Poll: Should .org have a section for paid add-ons?

[tamarian]

I'd say no. I would like to say yes, provided some clear rules are set and respected, but since the rules would complicate things, it's best to let the commercial add-on developers manage their own hacks. It's very much a case of a few bad apples ruining it for the rest.

With the increasing tendancy toward encoded scripts, embedded checks, information sending, "home calls", and conflcting privacy policies, license keys checking, and the eventual disputes between hackers and customers, vb.org staff may find themselves in the middle, even when they don't have access to the developers records or even the code, to verify who's right, or enforce anything. It could get real ugly, real soon.

[The Geek]

Talisman, I don't think anyone is looking at this as some sort of definitive survey however the coders here are far outweighed by those that do not contribute to the community and are far more likely to become over run by those that are worried of somehow mysteriously losing their bottomless well of free hacks. Which of course is silly to even think.

If it were my choice, I would offer more flexibility in the poll and also request that only contributors get to cast a vote. Not because being a contributor makes you special - but because at least it would be those giving thier time and support to the community that could make a final decision.

Regardless - its only a poll and I don't think anyone in either camp should get too giddy over the results.

For what its worth - I dont think it should be seen as 'depends on the particulars'. I think if Jelsoft gets around to deciding that they will support a concept of supplying information to their customers on commercial systems - then the details can be worked out then.

Just my 2 cents

[trackpads]

Originally Posted by Talisman

Oh, that's lovely. You know damn well this doesn't give us a representative indication from which to decide what's best for everyone here. A straight numbers poll for a question like this?

On one side there's a group of very experienced, very active, and very HIGHLY motivated bunch of coders who all want to sell things here to make money. You think that group isn't going to work hard to convince people this is NOT about financial gain for themselves? Those are some of the most active participating people here so, of course, they're going to win a poll in terms of sheer numbers.

The people here who are going to be affected the most by this decision are not long-time, experienced, active participants who post their thoughts and opinions on a regular basis. They don't influence what other people think all the time. And a significant percentage of those people are simply too intimidated by all this and by the other very vocal members here. They're not sure which side is really looking out for THEM and their interests ... they're not actively monitoring a debate like this. There's no way they're going to have the same voice in this, so how are they going to be represented fairly in a straight numbers poll?

So your saying that, like our democracy, if you dont show up to vote its not your fault if you lose?......

Besides, how can you pay $150++ for something and expect everything else to be free??

[derekivey]

No, I think all the hacks here should be free. If they want to sell their hacks they can sell them on their website.

[The Geek]

See, here is another problem with the poll: It makes people inadvertantly think .org should be set up to sell commercial work.
I dont think thats what MPdev was getting at - I think he was trying to gauge if people were interested in .org offering information on commercial systems.

I can see that .org hosting and selling them would be a freaking nightmare. Providing information (ie a script directory) however would be handy.

Anyhoo - just another 2 cents. Boy this piggie banks getting full

[EasyTarget]

yeah I'm not voting for the pure vagueness in the poll. I mean I could vote yes, then it turns out to be something I would be totally against. I wouldn't mind paid hacks provided it was conducted in the right manner. I don't really want a link directory though because I feel it would be driving users/customers elsewhere outside of .org and .org would just become the ultimate vb link resource.

[MPDev]

Originally Posted by ChrisM

Paid add-ons in what respect? Advertising and links to them, or hosting them here?

I would not host them here since there is an eCommerce element to purchase the code; but what I think would be reasonable would be a "directory" where I could research what options are available (and check comments by other users) where items are linked to the developers website. Nor would I expect to see support handled on this site.

If I were looking to add functionality to my website, it would be nice if the "ultimate resource" gave me the ability to research all of my options and not just the "free" ones. As a website operator who does have money to spend, I do not mind paying for Modifications and have even paid for mods that were "free" when I felt it was justified.

[trackpads]

I think what your saying is that you dont want a mad rush for everything to go paid, I understand that. I think we need to find an example and hold it up. The MS one is pretty good, and if bill gates loves then it should be great for everyone

[EasyTarget]

Originally Posted by MPDev

it would be nice if the "ultimate resource" gave me the ability to research all of my options and not just the "free" ones.

if you search I don't think you'll find many other options besides what is here at vb.org, so the free ones are pretty much all of your options. Why create a directory listing which will just increase the power of other/competition sites when .org has the market right now?

imo it would be better for .org to offer paid hacks here but it would be easier/less time-consuming to just link to other sites. (even though the way I see it that would just take away from them.. I mean if this is the 'ultimate resourse' why would they need to send people to other sites?)

[MPDev]

Originally Posted by EasyTarget

if you search I don't think you'll find many other options besides what is here at vb.org, so the free ones are pretty much all of your options

Actually there are quite a few products that integrate with vBulletin outside of what you will find here. Not to mention more than a few who code styles for a fee - when I wanted to find styles to purchase for my site vbulletin.org was useless in my search. The first place I purchased style from sucked, the second place was much nicer. Had I the benefit of the community's experience I may not have wasted my money on the first place.