Hack Strategy
 

I'll try and make this quick and sweet

1. I have a new board
2. I have a list of hacks I want/need
3. What is the best way to add the hacks?

Do some of you keep a log or something of the hacks you've done, changes you've made in case you need to undo something later? Or just install -> test -> go on with life?

Heavy modded forum owners: Anything you wish you would have done different?

I figure it's better to carefully plan and be safe, right?

I have a private forum with links (to here) in a single thread with all the hacks I've installed/done. Clicking install on any hack you use here as well - it not only shows the Coder that you appreciate his work, they'll show up in your User CP (show installed hacks, down the bottom).

If you're new with vB, start small, try a few installs, always read the entire thread before downloading and going for the install, and if you get stuck, ask questions in as detailed a fashion as you can. (For example "This doesn't work, help me" doesn't give us much to go on.)

.2c. Good luck. :)

With vbulletin 3.5, alot of hacks are modular via plugins which means you wont have to actually hack the board. This makes like alot easier.

Yet there are still some mods that require file edits.

1. Keep a text file or something with the files you have edited
2. Not the hack in comments before and after each edit and list any changes you may have made as well.
3. Get winmerge (free from sourceforge) or beyond compare ($30) -- this compares files and folders which will make upgrading easier.