Removing mods from vb.org in support?

[Sadik B]

My opinion is that, MOD developers should let their MODS be there at vb.org untill they have a MOD with similar functionality developed for XF. Then they can remove support for the vb MOD and post there saying, they no longer support that MOD but similar functionality can be found in the XF MOD which is supported. In that way all users of the vb MODs will have serious motivation to move over to XF because in most cases these MODs are very critical to their sites.

 

[Hannah_M]

The coders of these mods are have the right to remove the mods if vB fails hold up its end.

 

[Hannah_M]

My opinion is that, MOD developers should let their MODS be there at vb.org untill they have a MOD with similar functionality developed for XF. Then they can remove support for the vb MOD and post there saying, they no longer support that MOD but similar functionality can be found in the XF MOD which is supported. In that way all users of the vb MODs will have serious motivation to move over to XF because in most cases these MODs are very critical to their sites.

That sounds like a better way to perform this but in the process the momentum may die. Do we want that?

 

[Jethro]

While I am not a modder and don't have anything to gain or lose here, my opinion is this. If a person can't accept the way a company is being ran (vB.com) and they are supporting that company through mods (vB.org) then they need to make a decision.

Either they can continue to support the company or they have to quit and walk away. I understand this will hurt some admins that depend on those mods, I understand it's not directly affecting IB and I understand some admins will hold it against these modders for taking a stand. The core of it is the modding community is what brings vB a lot of clients and without this they will either change their 'marketing' strategy and the way they treat users or they will go to the wayside like many other companies..

I however see it as their work. I see them as standing for something they believe in. I would continue to support them on their site with any mods/work they produced in the future. A saying I remember from way back... 'If you don't Stand for something, you will Fall for anything..'

Jamie

Totally agree Jamie. I walked away from Invision in protest at some of their policies and stopped developing anything for the product, besides helping out at a couple of third party resource sites. A number of people contacting me regarding a couple of mods I had and I still support them at a third party site, actually one of our members improved on them so we go with his versions, but have canned a couple of modules. Simply put, if you do mods/skins/graphics for a product you are not only supporting that product but also the company behind it. I'm helping out currently upgrading a bunch of skins for specific IPS clients as a favour. While I have infinite respect for Matt Mecham and the IPS product, I can not continue to work in their sphere due to a number of reasons that have no value in being talked about on these forums.

 

[TrixieTang]

Is this going to hurt vBulletin and IB? Yes.
Is this going to hurt admins who still use vBulletin? Yes.

If some people want to do this then they're their mods and they can do what they want. But I don't agree with hurting innocent forum admins just to damage vBulletin/IB.

 

[Blandt]

My opinion is that, MOD developers should let their MODS be there at vb.org untill they have a MOD with similar functionality developed for XF. Then they can remove support for the vb MOD and post there saying, they no longer support that MOD but similar functionality can be found in the XF MOD which is supported. In that way all users of the vb MODs will have serious motivation to move over to XF because in most cases these MODs are very critical to their sites.

Nah... a good motivation is speaking for itself right here right now

 

[Sagar]

Guys, if you think removing mod is not damaging VB, it is exactly targeting VB

http://www.vbulletin.com/forum/showthread.php?363976-Nervous...

 

[dutchbb]

Guys, if you think removing mod is not damaging VB, it is exactly targeting VB

http://www.vbulletin.com/forum/showthread.php?363976-Nervous...

I saw that coming a mile away. Of course it will damage them, more than many think.

 

[Forsaken]

I honestly do not agree with removing mods unless you really need to.

In the case of Shelley and John, from what I remember they have both had falling outs with vB.org, which was probably part of their decision in doing what they have done. In that situation, where they have been at ends with them, and they have done something ethically and morally wrong (To them or to others), they have a reason to do so.

Any developer has the same decision, but I don't really agree with punishing users. A better solution would have been to voice your opinion on the subject, stop support, and garner support from your own fanbase, which can work equally as well, as it will not cause fear in your users.

Then again, I have never released any of my modifications (They're usually made to fit a small niche, like game emulation, or aren't something most people would use), so I can't really say anything from their stand point.

 

[Shelley]

I honestly do not agree with removing mods unless you really need to.

In the case of Shelley and John, from what I remember they have both had falling outs with vB.org, which was probably part of their decision in doing what they have done. In that situation, where they have been at ends with them, and they have done something ethically and morally wrong (To them or to others), they have a reason to do so.

Any developer has the same decision, but I don't really agree with punishing users. A better solution would have been to voice your opinion on the subject, stop support, and garner support from your own fanbase, which can work equally as well, as it will not cause fear in your users.

