Why the Ubuntu Forums use VBulletin

[Xbot]

Just wondering: Why are these forums using vBulletin? I mean seriously, this is an open source project isn't it? It's LINUX. You're using a commerical product for discussion [-X


Maybe phpbb would be better?

[Xian]

FYI: This has been discussed previously (http://www.ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?p=5088&highlight=phpbb#post5088).

[az]

The correct word is proprietary.

FLOSS can be commercial. Just like you can give away proprietary software. It is proprietary because you do not get the source, nor could you change itif you did.


Not that I want to continue this here. The point has been brought up in other threads. It is just important to use the proper terminology, especially when advocating free software.

[Xbot]

The correct word is proprietary.

FLOSS can be commercial. Just like you can give away proprietary software. It is proprietary because you do not get the source, nor could you change itif you did.


Not that I want to continue this here. The point has been brought up in other threads. It is just important to use the proper terminology, especially when advocating free software.
Okay then, proprietary ;)

The reasons in the linked thread are fairly good, but I do think you should stick with this theme. It fits well with the rest of the site, I think.

[az]

Regarding licencing and vbulletin:
http://www.ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=23695

[vyruss]

vBulletin is proprietary software. That is not bad per se and, don't get me wrong, it's beautiful & useful, but my question is:

Why isn't Canonical supporting open-source software (at least in this case) ?

[nocturn]

vBulletin is proprietary software. That is not bad per se and, don't get me wrong, it's beautiful & useful, but my question is:

Why isn't Canonical supporting open-source software (at least in this case) ?

Ubuntuforums is not being run by canonical. It was started by ubuntu-geek using his own money.

[Sirin]

vBulletin is proprietary software. That is not bad per se and, don't get me wrong, it's beautiful & useful, but my question is:

Why isn't Canonical supporting open-source software (at least in this case) ?

Ubuntuforums is not being run by canonical. It was started by ubuntu-geek using his own money. In fact, it is being run on completely different servers. These are just forums to provide support for the Ubuntu community. It's a contribution by ubuntu-geek. Same with Kubuntuforums (http://kubuntuforums.net/). ;)

[az]

It is a web service. It is not running on your computer, so however it is licenced, it does not involve the user. Like google, ebay, Launchpad or yahoo.

Now, if you want to read something interesting, google affero-gpl. It is athe GPL with a clause to cover end-users of web services.

[vyruss]

OK my bad :)

Thanks for your answer, I had no intention to flame!

[MikeSTL]

Just curious...why do the Ubuntu forums run on a software package that is non-free? From what I see on vBulletins website, it costs $160 a year to use. It would be more in the spirit of free software that Ubuntu seems devoted to (no non-free stuff in the distro) to use something else. PHPBB, etc.

Not trying to raise any hackles, just a question.

Mike

[Sheinar]

I've actually wondered that since I first came to the forums.

I'm sure there's a good and logical explanation, though, yeah, I'd like to know too.

[BWF89]

I brought this up awhile ago and everyone responded by saying that we should use what's best instead of whats is open source.

[bored2k]

The reason is explained here: http://www.ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=23695&highlight=vbulletin

[PrimoTurbo]

vBulletin is such a rip off you have to buy a license and pay extra for phone support, it's not that expensive but why use proprietary software when you can support an opensource project like phpbb?

http://www.vbulletin.com/order/

$160.00 each - vBulletin (Owned License)
The owned vBulletin Forum license allows you to run the software on your site indefinitely. Along with this license, you will receive one year of free updates. Beyond the first year, you will have to pay a nominal fee, currently $30, to obtain updates for an additional year.

This license includes free email and forum support. Phone Support is not included in the license price but may be purchased for an additional cost either at the time of initial purchase, or afterwards through the members' area.

$85.00 each - vBulletin (Leased License)
The leased vBulletin Forum license allows you to use the software on your site for 1 year and gives you access to products updates for that year. After 1 year, you must renew your license or remove the software from your site.

This license includes free email and forum support. Phone Support is not included in the license price but may be purchased for an additional cost either at the time of initial purchase, or afterwards through the members' area.

Ubuntu Forums should switch to phpBB there is most likely a way to even convert the member's database. phpBB (http://www.phpbb.com) is an opensource solution and it's free, or use anything else that's free and opensource there are various less known ones that have a lot of great features.

[YourSurrogateGod]

This subject has been discussed already before, please search this forum for it.

[aysiu]

This subject has been discussed already before, please search this forum for it. For example, this thread (http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=169226).

[PrimoTurbo]

The general argument is "oh it has better features", the truth is that phpbb is far more customizable and has so many themes and hacks which can be implemented over time. Any feature for vBulletin can be made in phpbb, or use an existing mod. It will take a week to setup at most.

It’s sort of the same argument for using propriety software all together. Windows has better driver support then most Linux distributions can dream of, yet we choose to run Ubuntu/Linux partly because of the principal and also because users can help develop it if they wish.

[briancurtin]

close this thread

[n3tfury]

For example, this thread (http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=169226).

don't forget THIS thread.

[PrimoTurbo]

close this thread

So much for freedom.

its not strange at all...

what works is what works.

...

[YourSurrogateGod]

close this thread
I second that.

[PrimoTurbo]

Merge it maybe?

[briancurtin]

So much for freedom.
so much for searching the forums

[YourSurrogateGod]

So much for freedom.
Well, if you come to these forums as often as I do, seeing these types of threads pop-up anew over and over get pretty old quickly. I have nothing against others discuss this issue, but keep it all in one thread please.

