OFFICIAL: vB 3.5 Beta Hacks will be allowed at vBulletin.org when it is released
 

Dear vBulletin customers and respected code modifiers (otherwise known as hackers)

After much discussion and deliberation, vBulletin.org in conjunction with Jelsoft have decided that when vBulletin version 3.5 Beta is released (which will be very soon) all types of modifications/ hacks for vB 3.5 Beta will be allowed. This will include code modifications as well as plugins.

This means that all "hackers" can upgrade their current vB 3.0.x hacks to vB 3.5 beta as soon as possible. This also means that if "hackers" see any additional plugin "hooks" that would assist them in upgrading their current hacks or creating new vB hacks, they can suggest these to the vB developers during this beta phase.

There are no restrictions to the release of vB 3.5 beta hacks. They will be treated the same as any other hacks. However please note that since vB 3.5.0 is a Beta version and the code is not final, it's entirely possible that you may have to recode your hacks for the final release, or any interim releases.

*** As per usual, if you are going to report a vBulletin bug at vBulletin.com, make sure the php file is unhacked - this policy applies to all hacked forums of all vB versions, not just vB 3.5 Beta ***.

As a caution, be aware that vB 3.5 Beta IS beta - use it live at your own risk. Our suggestion is to run it on a private test board (not open to the public) for the upgrading of your existing hacks or to create new hacks, or just so you can play around with it and maybe suggest new plugin hook positions in the code.

Also, vB 3.5 Beta will be a short beta with quick-fire releases, so you shouldn't apply hacks unless you are willing to reapply them on a very regular basis.

My recommendation to all hackers is to try to upgrade your current hacks to use the plugin hook system so that no code is modified (or at least, minimally modified) so that any new beta version/ release candidate version upgrades would be easier to do.

vBulletin 3.5 will herald in a new era, not just with vBulletin itself, or with forum software, but with the nature of online communities and the way we communicate with each other on the internet. It will be a taste of better things to come. I want to thank all of you for your patience and your support. To the hackers, you guys and gals make vB the great software that it is - we all know that it's the hacks that make vB the best. To the hack installers, you are the reason why us hackers make our hacks. :) A lot of us don't even use the hacks we code - we do it because we want to contribute and share our ideas with others.

Like all of you, I can't wait for the release of vB 3.5 Beta. :) Once that happens, let the hacking begin!!!

sure is, this news is great, thank you a bunch Erwin.this is absolutely true, I only use one hack on my board but believe me this is gonna be changed when vb3.5 is out, since no code modifications are requires (in most cases ^^).

again, great news !.

Great news, jelsoft done the right thing as far as i'm concerned, it's a good day for hackers :)

Fantastic!

Awesome! :)

Nice, very nice.

oh mang. this gonna be awsome!

Will hacks that comply with the hooks system be kept seperate from those that don't?

Yes, we will make a clear distinction between plugins and code modifications :)

Im not sure I like the word "plugin". MsgPlus is rarely referred to as a "plugin", even though by all means it is one. If someone mentioned the word "plugin" and MsgPlus in the same sentence, they would ask "what Messenger Plus plugin is this?"
Im posting this because I am going to fight with all I got to eliminate all code modifications to vB files for my RPG, to make upgrading vB as seamless as possible for my users. Having it being called a "plugin" would make the hack's e-penis smaller as it gives off the impression that it is merely something you put in a folder and its installed.
I don't know what vBorg is going to do to remedy this impression, if anything, but Im just expressing my views here :)

EDIT: Maybe call them "Hook Hacks" (no word game intented) or something. I just dislike losing the brand "hack" XD

got to say. this rocks major socks. not that i can write a hack for the life of me but i sure can install them. :) lol

Well unfortunately the name for this new system is not up to us - but up to the devs at vB.com. I guess they've already starting writing documentation and labelling it plugins :)

I can't wait :)

Perfect News.

Hooks don't do everything but they accompish alot, you should be able to hack alot of things without directly modifying the code.

Some things will still require direct code modification.

is Geeky Designs hoping to migrate the store hack to the hooks system?

keyword: hoping. as i know at this stage neither of you really know what's gonna happen having not seen the code.

I put $5 in the pot that they do :)

I'm sure Zachery has seen the code, since he has access to it. I, on the other hand, haven't. ;)

Yes, I'll migrate the store to 3.5 ASAP.

great! :)

im excited about the beta!!!!

yay! :)

Is it bad news for me a guy with 60 + hacks installed?

yup, sux to be you. Why you have 60+ hacks installed. you really need them all?

uhm yes I do...I mean THEY do...

That's a bit rude. You can expect users to have multiple hacks installed on a 'hacking community'..

So is that. And it wasn't meant to be rude, just depends on how you read it. Looks like you read it with the glass half empty. ;). BTW, still waiting for that email. :rolleyes:

LOL! I have at least 200 "hacks" on my own forums, probably more depending on your definition of "hack" - I've customized my forums substantially. Do I need them all? Probably not. :) But it's what makes vBulletin great - the ability to customize it.

Anyway, let's stay on topic here. :) No need to get uptight over small things.

any idea when it will be released?

We no, no more than you other than early June

I can't wait for 3.5. Ajax is looking to be a great addition to this... :)

Early June is very soon!!

(the rhyme was not intended)

It is any time within the next 8 days. Once it hits the 15th, it's past 'early June'.

If there is something I've learnt about the anticipation of a new vB release is that its likely to dissapoint you if you are hyped up for it being within the next week or so and it turns out it doesn't come out til July...

Just wait and see what happens, and be assured that it'll come out when it's ready, not just when you want it to...

Satan

Seeing as though most of the bugs are fixed and it is already running pretty smoothly on vb.com I think we can actually expect a release in at the latest sometime in June.

i can't wait. i won't upgrade my current forum to it but i am waiting on it before starting on my new site.

I'm going to be re-coding my blog script, and may in turn release it as a plugin to the public :) (if anybody is interested in blogging :p )

I would be interested in it as a plugin.

:o Wayne logged into vb.org :p

what blog script? NVM found it.

I cant wait for this. :) I will be working hard as soon as the beta is out to start porting my hacks up and adding additional features. Along with starting work on the hacks that I have had on the drawing board for quite some time. I have been waiting for this day for quite some time now. This is when vbulletin clearly defines itself as the most powerful php/mysql forum solution out there. :)

I visit here almost daily, just don't say much. Sometimes I log in and sometimes I monitor anonymously.