vB3 or vB4?

[Biggles64]

Originally Posted by Paul M

The reality is that for 3.8.8 Im going to be working on php 5.4 compatability (and a couple of MySQL compatability updates). Thats it.

Ive also been asked to look into what would be required for php 5.5, but thats for some point in the future, and may not come to anything.

Hi Paul M

Thanks for that very interesting post.

Let me first say that I have been a vBulletin user for a long time and have always loved it, having looked at alternatives and found them way beyond my capacity as a retired old-timer. I started with vB3 and must confess that I needed a lot of help from support and from other Admins with getting used to handling it. With time and some experience, I was able to mod the site I had and get it up to a reasonably nice forum system which worked well.

However, as time went by and my site hosts upgraded their systems to run later and later versions of PHP and MySQL, I ran into some insurmountable difficulties that I could not see a way around other than buying the rather expensive vB4. I was not happy about having to pay again for the software but took it on the chin. I was HORRIFIED to see that vB4 was, in my view, being relegated into potential obscurity with the release of vB5. I don't think this was a nice way to treat customers and I still smart when thinking about that.

From what you say, and you certainly would know, it seems that I need to take into account whether my host server runs the right versions of PHP and MySQL. I had completely overlooked this fact (old and failing memory, I guess, plus I am NOT a skilled IT person and struggle with anything requiring code).

I suppose compatibility with current versions of PHP and MySQL could be an issue and this may be a good reason to upload vB4 rather than vB3.

I note you have not addressed my title question directly. Is there a sound reason for you avoiding a direct answer?

Kind regards

Biggles

--------------- Added [DATE]1364127242[/DATE] at [TIME]1364127242[/TIME] ---------------

To all responders to this thread so far, my sincere thanks for giving my question some thought and offering your views.

Please allow me to make some further input so that your answers can be more specific.

I begin by repeating that I am an OAP - retired and more than a little physically incapacitated (well, registered as disabled actually). I spend a lot of my time these days on the Internet but I am very far removed from being a skilled IT operator.

When I first bought vB3 - further in the past than I can these days remember! - I was attracted to vBulletin by the claim then made that I did not need any special computer skills to run it as an Admin. Things went well enough at first in that I managed the rather steeper learning curve than I had been led to believe was needed and got my first site up and running quite well.

I then ran into some difficulties with my site host in the US telling me that it was upgrading PHP on all servers. Boy, did that put the cat among the pidgeons! I won't bore you with the detail other than to say I switched to a different host.

Later, I again had the same problem, which is why I felt forced to buy vB4. The rest you now know.

After Paul M posted above, I checked what versions of PHP and MySQL were running on my present host's server - that is PHP 5.3.19 and MySQL 5.1.68. This means NOTHING to me other than that I understand it may mean that some versions of vB may be incompatible and some may not. I truly don't know.

I have a great idea for a new website and I have set up a new contract with my hosts for carrying the site using the new, already purchased, domain names. I have two vB licences, one active and one inactive. I may re-activate the inactive licence or I may just eventually decide to close down my current website and only run the new one - money IS an issue for me. But before I make those decisions, I thought it best to seek the opinion of those more skilled than me. Hence this thread.

Frankly, I am not asking which version of vB others like best. I am only seeking advice on which version will be best in the long term for use by someone as old and as ignorant, computer skills wise, as I most certainly am.

I had hoped to see someone like Paul M, a senior vBulletin developer, offer me the benefit of his expertise in deciding which to use, vB3 or vB4. But I do know from experience that there are many members out there who know more about these things than I will ever know, so all input is most welcome and is, I assure you, greatly appreciated. :up:

As to my comments about how vBulletin treats its customers, please allow for the fact that, at my age, there is a tendency towards being a grumpy old man and having a whinge about anything that reeks of change - especially when it means parting with any portion of the very small pot of moolah one retires with after less than extraordinary employment.

As a final note, if there is anyone out there in the UK who is willing to help me set up my new site for a reasonable fee, I am open to offers.

Kindest regards

Biggles64