From Infopop's newsletter:
We've begun working on a new message board product that will attempt to combine the strengths of both of our current downloadable message board products (UBB.classic and UBB.threads).
This new product, yet to be named, is being written in PHP and will run on a MySQL 4 database. It will replace both UBB.classic and UBB.threads and be Infopop's sole downloadable message board. UBB.classic and UBB.threads license-holders will be able to download the next generation product when it becomes available, so long as they have a current member area subscription for their product. We will also be ensuring that versions of UBB.classic and UBB.threads remain available in the member area well beyond the release date of the new product.
Finally, the new product is not simply an upgrade from UBB.classic and UBB.threads. This is an entirely new product and, as such, moving to it will require a data import from your existing message board. If you have a valid UBB.classic or UBB.threads license, however, you will not have to purchase a new license to use the new product!
Consolidating our development efforts on one downloadable message board should result in a better overall product, improved support, and faster development cycles. We'll release more details about the new product over the coming months, but the current projection is for a Spring 2005 release date.
To summarize:
-- The new product is being written in PHP, running on MySQL 4.
-- Your existing UBB.threads or UBB.classic license will apply to the new product.
-- New development on UBB.classic and UBB.threads will cease, with the exception of bug fixes.
-- Old versions of UBB.threads and UBB.classic will remain in the member area, even after the new product is released.
-- If you move from UBB.classic or UBB.threads to the new product, you will actually have to import your data to the new message board (it is not simply an upgrade). This means some settings/information from your current board may be lost (because not all of features/settings will be the same).
-- Release of the new product is not expected until Spring 2005.
So much for that "we'll be supporting UBB.classic for years to come". Might actually be a good thing, if they make the new product any good. UBB.classic's look and ease of use combined with a MySQL database. About time.
I just want to know if I'll be able to import my UBB.classic into it completely (polls 100% included). Otherwise it makes more sense to go with vB, I'm sure it'll be cheaper. Details, please, Charles! I want to know what will get imported, and what UBB.classic features we've grown used to, if any, will be lost.
P.S.
This product better look much better than UBB.threads, or you have little hope of getting any converts from us UBB.classic users.
So much for that "we'll be supporting UBB.classic for years to come".
We will. It'll still be in the Member Area, you can still get help for it. We won't be actively developing it, but you can sure get support for it.
As for the import process? We'll be more able to answer that when the importer has been started on. Right now we have nothing to import into.
Our goal, of course, is complete importation.
Some things won't come over in the same way, as the feature might be slightly different in the new product.
For example, it's likely that the new product will use topic-style private messages (like Classic), so for UBB.threads users, their standalone private messages will be imported into topics.
Other features might be removed or changed in some way as to make certain settings invalid (like the complexities involved in the Recent Visitors controls).
Porting the Classic model of private forum access - and password protected forums - is also going to be very interesting. We'll have to decide on either the express permission model or just shove everyone into a group upon import.
(I speak in generalities here not because I don't know what's going on, but because I don't want to give you guys information that may later become invalid.)
So is development of UBB.classic and threads officialy over now, and nothing new for these two will be released until the new product sees light of day?
Also, will this new product have a more competative price? Because php boards are a dime a dozen, most free even, and vB, the best one out there, is way, way cheaper than any UBB...
Development in terms of new features has stopped, yes. Any future releases will be for bugfixes only.
ok, so will I have to buy a new license to use this?
Oh, and will all the hacks I installed in my forum move over to the new version?
Originally posted by Ian Spence:
ok, so will I have to buy a new license to use this?
Ian, read the original announcement
If you have a valid UBB.classic or UBB.threads license, however, you will not have to purchase a new license to use the new product!No, none of the hacks you have added to your perl based UBB.classic will carry over to your php based board.
Well, then again, anything you do wouldn't surprise me in the least, so I'll answer with "probably not easily"
Yey, now Ian has to learn more php :x...
Can't wait to play with the new code
oh yeah... if we get to vote for a new name, I vote for: ubb.über
mebbe: ubb.über v4.7
"Gizmo was here" sounds peachy... But then again just "UBB" works
I vote for "Ultimate Bulletin Board" or "UBB"
UBB.classicthreads
UBB.phpmysql
UBB.thefinalsolution
UBB.whodathunkit
First of all, I would like to say hi to everyone!
