Archived mods : how bad VB considers is clients ?

[imported_Fabz]

Hi,

I understand things must improve and versions may not beeing more distributed, but I was very disapointed when I saw that we were unauthorized to download any old archived mods !

The board was made with members and for members. Since the website has migrated to VB.com it looks like they push us to buy and follow newer versions.

I'm VB licensed and think I worked like others to get VB board a famous software.

Ok, archived mods threads are read-only, I understand it.
What I don't understand is why you let threads readable but prohibit downloading attachments.
From that way, those threads are useless and worse...
Aren't we as good enough for you to have read-only access to the entire archived mods, including the main attachments ?

Consider that what you've done to older versions will be done for future versions too. Are people and contributors only disposable ?

I'm very sad about this, I would like VB staff (.org or .com I don't understand anymore right now) to find a way to access those threads completely. (let them closed but free the attachments please !)

[nexialys]

actually, archiving old mods was not a administration decision only... all the coders were involved in the decision... there is a poll called each time we have to archive a section of the site. we, the coders, decided to archive that old work because we do not want to support it anymore. the ones willing to do so can always put their code somewhere else and offer it to older versions...

you are pointing at the wrong person...

[imported_Fabz]

I don't think donwloading attachments involves support...
Archived threads mean nothing in that state, even if I'm pointing to the wrong "staff".

[nexialys]

so if you break your forum because you install something obsolete, you will not have a need for support?!

maybe you because you are experienced... but what with the hundreds of admins here who have no idea how to deal with bugs ?!

[imported_Fabz]

When mods are indicated without support, people usually understand it...
Many mods are given to be used at your own risk.
I don't understand why archived mods are shown but attachment not downloadable (a txt file, an image...).

You already know that when threads are closed (and sections belonging to), noone will be able to post so as to get support.

I find this decision very strange, and I don't think it was a good one.

[nexialys]

you may also have a wrong idea of why it is not a good decision... i can assure you that once per month someone is whinning about the archives not being downloadable, and in no way the decision was debated to change that fact... i would personally be against it.. you are on the side of the client...

[Lynne]

When mods are indicated without support, people usually understand it...
Many mods are given to be used at your own risk.
I don't understand why archived mods are shown but attachment not downloadable (a txt file, an image...).
Have you ever looked to see how often users who install Unsupported Mods then come and ask for support in the main forum? Quite a few. They complain that they aren't getting support in the thread, so they are coming to the main forums for support. They don't understand the whole Install at your own risk thing. In fact, some users think it is their right to get a mod that works perfectly on their site with their millions of add-ons (conflicting mods? The developers should make sure it works perfectly with any other mod!!!).

[mikey1991]

The developers should make sure it works perfectly with any other mod!!!.

I disgree on that point, Developers and coders shouldn't have to make their mods futureproof.

(unless you emant that was what people expected?)

[imported_Fabz]

The reason for archiving and annoying support is understandable, but that's all, and I ask you again : what's the need of having hundreds of unuseable threads ?

Nothing will stop users and members to post stupid things and disturb the community. Breaking old threads is not helpfull and is bad for the community.

It looks like you throw away those millions of books in a library only because they are too old, and take too much place.

Really, assume what you decided and erase completely the archived threads, which are only hooks : "look at those beautifull mods... but only look.... it's not for you"

[nexialys]

actually you are telling two opposite things as example... you ask why we let these threads on the site and you accuse us to throw these book... come on, you have no argument, you just want to whine...

and yes, the staff will not answer you that way... i'm a client too, and your accusations are touching me too. the opposite way.

[imported_Fabz]

You must not care of my arguments as you don't need to access those archived mods.

Archived mods are not read only, they are empty.
What arguments except "support" do you have ?

[Lynne]

I disgree on that point, Developers and coders shouldn't have to make their mods futureproof.

(unless you emant that was what people expected?)
I was saying what I have read people expect - perfectly working mods with immediate support at all hours. :cool:

[nexialys]

You must not care of my arguments as you don't need to access those archived mods.

