.

[Carnage]

Allow me to interrupt.
As I am also the victim of piracy.

There are 4 threads linking from the vbteam concerning request to rip my stuff even my skins are sold at a very affordable price.
But I dont really care about them because I got overexposed. At one time a vietvb also releasing my skins and I contacted them because their thread doesnt recognise me as the rightful owner.They release it just like their own.
go here http://www.adtoll.com/contact_us.php?subject=Terms%20of%20Service%20Enqu iry and report vbteam.info for breaching the terms of service.

[Shelley_c]

Wouldn't it be best reporting them to their sponsors each and everytime?

Hit them where it hurts. I'm sure with the people visiting their forum, they go there because they don't want to pay for anything so cutting into their income/revenue by reporting them to their ad sponsors thus the owner will need to pay for the upkeep of his/her site from his/her own pocket.

I'm sure if enough people made reports these ad companies would need to delete/void their ad account.

Maybe nexy can step in here and answer this one for me and tell me it cannot be done with every ad company they use.

[nexialys]

Maybe nexy can step in here and answer this one for me and tell me it cannot be done with every ad company they use.

actually it can be done with "legal" advertisers... but most of them are offshore... it's a complete/complex network i must say, even i do not understand the goals there... nobody get paid or what? **

it's easy for anybody to alert googleAds, they just cut the ads and take legal actions to be refund if they ever paid them before... which is rare, or we would've heard of them. but most of these pirates sites are not financed because of the ads, they use them to spread the words... these sites are found because people search for them and google show the links, no matter the piracy or not -- google is not there to enforce any law.

i evaluated personally the number of copies spread on the net for my own releases over the last 5 years... less than 10% of the entire count of my own releases on vb.org and my own place... that means i loose 10% of incomes each day. will i have to invest 10% of my time to track them and make them pay or die?...

when you go at McDonalds, they loose 15% of all of what they cook, it goes directly in the trash, or is dropped on the floor because some kid hit the bucket. do they loose 15% of their time tracking kids to not loose these buckets?!... they prefer making more fries... :)

ok, we're not that big as McDonalds, but the more we do, the harder is for them to release and support all our work. ;)

note: ** ads like the one you see on vbTeam... you will never be able to break their deals. these ads are offered by their host, which is offshore which is paid by the ads to display unsollicited ads, which is there only to make profit from hosting illegal websites... etc...

[freewilley]

Wow I never been to vbteam before now I just seen their site and I must say they are pretty much organised and the people and staff of that forums seem to be very skilled. I am not mentioning the name of the person but there is a guy who even managed to make a vb4 style from the pictures released recently for vb 3.8.x already!!

They also seem to release their own addons and product modifications, skins apart from stealing stuffs from here.

I don't meant to praise them but I would say they are pretty organized for an illegal site.

Taking them down may not work by cutting down the ad revenue they get. I hold a decent phpbb forums myself with good traffic but my ad revenue never crossed 40 or 50 tops bucks a month. I don't think they will be depend on that to run their forums.

My guess is taking them down will be a hard task or possibly not possible.

regards

[smacklan]

They love the attention and could care less about all these attempts. If they could be shut down or even hassled, they would have been long ago. You folks are pissing up a rope, so to speak ;)

[nexialys]

they are not "skilled pirates", they are skilled coders who were deceived by vb.org ... this is different. the real pirates, the ones who hack softwares, there is none there... nullifying vB takes 30 seconds for anybody who ever take a look at the code, it does not need any skill to do so, any coder on vb.org can do it eyes closed.

there is more than just vbteam where you can find skilled vb coders, but they usually work for bigger projects than their own sites... there is some good companies that offer customization of your forum, and most of the time, when you see a skilled coder leave vb.org it is because they are hired by big companies that need their work 24/7...

[freewilley]

By saying skilled I mean they are not just some dumb idiots who just steal the stuffs from here and run a site. They seem to have knowledge about what they are sharing in their just like vb.org.