This is a step in the right direction for Infopop but I would like to list a few suggestions:
1. Coding:
The most critical shortcoming of UBB.classic is the code base. It is messy, cluttered and unorganized and although Charles did an excellent job refactoring and enhancing it, it still suffers from it's original code base.
I believe that the development team should spend a good time designing the software because the more you design now, the less you have to code later. Maybe something like MVC design pattern should help. There is no need to rush.
Also, some competitors fell into the trap of using OO syntax with function-oriented approach. So be aware
BTW, are you guys considering using PHP5 features?
2. Features:
Despite the fact that UBB.classic is outperformed in terms of features and performance by many competitors, it has features that non of them has: professional-looking interface, balanced feature set and an easy to use Admin CP. I believe that the new product should concentrate on having a good balance between features and usability.
3. Price:
As Gladius said, the price should be reconsidered as most competitors are cheaper than the current price points of UBB products.
Imaage ideas:
Note that none of these images are official, and are only my ideas of what Infopop should consider.
These image ideas are based on my former ideas for UBB.threads 7.0, but modified to keep UBB.classic users happy. Note that I also removed the subforums from my forum index idea.
Originally posted by JB007:
3. Price:
As Gladius said, the price should be reconsidered as most competitors are cheaper than the current price points of UBB products.
The price never really bothered me; I mean we're paying for the time and effort of the coding team to do what they do best; code. Granted it is a bit pricy they are quality products.
Pink Jazz, no offense but that's a little too "threadish" for my liking... The classic UI IMHO looks about 900% better than threads.
All I can say for "colors" in posts; I pray we have a way to disable it... Last thing i want is to visit my dark blue board and see a red post lol...
The search itself doesn't look half bad, but I keep staring at the menu system for threads; I never really liked it; classic does it fairly clean and one gets used to it; I hope that if they go to threads way of viewing things that we have an option to choose between them...
The userlist, not bad; however it looks like every-other "userlist" out there (look at PostNuke and PHPNuke for example.
I must say, I do like the My.UBB Home (I made a name! My.UBB! it'll never be used, but still
)...
The new model isn't traditional MVC, but there is a clear line between the templates, the code, and the database bits.
The new codebase is mostly function-based rather than OO. OO isn't practical in PHP4. Which answers the next question.
I'll remain silent on the rest.
Wow, good to hear that
About OO in PHP4, I would have to agree but I've seen an open source application called Plog which incidently is a blogging application, it is bloody well written in a style similar to Java Struts and makes full use of OO programming.
Anyway, as long as there's a good sense of organization - whether OO or not - I'll be happy
Good luck
UBB.1337
Some of that stuff is pretty good, PinkJazz.
To be fair, I had to include elements of Classic, Threads, and eve. Whlie most people prefer the UBB.classic look over UBB.threads, there are those who prefer the look of UBB.threads. For modernization, I included elements of eve (such as those dynamic drop down menus).
True, but they're trying to replicate classic's look.
Also, while I am one of the one's who love Eve's javascript menus, I strongly doubt they will be included in UBB.1337. Well, at least some of my hacks can be carried over.
I do really like the main page of the user list.
Allright, it's official: The name is going to be:
UBB: The Two Towers
I can't wait to see the finished product!
oooh, purdy... now to login...
UBB.extreme
I was just getting used to PERL, now I have to learn about PHP and mySQL.
It's not like PHP is difficult or anything
Originally posted by JB007:
Allright, it's official: The name is going to be:
UBB: The Two Towers
UBB: The Return of the King sounds better.
"UBB: We where here first"
How about blUBBer since it ain't worth fightin over? (OK, I got kids...so what!)
Seriously...the moniker NG has been popular with my company (Next Generation). I've always thought it was overused but UBB.NG has a ring don't you think?
Or how about UBB.Forum...Not to put too fine a point on it...
I'm still a fan of stipping a subname and just having it "UBB"; it's what it was in the first place lol
My first message here!
I think "UBB" is the best name; it is simple, it is clear and it is so powerful that it would make the other forum coders say "Oh no, again UBB!!!".
