Text Messaging (SMS) for vBulletin 4.0

[robwoelich]

June 2014: I just realized that this thing was still around after getting a random PM about it - I may have some short-term plans to redo this, but for now I'm pulling the files because it's been so long and I have no idea if anything still works. At one point I bought a vB Suite license for 4.1 (at the time, I have no idea where vB is at now) so I'll poke around and see if it'll be practical to update this.

Original description text still below.

Text Messaging for vBulletin does what it implies - adds text messaging functions to your forums! Users can set up their cell phone number and sign up for notifications of a new private message or visitor message received. The forum will send them a text message in close to real time, letting them know about their new message wherever they might be.

Updated 2-15-2010 6:30AM GMT to add support for T-Mobile and Virgin Mobile.

This is being brought back from when I retired it in 2008 from vB 3.7, I think it was. It's been redesigned from scratch to be more reliable, as well as compatible with vB 4.0. It is not yet compatible with vBulletin 3.8 - I'll be working on downgrading it within the next week or so.

This version supports Alltel, AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, Virgin Mobile and Verizion cell phone numbers. It is a light version of a bigger modification - you can learn more about the full version here (http://www.robwoelich.com/products.php?do=view&id=7). Please note that I will only answer question or otherwise discuss the full version modification via my website.

Features:
- Compatible with Alltel, AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, Virgin Mobile and Verizon cell phones
- Allows users to receive text messages when they receive a new PM or visitor message
- PIN verification ensures number ownership and saves forum resources
- Users can be reached by your forum wherever they are, any time of day
- Nearly fully phrased (including the text of the text messages), making translation easy

Live Demo:
A live demo can be found on my Demonstration Forums at this link (http://www.robwoelich.com/profile.php?do=edittxtnumber). Please note that registration is required to set up text messaging, as there's no way to store your user info as a guest, obviously.

Screenshots:
Attached to this post. Also, I thought the picture with my phone turned out cool. And as for the 2016 date, it's an HTC phone plagued by a Windows Mobile date display glitch... haha.

Support:
I will provide support whenever I can - I've been pretty good about it lately. Please click Install before asking for support.

I also appreciate it when you support me by purchasing the full versions of the free products you get a lot of use out of. :)

[robwoelich]

This post is designed to answer common questions and troubleshoot issues. It should contain the extent of my knowledge and/or ability to help you with the Text Messaging modification, so if myself or someone else has directed you here, please take the time to read what I've put together for you.

Please note that as per Paul M, all discussion of the full/"commercial" version of this modification is to be kept to private message or my website. His post stating such can be seen here.



General FAQ About the Product and the Texting Process

Q: How does the modification work?
A: The modification can send texts to your users from your forum at no charge to the forum, and generally no charge to the user (though this depends on their cell phone company). Sending texts, for all practical purposes, is basically done by email as far as your forums are concerned. Emails are translated by the cell phone companies, who then turn them into texts and get them to the user. That's the long and short of it.

Q: Is there any cost associated with this modification?
A: Not to you as the forum owner to use the system and send the texts. And more often than not, there is also no cost to the user to receive texts, but that depends entirely on the user's cell phone plan and not by me. For example, if the user has to pay (according to their contact) to receive texts, they have to pay for them regardless of whether the text is received from your forum or from another cell phone. And while most users should know if that's the case and they don't get free texting, a disclaimer is made anyway during the text messaging setup process.

Q: Something something full version something?
A: I will no longer discuss the full version modification here on vBulletin.org, but don't think that means I don't want to talk to you about it or I don't care what you think. Contact me by PM or on my website and I'll talk to you about it all you want. This decision/policy has been backed by Paul M.

Q: Why are there so few companies? / Your previous modification had a ton more companies?
A: This is a simple two-part answer.

Only settings for companies that are verified to be working are being included in this version.
Support for more companies is being added on a regular basis as I can continue to verify that there are no issues with those companies and with the modification itself.
Please have patience as I verify new company entries and add them to the modification. I'm not withholding them because I'm mean, rather I'm trying to control the use and release of the modification and expand it slowly so I don't release something that's broken to hundreds or thousands of people at once.

Q: Can you add my company, _____?
A: You can send me a message on my website requesting for me to do so (don't PM me here, they pile up and I don't have a good way to organize/manage them), but please read the above answer first.

Companies will be added at the rate of approximately two per week, for as long as I have a supply of ones that can be verified to work. After that, I may request volunteers to help test companies I can't verify myself. Keep an eye on the thread and/or modification description if you're interested in helping with that.

Q: Can I change the email / "from" address that appears on the texts?
A: Not really, because how the "from" field on a text message is handled depends on the cell phone company. Some companies show the "from" email as set in the email headers, others show the email address associated with a hosting account, and others just display a random number. These have all been observed regardless of what has been set in email headers in the past.

Since the companies all process the messages differently, there isn't really a way to standardize how the "from" address appears. To help avoid user confusion, I have included your forum title in every message sent out.



Quick Troubleshooting and Problems/Solutions

P: Can't "turn on" texting in usergroups/usergroup permissions:
S: Upload the bitfield XML to /includes/xml/ before you import the product XML.

P: No menu option to set up texting in the User CP:
S: Verify texting is turned on in Admin CP > vBulletin Options > Text Messaging Options. Your User CP templates may have also been modified and are missing the template hook at the bottom of the menu, or another modification is using that template hook incorrectly (YAFB has been known to do this).

