Templates in files instead of database?
 

I'm just wondering how many users will want / use this kind of hack? I will do it if enough members will actually find it helpful.

Personally I don't know what is faster, fetching the templates from the database or reading them from a file, but I do know what some of you like the way phpBB2 handles them (as files).

So?

I think it's stupid.

I already knew that... ;)

I won't use it myself, that's for sure. But if people want it, let them have it.

I wouldnt use it.

it would be helpful for someone converting form ubb, but i like em in teh database just fine. i would say it would be useful for backup's but there is already a hack for that

Well you already know I'd like it.

For people that already like to edit in notepad, Ultraedit etc, editing the templates within a database may well be fine.

But for those people like myself who prefer to work from a design perspective and not worry too much about the code behind it all, it would be nice to edit the templates in Dreamweaver and FTP them to the server once updates have been made. People from a graphic design background would clearly find it easier to contribute if they could concentrate on designing with industry standard tools rather than having to take on board HTML development skills.

Anything that widens choice and makes the updating of a vBulletin site more accessible can only be a good thing.

The sad thing is a lot of people who'd find the hack useful, probably wouldn't be logged into this site in the first place, as hacking can be very daunting at first.

If this was available either as a hack or future functionality I would migrate back from phpBB to vBulletin.

Sounds like a good alternative
Personally, Im quite happy with things as they are, but there are benefits to doing it this way. (for some members)

Perhaps rather than a hack, maybey work towards making it an option for vb3 that can be selected at install level or later on thr the CP.
That would be kinda cool

I'm not in a position to change vB3, nor do I think this will be a feature.

only problem if you have template as files anyone knowing the location of your templates could so easily rip your forum design !

VB template work perfectly as it is =)

just copy and paste the code in dreamweaver if you like to edit it them like that.......

but as a hack would be fine for some

You can always protect the templates' folder with .htaccess, Mone. :)

hehehe you're right ;)

I would not use this, you know why?? if not, let me give you one answer, it takes up more space then the database does, I like it running it off the database, doesn't take up as much space then the actuly HTML type of docs does......and it's easyer to use just by going thru. the admin CP :)

It takes the same amount of space (and I actually think it takes more in the database, with the MySQL table and its indexes). The only difference is under which category of space it is (file system or database).

I wouldnt use it.

I prefer to keep all the templates in one place within vBulletin. I do think that the template backup system should be incorporated into the official release of vBulletin - it's a great addition.

Hmm, won't use it too...

It would be a good option, I'm sure some people will find it useful. In my personal opinion, I wouldn't use it.

I'd use it gladly. :)

bumps :p
I would :)

Great idea, getting templates from files should be faster then db in most cases. In addition, some may like to edit all their templates at once then upload it all at once when it's done. Currently, that can be accomplished by installing vb on your localhost, but not every designer wants to be running apache, php, and mysql on the machine he or she uses for design.

The only bad part is it it's *slightly* harder to write a template editor page for file stored templates then database stored ones.

And firefly is correct about the space. It indeed takes less space having text stored in files then in a database.