Now to attatch two huge monster feet, an earthquake generator, and a soundbox capable of outputting "GRAWR"
Ok, so here is my delima...
My license expires this fall, yet I don't seem to be able to purchase an upgrade anymore. Have they cancelled new purchases pending the new software, or are they just temporarily not selling them for some reason?
The ordering system should be completely uneffected, other than the current Member Area renewal sale. Please open a support ticket and explain there the exact nature of the problems you're encountering.
Yikes and a ***BIG GULP***
I get nervous whenever I upgrade my board ... I can't imagine how I'll be to do a conversion to an entirely different kind of board!
But I'll say this--if this new board will relieve some of the stress that the current UBB.classic can place on a server, I'm all for it.
just make sure you get your host to increase the timeout during the upgrade like it did last time
The last UBB I downloaded was version 5.. I hope I can still renew my account.. Anyways, I agree with the name "UBB". Ultimate Bulletin Board.. Why anything else?
Licenses are indefinate, only member area access expires; which can always be renewed with a valid license.
THAT'S what I want to know about... I JUST purchased a lifetime UBB Member Area/License deal within the last year, and I am wondering if BOTH the license AND the support will carry over...
Thanks,
Clay
PS - I think the DB backend and new codebase will be a killer combo!
quote:
THAT'S what I want to know about... I JUST purchased a lifetime UBB Member Area/License deal within the last year, and I am wondering if BOTH the license AND the support will carry over...
Both will.
Originally posted by LK:
I vote for "Ultimate Bulletin Board" or "UBB"
I do too. Nothings better than UBB Clasic. Now, Infopop has yet to prove me wrong, before I change my board over.eh? And, I hate PHPBB had so much troubble with that board.
However, Infopop going to something php? That is bound to be better than stupid other php boards out there!
Now, there's just one thing I want on the new product. That is an admin and moderator cpanel links that appear (only) under a member account that is set up as an admin level rank or moderator ranks.
My Phpbb board had a link to the admin panel that appeared (only) for those who were set as admin level rank members. Thats something my UBB Classic does not have : :rolleyes:
Let's have stuff like this on the new product. Also what's with not being able to hide the forums from guest, and members accept only being able to restrict access via password? That is something I want to see changed in the new Infopop build of php type product before I chage over. Just something to think about!!
"Now, there's just one thing I want on the new product. That is an admin and moderator cpanel links that appear (only) under a member account that is set up as an admin level rank or moderator ranks."
Ok. Done. That was easy.
" Also what's with not being able to hide the forums from guest"
Ok. Done.
You'll want to check out the .threads feature list. Remember this product is a merger of all that's good in both .classic and threads.
A lot of the stuff you're looking for is already acounted for.
Here is what else I have thought about for the new product. On my phpbb board I used to run, I had away to set up usergroups and set permissions of indivual forums via usergroups.
For example: My usergroup "Global Moderators" was set as a moderator of each forum. This meant that anyone who was a member of that group could moderate any forum in the board.
There are a lot of features in phpbb I miss that I do not have the use of in UBB Classic 6.7.2
There isn't a "user groups" feature for the UBB; however there is a Global Moderators (MegaModerators) modification located in the mod forum.
Also, if you need a feature, file a request.
Originally posted by Gizzy:
There isn't a "user groups" feature for the UBB; however there is a Global Moderators (MegaModerators) modification located in the mod forum.
Also, if you need a feature, file a request.
What mod forum? I dont have a mod forum or an admin forum in this new UBB Board of mine. However i can create these two forums on the new board.
What I am talking about is the usergroups permissions feature to be set as mod of any forum or forums I choose. It would enable me to add new members to the group and their permissions will be updated via the usergroups persmissions set up.
He was asking about the new software, which will have user groups, as threads currently has it.
Ahh, I was talking about THIS software (UBB.Classic 6.7.2) in the UBBDev mod forum has a modification for Global Moderators.
As for features of the new product, as Charles stated, if it's in either of the two downloadable products (UBB.Classic or UBB.Threads) it should make it into the new product (so long as it doesn't break cache).