Compare your User CP templates to the default ones, or in the case of YAFB, set the User CP Menu plugin to execute after YAFB's (usually execution order 6 or higher).

P: Not receiving the confirmation PIN:
S: Incorrect cell phone number, number format, and/or company selected. Ensure you have selected the proper company, and in the case of U.S. numbers, entered the 10 digit number without spaces or additional characters (1234567890). Alternatively, user is not able to receive text messages as per their contract or has disabled texting.

P: Clicking the "resend PIN" link causes 500 / Internal Server Error:
S: At the bottom of the User CP Text Messaging Options plugin (the very bottom lines), change mail( ... ) to vbmail( ... ), leaving whatever's between the ( ) intact.

P: Not receiving texts, but receiving the confirmation PIN:
S: Verify usergroup has texting permissions (including secondary usergroups), and verify texting is enabled in User CP > Edit Options (both globally, and for each notification type, i.e. private messaging).

P: Anything else:
S: Post it and I'll look into it, and then it will probably end up here. :)

[cory_booth]

Woot!

Awesome!

[TimberFloorAu]

Good Work Rob.

Cannot see what the paid version covers in terms of Country and Carriers

Also little unclear as to what a license covers, if I have 8000 members and 10% of those want to use this system, am I right in thinking the paid version costs me 800 x $2.50 per month ?

[ahmedipa]

very good mod

[edytwinky]

Sucks Sprints not involved on this

[robwoelich]

Good Work Rob.

Cannot see what the paid version covers in terms of Country and Carriers

Also little unclear as to what a license covers, if I have 8000 members and 10% of those want to use this system, am I right in thinking the paid version costs me 800 x $2.50 per month ?You can see the full list of current countries and carriers on my demo forum if you go through the process of setting up your own number there. Leave the search box blank and it will return a list of all cell phone providers in all countries.

For the licensing, you'd be correct. The idea behind the user licenses, though, is that you'd have enough users who would actually purchase paid subscriptions to support that. So in your example, your licensing fees would be 800 x $2.50, but your income would be the same at $5/subscription. :cool: Obviously the per user license is not going to be the best solution for all forums, which is why the other full version option is one reasonable price regardless of the number of users.

This probably isn't the best place to discuss full version licensing, though... I'd be happy to talk more about it via PM or via my website. :)

[ToNetU]

why you force us to register to your forum just to see the full list of current countries and carriers!!!
please put it here and share it with us! i don't want to register! just to see if i like it or not

[TimberFloorAu]

THe free version comes with 2 , he has mentioned that. So no need for you to register anywhere

[robwoelich]

why you force us to register to your forum just to see the full list of current countries and carriers!!!
please put it here and share it with us! i don't want to register! just to see if i like it or notThe only reason you'd need to register on my demo forum is if you're considering purchasing one of the full version products. And I would recommend doing so if that were the case, as it would be silly to not thoroughly test out the text messaging system as it's installed on my forum before purchasing it. :up:

This free product includes two companies. They are listed in the modification description. :)

[Bluefin221]

I was always interested in this but could never get Vodafone UK to work, I hadn't even attempted other numbers or networks as I couldn't get my own to work.

[Zaiaku]

If Tmo was added to the list it would of been perfect. My members are mostly ATT and Tmo. Maybe if I wait there may be an update with them.

[paratek]

When i send a test PM to my admin account this error pops up
Parse error: syntax error, unexpected $end in /home/XXXXXX/public_html/forum/includes/functions_txt.php on line 90

THe PM still goes through. Had to uninstall for the time being

Seeing how Admins are going to be the bulk of people installing this, it would have been nice to have the "notify on new registrations" added to the free version.

[molieman]

Got all excited when I saw this and downloaded the free version. Then looked at limitations, it had to be connect to authors server... OUCH. Do not want to depend on a other server!!!

Then the limitations of phone companies (free version)... OUCH just two????? and if I want more phone companies, I would have to go to the full version and pay $89.99 a year. No thank you, I've got enough costs to run my site.

robwoelich, this is a fantastic product, but a bit too rich for me. Too bad for me.... :(

[Datenpapst]

too bad this isnt for european phone companies like Orange or T-Moblie ;)

[cory_booth]

Not picking up my database prefix

UPDATE user SET xxx_txtoptions = 'a:2:{s:2:\"co\";s:7:\"Verizon\";s:3:\"dom\";s:9:\"vtext.com\";}'
WHERE userid = '1'
LIMIT 1;

MySQL Error : Table 'domain_xxx.user' doesn't exist
Error Number : 1146
Request Date : Sunday, February 7th 2010 @ 09:36:40 AM
Error Date : Sunday, February 7th 2010 @ 09:36:40 AM
Script : http://xxx.com/profile.php?do=updatetxtnumber
Referrer : http://xxx.com/profile.php?do=edittxtnumber
IP Address : 71.163.243.11
Username : yyy
Classname : vB_Database_MySQLi
MySQL Version : 5.1.43

[cory_booth]

OK something messed up.
I added my domain to the SQL and now I get:
"unknown column xxx_txtoptions"
I think the SQL prefix call is in the wrong spot for all the SQLs

Currently it says
UPDATE user SET xxx_txtoptions

Should be:
UPDATE xxx_user SET txtoptions

????

[drummaster]

A good mod but i registerd on your site but sorry to say o2 uk didnt work for me a shame really.

