Suggestions: How to bring vBulletin.org back to what it was before...

[tgreer]

I have no problem with people posting free plugins. In fact, I join all the others in expressing gratitude for those willing to provide free plugins. I too deplore the "entitlement" attitude that many of the hackers/coders have had to deal with, and understand the frustrations that can cause.

I think the site should definitely have stricter standards about thread management, and these standards/principles rigorously enforced by the staff, whether or not that staff is paid or volunteer. Though it has angered some, to have their posts deleted, threads split or moved, I can only say in the long run, it's for the best, and I hope the trend continues.

The "big issue" for me, though, is the door this site slams in the face of any who want to learn/teach vBulletin development, but who for good reasons don't want to code a plugin for public release. Many very good, very professional, very helpful developers are being shut out of this community.

Without intending any disrespect to the coders here, I think there is too much emphasis on that aspect of vbulletin.org, and not enough on open coding discussions in general. I would respectfully request, once again, that the Coders Discussion be made public.

[joeychgo]

Just my .02 about something...

One thing that bothers me about paid hacks - is when people post hacks for paid hacks.

To be clear, I am NOT voicing an opinion either way about the advertsiing about paid hacks.

But I came across a hack the other day that sayid I had to have VBSEO installed to use the hack. I think, if you want to hack a paid hack, advertise it on the product's board, not here.

[MJM]

Basic Rules:
1. No paying hacks allowed. If you want to make money, you are not welcome to advertise your products at vB.org site, in links, any way or shape of promotion schemes.

When I started my recreational arts and crafts site, I stipulated - no ads or links of any way shape or form.

Over time a number of working artisans had provided very helpful info and how-to instructions, so, at my discretion, I added links to valued members websites in their profile and signatures.

The #1 cardinal rule is NEVER DISCUSS PRICE OR BUSINESS TRANSACTIONS AT THE SITE.

This has been abided by flawlessly for 5 years - till today!
A new member joins and asks how to make something.
In my reply, I linked to a posting by a valued member who had provided a pictorial construction tutorial.

This new member goes to his site, checks his prices, then has the audacity to reply to his thread in the nastiest tone ... $XXX!!! - USERNAME FROM XYZ.COM IS A RIP-OFF! etc etc etc.
Fortunately I was able to immediately delete this post, ban this user, and email this valued member and apologize.

Lesson learned is that you can never have a completely foolproof interactive community, because a jerk is born every minute, and one day one will find your site.
I firmly believe that a site that is valued for quality and integrity must be cultivated 24/7 - with weeding hoe always in hand.

[Princeton]

Stop living in the past ...

• The internet is evolving.
• vBulletin is evolving. eg. it's a lot easier to add new features
• The way people surf the net is evolving.
• There are more programmers and/or newbies.
• There are more vbulletin resources.

Most sites "fall apart" because they do not change. If you cannot keep up with the "evolution" than you might as well give up.

The problem with vb.org is that it really hasn't changed.
Yea, some minor things but nothing concrete.
NOTE: I'm one that's been on this board since the start of vbulletin 2.

So, each time somone says, "back in the old days" ... I cringe.
I mean ... what is that suppose to mean?

I'll bet 5 years from now ... people will be referring to today as "back in the old days".

[TECK]

Originally Posted by Princeton

Stop living in the past ...

So far you are the only one feeling like that. I don't feel like living in the past, but I do want to see at vB.org the same atmosphere like 4 years ago. That's not called living in the past, but applying something that was working for the community.
An example for "people living in the past"... How do you explain those TV commercials that pass now on and they look like the 70's commercials?
I guess the producers are living in the past also...

First, how can you explain that people are not happy with the shape vB.org is taking?
vB.org changed a lot, that's the reason many good people left. And many people complain because the actual changes.
In short, there is no support like it was before and the forums are a mess not the mention the people's attitude.
There will be a ton more of users complaining if they would be registered and active users since 2001-2002.
Second, you cannot know the golden vB.org years because you were not here to post and and interact with hackers activelly, even if it shows into your registration date.
You started being active at vB.org when VB3 came out. Visiting only to download a hack and post one reply/week is not called active.
As a matter of fact, you consider yourself active with 1.16 posts/day?
And you are part of the support Team? What kind of support you offer to people with 1.16 posts/ day? I'll let you be the judge...

So telling people to stop living in the past is a little insulting, don't you think?

[Ntfu2]

Another thing that should be outlawed is when someone is developing a hack, people respond with "Yes, MAKE IT, I'd PAY GOOD MONEY FOR THIS HACK!!!" i was recently reading a thread in the modification discussion forum and saw probably about 12 of these posts..... :dumb:

[Princeton]

How do you explain those TV commercials that pass now on and they look like the 70's commercials?

they are selling something new ... something that has evolved ... they are not trying to sell you the same jeans from the 70's ... it may look the same but the product and the message is different

vB.org changed a lot, that's the reason many good people left

Can you provide us with a detailed list on how vb.org changed? Please provide us with specifics. No generalizing as that does not help anyone.

you cannot know the golden vB.org years because you were not here to post and and interact with hackers activelly, even if it shows into your registration date.

I don't know about you ... but, one does not have to be registered nor "participate" to enjoy a site and get to know people.

Can you give us a description of what you expect from a staff member? On your site, on this site, on any site.


By the way ... I'm trying to reinforce your message.
Your message really is not helpful in it's current form.
It may make you feel better .. but, it does not help in any form.

If it makes you feel better, you can continue to degrade my "status" as it does not hurt me. But, I do hope that you keep this thread in a positive direction.

[Dean C]

TECK is right princeton, you weren't around when the old school folks were.

Nevertheless it's naive to think that things don't change, but one would expect change for the better

[tgreer]

Staff Responsibilities / Behavior:

• Welcome new members, acquainting them with the site structure and operation.
• Keep threads on-topic: split, merge, move, delete.
• Respond to 'Site Feedback' in a prompt and professional manner. Site Feedback is between the member with the praise/complaint, and the staff... not a free-for-all unless so indicated, such as this thread.
• Delete useless posts, or off-topic posts.
• Monitor inactive threads... close them after a reasonable time so they aren't pointlessly "bumped".
• Monitor posts with no replies. PM members whom you think could reply, pointing them to the post.
• Avoid conflicts of interest. If a staff member is involved in a thread, another staff member should perform any moderation tasks that might be required for that thread.
• In general, work to make the forum productive and pleasant for all, suggesting and implementing features to make it more accessible (not less).

[Princeton]

tgreer,

Thank you ... it's appreciated.

FYI: I agree on a lot of what you posted. :up: