Threads Ignored?

[da420]

Originally Posted by Razasharp

To be honest I don't see why they don't hire one full time php coder as part of (the start) of a help team. And then people can put requests in for _simple_ hacks which this coder can do in turn. They can be part of the official vB catalogue. I'm not an experienced coder but I think a full time staff member could produce at least one simple hack per day.

I don't like this. Thats the next step to closing the code and selling all these add-ons as their product as add-on products rather than open free add on products. If they have to hire someone they have to charge something for this service they have to make that money back somehow. I do not think vBulletin will or should do this. I don't mind things the way they are now, if you have a hack that you really want or need coded and can't get it here, maybe try to inquire about it at rentacoder.com or something.

As far as threads and posts being ignored. It's a very valid point that A) this is not vbulletin's official support site B) Everyone on here is providing their service, knowledge, and time for free. C) the sheer number of non-coders out number those that are not coders therefore not all questions will get answered as quickly as desired, or necisarily at all.

Things can be done, and no system is going to be perfect, all you can do is strive for the best solution for the community. I enjoy coming to this site and getting hacks and picking up neat new things for my forum, and my own knowledge.

[Razasharp]

Originally Posted by Freesteyelz

If the staff of vB.org is paid, who will be the ones who'll pay them? If it's Jelsoft, it'll place the company in an awkward (and legal) position. By that I mean Jelsoft will then be obligated to support the content that are posted here at vB.org.

If they write a hack and release it then I'm sure it would be up to standard. With regards to supporting those official hacks, it would be no different to how things are done on vb.com - the staff get to it in turn, but in this case it will be the paid staff doing so.

Originally Posted by da420

Thats the next step to closing the code and selling all these add-ons as their product as add-on products rather than open free add on products. If they have to hire someone they have to charge something for this service they have to make that money back somehow.

I doubt they would sell minor hacks, but if they did sell other larger ones, then I'd be glad they were available at a small cost than not at all

With regards to the wages of just one full-time php coder for vB.org, I'm pretty sure they can afford it - remember they are a business making money, this isn't open source we're talking about.

[Freesteyelz]

@Razasharp: I was outlining the legalities of the argument. Now for the practical aspect...

Originally Posted by Razasharp

If they write a hack and release it then I'm sure it would be up to standard. With regards to supporting those official hacks, it would be no different to how things are done on vb.com - the staff get to it in turn, but in this case it will be the paid staff doing so.

Then what's the sense of having vB.org?

[da420]

Originally Posted by Razasharp

I doubt they would sell minor hacks, but if they did sell other larger ones, then I'd be glad they were available at a small cost than not at all

With regards to the wages of just one full-time php coder for vB.org, I'm pretty sure they can afford it - remember they are a business making money, this isn't open source we're talking about.

Why not sell minor hacks? If you need a hack in particular there are many coders that are willing to assist for the right price, and that's what you have to find.

We are talking about open source. The code is open for everyone to view and has nothing with it being free or providing a paid for product.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_source

Yes, they are a business, like all businesses they are out to make money. If their costs go up, either prices will go up, or they will charge for their services. I do not see Jelsoft providing a php coder a wage to support the hacks on this website or providing any type of free hack service at all. My .02 cents anyways.

[Razasharp]

Originally Posted by Freesteyelz

@Razasharp:Then what's the sense of having vB.org?

It will still be the same, but there will be this additional aspect to it

Probably to begin with there could be just one coder, and if so, it will be a first come first serve type basis - if it takes off and makes vB even more popular (because people can get this new stuff) then maybe Jelsoft will add more coders.

At the end of the day, anything that makes the customers happy is helping strengthen the products position in the market. Which of course means more sales more profit for JS.

Originally Posted by da420

Why not sell minor hacks? If you need a hack in particular there are many coders that are willing to assist for the right price, and that's what you have to find.

If people want reliable hacks they would prefer offical code - I know I would, and from experience, the last two hacks I installed didn't work properly so, some might say it's a bit miss and hit with hacks that people have mainly written for themselves but decided to share - which of course everyone is grateful for but beggers can't be choosers right?. Obviously there are some exceptions but again, it's a chancing it if a) they actually work or b) u hope they won't mess things up on your particular set-up.

Originally Posted by da420

Yes, they are a business, like all businesses they are out to make money. If their costs go up, either prices will go up, or they will charge for their services. I do not see Jelsoft providing a php coder a wage to support the hacks on this website or providing any type of free hack service at all. My .02 cents anyways.

Yes I talking about them as a business as opposed to open source projects like phpBB which you can download for free.

I don't see why it should be assumed that because a product or service is improved that the cost to the customer is automatically increased. If a company is already making enough money to improve it's service in such a manner they don't need to charge more just because.

[Freesteyelz]

Originally Posted by Razasharp

It will still be the same, but there will be this additional aspect to it

Probably to begin with there could be just one coder, and if so, it will be a first come first serve type basis - if it takes off and makes vB even more popular (because people can get this new stuff) then maybe Jelsoft will add more coders.

At the end of the day, anything that makes the customers happy is helping strengthen the products position in the market. Which of course means more sales more profit for JS.

Anything outside the core of vB will be a risk to the main product (the forum software). Anything official would possibly be a feature of vB; and not an extension to or a separate product.

[MRGTB]

Some ideas are taken from here and introduced as main products into the core of vbulletin though. Take the RSS option in vBulletin now, that was originally a hack posted here.

[Razasharp]

Originally Posted by Freesteyelz

Anything outside the core of vB will be a risk to the main product (the forum software).

How would it be a risk?

Originally Posted by Freesteyelz

Anything official would possibly be a feature of vB; and not an extension to or a separate product.

Why not? Why can't there be 'official' hacks? These could be popular (by demand) hacks that don't nesc have to be part of the main script.. but there in official status should users want them. Say in an offical hacks catalogue

Try looking at how things can be done, rather than, how they cannot

Originally Posted by Gary Bolton

Some ideas are taken from here and introduced as main products into the core of vbulletin though. Take the RSS option in vBulletin now, that was originally a hack posted here.

In addition, I think it opens up avenues for hackers like you guys who may one day be taken on/rewarded for your work too. I definately think Jelsoft needs to be spending more money here at .org - it really is one of their most important and biggest assets....

[Freesteyelz]

Originally Posted by Razasharp

How would it be a risk?

More code = higher risk

Originally Posted by Razasharp

Try looking at how things can be done, rather than, how they cannot

My (future-telling) reply to that...

Originally Posted by Freesteyelz

Let's play devils advocate ...

*Cough*

[Cap'n Steve]

Originally Posted by Freesteyelz

If the staff of vB.org is paid, who will be the ones who'll pay them? If it's Jelsoft, it'll place the company in an awkward (and legal) position. By that I mean Jelsoft will then be obligated to support the content that are posted here at vB.org.

Another huge factor is the econimical side. Heck, with paid employees come benefits, insurance, work compensation and so forth. Employee liability = $$$.

What? Why would they be forced to support something just because they paid for it? And why would they have to offer insurance to someone they commisioned to write some stuff? Companies hire consultants to do extra work all the time. Also, they host this site along with the official one so they're already technically paying for it.