To me that site looks like vb.org except that they have a different forum style and less traffic when compared to vb.org of course.

[nexialys]

and all the "clients" are leechers who have not a single knowledge about how to manage a forum... at least, the licensed members at vb.org buy their software, they usually have a minimum of goals when opening a forum...

[mikey1991]

Wow I never been to vbteam before now I just seen their site and I must say they are pretty much organised and the people and staff of that forums seem to be very skilled. I am not mentioning the name of the person but there is a guy who even managed to make a vb4 style from the pictures released recently for vb 3.8.x already!!

They also seem to release their own addons and product modifications, skins apart from stealing stuffs from here.

I don't meant to praise them but I would say they are pretty organized for an illegal site.

Taking them down may not work by cutting down the ad revenue they get. I hold a decent phpbb forums myself with good traffic but my ad revenue never crossed 40 or 50 tops bucks a month. I don't think they will be depend on that to run their forums.

My guess is taking them down will be a hard task or possibly not possible.

regards

My guess is that people have tried and failed taking them down, and I'm pretty sure at least some of vB.orgs rules are being violated by just talking about them, but heres my 2cents.

Sure they copy the skins and hacks released here, but that just means more publicity for you, I think that they leave copyrights and linkbacks intact, and I'm pretty sure that they click installed on the mod/skin.

As far as I can see, they don't 'null' vBulletin, they merely redistribute copies nulled by other groups... and to null one copy of vBulletin, you must first buy it, so vBulletin is gaining a little money, surely.

They are organised, as far as I can see, and I see that they have the same type of questions that are found here, in the general discussion area, and they offer the same advices.

If this was all they did, offer vBulletin support and hacks, would they not be the same as vB.org?

Just wondering, and not defending them or anything.

[hambil]

Distributing nulled versions of vBulletin is illegal and can end up costing you large fines or land you in prison. So yeah, a little different than here.

[mikey1991]

If this was all they did, offer vBulletin support and hacks, would they not be the same as vB.org?


Note that.

That generally translates as:

"If they weren't distributing nulled vB, but just the hacks and support and skins found on vBulletin.org, wouldn't they be the same type of site?"

[nexialys]

they are not the same type of site for one reason: the members are not privileged to receive support... they are there because they are too poor to pay for the service, so they do not deserve the same interest from the guys who have the talent there... the real coders there who help the others are not "really" interested to help, they do it "for the cause"... which is pointless when your goal in life is to go higher.

everything is a question of perception.

[hambil]

they are there because they are too poor to pay for the service
Just another excuse for stealing IMHO. I'm pretty damn poor, and I manage the $60 a year.

[TheLastSuperman]

Wow I never been to vbteam before now I just seen their site and I must say they are pretty much organised and the people and staff of that forums seem to be very skilled. I am not mentioning the name of the person but there is a guy who even managed to make a vb4 style from the pictures released recently for vb 3.8.x already!!

They also seem to release their own addons and product modifications, skins apart from stealing stuffs from here.

I don't meant to praise them but I would say they are pretty organized for an illegal site.

Taking them down may not work by cutting down the ad revenue they get. I hold a decent phpbb forums myself with good traffic but my ad revenue never crossed 40 or 50 tops bucks a month. I don't think they will be depend on that to run their forums.

My guess is taking them down will be a hard task or possibly not possible.

regards

They love the attention and could care less about all these attempts. If they could be shut down or even hassled, they would have been long ago. You folks are pissing up a rope, so to speak ;)



By saying skilled I mean they are not just some dumb idiots who just steal the stuffs from here and run a site. They seem to have knowledge about what they are sharing in their just like vb.org.

To me that site looks like vb.org except that they have a different forum style and less traffic when compared to vb.org of course.



My guess is that people have tried and failed taking them down, and I'm pretty sure at least some of vB.orgs rules are being violated by just talking about them, but heres my 2cents.

