OFFICIAL: vB 3.5 Beta Hacks will be allowed at vBulletin.org when it is released

[Erwin]

Dear vBulletin customers and respected code modifiers (otherwise known as hackers)

After much discussion and deliberation, vBulletin.org in conjunction with Jelsoft have decided that when vBulletin version 3.5 Beta is released (which will be very soon) all types of modifications/ hacks for vB 3.5 Beta will be allowed. This will include code modifications as well as plugins.

This means that all "hackers" can upgrade their current vB 3.0.x hacks to vB 3.5 beta as soon as possible. This also means that if "hackers" see any additional plugin "hooks" that would assist them in upgrading their current hacks or creating new vB hacks, they can suggest these to the vB developers during this beta phase.

There are no restrictions to the release of vB 3.5 beta hacks. They will be treated the same as any other hacks. However please note that since vB 3.5.0 is a Beta version and the code is not final, it's entirely possible that you may have to recode your hacks for the final release, or any interim releases.

*** As per usual, if you are going to report a vBulletin bug at vBulletin.com, make sure the php file is unhacked - this policy applies to all hacked forums of all vB versions, not just vB 3.5 Beta ***.

As a caution, be aware that vB 3.5 Beta IS beta - use it live at your own risk. Our suggestion is to run it on a private test board (not open to the public) for the upgrading of your existing hacks or to create new hacks, or just so you can play around with it and maybe suggest new plugin hook positions in the code.

Also, vB 3.5 Beta will be a short beta with quick-fire releases, so you shouldn't apply hacks unless you are willing to reapply them on a very regular basis.

My recommendation to all hackers is to try to upgrade your current hacks to use the plugin hook system so that no code is modified (or at least, minimally modified) so that any new beta version/ release candidate version upgrades would be easier to do.

vBulletin 3.5 will herald in a new era, not just with vBulletin itself, or with forum software, but with the nature of online communities and the way we communicate with each other on the internet. It will be a taste of better things to come. I want to thank all of you for your patience and your support. To the hackers, you guys and gals make vB the great software that it is - we all know that it's the hacks that make vB the best. To the hack installers, you are the reason why us hackers make our hacks. A lot of us don't even use the hacks we code - we do it because we want to contribute and share our ideas with others.

Like all of you, I can't wait for the release of vB 3.5 Beta. Once that happens, let the hacking begin!!!