What arguments except "support" do you have ?

fact 1: when i was using vB 1.0, i stored all the possible *(32) hacks available. same with vb 2.x, and each time we have a generation, i backup all the mods that i can think of a use...

what you complain about is that you have no chance to download the hacks you want to access, because when it was time you did not have the ability to do so...

but it would be the same if you go to vb.com and try to update your forum or request support for your 2.x version... Jelsoft would say they are not supporting that version anymore... if the official company is not supporting it anymore, why would they do it on the official mods site?

vb 2.x is 4 years old... one generation of softwares... no more webserver is using the prerequisite PHP/MySQL version that would make them run perfect...same for performances...

beside "support" ?... efficiency, quality of work, obsoletitude of your site -- which would require that you pay a coder just to update it professionally...

[imported_Fabz]

what you complain about is that you have no chance to download the hacks you want to access, because when it was time you did not have the ability to do so...

Yes, exactly. I thought I just needed to store URLS to get back when needed... I was wrong.

vb 2.x is 4 years old... one generation of softwares... no more webserver is using the prerequisite PHP/MySQL version that would make them run perfect...same for performances...
beside "support" ?... efficiency, quality of work, obsoletitude of your site -- which would require that you pay a coder just to update it professionally...

That is not my way of thinking about a community board... And it's not a question of paying a coder. I already pay for such things, I'm not a robber.
I wish you will have time - all your life - to follow and upgrade any software you use. When you manage an only board it's so easy. I keep an old version because I don't need other functionalities, and because everything else on the website is linked and modified, much harder than just playing with a forum.

Anyway, I don't force anyone to have the same opinion, but I do not agree with such a decision, that's what I wanted to say. I have no choice, you said it, but I feel misled.

Why don't paying to get access to those things you reject ?

[Carnage]

Its amusing; I still use a mod intended for vb 2 on my 3.8 board. Its gone through so many changes since then to get it to work on 3, 3.5, 3.6 and 3.7 It would be slightly useful to me to be able to get the original code so that i could re-modify it from scratch at some point.

I don't see any harm in leaving old mods on the site so long as people realize that they come with ZERO support.

[imported_Fabz]

Thank you.
There are many reasons to get access to "read only archived mods", code is always usefull, independently to the VB version we use.

[Guest210212002]

Its amusing; I still use a mod intended for vb 2 on my 3.8 board. Its gone through so many changes since then to get it to work on 3, 3.5, 3.6 and 3.7 It would be slightly useful to me to be able to get the original code so that i could re-modify it from scratch at some point.

I don't see any harm in leaving old mods on the site so long as people realize that they come with ZERO support.

Hah, I'm pretty sure my /me hack is from the oldschool vb2 release as well.

I don't recall a "vote" per se (or being asked) if I wanted my old mods archived, and I don't see the harm in letting people have access to them. Just stick a no-support announcement in those forums and be done with it.

.2c

Edit:

A good example is this one:

https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?t=61424

This does work on at least 3.7.x, because it still works on the last forum that I ran. I'd love to put it on my new venture, but alas, the file is unavailable.

[lasto]

It looks like you throw away those millions of books in a library only because they are too old, and take too much place.


He does have a point there :)

anyway if people want the attachments from old versions of hacks then why not let them have them.Just set the forums so they cant reply to the threads but allow downloads.
And put a disclaimer on that all these hacks are old and use at your own peril.

[BlueNinjaGo]

I agree that everyone should be able to download archived mods. Perhaps a pop-up message when they do so to remind them this is out-dated and will have 0 support and even warn it can damage their board.

My two suggestions:
1) Allow users to download old attachments. A clear warning for those new users who might have stumbled upon it through a search and not realize how old it actually is. (I suggest this because sometimes users would like to simply see how something was done, and then modify it or just have that knowledge)

2) Delete the thread all together. Why tease people with "this is how to do THIS" but not let them see how it was done.

