Where vB is going wrong

[Cap'n Steve]

Originally Posted by mini2

Not even this forum?

I knew someone would say that. :nervous: (Although most questions about PHP and HTML don't end up there.) Really though, if you have a question that would fit in that forum, you're probably better off going to a site that specializes in coding and design discussion.

Originally Posted by nexialys

the image of vBulletin.org is one of those sites where clients have freelancers to their wills... i've had many of my first clients here that thought they did not have to pay me for special requests because they paid 160$ for their software and that was enough...

this have to change... and i'm quite sure nothing will be done for that... so this is completely useless to debate that kind of thing.

Sourceforge started out like this, you know.

[davidw]

Originally Posted by nexialys

when we buy a first car, we're supposed to have licenses... at least. even if we don't have much experience, because it's our first car, we have to learn how to drive it... we follow a course for that...

Not to disagree with you, because essentially it is the same. However, one small tidbit of information is, in fact, different.
It is the analogy of this, and possibly I have become confused by your statement, but here's how I read it.

* The first car = vbulletin.
* The license = given to us when we purchase vbulletin, not before.
* We learn to drive it = learning after we purchase vbulletin and obtain a license, not before - otherwise it would be an illegal copy of vbulletin and considered piracy.
* We follow a course = there is no course for learning vbulletin, only help from help topics.

Other than that, I agree with you. This is only my opinion and as I stated before, I could have been confused by what you have said and totally misconstrued your statement.

[Princeton]

You Should Know...

As an administrator or staff member of your own vbulletin-powered site you should understand that:

• people have different learning curves
  • some learn visually,
  • others learn verbally,
  • others are hands on
• people come from all over the world (the WEB is a big melting pot)
  • it's difficult for some to communicate but they try ... I have even seen a few instances where these hard-to-communicate-people share their own modifications on this board
• people will post anything anytime ... you don't have to respond - IGNORE IT ... really, it's that simple
• people are not perfect - do not tell them how to speak or write
  • some people are sensitive - you may be helping them or you may be pushing them away ... bite your tongue someone else will do it
  • if it's an article or tutorial-style post then it's ok to correct spelling (send a pm) ... the author will appreciate it
• if a thread is derogatory, misleading, or against site rules you should delete it don't just close it ... it doesn't matter how many posts exists
• if a post is derogatory, misleading, or against site rules you should delete it

If you don't understand any of this:

• then you will never reach full potential
• then you don't belong here
• sorry, just ignore

Posting A Request

If you are putting in a request make sure you post details and a budget

• if you want something free ... don't expect it
• if it doesn't make sense, you will not get any takers
• if you only offer $50 for a 20 hour project you will not get any replies or you will get replies from .. let's just say that you will get what you pay for

If you are a coder and servicing a request make sure the other party knows everything up front (cost, rights, etc) ... it will save you time and headaches

vbulletin.org is available for everyone.

vbulletin.org is a community about everything that deals with vBulletin or at least it should be. For example, modifications, products, addons, styles, articles, tutorials, forum subjects regarding community building, etc, etc

Originally Posted by christianb

* We follow a course = there is no course for learning vbulletin, only help from help topics.

there is a great Documentation Center on vb.com: http://www.vbulletin.com/docs/ that is in my opinion the first place to look at when we need some details about how to manage vBulletin...

i'm pretty sure that 75% of the requests about features would be solved by visiting this site... i usually point out the exact topic in the docs when i encounter a member that ask for help on features... they usually think we're here for support on the existing forum, but as it's not the case, i think it is just good to point them the docs instead of giving them the entire procedure...

[davidw]

Originally Posted by nexialys

there is a great Documentation Center on vb.com: http://www.vbulletin.com/docs/ that is in my opinion the first place to look at when we need some details about how to manage vBulletin...

I agree about that - which is part of what I considered help topics. When I mentioned course, to clarify, I mentioned it as in to consider a class to take, for example, where you learn how to do something; to [be] taught, etc. Sorry for the confusion.

[PennylessZ28]

I have to disagree with the first poster. I have seen help given out, but after reviewing the hacks over the past versions, 2 - 3 and 3.5 it seems like the same list of people developing hacks.

However the people searching for hacks and asking questions have gotten ruder and more demanding. I'll point to vbspace for some on the insults there just becuase people can't wait for something to be produced.

I see nothing but jerky comments left and right from people with a post count 10. "Oh your hack broke my forum, it doesn't work,bla bla bla I'm cussing now"

Give me a break. I've tried to be as helpful as I could on this forum until it gets to a certian point and then you're just drained and you start to care less.

People need to understand that YOU DON'T HAVE A RIGHT TO ANYTHING. PERIOD[U] Just becuase a hack might be supported or you think you deserve it, the author doesn't owe you a thing. Its that simple.

I don't see any user support agreements here. And the SUPPORTED check box is not a user support agreement.

A community is only as strong as its members.

[Zachariah]

Originally Posted by HR3rdGen

A community is only as strong as its members.

I am down to 3 showers a week.
- How strong must I be ?

[high]* Zachariah goes back to his cave.[/high]

[Lizard King]

Originally Posted by HR3rdGen

I have to disagree with the first poster. I have seen help given out, but after reviewing the hacks over the past versions, 2 - 3 and 3.5 it seems like the same list of people developing hacks.

However the people searching for hacks and asking questions have gotten ruder and more demanding. I'll point to vbspace for some on the insults there just becuase people can't wait for something to be produced.

I see nothing but jerky comments left and right from people with a post count 10. "Oh your hack broke my forum, it doesn't work,bla bla bla I'm cussing now"

Give me a break. I've tried to be as helpful as I could on this forum until it gets to a certian point and then you're just drained and you start to care less.

People need to understand that YOU DON'T HAVE A RIGHT TO ANYTHING. PERIOD[U] Just becuase a hack might be supported or you think you deserve it, the author doesn't owe you a thing. Its that simple.

I don't see any user support agreements here. And the SUPPORTED check box is not a user support agreement.

A community is only as strong as its members.

Sorry to say this but after reading your posts in some threads i don't think you are the right person to comment on this subject because people like you starts everything.

I also think how strong i am

[hiiped]

Its very difficult for a new user who wants a hack, but the thread of the hack has 1100 replies and two months has passed since the author ( of the hack ) has last updated the hack, especially when within those 1100 replies are reported bugs, and maybe some fixes to some bugs .

Going thru 1100 posts is not easy.

we wish the hacks thread would only contain reported bugs, and the fixes, instead most are filled with "usernamehere clicks install"
"thanks for the blah blah blah"
"Joe, nice style on your forum"
"How did you do blah blah blah in your footer Rick ? " ( why do we have a PM button here again ? )

I'm sure the author appreciates those comments, but I believe they can click and view who has INSTALLED their hacks.

Maybe vb.org should install the Thank You hack and promote usage of it.

( exits stage left )