I don't believe that they're focusing on any "new" features for the first release of new product, so if it's not a feature now it'd probably be unlikely to be one.
But as Ian stated, it's in Threads so it should be in new product.
Yes, Devin, it's already in threads, so it'll be in the new product as well.
Gee, that was so easy.
Originally posted by navaho:
Yes, Devin, it's already in threads, so it'll be in the new product as well.
Gee, that was so easy.
Good News then I will most likely upgrade to the new product then if I can have all of the cool stuff that threads has plus the totally awsome customizable features that UBB Classic has!
Yeh, should be good times for all when the new product comes out; I can't wait
.
Anyone have an update or more specific release date?
It's awesome and Spring 2005
I searched but couldn't find and info on new webhost requirements (in addition to PHP4 and MySQL4).
Will it be significantly different?
Will it cost more assuming full transfer of all threads?
It's a cross between Threads and Classic. It won't be any more different than Threads is to Classic.
It will probably cost more, although any current owner of a license will already have a license for the new software.
Thanks Ian, but I was referring to webhosting costs
As long as your host meets the requirements (PHP 4.3+, MySQL4.0+), there should be no other costs involved on that side.
Will this new UBB be able to compete with vB3 and IPB2? Will it be resonably priced? If the answers to those questions are yes and UBB is making a long awaited comback, then as soon as it is out I will gladly switch over from my vB to UBB because I have always liked UBB but I thought you guys were done and out, especialy when you came out with that eve crap and I thought that was your next big thing, those hosting options are the most ridiculously over priced hosting options I have ever seen in my life. I dont care if they came with UBB.x the prices were outrageous. UBB.classic and UBB.threads are both over priced considering they can barely compeat with phpBB let alone vBulletin and IPB. I cant wait to see what you guys come up with hopfuly it will bring UBB back to the top
Originally posted by Staticfire.:
Will this new UBB be able to compete with vB3 and IPB2? Will it be resonably priced? If the answers to those questions are yes and UBB is making a long awaited comback, then as soon as it is out I will gladly switch over from my vB to UBB because I have always liked UBB but I thought you guys were done and out, especialy when you came out with that eve crap and I thought that was your next big thing, those hosting options are the most ridiculously over priced hosting options I have ever seen in my life. I dont care if they came with UBB.x the prices were outrageous. UBB.classic and UBB.threads are both over priced considering they can barely compeat with phpBB let alone vBulletin and IPB. I cant wait to see what you guys come up with hopfuly it will bring UBB back to the top
Unfortunately, I belive it will be about the same price as Threads. But remember: QUALITY OVER QUANTITY!
we have no information on this yet. It could very well be aligned on the price of ubb.classic or even cheaper in order to compete head to head with vb.
One thing we can count on is our licenses for both products being able to be converted to the new product without any additional charge.
This means that if you have a license with either product that you'll be able to just pay a member area renewal to download the new product (from what I got out of the anouncement anyway).
Thats very disapointing...still I imagin it's January and demos of this new product should be released soon so, when they are I guess that will be the deciding factor if I switch to UBB. I rember that before I learned webdesign and coding I loved UBB forums. Once I had learned webdesign and coding eveyone I asked had instructed me that UBB was unreasonably expensive, blew and was no longer the top forum softwear and to either go with IPB or vB and I went with vB.
Well, I figure it like this; you get a base package from Infopop and you can apply modifications to it with the large community here at UBBDev... No feature? ask for a mod
... Heck, that's how some mod's make it as a feature...
Are any of the betas on the web yet for us to see and play with?
I couldn't wait and made the switch to VB. I'm a long time supporter of UBB.Classic ever since version 5.x came out. I upgraded to 6.5 when it came out, was planning to do a 6.7 upgrade but waited until the smilie mod to come out and upgrade. The mod showed up on UBBDev, but it was an incorrect link, so I PM'ed one of the staff members and posted in the thread to ask for the correct link. No one replied to my post or PM (PM was read BTW), and I waited for months. I really hope you guys can come up with something good, because VB is years and years ahead of UBB from what I can see.
Originally posted by Neptin:
Are any of the betas on the web yet for us to see and play with?
None have reared up yet, keep an eye at UBBDev you may see a few things popup
.