Sure they copy the skins and hacks released here, but that just means more publicity for you, I think that they leave copyrights and linkbacks intact, and I'm pretty sure that they click installed on the mod/skin.

As far as I can see, they don't 'null' vBulletin, they merely redistribute copies nulled by other groups... and to null one copy of vBulletin, you must first buy it, so vBulletin is gaining a little money, surely.

They are organised, as far as I can see, and I see that they have the same type of questions that are found here, in the general discussion area, and they offer the same advices.

If this was all they did, offer vBulletin support and hacks, would they not be the same as vB.org?

Just wondering, and not defending them or anything.


Note that.

That generally translates as:

"If they weren't distributing nulled vB, but just the hacks and support and skins found on vBulletin.org, wouldn't they be the same type of site?"

I'm going to be quite blunt, if I typed half the thoughts in my head down I would be banned on the spot. That kind of little self justification running around in your heads even on it's lowest level appraising in some parts and being a bit spiteful and witty in others honestly in my opinion is what's wrong with this world. It's wrong no matter how you say it or laugh about it in between the lines. Go there and download a mod someone has hidden something in... go ahead, I hope you enjoy then come running back here posting about being hacked. Now tell me in several long paragraphs how you don't need to be lectured or how that can't happen because you did this or you know this, none of you who posted seem to know enough to make a loud voice in this thread, I can't hear you :erm: :confused: :erm:

Edit: And for the punks on that site, if they had half a clue and were trying to help the community or "your" community they would be here contributing, now chew on that the lot of ya'.

[freewilley]

you may be getting me wrong.. I am not going to use the mods released in that site or whatever or neither I have any special interest in them. No matter what I will stick with the official support provided here and on vb.com.

But after just browsing through their site I just noticed they are just good and its an honest opinion though they are illegal. If my opinion hurts you in some way its just the way you are taking it and I have nothing to do with it or with that site. I just said what I felt thats it nothing more to it.

thanks

[smacklan]

The bottom line about those that run/contribute there and any other place like it is they are nothing, I repeat nothing more than punka@@ thieves with over inflated ego's or perceptions of their own self worth. They are the same kind of people who never contribute anything of worth to society in real life. They think they are "all that" yet they have to do what they do in the shadows or on off shore hosts because they are thieves. If they were "all that" they'd start their own legitimate businesses or sites and make something of themselves rather than enrich their own pockets off the backs of those of us that do. I'm sure some of them are reading this thread...so yeah, I said it to you and you know who you are ;)

[Xphusion]

amen to that SMack I agree if it wasnt illegal....id remove their site from the net by all means and im sure most of you know the way id would acomplish this ....im suprised some hasent yet...but im not goin to cause i dont deal with low life trash like them i bet they all live in trailer parks with their aunt sassy and leech off the next mans internet connection..

[deetwelve]

i bet they all live in trailer parks with their aunt sassy and leech off the next mans internet connection..
LOL, man...

[zefyx]

<thread>
It will never change. If the MPPA, RIAA, ESA, etc can't stop them, what makes you think vBulletin can? Sorry to be so blunt, but complaining about it in here isn't going to do a thing. My modifications get posted across the internet, but I don't create threads complaining about it. Just look at it this way: you can get the modifications first, the updates first & the help when you need it.
</thread>

[Shelley_c]

It's not like the good ole days when you could leave your door open and not worry about people stealing content out of your house. Content insurance companies never existed, and employed people to begin stealing from your house. About the same time when you had to bike 5 miles to collect your loaf of bread from the local bakery which wasn't actually local but the next town away riding on cobbled paving roads.

Bye heck, youngsters nowadays.

[xplan2007]

now discuz board ( china ) copy a lot of mod to included with discuz :erm:

[Xphusion]

anyways...i just received an email from Adtoll

Email


Message:
In violation of your ToS

"The Publisher agrees that their site does not violate any applicable local, state, national, or international law or regulation."

