Question To Vbulletin.org Majority

[Freesteyelz]

One more for the "Learning"! :classic:

Either way you frame the questions/options, however, it's the end result that matters most in a mod.

[Princeton]

Originally Posted by Trana

Since there has been a rash of non-working hacks released that install via the plugin system with no problems, I would opt for the template hacks. At least then I have some place to start looking for why it is not working.

So, if the hack actually works well right out of the box, I guess a plugin is nice, but now everyone and their mothers are releasing "products".

The problems will only increase as more and more coders use the "search and replace" method ... I recommend that you request all coders to have 2 versions. This way you know where the edits are.

[Gio~Logist]

Originally Posted by Princeton

The problems will only increase as more and more coders use the "search and replace" method ... I recommend that you request all coders to have 2 versions. This way you know where the edits are.

Theoretically, if the search and replace method doesn't work, neither will instructions due to the fact that the instructions will ask to locate the same thing that the search in replace does. If one doesn't work without a hastle, then the other one won't work without a hastle.

[Boofo]

All the times I've used search and replace has been with the $navbar variable. That is pretty safe.

After reading Princeton's post, though, he brought some things up I hadn't thought about before. I might do some reconsidering on the search and replace idea (unless it has to do with $navbar, then I'm going for it! ).

[Rukbat]

Lordy, after a year of mod'ing a phpBB2 board I was nearly at a loss on how these fancy schmancy mods for vB worked.... wanted to do a simple change to a template and it took me a while to figure out how to even get to them, lol.... was so used to going into my site file directory and opening them there.

But I guess even with the plug-ins I'd prefer a txt file that actually tells me the changes that are being made, how else can I learn or figure out what the problem is if there is one? Recently did an import of a product that had a snafu in it, was supposed to create a field in two tables in my vB database, but it didn't... if I hadn't had all that phpBB experience I wouldn't have had a clue as to where to even look for where to fix it from the error message I was getting. would also be helpful if in the thread that in the description of the product/plug-in if there are any 'known' conflicts with others that they could be listed.

But when it gets down to the poll above I guess I'll have to go with the 'learning experience' choice

[Freesteyelz]

I'm sure a large percentage of users who prefer plugin mods never bother to look inside the .XML files and study the routines. I too appreciate template edits because it forces you to look at the codes. I come from UBB where editing .pl and .cgi files were expected and with the experience it's helped me grasp vB's structure. There's a great satisfaction that comes from learning.

With that said it's all good either way.

[Paul M]

Once again, too much worrying about "resources". The resources used by a simple search and replace are miniscule compared to the overall resources used to generate any vb page. As for saying they add up with 100 hacks - anyone with that many hacks should expect problems, way too many ......

[Princeton]

that "miniscule" may not worry you much because you have some knowledge on working/running a server ... you probably have direct access to it - do you think everyone else does?

that "miniscule" may be fine for someone who knows what's "under the hood" ... do you think everyone else understand what's going on?

that "miniscule" may be fine for someone who knows the difference between a "good" script and "bad" script ... do you think everyone has this knowledge?

that "miniscule" may be the cause of someone's problem down the road

Theoretically, if the search and replace method doesn't work, neither will instructions due to the fact that the instructions will ask to locate the same thing that the search in replace does. If one doesn't work without a hastle, then the other one won't work without a hastle.

yea -- ok ... and, you still don't see how "instructions" would be helpful?

[peterska2]

I'm definately against all this automated installs.

I learnt through doing it myself, and I didn't know a thing about html or php when I first started using vB. In fact I was one of those admins who didn't know what 'forum root', 'ftp', 'upload', etc meant.

Also, I've started experiencing more and more problems with my template mods after the automated stuff has some in as there is no indication in the style manager about other things being there and so this is affecting placement of codes.

Finally, if everyone has to start doing two sets of instructions then we are going back to the HTL days IMO and that was a nightmare, especially for people who didn't understand or know about the HTL.

Keep it simple, use manual template edits.

Originally Posted by gio~logist

Theoretically, if the search and replace method doesn't work, neither will instructions due to the fact that the instructions will ask to locate the same thing that the search in replace does. If one doesn't work without a hastle, then the other one won't work without a hastle.

Agreed, but at least if you know a bit about vB's template structure then you can find similar sections and take it from there.

[Paul M]

Originally Posted by Princeton

that "miniscule" may not worry you much because you have some knowledge on working/running a server ... you probably have direct access to it - do you think everyone else does?

that "miniscule" may be fine for someone who knows what's "under the hood" ... do you think everyone else understand what's going on?

that "miniscule" may be fine for someone who knows the difference between a "good" script and "bad" script ... do you think everyone has this knowledge?

that "miniscule" may be the cause of someone's problem down the road

Sorry but that's just baseless scaremongering and it is completely irrelevant whether someone knows about their server or not. The "resouces" used by search and replace are so small I doubt you could actually measure them - and your server would already need to be on the edge of imminent collapse for them to ever cause a problem - in which case you are already in big trouble anyway.