Originally posted by Vtec44:
[qb]
I couldn't wait and made the switch to VB. I'm a long time supporter of UBB.Classic ever since version 5.x came out. I upgraded to 6.5 when it came out, was planning to do a 6.7 upgrade but waited until the smilie mod to come out and upgrade. The mod showed up on UBBDev, but it was an incorrect link, so I PM'ed one of the staff members and posted in the thread to ask for the correctly. No one replied to my post or PM (PM was read BTW), and I waited for months. I really hope you guys can come up with something good, because VB is years and years ahead of UBB from what I can see.
[/qb]
I love the UBB, it's easy to mod and most requests posted to the requests forum are looked at by more than one person; I just wish i had the cash for another license for one of my other sites
Steven replied to my post on Infopop Nation that the next-gen product is in private beta currently. "Private beta," I would assume, entails the number of people who are allowed to download and install the product. But the whole point of a beta is to get it tested by a decent number of people...
So...
Does anyone have a viewable site running from the next-gen product yet? Can you provide links to said site?
My users are starting to demand that I move away from Eve because of the slowness (no matter how much I personally may like it), so I need to start thinking about alternatives. And I'm hoping the next-gen downloadable will be my solution. So if anyone's got a site I can look at just for a basic overview of the script, I would greatly appreciate it.
EDIT: I was impatient and didn't read the few recent posts about the same question. Sorry. You'd think having as many posts as I do would automatically preclude me from making n00b mistakes like that. Apparently not.
Anyhoo... if anything's changed since the last time someone asked for a demo site... you know what to do.
---Jamin
Wow... apparently my post has been deleted from Infopop Nation. God forbid I mention the fact that my users think Eve is slow. Even with that whole paragraph about how much I personally love Infopop, too.
I'm so glad I got a warning and all. (Oh, wait, I didn't...)
I'm really not sure what to say at this point.
I guess this sorta says something about my loyalty to Infopop...
---Jamin
According to the Infopop News Letter there is a "feature complete" date towards the end of March. As for Private Beta think of it as an alpha period to assist in coding of the overall project (finding bugs, requesting updates etc).
At this time there are 0 public beta boards to tinker with; however, some of them will be:
http://www.undergroundnews.com/ http://www.ianspence.com/ http://www.nightly.net/
and possibly flave?
you mean flare
oh, did they change their logo?
I've been using vBulletin for so long now.. I think Infopop starting thinking about too many different things to maintain their lead. They started it all.. I hope they come back with another great product...
Hey Sal
How are the 80's treating you?
Hi Allen! Oh, God.. There's so much drama there.. The site is still doing well, but my new baby is the Cadillac site.. Boy, did that thing take off like a rocket.. Otherwise.. You're the only reason I stuck with UBB for so long when I did.. You made my boring message board something very interesting.. Thank you.
You're welcome
Good to see you around, come see us again in a couple months when we have something to show off
I'll be waiting.. I signed up to be a beta tester but somebody went insane and decided not to get back to me. heh. I've only been using these message boards since the mid 80s. (Yes, before the internet as we know it)
I've been watching this Next Gen thing rather intensely for a while now, and it's very exciting!
Maybe someone can clear up one question I have... I know a lot is still up in the air, but if "feature complete" is supposed to be near the end of March, what would that mean exactly? Public beta? Or should we expect to wait into April or beyond for a public beta?
I know private beta is going on now, and it's great to know that bugs are being worked out, but even though I've been keeping an eye on the private beta sites I know of, I still haven't managed even a tiny peek at anything NG. Should we expect something to "pop up" (in unfinished form) before the end of March, or am I getting this all backwards?
I'm fine with being patient, just want to get a better handle on what sort of timeline we're looking at.
quote:
...but even though I've been keeping an eye on the private beta sites I know of, I still haven't managed even a tiny peek at anything NG.
It's housed in an underground facility. You wont be seeing it until public beta at the soonest. Heck, just the other day a photographer was trying to take pictures and Capps shot him dead.
That Capps... you gotta be careful around that dude... he broke my arm one time for trying to get a picture of Infopop's top-secret next-gen graemlin technology.