As they are distributing Warez,? Material From MANY others Including Some of my Work, Illegal Distribution of ? vBulletin Forum Software.

I trust that you will be dealing with this issue in a Professional Manner.Response:

*****

Thanks for that, I will have Lyndise chase it up.

Regards
Dan Rucci
Founder and President
AdToll.com - Self-Service Advertising - Easy as 1, 2, 3!
So they are now aware about what activities are going on that this website(and im sure im prob not the only who has emailed them)

[Lynne]

Cleaned up the thread.... if you guys can't play nice and not get into verbal slinging matches, the the thread will be closed.

[Carnage]

anyways...i just received an email from Adtoll

Email

Response:

So they are now aware about what activities are going on that this website(and im sure im prob not the only who has emailed them)
I also got a similar response this morning

Have to say it but its in the advertisers best interests to look into this; if its found to be true, they can confiscate and keep the accrued publisher revenue. We all know how trigger happy google can be on 'Click Fraud'

[nexialys]

you do not want to understand, don't you?

the advertiser is the host, and the host is offshore for ONE reason...

they don't care of what YOU think, they are right, they do what they want, they advertise where they want...

[deetwelve]

you do not want to understand, don't you?
Settle down man..

[badboyz]

why not use the cube coding so they can't null it or at least it would take em some months
just take a look at vbplaza mod the newest one is not even nulled lol

[nexialys]

it is not nulled, but nobody use it anyway... check all the cubed releases, nobody use them, they are costly and not popular... question closed.

[badboyz]

it is not nulled, but nobody use it anyway... check all the cubed releases, nobody use them, they are costly and not popular... question closed.


no one use it b/c it cost$$ lmao there r lots of ppl who want to use it if its free...

you would be surprise how many ppl will use it.

[nexialys]

i know people would use these paid addons, no question about this... people like to use free stuff because they hate to pay someone for the job done... that's what we call slavery in numerous countries.

[Paul M]

Yes, of course, we are all slaves now because we do the addons for free.

I think this thread has reached fantasyland.

[nexialys]

you did not understand my comment, Paul, as usual... tsss

[Shelley_c]

No nexy I think paul understood correctly. You know perfectly well you meant the members/contributors of this forum who were slaves because they provide their time and products for free. Simply because your not this type of person or fall into the category of giving (probably more taking) this doesn't mean we are slaves to jelsoft.

Personally, I don't regard myself as a slave here. I don't post to gain or receive any financial incentives (which some people aim for in this thread) but rather because I post to gain experience. Not slavery nexy, and, like glass we understood your remark quite clear which makes your involvement in this thread truly transparent.

There's a few comments you can get away with in this thread but most of it is pure and utter garbage which you know already (you don't need me to point that out to you). Here i was expecting to go for 3 out of 3 in the way of agreeing with you. You fall short in your comments nexy you need to go another route and quit clutching at straws.

[nexialys]

some people here just think paranoid, that's the only reason why you think "I AM" the bad guy here... that's so pathetic, it's just like you need to point at me when you have no more arguments.

working for free is slavery ?!... so why do i have 100% of my stuff provided for free on my site? i was commenting badboyz opinion on "if it would be free people would use it"... funnily, i'm sure that Shelley would be 500% happy to be paid for the packs she's releasing... no?!... you do your entire stuff just for the fun, you hope to never have a paid client, you wish to be on the free market forever, being paid with peanuts ??

stop "trying" to flame on me, because you fail.

effectivly Paul, this thread is becoming a real circus...

edit: and oh, i was refering to people not willing to pay for good job to be slavery... learn to read english.

[Shelley_c]

that is correct nexy I don't post my stuff on the net to get paid. My business and income is in the real world and again you clutch at the straw. Don't assume because I post anything here I make money from it. Again, you speak utter garbage.