[ndut]

only supports AT&T and Verizion cell phone numbers???

indonesian phone numbers, cannot??? :(

[carrlos]

Interesting. Tagged.......

[robwoelich]

I think the SQL prefix call is in the wrong spot for all the SQLs

Currently it says
UPDATE user SET xxx_txtoptions

Should be:
UPDATE xxx_user SET txtoptionsMy bad - I don't use prefixes so I didn't catch this. I've updated the product file and uploaded the new ZIP. Thanks!

[imported_pmay68]

When i send a test PM to my admin account this error pops up
Parse error: syntax error, unexpected $end in /home/XXXXXX/public_html/forum/includes/functions_txt.php on line 90

THe PM still goes through. Had to uninstall for the time being

Seeing how Admins are going to be the bulk of people installing this, it would have been nice to have the "notify on new registrations" added to the free version.

I too am having the same error message..

[JasonReynolds]

Need it in european aswell please.

[robwoelich]

I too am having the same error message..I just now uploaded a new version of functions_txt.php within the ZIP file, try that one and let me know if you still have issues. :)

[robwoelich]

A good mod but i registerd on your site but sorry to say o2 uk didnt work for me a shame really.O2 UK has been known to work before - I'm unfamiliar with the number format or country codes that need to be entered with the phone number, though. Also, I believe you also need to enable "mobile email" or something like that through O2 before you'll receive messages.

[AzzidReign]

This is awesome! Thanks.

[Kolbi]

Theres the full list of avaible providers?

[imported_pmay68]

I just now uploaded a new version of functions_txt.php within the ZIP file, try that one and let me know if you still have issues. :)

Nope sorry now get this error:

Parse error: syntax error, unexpected $end in /home/scootin1/public_html/forums/includes/functions_txt.php on line 92

[woffie]

Another demo mod advertisement for a paid mod. They should just have a paid mods section here.

[BlackJacket]

Really great product but way too expensive for pro. Maybe you could add the top three or four carriers to the free version?

Tagged.

[robwoelich]

Nope sorry now get this error:

Parse error: syntax error, unexpected $end in /home/scootin1/public_html/forums/includes/functions_txt.php on line 92That's odd. Can you PM me a link to your forum? :)

[robwoelich]

Really great product but way too expensive for pro. Maybe you could add the top three or four carriers to the free version?

Tagged.I will most likely do so shortly. The current idea is to verify the vB 4.0 version doesn't have any critical bugs before it ends up with such wide use.

[BlackJacket]

I will most likely do so shortly. The current idea is to verify the vB 4.0 version doesn't have any critical bugs before it ends up with such wide use.

Thanks Rob. We all appreciate it greatly and im sure this Mod will be a hit!

[robwoelich]

Nope sorry now get this error:

Parse error: syntax error, unexpected $end in /home/scootin1/public_html/forums/includes/functions_txt.php on line 92Never mind my last comment, I found the issue. It was a missing bracket in the functions_txt.php file. I've corrected the issue for sure and have updated the ZIP file with the new file. Thanks! :)

[BlackJacket]

Is it possible to also receive a text when someone replies to a specific forum such as "announcements" etc... and when someone replies to a thread you have created?

[robwoelich]

Is it possible to also receive a text when someone replies to a specific forum such as "announcements" etc... and when someone replies to a thread you have created?Possible, yes, but not yet implemented.

For the first example, I would have to set up settings for users to specify which forums they wanted texts about/on new threads versus new replies/etc. This will probably be practical within the next version or two of Text Messaging.

For the second example, one of my originally intended notification types/methods was to send a text in accordance with thread subscriptions, i.e. whatever your thread subscription settings were to trigger an email, they would also trigger a text. The problem with that, though, is that the way the subscription notifications are set up with vBulletin, the messages would have to be modified to be text-friendly (160 chars). Until I could figure out a good way to do this, particularly with daily and weekly subscriptions where multiple threads are listed in an email, I decided to hold off. This will also probably be added at some point.

I'd like to find a lot more notification methods/options to add in future versions, and started with the general ones that I thought would be useful. As new versions of Text Messaging come out, though, you're likely to see more notifications options/methods. :)

[edytwinky]

Sounds extremely intriguing. Not sure if its worth the $89 or whatever since i'm not sure how much use it'll get but nonetheless, a very good mod.

If Sprint and T-Mobile get added to the freebie part, i'll surely add this on.

[drummaster]

O2 UK has been known to work before - I'm unfamiliar with the number format or country codes that need to be entered with the phone number, though. Also, I believe you also need to enable "mobile email" or something like that through O2 before you'll receive messages.

Well I have got everything set up mobile email mms you name it i got it but still not working on o2 uk

The area code is +44 and I cant get this to work from your site.

[woffie]

Sounds extremely intriguing. Not sure if its worth the $89 or whatever since i'm not sure how much use it'll get but nonetheless, a very good mod.

If Sprint and T-Mobile get added to the freebie part, i'll surely add this on.Me too

[GrossKopf]

The Text Messaging section is not appearing in my User CP.

[robwoelich]

The Text Messaging section is not appearing in my User CP.This is most likely because you have another modification breaking the template hook for the User CP links (YAFB is one of them). Try changing the execution order of the User CP plugins for the Text Messaging modification in your Plugin Manager. :up:

[BlackJacket]

Possible, yes, but not yet implemented.

For the first example, I would have to set up settings for users to specify which forums they wanted texts about/on new threads versus new replies/etc. This will probably be practical within the next version or two of Text Messaging.