I KNOW YOU HAVE IT, INFOPOP!!! I WILL NOT REST UNTIL GRAEMLINS 2.0 IS MINE!!!
---Jamin
*evil, bone-chilling cackle*
:puts feather away: it wasn't me!
Is this product still to be released in the spring? Any place we can go to read more information? Anyone testing the product current? Will it be cheaper?
So many questions....So many questions...
I will be looking forward to it..
Will it be released in the spring: As far as I know
Anwhere we can go to read more info: There is an announcement at UBBCentral about the new product, nothing has been said since then.
Anyone testing the product: There is a beta team.
Will it be cheaper: If I told you I'd have to kill you.
I don't think it's going to be released until "next generation".
Is there any way to be automatically notified when this new product is ready? I'd like to be amongst the first to run it.
We'll most likely send out an email to the members here, that should do it for anyone who accepts email from the site
I want to see some screen shots! or beta sites!
Thanks. Back to your regularly scheduled flogging.
Originally posted by PhillipBurum:
I want to see some screen shots! or beta sites!
Thanks. Back to your regularly scheduled flogging.
I can guarentee you that there are none of either lol
Please... for the love of everything sacred and holy... give us SOMETHING! Give us a screenshot. Give us a release date. Give us access to just ONE beta demo site. I don't care. Just give us ANYTHING!
I read in Infopop's (and/or Groupee's [*shudder*]) May newsletter that the NGP is behind schedule. This makes me sad. You have no idea how much I loathe PunBB. I originally moved away from Eve, and into PunBB, hoping that it would be a temporary thing, maybe a month or so until the NGP came out. But I absolutely hate PunBB, and I hate it more and more as I continue to use it. I really don't like phpBB. I really don't like Phorums. And I really don't like any of the other freebie forum packages.
It is this sheer hatred of PunBB that is giving me thoughts of... *gasp*... buying a vB license. Or even IPB, God help me. They're pretty. They seem (from the limited amount I've been able to see them on other sites) relatively easy to customize. They've got fairly big development/modding communities. And more importantly, they are available NOW, which means they would allow me to instantly rid myself of the horrible scourge to the forums market that is PunBB.
Seriously. Infopop. Groupee. Whatever you want to be called now. Just give us SOMETHING. Something to reassure me that I won't be disappointed after waiting this long, and suffering through PunBB for this long. That's all I ask. I really don't know how much longer I can deal with PunBB... even vBulletin is looking better than that...
---Jamin
Look at threads... look at classic... look at eve... now combine and swig back some vodka and there is NG
hehe, I don't think the beta team has rec'd copies of the new stuff to upload, hence the 'we're behind' speech
www.ianspence.com will probably be the first place to see it in action.
Anybody that'd use software named punbb really deserves a lotta misery. I've never even heard of it
Why didn't you just move back to threads? Wouldn't have been that difficult to import and make pretty (yes, it can be made to look pretty, just not in its stock form
). Would be nice to be given the next estimated time of release instead of just "we're behind schedule".
As previously stated (in a few forums) some beta sites are:
www.undergroundnews.com www.ianspence.com www.nightly.net just to name a few... None of the beta testers have open beta boards up
well there you go
Originally posted by AllenAyres:
Anybody that'd use software named punbb really deserves a lotta misery. I've never even heard of it
Why didn't you just move back to threads? Wouldn't have been that difficult to import and make pretty (yes, it can be made to look pretty, just not in its stock form
). Would be nice to be given the next estimated time of release instead of just "we're behind schedule".
In retrospect, I should have moved back to Threads. But several of my forum members used PunBB, and recommended it. On paper, it's actually not a half bad system... in practice, though, it's retarded. Sorta like communism.
At any rate, if this development stall continues much longer, I'll probably switch to Threads, as soon as I get the time to write my own import script. Took me HOURS to pull all my content out of Eve and into PunBB. Had to write my own script and all, gigantic pain in the hind quarters. Actually, on a side note, my membership expired before 6.5 was out, so the newest one I've got is 6.4, before the importer was added. So it probably would have taken just as long to import to Threads from Eve, too. Oh well. Lesson learned.
---Jamin
At this point, I'd just like to hear something - anything - to give us an idea of when we should expect the new product. The last newsletter left me more confused than ever.