I'm not you nexy, don't assume I have some hidden agenda in making money when indeed I make it without the need of the internet. Let's recall back, your word is not gold, nor is it final but I'm sure if I was going to get paid I would rather be paid peanuts than listen to the ramblings of a person who chops and changes on a whim and then tries to correct that in the following post.

I'm one step ahead of you and if I wanted to flame it would be with you you just can't accept another person pointing out the obvious to you so again you clutch at straws in the hope that the Calvary will get me for flaming. Shame on you, I read it perfectly clear.

edit: and oh, learn to backup your claims and statements and refrain from using the same old excuse "you never read it correctly". it's old news nexy.

[Wayne Luke]

Nexialys,

You're missing one aspect of releasing free work and that is to promote your commercial services. There is a big audience sent here and while some might click on your signature that means that they have to see it first. So while they are looking for addons, they never hear about you because you don't have any released here. A lot of people aren't going to jump into conversations and say "oh here is a signature link, wonder if they have addons on their site."

Of course this is a generalization and every third-party site is different but that is the way of things.

[nexialys]

you are absolutely right Wayne...

but i did not miss that aspect, i just did not talk about it... :) i know i fail from being useful to the community if i do not post my work on vb.org... i know that a lot, because i see people visiting my site asking me to release the work here, and some others who are asking here to see my work (or any hack i taken-over) to be re-released here too...

this is a good statement, not generalization... that was one of the point of discussion when we came with the request to be able to promote third-party sites on vb.org ... nobody know about these, because there is no right to talk about them. (i'm not whinning here, it's a statement)... i personally do my own advertisement elsewhere, or i shut it up... :)

being said, that may be one of the reason why the mods here get ripped... less than the commercial hacks... it's because they are freely accessible from any owner of a vB license, no matter what goal they have in mind. having commercial sites with encrypted versions of their work is harder to rip, but once they are, the nulled versions are spread on the dark side so fast it's dangerous for the author's reputation... nobody goes to buy their product anymore. that's sad.

i'll make something about my releases soon, don't know how, maybe today.. lol

[Shelley_c]

When in doubt agree with wayne. Almost laughable is that.

So 90% of people throughout this thread were either wrong, incorrect or did not read correctly though your now agreeing nexy? Don't get me wrong, I'd like to hear your claims on this bad case of slavery in full description mode?

Totally agree wayne, that's not really going into depth about your previous posts on slavery. I guess we should all pack up and stop supporting our products here? Jelsoft taking the piss out of our good nature for providing free products and support? really nexy I'd like to hear it because throughout this thread you and wayne are about the only people who have been correct and everyone just plainly didn't understand english, again were wrong or just plain paranoid.

I just feel there's no real point in coming out with something then not explaining it.

[Princeton]

alright - this back and forth (flaming) need to stop

it's not needed here

[smacklan]

I thought I was done with this thread but I guess I want to summarize my thoughts about this subject...then I'm done. Jelsoft benefits more from this site (from a commercial aspect) than those of us who contribute here, that fact is probably indisputable. Not much us commercial providers can do about that. Those that contribute here for reasons not related to making a living are in the same boat those of us that rely on our products to make a living are...your stuff is gonna get ripped (ie; posted on warez sites). This is a given. Whatever your opinion is of warez, it is a fact of life on the internet and nothing here is any more immune from it than anywhere else. The question becomes, do you care? If so, what are you going to do about it? If not, then all of this discussion is moot.