I completely understand why old mods are archived, but why save the thread if no one can see the code?

[Biker_GA]

First of all, attempting to compare old library books to obsolete code is just wrong. There's absolutely no similarity between the two, other than they're old. Talk about a flawed premise.

Speaking from an administrative standpoint, tossing old code out there for the clueless to download is nothing more than a recipe for disaster. You only have to read the support threads to see that there are those with a bare minimum of knowledge attempting to run vBulletin. To make obsolete code available to those individuals would exponentially create more complaints, broken boards, and unhappy customers.

Leaving the old threads in place via the archives serves a twofold purpose. One, it gives a historical timeline of how vBulletin has grown through the years. Second, it provides a minimal support thread for those that may be running the code on older versions.

As for wanting the code, you should have saved the instructions to your local machine. To expect vBulletin.org to be your off site backup source is unrealistic.

[G0F0RBR0KE]

I think that all archived modification should be available for download (including images to view). However, a bracket within the thread should indicate that there will be no support for that modification that the user(s) wishes to use on his will.

I know that a lot of threads are being posted within the "General vBulletin Discussions" about modification not being supported, why it's not working. Maybe, if they can put some notification indicating that the user(s) will not receive any support about their issue unless it's a vBulletin related (the software it self).

If a mod request that he/she no longer wishes for his/her product to be available, by all means the attachment should be deleted beside the thread (for those who seek to find a solution within the million of replies).

vBulletin doesn't support older version, however, they do allow us to download an old version of the software for a sole purpose. Not because their host provider isn't up-to-date on the MySQL and PHP. But, because some owner doesn't wish to have all these new modification.

[imported_Fabz]

If you indicate strictly "No support" for those mods, and let people access those threads attachments, I will agree to be banned or deleted if ever I ask for support publicly for those old mods. ;)

I can't imagine there is no solution on this usefull board. I (we) don't ask for support, and you are the best way to help vb coders, but this should be done by accessing only the code within the threads, nothing else.

Please : is the decision permanent ?

[Adrian Schneider]

Some people just flat out prefer older versions of software. It's usually faster, smaller and might be the only thing their servers support. Who cares.... let them use it.

Look at Winamp forums for example, they still use 2.3.9 yet run a very active forum. If they want modifications, why the hell not?

[G0F0RBR0KE]

I remember Capcom.com also running an older version of vBulletin. But, they made their own software.

So, why not bring the attachment. In-fact, I wish to run an older version of my vBulletin to use a cool modification I enjoyed since it's no longer going to be updated and supported (iCash and iShop). :p

[Xphusion]

i think the mods should be downloadable or maybe even some of the old mods that are not currently support be revamped to work with the latest version (with the permission of the original coder)

[Carnage]

i think the mods should be downloadable or maybe even some of the old mods that are not currently support be revamped to work with the latest version (with the permission of the original coder)
This is another valid point; old code would be of use to any coder who wanted to port the feature to a newer version of vb. At the very minimum, i think you should allow members of the coders user class to download said mods.

I'd quite like this mod: https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?t=109598&highlight=cpanel as it ties into a project i'm working on atm; Using vb as a webhost manager with support forums, possibly project tools for tickets etc. It needs an interface to cpanel that mod will provide an example on how to do it.

[fanyap]

yes, this was just another bad decision by the vB.org staff even considering this type of solution. The mods should always remain up for download. If anything, close the threads so nobody else can reply.

It is frustrating at the least, I agree 100% with this thread creator.

[King Kovifor]

This is another valid point; old code would be of use to any coder who wanted to port the feature to a newer version of vb. At the very minimum, i think you should allow members of the coders user class to download said mods.

I'd quite like this mod: https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?t=109598&highlight=cpanel as it ties into a project i'm working on atm; Using vb as a webhost manager with support forums, possibly project tools for tickets etc. It needs an interface to cpanel that mod will provide an example on how to do it.

Even if the decision was reversed; that modification wouldn't be available. The author took that one down; not vBulletin.org Staff.