I'm sure all of us understand that delays happen and programs don't always run the way we expect them to. But I've got multiple systems waiting for a PHP-based board before I can put them online. If it's going to be months before it's ready, I'd like to know that so I can consider other options (Threads, etc.) and go ahead and get the rest working. On the other hand, if it's just around the corner, it seems pointless to move everything over to Threads or another option only to turn around and do it all again.
Know what I mean?
it's not just around the corner, I can guarantee that
Agreed with Ian, it's a ways off before we expect to have our beta sites up.
I'd reccommend that you sign up for threads; afterall the license conversion to the new product for current licenses should (keyword should) be free. Additionally I'd also reccommend purchasing a license now rather than waiting for NG to come out...
Well, I don't mind making the conversion now and then upgrading to NG later on if you think that would be the best option. I'm really entirely unfamiliar with Threads, though... how close can I get to making Threads emulate Classic, so I don't have to shake up my users too much by constantly changing things around? Can anyone tell me any major features I'm going to lose by making the switch (or a place to look for that info)?
I realize these are questions that have been asked before, but I've done a bunch of digging both here and at ThreadsDev and can't seem to find any recent comparisons of the products. The old "comparison page" people have linked to in other threads doesn't seem to exist anymore, and Infopop/Groupee's current comparison page is entirely unhelpful. But I know that some people here (*cough*Gizzy*cough*) have expressed their love for Classic over Threads, so I'm wondering how much I'm going to lose (other than user interface changes) by making that switch now.
Also, Threads can import from Classic, right?
Thanks in advance, guys.
The importer in Classic/Threads should allow for a smooth migration.
And yes, as everyone well knows, I have a total undying hatred for threads
... I'd immagine with some boredom and html knowledge that anyone could hack up the threads templates (not to mention CSS code) to look like classic.
Bottom line, if you have enough threads/members that you NEED a PHP/MySQL solution; by all means, go to threads... At least you'll experiance the fun of modding away a fresh install again (which I haven't seen since UBB.Classic 6.5 due to Beyond Compare)...
threads imports well from classic
Other than interface changes (and there are some, but there's a few mods at threadsdev that helps a bit), there really isn't a whole lot different feature-wise that's major. You can hide forums from those who don't have access (admin forums from general users), and there's "page views" on topics and a calendar, but not much else, Charles has done a good job of adding features to classic over the last few years.
Up to you, but if you're looking for a php/mysql solution until the next generation is out, threads will do the job well
I guess threads shares the same dislike of me that I share for it....
Well, I've made the switch to Threads, and I've been wasting my life hacking away at it to make it more Classic-like... but, to be honest, it's really growing on me.
No small part of that is probably due to the fact that I despise Perl and adore PHP...
Thanks for the suggestion, guys. I'm actually pretty happy with this change, and it will help tide me over while NG is going through beta testing.
I made some ubb.classic skin posting page templates (which to me is the biggest shock to new threads users) at threadsdev, feel free to try them out, they're just an upload and run mod
Here we are in July with my membership renewal eight months behind me (just to get a copy of this new product).
Where does development stand with it as of now?
I would keep watching the newsletter, and the
UBBCentral News Forum in addition to here.
I am super impatient right now, I shut down my site to wait for the NG and to re-design it. I was told within the beginning of the new year the last time I spoke to groupee.
Does anyone have anything at all?
I wouldn't go shutting down your site and waiting; never know when a development hurtle can be set; your best bet is keeping your site alive, commiting suicide is never an answer...
It wasn't that I committed suicide to my site, its that I had a run-in with my co-admin who was in major conflict with me in how to run the message board. So I decided to wait for NG to restart the boards again.
Now I have to wait.. and wait.. and wait.. it really bites.
I'd tell him to leave your .classic forum up until NG is released; else theres always a
roshambo method
...
I'm in the process of refreshing the entire forums and starting over without him, saving half the members I had who I think won't outright leave. Twice I've been screwed over, I won't let anyone else have that much access to my board again.
The other worries I have is installing the spellcheck and a points hack into the board then not being able to upgrade to the NG without messing everything up and having to do it all over again.
