[tgreer]

Define the "end result"? Again, I think that's one-dimensional thinking. If you believe the site's sole purpose is to distribute free hacks, that a plugin you can download is the "end result", then you'll always have three groups: the users, the coders, and people who are neither and leave here disappointed.

If you want to code a plugin to share, nothing here stops you from that.

If you want to download a plugin to use on your site, nothing here stops you from that.

If you want to learn vBulletin, engage in coding discussions with other programmers, to learn to develop your own plugins or just to become more familiar with the software running your site... there is a definitely a barrier to that. Two barriers: that discussion is private/hidden, and threads here aren't managed professionally.

The latter is being addressed. It certainly appears the staff is trying to put policies into place to make the threads more civil and productive. I haven't seen any staff-hijacked threads lately. While there may be growing pains and missteps, I applaud the effort and will patiently give it a chance. The former issue, the hidden Coders Discussion, still needs to be rectified.