For the second example, one of my originally intended notification types/methods was to send a text in accordance with thread subscriptions, i.e. whatever your thread subscription settings were to trigger an email, they would also trigger a text. The problem with that, though, is that the way the subscription notifications are set up with vBulletin, the messages would have to be modified to be text-friendly (160 chars). Until I could figure out a good way to do this, particularly with daily and weekly subscriptions where multiple threads are listed in an email, I decided to hold off. This will also probably be added at some point.

I'd like to find a lot more notification methods/options to add in future versions, and started with the general ones that I thought would be useful. As new versions of Text Messaging come out, though, you're likely to see more notifications options/methods. :)

Maybe have an option when creating a thread that allows the thread creator to check a box at the bottom of the page (under "Automatically convert links into videos" or "Disable smilies in text" etc... This way they do not have to subscribe to every thread they create.

Also instead of sending the entire message as a text (which most wouldn't fit the 160 limit) you could send a message stating "New reply to your (thread link)."

Some idea's i thought would be helpful. :)

[GrossKopf]

This is most likely because you have another modification breaking the template hook for the User CP links (YAFB is one of them). Try changing the execution order of the User CP plugins for the Text Messaging modification in your Plugin Manager. :up:

Do you know which entry I'd change? I found "User CP Text Messaging Options" and changed the execution order in there to a lower number than "Profile Start (profile.php)" in YAFB but it didn't work. Any idea which entry in YAFB I should change?

EDIT: I disabled YAFB temporarily and the options showed up in my profile. I put in my phone number and selected Verizon, entered the pin but didn't get the notification that I received a PM when I sent myself one. I did select the option to notify me on new PM's.

[robwoelich]

Do you know which entry I'd change? I found "User CP Text Messaging Options" and changed the execution order in there to a lower number than "Profile Start (profile.php)" in YAFB but it didn't work. Any idea which entry in YAFB I should change?

EDIT: I disabled YAFB temporarily and the options showed up in my profile. I put in my phone number and selected Verizon, entered the pin but didn't get the notification that I received a PM when I sent myself one. I did select the option to notify me on new PM's.In this case, you need to set the "User CP Navbar" plugin execution order to be higher than YAFB (i.e. 6). YAFB basically erases anything in that menu area before it puts the YAFB menu there, so the Text Messaging menu has to be set up after YAFB.

[GrossKopf]

In this case, you need to set the "User CP Navbar" plugin execution order to be higher than YAFB (i.e. 6). YAFB basically erases anything in that menu area before it puts the YAFB menu there, so the Text Messaging menu has to be set up after YAFB.

I did that but it didn't work. I set that to 3. Also, I'm not getting the messages on my phone. I selected my company and entered my phone number. I made sure everything was checked to enable...

[DBStattoo]

hi me am whit bell mobility i cant see this compagny i see at&t and verizon im in canada its possible to add bell mobility, telus and rogers ???? this compagny its the most populair in quebec, canada

thanks

[robwoelich]

I did that but it didn't work. I set that to 3. Also, I'm not getting the messages on my phone. I selected my company and entered my phone number. I made sure everything was checked to enable...See my post in the YAFB modification for instructions on how to fix it.

I also updated the product ZIP file here to fix the problem with texts not sending. Anyone having issues should try the new file. :cool:

[utahraves]

I had a problem sending PMs after installing this. Uninstalled out of frustration and didn't have time to fix - great idea if the free version offered more providers.

[Mrquarter2]

See my post in the YAFB modification for instructions on how to fix it.

I also updated the product ZIP file here to fix the problem with texts not sending. Anyone having issues should try the new file. :cool:

It still does not work and I used the updated version.

[rickrichards82]

the subscription is outragiously expensive!

[robwoelich]

It still does not work and I used the updated version.I can confirm that the updated version from the ZIP file is working on my test forum, so I'm not sure what's going on with your installation. :( The only recommendation I can make is that you re-upload all files, uninstall the product and reinstall the product XML.

[cTak]

I'd buy the pro version, IF users were able to send in mobile pictures from their cell phone to their account. Is this something you can add in the future?

[JAFRI]

nice, but , pakistan gsm not add this....

[ChrisTech]

This maybe a stupid question, but why didn't you use your previous mod (https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?t=182988) to do the same thing? I believe this didn't need your server (and hence the fee's for free/paid) to send out the sms's.

That or someone just needs to basically redesign the wheel here...

[TheSupportForum]

what i would like to know

who gets this money on subscription charges ?
it doesn tseem right to me and there no support for UK customers --

[robwoelich]

Once again, this is not really an appropriate area to discuss the paid version of the modificaiton - this is where the free text messaging product is released and supported. I'm not going to respond to comments about the paid modification beyond that. :rolleyes:

[TheSupportForum]

problem is the mod is free but not the service
its nt very clear on your description of the product
people who download htis would think that what they are recieving is free is free but after the txt messaging is cocts so the mod is not free in the end

[blake247]

Thanks for the update! This mod rocks!

[Megatr0n]

Rob, can you please get back to my PM. :D

[molieman]

Once again, this is not really an appropriate area to discuss the paid version of the modificaiton - this is where the free text messaging product is released and supported. I'm not going to respond to comments about the paid modification beyond that. :rolleyes:

You've presented a product that is worthless to most of the world community, in essence you are advertising your paid version. Which in my opinion is inappropriate.