NG will use the import/export function built into classic; this function only takes nessessary data from the member and thread files.
Will it also import the actual forums, forum names, and permissions settings for those forums that are in the UBB Classic? Or will the new Ultimate php product require you to rebuild your own forum index manually by creating the idential forums that your UBB classic has, before these import features for the threads data files can be imported?
No information on that has been posted publicly so I have no clue...
Your best bet however is to believe that Infopop will make everything as easy as possible for users to upgrade to the new product.
Of course
Upgrading will be like butta
:tap: :tap: :tap:
is this thing on?
It hasn't been for a while
Charles Capps leaves Infopop (now Groupee), oh my god, thats not good news for the new product I think....
I needed a change of pace, that's all. I made sure to pick a time to leave that wouldn't damage the project.
I'll still be around on UBBCentral, and around here. I'm even going back to hacking on Classic again.
Hi Charles, thanks for the info...
... thats good news for all Classic Fans
Thank you CC! Your work on .classic will go down in the history books of forum development. The best of luck to you in whatever you do next. I know you will be an asset to whoever gets you next.
James
So us beta testers were told that they'd, "...be contacting [us] in the next week..." with details. This was about 11 days ago. Perhaps they have contacted us via email and something happened to mine? Have any of my fellow beta testers heard anything? Just want to make sure I haven't missed something.
I'm in the same boat i was last month
My account over yonder has been suspended... please tell me they did that to everyone's.
I accessed the member's area just a couple hours ago.
I'm referring to the Beta Testers' little space on the Web.
Okay... nevermind... I found out why... and it's a huge pile of BS if you ask me...
quote:
Hello, Josh:
I refer you to the Software Beta Tester Nondisclosure Agreement
between you and Groupee, Inc. (formerly Infopop Corporation).
Section 3 (Software a Trade Secret) specifically states that you are
to act in the strictest confidence with regard to ANY information
related to the software, or the testing thereof. Your latest post on
UBBDev revealed information about timing that was confidential
outside of the beta tester's group. As a result of that post,
Groupee, Inc. hereby terminates the Agreement, effectively removing
you from the beta testing group.
I have removed your access to the beta site, effective immediately.
Thank you,
David Dreezer
Groupee, Inc.
Here I am, a UBB user since 2000. I participate in supporting other UBB users at ThreadsDev and UBBDev by answering questions, helping with other UBB sites, and writing code modifications. I volunteer my free-time to help them beta test their new product, and stay true to them, never once turning to another product. I have kept my board on hold for years waiting for them. I ask an innocent question here, since it my only form of contact since the Beta Site was closed. My intentions were honorable.
And now this? This is how they treat me? Stating that they said they'd contact us in a week is NOT detrimental to their project in the least.
Don't feel bad. Back in the 6.1 days I was a beta tester and found myself "removed" without any warning or notice. All I can say is it just gave me more time to devote to other interests.
For those who missed the Annoucement at UBBCentral, or the monthly newsletter, there is a Public Test site for Threads 7.
http://www.ubbcentral.com/version7/ubbthreads.php Take it for a test drive today!
I'm confused as to whether Threads 7 is the NG product. I know they are stopping support of Classic per the June newsletter and we can download Threads from the member area, but it this the total path choice? Must not be if there is a beta for something else??
Reading back in the last 3 pages of this thread answers my question, but what if we camp on classic and wait for NG? If our membership is paid up for years, even if we don't download threads, will we still get migration to NG whenever?
Threads 7 is the replacement for both classic and threads. The licensing has been unified, and you will be able to download Threads 7 when it is released, as long as your Member's Area is current.
Just to clarify, in simple terms... UBB.Threads 7 = UBB.NG.
That is what I was thinking at first was that it was NG but then some of the posts made it sound like it wasn't out yet. Think I will download and mess around with it then. Thanks, guys.
It's not out yet
When you go to the member's area you have threads 6.5.5 and classic 6.7.3 available
Public Beta of Threads7 is schedualed for around June 15th.
For those watching for the Pubilc Beta, keep your eyes on
http://www.ubbcentral.com/version7/ubbthreads.php/ubb/postlist/Board/1 for the announcement.