Add-on XenReviews [CrowdFund]

[Daniel Hood]

At the moment, Jeff just removed the code that was forcing a secure connection. Once I set up the new droplet, have the domain resolve to it, then I can add the cert again. For now, go to http://xenreviews.com rather than https://xenreviews.com.

As far as progress, I'm not withholding updates from you guys. I don't really feel the need to post every few days saying "Hey guys, same status". I still don't have an ETA for you and all of the same reasons I've given consistently for the past month are still applicable.

 

[cdub]

Okay... well we're all needless to say anxiously waiting to get rolling again.

 

[Daniel Hood]

Obviously. I've been acknowledging that for several posts now. I benefit in no way from this project dragging on. At the same time, I have other responsibilities as well. I've been up front with the fact that I have to support myself and my family and that comes first for me. I want this project done, I'm working on it, I'm making steps to free up more time to work on it without costing myself more than I can afford.

All I'm saying is, you ask the same question every few days and get the same answer every time. You can assume that my answer will not change until I make a post saying it has.

 

[cdub]

I understand.

 

[vbresults]

I remember @Alfa1 posting about this a long time ago. I had no idea it turned into something. Props to @Daniel Hood for going way out and sticking to this instead of doing the logical thing and just refunding everyone their money because it's an obvious and massive, unprofitable time/money sink. As he said, this shouldn't have been taken on in the 1st place [math was and is bad for the dev].

 

[cdub]

This add-on is going to be awesome when it's done. The thing is... It is SO CLOSE to being ready.

 

[Mike Edge]

Still haven't heard back from you yet on my free VPS offer for the project.. Just a friendly reminder as it's been a bit

 

[vbresults]

This add-on is going to be awesome when it's done. The thing is... It is SO CLOSE to being ready.

Awesome for those customers. It's parasitic for the developers. And regardless of what said customers say to paper over it, it can't last. Sucking the life, time, and money out of a developer goes on until they metaphorically drop dead and fall off the edge of the forum. And customers most certainly don't want that.

It must have been hard enough to raise the money they did get for this. From the competence and skill I presume these developers have, the budget is short by at least 12K. No, that is most certainly not what people want to pay, but was necessary. He's being really tactful about how damaging this is to him.

 

[cdub]

There was some feature bloat for sure... But we're still close to a releasable product.

 

[vbresults]

There was some feature bloat for sure... But we're still close to a releasable product.

[Saying this metaphorically and to illustrate, not as an attack against you in any way]

It's fine to be focused on what you need. Who is completing your product? If he gets hit by a bus, he's gone, that's a problem for you. Thing is, the customers are driving the bus. He can step out of the way of the bus and walk, or the customers can step on the brakes. It doesn't look like either of those is happening, what follows is pretty obvious.

p.s. I omitted any mention about the release, because I already know it will not turn any profit. He [and others] have been pretty clear about this.
p.p.s. I am assuming that it's not included in XenForo a la @Chris D. According to @Ashley, they have their hands full as it is.

 

[Alpha1]

It must have been hard enough to raise the money they did get for this.

Not really. People were and still are more than happy to pay for a reviews addon. A fully fledged reviews addon is practically a community monetizing platform. So investing in such brings income in return.
Especially for medium to big board owners its a no brainer to add a new income stream.

 

[cdub]

Not really. People were and still are more than happy to pay for a reviews addon. A fully fledged reviews addon is practically a community monetizing platform. So investing in such brings income in return.
Especially for medium to big board owners its a no brainer to add a new income stream.

Yes a reviews addon would be YUUUGE for my site.

 

[vbresults]

Not really. People were and still are more than happy to pay for a reviews addon. A fully fledged reviews addon is practically a community monetizing platform. So investing in such brings income in return.
Especially for medium to big board owners its a no brainer to add a new income stream.

Happy to pay what's convenient, or what's necessary? As I read now, Daniel is in the red for this project. There is hands down no doubt this is beneficial as you say, for customers.

 

[cdub]

As I read now, Daniel is in the red for this project.

The vast majority of people who manage and create forums are in the red too. You think I manage forums because it's hugely profitable? Ha! It pays for itself and a little more but that's about it.

XF is a hobby to a vast majority of people. A fun hobby. Sometimes a profitable hobby... but usually it's just the fun of creating a community that people find useful.

 

[Alpha1]

All options are being considered. One of various options considered is doing another group fund, but that's only possible if there is assurance that the project will be delivered. In the current situation trust is very low. And trust is vital. It would need a renowned senior developer for this to happen.

 

[Daniel Hood]

This is a debate we don't need to have though. Yes, if we talk about opportinity cost, I would have made more money thus far if I didn't take on this project. Jeff would have as well (even more). That is nobody's fault except our own though.

@Mike Edge I haven't taken you up on your offer because the droplet price isn't a huge concern so I haven't taken time to bother re organizing it. Quite frankly when I set it up its only going to cost $5/month if I don't take you up on your offer. I appreciate the offer and am likely to take it up on you, just saying why I'm dragging my feet on that. It's just not a top priority at the moment.

 

[vbresults]

The vast majority of people who manage and create forums are in the red too. You think I manage forums because it's hugely profitable? Ha! It pays for itself and a little more but that's about it.

XF is a hobby to a vast majority of people. A fun hobby. Sometimes a profitable hobby... but usually it's just the fun of creating a community that people find useful.

You've given me a valuable insight, I did not consider it from that perspective. I work with mostly businesses and profitable forums these days, majority vB, and the majority of xF clients are ones I moved, so it was not at the front of my mind that most xF admins are hobbyists, more so than vB due to the forum market and timing.

 

[eberkund]

@vbresults, Why are you repeatedly trying to derail this thread again with your nonsense? Everything that you said has all ready been discussed ad nauseum for the past several pages. Just when it looked like it was winding down after repeated requests from the project developers and site staff, you start it up again.

 

[cdub]

You've given me a valuable insight, I did not consider it from that perspective. I work with mostly businesses and profitable forums these days, majority vB, and the majority of xF clients are ones I moved, so it was not at the front of my mind that most xF admins are hobbyists, more so than vB due to the forum market and timing.

I don't know if the vast amount of them are hobbyists... I just know I am. Sure I'd love one day for it to grow bigger and it may... but currently it's a hobby that pays for itself.

 

[HWS]

because it's an obvious and massive, unprofitable time/money sink. As he said, this shouldn't have been taken on in the 1st place [math was and is bad for the dev].

This has already cashed in $6000. I don't think you are right with your opinion here. $6000 should be more than enough to code the first version of a decent review add-on.