There are lot's of hard working coders here, they've put into their mods as much as you have with this product, without cost to us. That's what in my opinion, is what this site is about, correct me if I'm wrong.

I have no problem paying for a product, as I have in the past and will in the future, but this is ridiculous.

I think you have a wonderful product with fantastic opportunity, I suggest you approach this differently.

[robwoelich]

problem is the mod is free but not the service
its nt very clear on your description of the product
people who download htis would think that what they are recieving is free is free but after the txt messaging is cocts so the mod is not free in the endThe product and the sending of text messages from your forum is free. And with most US cell providers, receiving the texts is also free. If there were any charge whatsoever, it would be assessed to a cell phone owner for receiving a text message if their service plan didn't include free text messaging - and this would be a fee from their cell phone company - but this is noted on the cell phone number setup page, and as mentioned, is normally not the case.

Example 1: your cell phone plan includes free text messaging. You receive texts free (regardless of if the text comes from this modification, or another cell phone).

Example 2: your cell phone plan stipulates you receive texts at $0.05/text. You pay $0.05 for each text you receive (regardless of if the text comes from this modification, or another cell phone).

Does that clarify? :)

[robwoelich]

You've presented a product that is worthless to most of the world community, in essence you are advertising your paid version. Which in my opinion is inappropriate.

There are lot's of hard working coders here, they've put into their mods as much as you have with this product, without cost to us. That's what in my opinion, is what this site is about, correct me if I'm wrong.

I have no problem paying for a product, as I have in the past and will in the future, but this is ridiculous.

I think you have a wonderful product with fantastic opportunity, I suggest you approach this differently.I've presented a product that is fully functional in itself, for the purposes described in the modification description (sending text message notifications to forum users with specified cell phone companies, on specific forum actions, free of any charge except that which may or may not be assessed by the cell phone provider depending on the user's contract with the company), without any charge to use the modification itself.

This is in complete accordance with vBulletin.org's Paid Modification Rules (https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/info.php?do=rules#paid):

3.Lite versions of commercial modifications are permitted to be released here as long as:
A.It is a working modification
B.It is not time limited in any way
C.It is completely free to the user
D.It is stand alone and completely separate to the full version
E.A single link back to the commercial version is permitted, as long as no pricing or promotional language is used in the link or embedded into the lite version.

If I choose to provide a more advanced modification with full support for a fee, I have that ability. Others choose to put the work into their modifications (which may or may not be more advanced) at no cost. That's their choice. If you don't like that I'm able to charge a fee for my work, or you find the paid version to be too expensive or ridiculous, it is also your choice and ability to not use either the paid modification or the free modification.

The free modification adds real features and functions to a forum. If you don't find that useful, sounds like you've gotten a little too used to receiving all these modifications for free. And with that, I bid you good day and thank you for your interest in my modification.

[wolfyman]

Very cool, and kudos to you for developing something cool enough to get the freeloaders in a small uproar :D

What is the difference between paid and free?

[Megatr0n]

Rob, when will the 3.8 release be out?

[rickrichards82]

i doubt you will listen to me here but i'll post it anyways.

what you see as criticism is actually valuable customer feedback. lowering your prices might result in more profit in the end.

[wolfyman]

i doubt you will listen to me here but i'll post it anyways.

what you see as criticism is actually valuable customer feedback. lowering your prices might result in more profit in the end.

lower prices come when competition comes. If there's no competition, he shouldn't even think about lowering his prices. Capitalism 101.

If you can give him competition, please - do! I like lower prices as well!

[robwoelich]

What is the difference between paid and free?The paid version includes more notification types (new blog comment, new photo comment, new group member, new group discussion, new group photo, new user registration, someone on your contact list signed in) and has around 100 companies in several countries.

Rob, when will the 3.8 release be out?As soon as I can get the time to finish it. I'm currently in the pre-process of moving, so my free time has been lower than it has been the last few months. I'd like to have it done within a week or two.

i doubt you will listen to me here but i'll post it anyways.

what you see as criticism is actually valuable customer feedback. lowering your prices might result in more profit in the end.Of course I'll listen. :) I just dislike irrational whining. Obviously I'm going to lower prices if demand wanes or doesn't exist, or as suggested, if some sort of competition showed up. The initial pricing was not random, but it wasn't supposed to be rock solid and never change either. I will most likely adjust pricing soon, just like I'll continue to add one or two companies to the free version at a time as I verify there are no critical bugs with the product.

Very cool, and kudos to you for developing something cool enough to get the freeloaders in a small uproar :DAgreed... haha. It's kind of funny, everyone freaking out like I'm never going to expand support to more companies for the free version or lower prices on the full version. ;) There is always a method to my seemingly mad... madness? Either way, patience is a virtue.

[meissenation]

I think most of the people here are in an uproar because on your 3.8.x version, support for hundreds of SMS companies was 100% free. Now you roll out vb4.x version and alas there's hefty big subscription prices. I know when I first viewed this thread, I saw the support for only 2 carriers and that I had to pay for what was once included for free and said "No way in hell am I installing that." That said, thankfully my site is 99.999% US so now that you've included more carriers in your free/lite version, I can install and not worry about the subscriptions. Again, what once was offered free in your previous version you're now forcing international customers to people to pay for... that's the uproar.

[TimberFloorAu]

Any free carrier versions for Australia Planned ?

