[Adrian Schneider]

PHP Code:

$top = top();
$bottom = bottom(); 


Much easier IMO. Or, do it properly, and actually USE the templates.

I'd like to see PHP based templates in the future, vBulletin! <if> is useless if I can just type <? if ?> !

<? if ?> is useless if I can just type <if>. Plus, it's pretty much still XHTML, so you can use it in editors easily. As far as maintenance goes, I would say this is a step in the wrong direction.

What do you mean about having to use multiple _start plugins? You should only have to use global_start. One plugin. You can even have it include a PHP script you can edit/upload to change the code. This way, it is all in one central location, and it keeps your templates as templates, rather than code soup.

I would like to see how your templates are holding up in a years time.

Anyway, if it works for you - great, I'm sure others will appreciate it as well. I just think you should give the template system another try the way it is supposed to be used, and you will probably see why we feel this way.