vB Auto Linker banned here?

[spence2]

The only directory I can see Jelsoft developing is to sell it's own commercial versions of the most popular hacks here. IPB has lead the way with it's own Gallery, Blogs, etc.

Jelsoft is a business, folks. And the goal of everything they do/don't do is to make money (including our beloved vB.org).

[FleaBag]

I think the directory is a good idea. I'm a bit of a fan of paid hacks - don't get me wrong free ones are great - but paid hacks allow a new level, and in my experience a great level of support [e.g. Brian and Zack @ vBA]. I've bought everything on vBAdvanced, and now finding The Geek's site I intend to buy all the hacks there... They are valuable additions to my site! A directory would be a great idea, as The Geek says, for regular BB owners like me to access great software I wouldn't otherwise know about. Perhaps hack authors could even make a donation to charity to be allowed to list their hack here? A rating system for the directory would be great also - I know lots of people have been ripped off by indie vB sites in the past - many because they simply weren't allowed to discuss the sites in detail here and never had a chance to be told any different - an official directory would certainly thwart the cowboys - if they aren't allowed in [or are slated in] a directory - you'd know to steer clear!

Obviously it'll come down to Jelsoft's decision and I won't argue with that however it goes - but all points brought up thus far I must admit are valid. It's a tough call!

[bigcurt]

Well I am not "for" paid hacks but I totally understand if an author works on a hack for soo long, they want atleast a sort of incentive for it, and me myself I dont think a directory would be that bad, and it would leave further enhancements of vB.

~Curt

[Corriewf]

If all parties agree then whats the point of this thread. The Geek, just throw a few free hacks on a site with your paid hacks and that is it... You are always releasing new hacks so from now on just link it like vbadvanced.....


Thank you for your hacks The Geek, you have made vbulletin a more feasible bulletin software choice.

[KidneyBoy]

vb.org calls itself the "Ultimate VB Resource". How can this be if there's no way for members offering "premium" scripts the ability to get the word out. It sounds like vb.org would just be a "Resource" and not what I would call "Ultimate".

Yes there are some people that offer "premium" products. So have a forum dedicated for them so at least the end-users of vBulletin can have knowledge that a script/modification is available. the end-user still has the option of buying or not buying the product. Just like the end-user has the option of downloading or not downloading modifications from here.

I know I don't have a voice (because I haven't got vB yet) but this would really be something I would like to see.....Especially if you are calling yourselves the "Ultimate VB Resource".

*DROPS 2 cents into the vB.org bucket*

-KidneyBoy

[GoTTi]

i dont agree with the rule that "commercial" addons created by anyone here shouldnt be allowed. thats just redicoulous. if we can put a paypal link in our threads requesting donations for it, whats the difference?

also, IMO, vb.com is then acting like the 50 cent of gunit. eating all the cake. they put hacks and addons released here in their versions of vbulletin and EARN off that. the quick reply options and the enhanced modes, lots and lots of things we as hackers (even though i create junk hacks), but we create them and they implement them in use for their upgraded versions of the board. is that fair to the authors? do the creators get payment from releasing hacks that are now implemented inside vbulletins software? NO. why is that ok?

the idea of creating the hack is what is of value, and if someone decides to release it is a paid addon then thats their business and we as a community here should honor thier decisions and support their decisions.

[Brad]

Originally Posted by GoTTi

also, IMO, vb.com is then acting like the 50 cent of gunit. eating all the cake. they put hacks and addons released here in their versions of vbulletin and EARN off that. the quick reply options and the enhanced modes, lots and lots of things we as hackers (even though i create junk hacks), but we create them and they implement them in use for their upgraded versions of the board. is that fair to the authors? do the creators get payment from releasing hacks that are now implemented inside vbulletins software? NO. why is that ok?

This logic is flawed.

Sure the features a hack adds may find its way into the source code, but it's not the same code.

You speak as if they come here and copy/paste code into the source.

There have been a few things 'donated' to the source code, overgrow's karma hack comes to mind. But keep in mind that it is not his code you see in the source code, one of the vBulletin developers sat down and wrote it.

Originally Posted by GoTTi

i dont agree with the rule that "commercial" addons created by anyone here shouldnt be allowed. thats just redicoulous. if we can put a paypal link in our threads requesting donations for it, whats the difference?

There is a big difference between having a donate button in a hack thread and linking to a commercial script or posting a copy of it that would be removed after it was bug tested.

We wouldn't allow photopost to come here and release a beta version only to pull it later on. If we made an exception for the 'little guy' we couldn't stop the people that really do intend on exploiting this place and its members.

The staff has been discussing this issue for some time but there are strong feelings on both sides and it's not something that we can just change over night. I encourage you guys to keep discussing this but please try to do it in a constructive manner.

[GoTTi]

my logic is flawed? maybe in your eyes, but im looking @ it from the little guys side.

and if i remember when i talked to shabang from overgrow cuz he was coding on my site also since we have simular sites, he mentioned that vb was gunna use his code for the karma addon and he did get a nice spot in the "vBulletin Developers & Contributors" part of the admincp. i dont think he mentioned getting funds for doing that addon though. and if he didnt doesnt really matter much. if one of the vb dev's sat down and wrote the code for the forum themselves, then the idea of shabangs karma hacks was there then. his data, code, and information he put time into was there. it might have been free, but it was there. so whose to say that maybe if geek wanted his addon on here for testing, and he decided to not charge anyone for it and just leaqve it here, you guys wouldnt implement it into future versions of vb? using the cart capabilities since there isnt any cart for vbulletin that comes preinstalled, and i would think this kind of addon would be a huge addon for the forum because it adds a whole new world to the software that we are all already wound up in enjoying.

his addon shouldve remained on here for a beta period, and then he shouldve been contacted about it being commercial or paid for or however we wanna word it, and then he couldve decided if he wanted to release maybe a version with less options on the cart? or have it linked to his site like some modifiers do here and then offer support on their personal forums, like vBa does.

this conversation should continue, your right. the vb.com staff should def hear our opinions on this matter.

A directory like the Geek stated would solve this problem. It will keep everyone happy, and furthermore, it wouldn't interfere with Jelsoft as a business.

To use the members of vb.org as little guinea pigs in a commercial hack is obviously wrong.

[Brad]

Originally Posted by GoTTi

his addon shouldve remained on here for a beta period, and then he shouldve been contacted about it being commercial or paid for or however we wanna word it, and then he couldve decided if he wanted to release maybe a version with less options on the cart? or have it linked to his site like some modifiers do here and then offer support on their personal forums, like vBa does.

The author was contacted by a staff member and it was our understanding that he intended to remove the files once he had finished beta testing the modification. Free 'lite' versions (or beta versions of lite versions) are allowed, but this site should not be used for beta testing of commercial software.