What happened to the vBSpace post?

[KevNJ]

Is this the TOS in violation, by us ( forum operators ) not holding the member info on our servers. So by this being ran we would all be in violation, because this hack/mod would be a 3rd party. No? Or is it another TOS violation. Also the potential to profit from this in a long term is a violation as well I believe.

TOS read like this;
"You undertake to; ensure that, prior to use of the Software by your employees or agents, all such parties are notified of the terms of this Agreement; and hold all data (including object and source codes), software listings and all other information relating to the Software confidential and not at any time, during the period of the licence or after its expiry, disclose the same whether directly or indirectly to any third party without Jelsoft's consent. "

[xStylezx]

Originally Posted by d1414

We are not charging for it. In fact, forum owners should profit from it. However, we DO have the potential to make a profit in the long term which brings up the "commercial" debate. However, the code that would be released here at vb.org would simply be a single product that allows you to tap into the system.

Thats what i thought.So,after all the work done on the hack by coders it is wrong for them to receive some compensation?Isnt vbulletin a commercial product?Arent these forums used to promote a commercial product and byproducts of that?I dont see a whole lot of difference between posting a paypal button and being compensated in the manner you mentioned d1414.Hmmm,is it possibly that the powers that be dont want their product used to earn a dime unless they get broke off themselves?I dont know really.I just dont see why this has now turned into some sorta money thing.Guess thats what it usually boils down to.

[d1414]

Originally Posted by xStylezx

Thats what i thought.So,after all the work done on the hack by coders it is wrong for them to receive some compensation?Isnt vbulletin a commercial product?Arent these forums used to promote a commercial product and byproducts of that?I dont see a whole lot of difference between posting a paypal button and being compensated in the manner you mentioned d1414.Hmmm,is it possibly that the powers that be dont want their product used to earn a dime unless they get broke off themselves?I dont know really.I just dont see why this has now turned into some sorta money thing.Guess thats what it usually boils down to.

The programmers we emply right now aren't being paid near what they are worth. I'd love to be able to pay them industry standard. And pretty much any money we do make will be poured into making the service better.

Part of the problem with all of this is we did not do a good job of communicating the fact that vbspace changed from a local forum install to a cental system so people are upset and feel deceived. Obviously we would NEVER do that on purpose. In hindsight, we should have just closed the vbspace thread when it took the evolution. Because we could not comment on what we were doing otherwise I am confident this would have been stolen from under us.

[FlyBoy73]

Originally Posted by d1414

Maybe we could make a vbspace lite for those of you who just want the local install? No promises, but I *think* we could cut things down (its over 75,000 lines of code at this point heheh) and create a viable solution. I'd have to talk it over with our engineers first of course.
What would be the MAIN features you'd want in this so I can provide a spec sheet and see what it would take.
And it would of course be free.

David, I think that would be an excellent idea. As I mentioned when we spoke last night, I think you all have a fantastic concept that you are putting into motion, but like you said, it may not be for everyone.

Personally, I think if you all were to make even a scaled down version available to those vB admins/owners that are not comfortable right now with using a centralized system, you would be providing a product that has been in heavy demand for some time. Then, forum owners who become comfortable with the basic system and who you all are may then become ready for the next step - which could mean more traffic and income for them.

The other idea off the top of my head would be to offer an even more advanced stand-alone system for a price. So, if someone is happy with the basic (free) vbspace hack/mod but still isn't that comfortable with the idea of using a centralized system, they can purchase a more feature-rich version. I would pay at least $500 (if not more) for a full featured version of what you all have without thinking twice, and would be willing to pay a yearly upgrade/maint. fee similar to vb and others.
Those who couldn't afford to pay for this still have the option to use the centralized system or the free stand alone "lite" version.

I think this model has the greatest potential to succeed globally. It gives everyone options to expand their communities in ways they are comfortable and even make money.

Of course, I think you should complete what you all started first and then consider the other options.

[Krahl]

Originally Posted by d1414

Part of the problem with all of this is we did not do a good job of communicating the fact that vbspace changed from a local forum install to a cental system so people are upset and feel deceived.

Feel? No, people were decieved - it is not a matter of feeling one way or the other. You're 100% right that your communication was not handled well. It was not only lacking but deceptive - intentionally so by your own admission (per the comment you made in this very post and others "we could not comment....or the idea would be stolen").

Originally Posted by d1414

Obviously we would NEVER do that on purpose.

Did you have a straight face when you typed that?

Originally Posted by d1414

In hindsight, we should have just closed the vbspace thread when it took the evolution.

Not closed it, just notified all those who were waiting on a particular mod that another direction was being taken and a different mod was now underway. It's no crime to think up a better mousetrap but it surely isn't nice to have people waiting around thinking you're about to release something when in all reality not only are you not near to releasing anything much less the item you originally said.

Originally Posted by d1414

Because we could not comment on what we were doing otherwise I am confident this would have been stolen from under us.

Maybe. Maybe not. Irrelevant really, as you do at least understand where you went wrong with many in the community - that's the biggest hurdle and I appreciate that you've not only seen but stated and apologized for it.

By the way, I did add you to my MSN as you requested as well as tried to contact you.. but nothing ever came from it. Sorry that didn't work out, but give me an IM sometime, I'd still like to look it all over.

Krahl

[rabidkevin]

Originally Posted by d1414

Maybe we could make a vbspace lite for those of you who just want the local install? No promises, but I *think* we could cut things down (its over 75,000 lines of code at this point heheh) and create a viable solution. I'd have to talk it over with our engineers first of course.

What would be the MAIN features you'd want in this so I can provide a spec sheet and see what it would take.

And it would of course be free.

This would be a great idea. The profile system with ad revenue is not for everyone.

Member Search, Profile Modification/Comments, Groups, Private messaging enhancements, etc. Also support for plugins to add features. We just want to beef up VB a bit to make it a little more like myspace style features.

If you guys don't do this I hope someone does and I will donate big $$ to support the cause.

[d1414]

Originally Posted by FlyBoy73

Of course, I think you should complete what you all started first and then consider the other options.

Definitely. But I make a public promise now to look for additional solutions that will benefit people who do not want to use the centralized system.

[The Chief]

Originally Posted by rabidkevin

This would be a great idea. The profile system with ad revenue is not for everyone.

Member Search, Profile Modification/Comments, Groups, Private messaging enhancements, etc. Also support for plugins to add features. We just want to beef up VB a bit to make it a little more like myspace style features.

If you guys don't do this I hope someone does and I will donate big $$ to support the cause.

Yup, those are practically what would be the best for the simple people

[Krahl]

FlyBoy has a great point and I agree completely. However, I do think a price of $500 would price most out of the market - it certainly would for my site(s). A dumbed-down version might work but that's also dependent on what is/is not included in it.

Good points FlyBoy, I'll add my "me too."

Krahl

[KevNJ]

Anyone else bother reading the vb TOS ? I dont believe something like this can be hosted/centralized without violating the vb TOS. Im not sure about other message board systems. Getting Jelsoft to agree on this could be possible but I dont think it would be possible for them to agree to let this run with other message board systems.