[rickrichards82]

lower prices come when competition comes. If there's no competition, he shouldn't even think about lowering his prices. Capitalism 101.

If you can give him competition, please - do! I like lower prices as well!

ah, but there is competition. his 3.8.x version is completely free... which has set the price leader bar pretty high. there are a few other alturnatives to paying the subscription costs... but it wouldn't be right to talk about that here.

capitalism isn't about setting prices sky high. if anything that can damage a brands image and in the end hurt your bottom line.

[GrossKopf]

This guy is under no obligation to provide this mod at all. He does not get compensated for it, so cut him some slack and be happy with what you get in the free version! I've never seen a bigger group of people crying that they're not happy with something they are getting for FREE!

[robwoelich]

I think most of the people here are in an uproar because on your 3.8.x version, support for hundreds of SMS companies was 100% free. Now you roll out vb4.x version and alas there's hefty big subscription prices. I know when I first viewed this thread, I saw the support for only 2 carriers and that I had to pay for what was once included for free and said "No way in hell am I installing that." That said, thankfully my site is 99.999% US so now that you've included more carriers in your free/lite version, I can install and not worry about the subscriptions. Again, what once was offered free in your previous version you're now forcing international customers to people to pay for... that's the uproar.That's the problem - you're looking at it in such black and white. You think that because I'm not including all the companies, I'm simply trying to charge for that list. The difference between the free and paid versions is a lot more than the companies included. Consider:

The previous version for vB 3.x has been discontinued for a year and a half;
The previous version was only guaranteed compatible up to vB 3.7;
The subscription version includes 7 more notification types than the free version now (8 more than the free version then) including really cool ones like being texted when someone registers or signs in;
The subscription version allows users to set hours they will and won't receive texts, so they won't get texted in the middle of the night;
The subscription version is fully supported, including installation and compatibility help;
Aside from the company list, the free version now already improves upon the old one because of an additional notification type (visitor messages) that wasn't present in vB 3.x


There's a lot more value in the paid modification than just the companies involved. The other reason I decided to keep most companies under the subscription version is because being in the U.S. I can't easily verify, troubleshoot, and add non-U.S. companies. It takes a lot of research and work to figure out what the newest international company settings are, and to try to work with users in each country (generally through language barriers) to test and verify these settings. Since this work is ongoing, compensation for it is not unreasonable.

I understand everyone is angry the full company list is not included, but it's pretty useless to include it when a lot of the listings didn't work and there wasn't an easy way to update them on the thousands of forums using the modification. Therefore, I stand behind my current versions and their respective free/fee status. :up:

[GrossKopf]

Well said, Rob! Thank you for making the free mod!

[molieman]

Hear me or READ this, you've got a fantastic MOD with wonderful features, free and paid.

BUT, the features don't mean anything without the ability to barely use it because you provide only two carriers and your Paid Subscription price is ridiculously high.

Rob, you're an extremely talented man, but it just looks like you're a bit on the greedy side.

I think people are screaming/begging you to do something reasonable. If you want to sell the list, sell it then, but don't charge $10 a month.

Most of your potential customers are administrators of their web sites. If like me, they spend 10 to 12 hours a day, without pay to keep their site running. Most of us do it for free and most of the mods here are for free without dangling an upgrade for a price in front of their faces.

[speedracer68]

Installed free version. Played with it then looked into the cost.

Clicked uninstall. It's just too expensive.

[robwoelich]

Hear me or READ this, you've got a fantastic MOD with wonderful features, free and paid.

BUT, the features don't mean anything without the ability to barely use it because you provide only two carriers and your Paid Subscription price is ridiculously high.

Rob, you're an extremely talented man, but it just looks like you're a bit on the greedy side.

I think people are screaming/begging you to do something reasonable. If you want to sell the list, sell it then, but don't charge $10 a month.

Most of your potential customers are administrators of their web sites. If like me, they spend 10 to 12 hours a day, without pay to keep their site running. Most of us do it for free and most of the mods here are for free without dangling an upgrade for a price in front of their faces.It's easy to complain when you don't read the entire thread. I'll summarize: there are now four companies, more will be added on a regular basis, and the paid version pricing will be adjusted shortly.

Sheesh. :erm:

[molieman]

Please don't misconstrue my grandstanding as anger or a whining complainer. I was trying to persuade you to do something different with a brilliant product. Maybe I should of thrown some smilies in my statements.... :) :) :) :) :) :) :) hope those make up for the ones I didn't send :)

Glad you're listening to your fans :) and my apologies for not catching the improvements ( 4 companies and pricing will be adjusted).

Thank You!!!!!

[BlackJacket]

Thank you greatly Rob for adding more clients and also adjusting your price. I for one have a couple of websites that are greatly appreciative of this mod and are willing to pay for more service and features.

Thank you again for your hard work! :)

[BlackJacket]

When a user enters an invalid pin and clicks the "click here to resend..." they get the following error -

Internal Server Error
The server encountered an internal error or misconfiguration and was unable to complete your request.

Please contact the server administrator, support@supportwebsite.com and inform them of the time the error occurred, and anything you might have done that may have caused the error.

More information about this error may be available in the server error log.

[Paul M]

There has been enough discussion of the "commercial" version in this thread now. Our rules permit the author to link to a paid version, not discuss it - something he has made quite clear.

This thread is the free version, if you have problems or issues with that version, by all means post in this thread. If you wish to discuss the paid version then take it to PM, or the authors site, not this thread. Any more such discussions are liable to be deleted without notice, and continual flouting of the rules can lead to infractions.

[Jabong82]

I just downloaded this application and uploaded it to my forum however I am having some issues with the uploading.

In my Admin CP, I am able to load the XML file where it now shows up in my Manage Products section and I am able to see the settings in my Vbulletin Options.

That being said, when I go to "Usergroups" to enable the permissions, there is nothing about the Text Messaging program. So I can't "turn-on" the feature for my forum.

Any idea why this may be?

Thanks in advance.

[Mrquarter2]

Can you please assist me? I have done everything like you said and every time I try to receive the text, it never comes through. I have AT&T and I put my number in, but the text never shows up.

[robwoelich]

When a user enters an invalid pin and clicks the "click here to resend..." they get the following error -

Internal Server Error
The server encountered an internal error or misconfiguration and was unable to complete your request.

Please contact the server administrator, support@supportwebsite.com and inform them of the time the error occurred, and anything you might have done that may have caused the error.

More information about this error may be available in the server error log.Edit the "User CP Text Messaging Options" plugin, and at the very bottom where it says:

// use regular mail this time... maybe vbmail is backed up

... change mail( <stuff> ) to vbmail( <stuff> ). That should fix it for you. :)

[robwoelich]

I just downloaded this application and uploaded it to my forum however I am having some issues with the uploading.

In my Admin CP, I am able to load the XML file where it now shows up in my Manage Products section and I am able to see the settings in my Vbulletin Options.

That being said, when I go to "Usergroups" to enable the permissions, there is nothing about the Text Messaging program. So I can't "turn-on" the feature for my forum.

Any idea why this may be?

Thanks in advance.Make sure you uploaded the bitfield XML to /includes/xml/ before you import the product, as that's what adds the "on/off" options to the usergroup permissions. If you don't upload it before you import the product, the bitfields don't get rebuilt properly to add the options.

[robwoelich]

Can you please assist me? I have done everything like you said and every time I try to receive the text, it never comes through. I have AT&T and I put my number in, but the text never shows up.If you're getting the confirmation PIN but not the texts, I can't think of a reason you wouldn't be getting other texts. The process for sending the PIN and sending everything else isn't significantly different. I'd verify:

You've uninstalled and deleted all uploaded files related to texting, and used the current ZIP file to re-upload all files and then import the product;
You've uploaded everything where it goes before importing the product;
You've turned on all options in the Admin CP > vBulletin Options > Text Messaging Options;
You've enabled texting for your usergroup(s) in Admin CP > Usergroups > Edit Usergroups (options are usually near the bottom of each usergroup's configuration page);
You've turned on texting in your User CP > Edit Options;


I'll try to look through the code some more before the next update (which should be in the next day or two) to try to figure out what could be causing texts to not send despite all of that being configured correctly, but like I mentioned before, I've fully tested the product on my development forums at this point and everything was functioning as it should, so nothing should be different based on carrier unless AT&T requires you to enable some special feature through your plan to receive these texts... but once again, if you're getting the PIN text, that shouldn't be the case.

[cmmguy]

I dont understand what this does that I can already do now. I get SMS messages for new posts, threads, PMs to my cell phone using the regular vBulletin email notification.

nnn-nnn-nnnn@vtext.com (for Verizon)

All of the other carriers do the same thing.
http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/email-to-sms/

Or am I missing something here?

[robwoelich]

I dont understand what this does that I can already do now. I get SMS messages for new posts, threads, PMs to my cell phone using the regular vBulletin email notification.

nnn-nnn-nnnn@vtext.com (for Verizon)

All of the other carriers do the same thing.
http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/email-to-sms/

Or am I missing something here?The difference is that this is an easy way to mass-integrate that functionality for all of your users in an easy to setup format, without interfering with regular email notifications - and sending text-friendly messages (<160 characters) only on events that are really relevant to a text based notification. :)

[Jabong82]

I have ATT and I installed it and it works great. Thanks Rob for a great app!.

[murekhalir]

This is sexy THANKS.

[CoZmicShReddeR]

Wow this is amazing stuff I have it working on at&t with my VB 4.02 CMS!

[Kolbi]

Have user to pay when they have T-Mobile and use this system?

[Halfhidden]

Well I think this has real potential but as a European it has absolutely no networks whatsoever for any of my users... I did join your forum and have a good search through the networks... but not one.
I'll tag this mod and see if Europe (tiny as we are) gets a look.

Just like to add that I was looking to buy this mod and I think it's worth the money if I had European carriers.

[cyn0r]

Thanks a lot. This is a great add on.

[Trip3151]

Any free carrier versions for Australia Planned ?

+1 or in the paid version are there any australia providers but Vodafone

[sunnylikbeckham]

Would be great if you can add indian companies

[Bansheebob]

So basically all this mod does is send your members a text message informing them they received a new PM on your forum?

[Bansheebob]

Uninstalled, followed directions step for step and no permissions under usergroups. Seems coder needs to rewrite the step by step installation instructions because they didnt work. Thanks anyway.

[Brandon Sheley]

nice mod, will tag this and might install it later on :)

[sulasno]

can this Mod use a free gateway like http://for-ever.us/ to send SMS?

[TheInsaneManiac]

Looking forward to a 3.8 version!

[cutehobbes]

Can you please make a mod where you can send free SMS to any of those networks which support it. I am sure it won't require a lot of modifications.

