Regarding the vBHosting Hack

[Wayne Luke]

Originally Posted by nighteyes

I'm sorry but this logic could easily be applied to "assigning" administrators to our vBulletin installation or global super moderators to subforums. Aren't these groups being assigned the right to use vBulletin without a license? This hack just restricts what features this new group of administrators have access to.

Like I said, it will have to be reviewed. There is a chance that it will be determined to be within the license agreement and it will be re-instated. I had asked the creator to remove it voluntarily on a temporary basis while a review was done but he refused to do it stating he didn't have to abide by the Jelsoft License agreement. Maybe it was a language barrier issue that caused him not to do so. Maybe I didn't understand exactly what he meant exactly by not having to abide by the license agreement. Maybe he was given some false information by someone who doesn't have the authority. Right now, we have to review the hack to see what it does, check the code and so forth.

[mello_mike]

Originally Posted by VampireMan

[high]* VampireMan makes all his users admins[/high]

LOL!!!

Well I'm sorry to get so heated ... I'm sure vB will see that this hack is within TOS.. and the License Agreement. I have faith in vB.

[nighteyes]

Originally Posted by mello_mike

LOL!!!

Well I'm sorry to get so heated ... I'm sure vB will see that this hack is within TOS.. and the License Agreement. I have faith in vB.

Let's hope you're right. I'm not very confident this will happen based on the strong language Wayne has been using in this thread.

[hypedave]

I can see how this may be an issue with people that use this hack the wrong way i.e. John Doe sets up a domain called virtualvb.com, installs his vb board then installs this hack and uses the vb subscription feature to charge people to have their own miniature forum within his forum. But what about us members who actually see a good benefit from this within our own community, rather than try to make a profit?

[Morrus]

Originally Posted by hypedave

I can see how this may be an issue with people that use this hack the wrong way i.e. John Doe sets up a domain called virtualvb.com, installs his vb board then installs this hack and uses the vb subscription feature to charge people to have their own miniature forum within his forum. But what about us members who actually see a good benefit from this within our own community, rather than try to make a profit?

Profit isn't relevant here (that may be a moral consideration for some, but it isn't a legal issue given the current license terms).

[Zachery]

I reported it a day ago or so, it did not have a stand alone installer, it was forcing you to install a hack to install it self, which gets into the whole HTL debate. Which has been discussed over and over again.


Personally i would have removed it under thoughs grounds and left it be.

However i personally think this does undermind jelsofts license, if you want someone to have a sub forum, theres no problem with setting one up and letting them be a moderator. Ive done it for a few friends who dont have the knowhow or the webspace, but thats its extent. This basicly allows anyone to have their own ezboard setup which would hurt the vB community overall.

[GameCrash]

Originally Posted by Wayne Luke

Like I said, it will have to be reviewed. There is a chance that it will be determined to be within the license agreement and it will be re-instated. I had asked the creator to remove it voluntarily on a temporary basis while a review was done but he refused to do it stating he didn't have to abide by the Jelsoft License agreement.

As a supporter of a company you should learn there is a difference between "Do you have written permission to do illegal things" and "I'm not sure if your hack is within our license agreement. Would it be possible to remove the download until we have discussed this within our staff?".

You have seen what happens in the first case. I personally believe you had prefered the result of the second one. I'm always trying to work together with others as long as they are friendly. Feel free to ask NTLDR as we had very much PM conversation the last days and I think we have found a good resolution for our problems.

[GameCrash]

Originally Posted by hypedave

I can see how this may be an issue with people that use this hack the wrong way i.e. John Doe sets up a domain called virtualvb.com, installs his vb board then installs this hack and uses the vb subscription feature to charge people to have their own miniature forum within his forum.

Not sure if you read the license of vBHosting. It's clearly stated there that exactly this is not allowed...

[Morrus]

Originally Posted by GameCrash

Not sure if you read the license of vBHosting. It's clearly stated there that exactly this is not allowed...

I think he's referring to the vBulletin license. Your vBHosting license does, indeed, prohibit this. But it's not really germaine to the discussion.

[GameCrash]

Originally Posted by Zachery

if you want someone to have a sub forum, theres no problem with setting one up and letting them be a moderator. Ive done it for a few friends

Then I have bad news for you. Following Wayne Luke, this is extremely illegal as this is exactly what my hack does...

Okay, I'll go to bed now. I have to get up in about three hours to go to work. We'll see if I get some sleep... let's hope the (vBulletin)world looks better tomorrow.