Then again, I have never released any of my modifications (They're usually made to fit a small niche, like game emulation, or aren't something most people would use), so I can't really say anything from their stand point.

I've had many debates with the staff at vbulletin.org that ended in arguments that spanned for 5 years and I've never removed my resources so that was never the reason. If it was, I would have removed them back then and not carried on submitting resources to this day. That said, I can certainly understand your viewpoint though I'll still sleep at night knowing I did the right thing and made the choice not to be associated with internet brands whatsoever.

 

[Iestyn]

I think this is a lot of fuss over nothing. Xenforo has a lot of catching up to do. It's going to take years for Xenforo to get off the ground, even if they do take mods of and make a lot of fuss about it, it isn't going to do much.

 

[Forsaken]

I've had many debates with the staff at vbulletin.org that ended in arguments that spanned for 5 years and I've never removed my resources so that was never the reason. If it was, I would have removed them back then and not carried on submitting resources to this day. That said, I can certainly understand your viewpoint though I'll still sleep at night knowing I did the right thing and made the choice not to be associated with internet brands whatsoever.

Yeah, I don't care whether people have removed their resources, as I know I've removed my work on certain sites due to the community in the past (Mostly a registration bridge for MaNGOS for emulation), but that was more because people took credit for the work.

I just know for the most part, if it becomes a trend for mod makers to remove all of their works, its going to act negatively towards XenForo, whereas discontinuing support is less likely to harm the image of the community here.

All in all, its up to the creator of the resource, I just knew that in the past you had considered removing your work, and thought this was probably the final straw that decided it (Rather then being the only reason). Sorry for putting words in your mouth .

 

[Forsaken]

I think this is a lot of fuss over nothing. Xenforo has a lot of catching up to do. It's going to take years for Xenforo to get off the ground, even if they do take mods of and make a lot of fuss about it, it isn't going to do much.

If you look at it from a usability stand-point (Not in browsing, but in the usage of features), vBulletin isn't exactly much better then XenForo.

I already have in the planning stages modifications that I -will- be releasing (At least most of them) that will make up for some of the lacking features of XenForo, as are many other users as far as I know.

Once XenForo hits gold, I don't see how IPB or vBulletin will be any better, at least in resources that make them competitive with core features.

 

[Paul M]

Hahaha...glad I deleted all mine before they decided to start damage control.

Once again you see what you want to see, rather than the truth. The limit has always been there - and in fact, the last change to it (earlier this year I think) was to increase it.

You can even see the last reference to it here ;

http://www.vbulletin.org/forum/showpost.php?p=2086055

 

[dutchbb]

I don't see why it should harm this community. These are independent people that decided they do not agree with unethical scare tactics and thus do not want to be linked with such a company/product anymore. This site can't help it that this happens. It's only a natural thing when people feel emotional and they have every right to do so. If anything it will drive more people to this site.

 

[Forsaken]

I don't see why it should harm this community. These are independent people that decided they do not agree with unethical scare tactics and thus do not want to be linked with such a company/product anymore. This site can't help it that this happens. It's only a natural thing when people feel emotional and they have every right to do so. If anything it will drive more people to this site.

Because people will then think if something happens with XenForo, it might happen again.

Once a person has their trust betrayed, it is often hard to regain it, and communities are based around trust.

I honestly think if they feel the need to remove their work, they should do what they want, its just more that it can also be harmful to their image, and it is probably best if they left things and stopped supporting them and made their opinions known.

 

[Anthony Parsons]

If modders don't remove their mods, but instead simply cut off their support or ongoing upgrades... then that speaks volumes to VB that their methods are wrong and they really need to get rid of this IB corporate mentality that they continue adopting more and more. You don't sell online and last with that mentality. Online sales of anything are that versatile nowadays and easy to get.... if you start doing things poorly and treating customers bad, they just look for the next equivalent option.

 

[Kuma]

The only people you hurt today and in the short term are the people who like your products.

 

[dutchbb]

Because people will then think if something happens with XenForo, it might happen again.

I heard that argument before today. The thing is... it doesn't hold water. XF isn't IB. XF will never ever do what IB does now. Hence no one is ever going to delete anything here. We have to remember that these mods are not paid for, so no one has any right of claiming anything. When you use something that is free, you know future support is never a certainty.

 

[Wired]

I think he meant that if IB can bully XF, then where does it stop? Who else would they bully?

Either way without more information about the legal proceedings there's no way to prove if it's a true bullying tactic or not. Only time will tell.