Thanks:D

[LordVader!]

I get a 404 on the mod website

[fluidswork]

I think this will not work in India !!!!

[MichaelDance]

Can you do version for Voderfone, Orange, O2, Tesco, etc :)

[Wajdan]

Does full version support all countries networks?

[LbR]

Does any of your Future version have chances of World Wide mobile handlers ? like FB

[Dakoom]

When the italian version for TIN, Vodafone, Wind and 3? :D

[RichieBoy67]

Sorry if this has been covered. I just have a couple questions regarding the paid version..

#1 - How much is it?..I could not find a price on your site..

#2 - Is this mod compatible with a UK site meaning does it cover cell phones in the UK market and the European markets??

Seems like a cool idea and I know a couple of my clients sites would love this if it will work with the phones they have.. otherwise it would be useless..

Thanks though---awesome idea...

[Twikitero]

Thanks, works perfectly, but only for my U.S. users
You did a great job, but would be better if they were European companies such as Vodafone, Movistar, Orange

But again great job

EDIT: The pay version is European companies?

If so please tell me where to pay

[c0der]

can u make it for 3.8 ?

[Xeyn]

Announcement on there website.He is no longer contiunuing on the project as he is commited to other projects and busy in real life...so he will no longer be upgarding the sms or his popup plugin.

good news however,is he has promised to make his paid mods,free for all...and he is to annouce when this will be.

Althoe upsetting he is not continuing,i understand...and would like to thank rob for his hard work on thease projects and wish him the best of luck in future.

I am sure he will update this thread when he dose make them free

[OldSchoolDSL]

Announcement on there website.He is no longer contiunuing on the project as he is commited to other projects and busy in real life...so he will no longer be upgarding the sms or his popup plugin.

good news however,is he has promised to make his paid mods,free for all...and he is to annouce when this will be.

Althoe upsetting he is not continuing,i understand...and would like to thank rob for his hard work on thease projects and wish him the best of luck in future.

I am sure he will update this thread when he dose make them free

Waiting on this...

[jamunkala1]

hello, can you please update it for Indian users and vb 4.1
or I want to contact you if you would only like to do it on my forum for some reason like it be a paid plugin for my forum.

Thankyou

[merk_aus]

im searching for the list of countries his site covers - wish people would stop being cheap and complain about a premium product shows how everyone wants something for nothing.

[Mark4865]

Any chance this can be made to work is South-Africa??

We have 3 mobile network service providers here.

I am currently running 4.1.1

thanks in advance for feedback

[rooban12]

Not receiving the code in the UK

[Deirdre]

So I installed this but all the text message says is that I've received a text message, no message text at all.

Is this because of the lite version?

If so, the description is misleading.....

[cpvrx]

So I installed this but all the text message says is that I've received a text message, no message text at all.

Is this because of the lite version?

If so, the description is misleading.....

What version are you using?

[guest9]

Looks like the developer/author of this plugin/mod is no more selling the pro version.. :(

[basilrath]

This is not working and has that many bugs initially it was rendered dead from its inception

[washingtonboise]

I have seen a few forums where users have to register by receiving an SMS to their cellphone before they can access certain forum categories. (SMS registration upgrades their forum account).

Very impressive, and much more secure for online trade.

[PokeCenter]

I really want this for Boost Mobile!

[shzad1]

only for Europeans and Americans

No available anywhere else............

[gaitantkd]

Working in vBulletin 3.8?

[River J]

installed this modification on vBulletin 4.1.3 and it works fine.

[Dakoom]

Aviable for Italy?

[hdraye]

Aviable for other countries outside America and Europe?

[duketxboy]

I've tried everything & got everything in stalled and reuploaded all the files in the FTP & uploaded the xml file & yet can't access it on my usergroups to change the permissions... Any idea what's going on?

[SteveLV702]

when I click on link for Full/Paid Version I just get a page not found error so cannot find where to purchase this :'(

[CaneInsider]

I use this on my site with no errors. Would really like to see something like this developed.

http://semperfiwebdesign.com/custom-applications/sms-text-message/

[AndrewSimm]

Is there a way it could include the subject of the PM or part of the message in the sms message?

[Myth-Scape]

Is the full version still available?

[chaoyueh]

I am running 4.1.10 and it is showing
"The Text Messaging product has been discontinued. Please inform the forum administrator." when I try to do the Cell phone provider search..

Can anyone troubleshoot it for me

Thanks

[twooton]

it does not have a "send SMS" function to contact a user if they have a phone # in their profile?

Don't need PMs and Visitor msgs forwarded, but a separate Send SMS would be useful

[rgreene1971]

I wanted to purchase the full version for my site but appears the site is no longer available? Bummer.

[artcrimes]

Hi,

amazing plugin ,working 4.2.0 ???

[fookaa]

Anyone have the full version to share ? Or a link to it ?

[keyla31]

works perfect in 4.2

[liamwli]

So I'm assuming this only works for the US? Shame :(

[SteveLV702]

since upgrading to 4.2 on ALL my sites text messages just come through blank... no content.

[justicechick]

since upgrading to 4.2 on ALL my sites text messages just come through blank... no content.
Did the same to me when I upgrade to 4.2.2 but I uninstalled and re-installed it and it works fine now.

[Toorak Times]

Look forward to possible update mate!:cool:

[Iguana Goddess]

How do I uninstall this? it has never worked for my site.

[FTG LIQUID CL]

I would love to have this!!!