[lasto]

I thought I was done with this thread but I guess I want to summarize my thoughts about this subject...then I'm done. Jelsoft benefits more from this site (from a commercial aspect) than those of us who contribute here, that fact is probably indisputable. Not much us commercial providers can do about that. Those that contribute here for reasons not related to making a living are in the same boat those of us that rely on our products to make a living are...your stuff is gonna get ripped (ie; posted on warez sites). This is a given. Whatever your opinion is of warez, it is a fact of life on the internet and nothing here is any more immune from it than anywhere else. The question becomes, do you care? If so, what are you going to do about it? If not, then all of this discussion is moot.
Well done - you Seem to of hit the nail on the head with your comment.
When it comes to warezs its a never ending argument and you usually find out those who shout the loudest are proberly the ones who pirate most everything anyway.
The only way to stop stuff from being pirated is simply dont let it on the internet in any shape of form.(Paid or unpaid)

[Ohiosweetheart]

they are not "skilled pirates", they are skilled coders who were deceived by vb.org ... this is different. the real pirates, the ones who hack softwares, there is none there... nullifying vB takes 30 seconds for anybody who ever take a look at the code, it does not need any skill to do so, any coder on vb.org can do it eyes closed.

there is more than just vbteam where you can find skilled vb coders, but they usually work for bigger projects than their own sites... there is some good companies that offer customization of your forum, and most of the time, when you see a skilled coder leave vb.org it is because they are hired by big companies that need their work 24/7...I was over there yesterday, and not only can you download almost all versions of vBulletin, but it comes complete with a key and fake license number. The admin explained that the license number is to be added "in case their host comes snooping". Exact quote.

They know what they're doing and how to get around stuff. Very well thought out.

[Zachery]

I was over there yesterday, and not only can you download almost all versions of vBulletin, but it comes complete with a key and fake license number. The admin explained that the license number is to be added "in case their host comes snooping". Exact quote.

They know what they're doing and how to get around stuff. Very well thought out.
The "fake" key-gens do nothing.

[RLShare]

I took Nexs' statement exactly as it seems he meant it, he was replying specifically to the comment made about cube. The comment saying if it was free then people would use it. He replied saying of course if it was free people will use it because noone wants to pay people for the work and effort they put into things. He just used a bad analogy comparing it to slave labor. I do not see it as a jab at all people releasing things as free, but a jab at people who always expect something for nothing and do not appreciate the time and effort people put into creating products like cube.

Edit: I am talking about the discussion on the previous page, I did not realize there was another page of replies.

[nexialys]

RLS, your check is in the mail....


rofl

btw, people whinning about my situation as a non-releaser will now have to find something else to whinne about me... :)

@Zachery ... i had one of these fights with the guys who coded that fake license key... about how the host was able to check if there was that authentication process that was proving you had a nulled version... (they state that if a host or Jelsoft guy check the install/install.php and do not find the authentication page, it is because it's a bad nulled version)... pointless i may say, because myself hate to forget about my own license so i replace the authentication page with a blank cookie and have no need to authenticate, what does not make my site illegal...

but anyway, they always have a reason for their pathetic work.

[Zachery]

Nex,

I can't go into details, but anything they do does nothing.

[nexialys]

actually i'm not completely with you on that... looks like after 18 pages we continue talking about them, they do something for sure.... ROFL!

[Wayne Luke]

actually i'm not completely with you on that... looks like after 18 pages we continue talking about them, they do something for sure.... ROFL!
You assume that the files on the server can be trusted to tell us if a forum is licensed or not. However they are also editable by the user so therefore cannot be trusted.

[nexialys]

i'm not the one who assume this, THEY are... ;) and i showed you in my post that they can not be trusted... :)

[Paul M]

This has nothing to do with the original topic. Im beginning to think this thread has passed its sell by date.

[nexialys]

You know Paul, you don't have to always close a thread when there is nothing left of the OP.... we can continue discussing it, it's the community lounge, we're here to relax and be off-topic...

do you have personally to go to another house each time you change the path of your discussion with your wife?

[CrazyProgrammer]

wow just read the 12 pages i was thinking something i have some pirated music and some apps and bet most you have same also arent we also doing the same -.-. But anyway that site kinds sucks some many leechers there if you could hunt each one down would takes ages i hope vbulletin 4 would have something to make it "null" proof so they can pay for it maybe vbulletin can get some more new staff who can pitch good ideas

[Princeton]

closing as this thread has gone off-topic