This is purely an academic question because I am interested in your thoughts on the matter.

Do you think people who can not code (in some language, not necessarily PHP) and who really aren't trying to learn to code should hack their boards?

True, some hacks can be simply copied and pasted. However, others require a bit of knowledge to avoid creating an utter mess of a board.

Amy

Hopefully anyone wishing to hack their boards should have a basic understanding of how the code works. The "community" as hackers are simply releasing hacks here for people to use on their boards if they wish. They have no responsibility to provide support for these people, its simply an added extra which most of the hackers provide.

I personally try to make my hacks idiot proof so they are simply copy and paste.

I think anybody who votes "Yes" in this poll should NOT be hacking their board. Some competence is required. Otherwise, run the stock version and don't blow your board up. :)

I am stupid and I don't know php, in other words I am an idiot :)
I try my best to understand. I know some php, which really helps. Its a big help when the hackers make the hacks idiot proof, big thanks :D

However, in no way are they obligated to do this. I voted for #2

I voted "Yes - It's the hacker's responsibility to make the hacks idiot proof".

Simply - if everyone were so good with coding, they could write the hack themselves.
Hacks are made for people that don't know how to code very well, but still want some new features in their board.
It's the hacker's responsibility to make sure everyone can use his hack - not only the geniuses among us.

I don't agree. Yes it is the hacker's responsibility to make the directions clear and make sure there are no problems with the hack, but people who have no idea about HTML let alone PHP should not be hacking their board under any circumstances. You don't start at the top - you learn first then you can do stuff like hack your board.

I agree with Tubedog. I have seen too many people in a pickle because they paid for installation, and then 10 minutes later were in the hacking forum.

I am not saying that knowledge of php and mysql is necessary. However, a basic knowledge of how to write code, and more importantly how to undo mistakes or make minor adjustments is critical.

I believe the hacker has a responsibility to document their work as well as possible so that somebody with a minimal understanding of the vbulletin code and/or php can implement it quickly. But I don't believe that we are doing total novices a service my making them think they can simply copy and paste and not have problems.

Amy

If you have NO understand of HTML/PHP then you shouldn't be hacking the board.

If you had to pay for installation, then you really shouldn't be hacking your board, because if you break something, your going to have to pay the installation costs again.

I do agree that the hacks should be documented well, but if you know absolutely nothing about HTML/PHP and you break something, how are you going to be able to track the problem down and fix it?