Why vB team didn't continue developing vb 4x?

[ozzy47]

Well that will never happen, as they still own the rights to it, look at vB2 it is still run on some sites, and even though it's old as heck, it is still not open source.

[Max Taxable]

Originally Posted by nerbert

I just announced on my forum today that I want everyone to keep an eye open for any bugs and warnings so I can fix them all and then keep error/warning reporting enabled so I can handle any new developments in php, and have an easier time debugging my projects. I want to keep vB for as long as it's supported for vulnerabilities and exploits. Once support is ended we're moving to a different platform. My mind is made up. They've decided to dump us, I'll dump them.

I'm not trying to be snarky or tossing insults. I'm just sayin' ....

I know for sure of one major forum aggregator who's done exactly that. They have something like 40-plus boards, all were vBulletin - they're switching them all away from vB to xF.

VB4 is in IB's rear view mirror and the further it gets away, the more they like it. (More VB5 sales)

None of this is exactly accurate - v4 AND v3.8 are still supported and v4 at least, still comes with the new license you buy.

It was the same way when v4 first came out, you still got the latest v3 with the new license, available for download. And it's been the same way with all prior versions.

There can't be more or less v5 sales based on v4, since v5 is the license you're buying when you do buy a new license. It's always been that way.

Adding features like responsive styling to VB4 would be costly for IB to do aside from the labor involved, the sales they would lose on VB5 since that is one of the selling points. Since VB4 already has a built-in mobile style, making it responsive wouldn't make sense.

Not necessary, alot more than making sense.

Be all that as it may, most of the "new features" touted in v5 are derived from add-ons this community authored, for v4. Therefore none of them are anything new, for those who've been around awhile.

[nerbert]

In my admin forum:

Originally Posted by me

Have any of the other sites you help with tried vB 5 yet? From all I've heard ......

Originally Posted by other admin

There's only one other site I do admin at right now and that ditched VB for InvisionPower a while ago - primarily over concerns about VB5.

[Brandon Sheley]

Originally Posted by Paul M

only its continued popularity with customers that gets it any time at all.

Well I guess the customers at least have that :up:

[cellarius]

@Max: You can use every version of the software with your license, even vB2 if you care to. That has no implication whatsoever on whether that version is supported or not. And vB3.8 has been officialy end of life since 4.2 was released. Policy was (and afaik still is): Two .x versions back is officially supported. (4.0 and 4.1, so 4.2 ended 3.8's life).

[Replicant]

Originally Posted by Max Taxable

There can't be more or less v5 sales based on v4, since v5 is the license you're buying when you do buy a new license.

So what your saying is, if someone has a VB4 license and they upgrade to VB5 for the features not offered in VB4, that doesn't constitute a sale?

[Max Taxable]

Originally Posted by Replicant

So what your saying is, if someone has a VB4 license and they upgrade to VB5 for the features not offered in VB4, that doesn't constitute a sale?

Umm, no. I said new license, not upgrade of existing.

That upgrade scenario's always existed as well. But it's hardly ever about extra features. It's usually about knee jerk 'gotta have the latest and greatest or oh noes haxors.' And such. Few people actually do any research on upgrades, as you well know.

This situation isn't new or unique to vBulletin. In reality it's always been this way. Version one to two. Version 2 to version 3. Three to four. And so on.

The only difference this time is, version 5 has nothing at all in common with, or is in any way compatible with previous versions, except the badging and nameplate. That's never happened before. That's what's new.

Again, most all of the "new features" v5 touts, are actually old ideas that were created and perfected for v3 and v4, here by this community.

[Replicant]

Originally Posted by Max Taxable

Umm, no. I said new license, not upgrade of existing.

The OP was talking about why features are not being added to VB4 by VB, which is why I was talking about VB4 users upgrading for features - meaning VB driving VB5 sales by not adding features to VB4. As far as the features VB5 has being based on VB4 mods, I have to agree with you there, but from what I've seen on a lot of the VB4 mods on this board are no longer being maintained by the developer since the exodus. Unfortunately for users that depend on those mod features, they either need to find someone who can fix/make it work with the current VB4 or go without OR upgrade to VB5. Again driving VB5 sales.

[ozzy47]

Originally Posted by Replicant

The OP was talking about why features are not being added to VB4 by VB, which is why I was talking about VB4 users upgrading for features - meaning VB driving VB5 sales by not adding features to VB4.

Explain to me what is in vB5 that would make me want to upgrade?

Originally Posted by Replicant

TAs far as the features VB5 has being based on VB4 mods, I have to agree with you there, but from what I've seen on a lot of the VB4 mods on this board are no longer being maintained by the developer since the exodus. Unfortunately for users that depend on those mod features, they either need to find someone who can fix/make it work with the current VB4 or go without OR upgrade to VB5. Again driving VB5 sales.

What features are in vB5, that I can not get on this site?
What mods are available for vB4 that are not available in vB5?

This site was a major backbone to vBulletin, alot of people bought it due to the amount of mods that were available to customize it to their needs. But that is not the case anymore, someone in their infinite wisdom saw to that.

[KGodel]

It would be great to see IB continue to develop the 4.x series. I feel like the 5.x series is meant to cater to a different sort of community development as opposed to 4.x's traditional community/message board development style. I have to admit I had a lot of doubts after vB5 came out whether or not to stick with the software. IPB and Xenforo looked promising, and the only reason I have stuck with vB is because of the amazing people here who are willing to help, teach, and develop for those of us who aren't as talented. vB.org is, in my mind, vB's saving grace. +1 to all the hard workers here at vB.org.