[briancurtin]

its not strange at all...

what works is what works.
...

what does that have to do with anything?

[nalmeth]

I agree that it is a paradox for anything ubuntu to be straight up proprietary. Also I have no attachment to vBulletin, though I don't hate it or anything. It seems to do the job, but I like the open source idea. It fit's better altogether.

I don't agree that this has gotten so old that we have pout and whine when someone brings it up. I have seen 2 new threads (including this one) about this subject since the original, and didn't post in either of them. Not a big deal.

If you're annoyed, post the relevant link's, as some have done. Or, ... ignore it???

[WildTangent]

Another week, another "Why vBulletin?" thread...](*,)

Seriously...why break what's not broken. phpBB would crumble under the traffic this site recieves.

-Wild

[YourSurrogateGod]

People need stop being such zealots. So what if there's closed-source?

[aysiu]

People need stop being such zealots. So what if there's closed-source? I'll repeat what I said in the last "vBulletin is proprietary" thread:

I hope anyone who feels like judging Canonical or the Ubuntu Forums for using proprietary software is part of the 4% of users here who have completely Free Ubuntu installations. (http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=95718)

[nalmeth]

but vBulletin is completely non-free. It's not free with non-free components.
I see the point you make, and I can't claim to be one of the 4%, as I like to watch video's on my computer.
But just because not everyone's operating system is completely Stallman approved doesn't mean they can't question ubuntuforums using proprietary software.
People use the non-free stuff because they want to be able to have an OS replacement.
It's altogether different than what people might see as an affiliated organization with Ubuntu using non-free software, and the direct paradox it creates.
I wonder how many of those 4% also own a windows computer?

[Iandefor]

Well, it's not like the forums are administered by Canonical.

I'm surprised we keep getting vBulletin crap when the more directly proprietary product associated with Ubuntu is Launchpad.

[briancurtin]

exactly, Iandefor. i dont think people realize that this site isnt a canonical site

[PrimoTurbo]

I'll repeat what I said in the last "vBulletin is proprietary" thread:

I hope anyone who feels like judging Canonical or the Ubuntu Forums for using proprietary software is part of the 4% of users here who have completely Free Ubuntu installations. (http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=95718)
What does that have to do with anything? We are talking about a company that claims they are for the development and support of opensource while the suposedly official forums aren't even using an opensource forum...

Front page of Canonical (http://www.canonical.com) claims the following.

Canonical Ltd. is committed to the development,distribution and promotion of open source software products, and to providing tools and support to the open source community.

Also I would like to remind you that if Ubuntu is going to be a serious distribution and are committed then they have to take steps toward at least incorporating open source, otherwise don’t claim that you are committed to open source and might as well start including proprietary stuff!

I don’t mind if vBulletin is used as long as the open source alternatives have been exhausted, but I know from experience that phpbb is on par if not better then vBulletin and is able to provide everything that vBulletin can with mods and or even your own modifications.

Also nearly all excuses about using vBulletin, “It works” “Don’t be a zealot” “It’s not entirely closed source” (Which btw it pretty much is since you cannot redistribute), etc is exactly the same arguments used for using Windows. Not only should this be about the overall principle but there are numerous open source alternatives that can do the same job, why not use them for FREE?..

I would love to hear an official explanation…

[aysiu]

What does this have to do with anything? Canonical Ltd. is committed to the development,distribution and promotion of open source software products, and to providing tools and support to the open source community. It says

development
distribution
promotion

It does not say exclusive use of by Canonical and all its affiliates.

[PrimoTurbo]

Of course not because in certain cases propriety is the only possible way to go, but there is an obvious good alternative and more then one I may add…

Anyone commitment to development, distribution and promotion of open source should at least be trying to use open source. It’s a contradiction.

[aysiu]

I guess you didn't read the other thread I linked to?

The reason they run it is because the software does what the admins want, and does it well.

Doing a good job, or creating a good product is always worthy to be rewarded. To add to that, it is also the software that the admin knew how to use already, so instead of learning something else he just used this. UbuntuGeek is looking into alternatives now because Vbulletin is a resource hog. If he finds something that provides the functions we need and uses less resources, there may be a switch in the future. That's your answer.

[kassetra]

Oh my. For the record, we have been receiving a thread like this, perpetually, since we moved from the original phpbb site to vbulletin.

Plain and simple: vbulletin provides for all that we need right now and also much of what we want. PHPBB does not. We cannot use something that does not provide what we require nor will we be willing to use something that does not offer options we want.

We are an independent forum that is not part of the Canonical website family.

If anything else provided what we must have and what we really would like to have, we would be using it instead; at this juncture, there is no viable alternative.

Please see the many, many other discussions regarding this same topic.

[kassetra]

You may be wondering why this forum runs VBulletin instead of < insert your preferred forum software here > -

Here's the short answer:
VBulletin provides for all that we need right now and also much of what we want. Other software does not. We cannot use something that does not provide what we require nor will we be willing to use something that does not offer options we want.

If anything else provided what we must have and what we really would like to have, we would be using it instead; at this juncture, there is no viable alternative.

Also, we are an independent forum that is not part of the Canonical website family.

Here are links to similar discussions:
1 (http://www.ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=169226&highlight=vbulletin), 2 (http://www.ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=126763&highlight=vbulletin), 3 (http://www.ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=23695&highlight=vbulletin), 4 (http://www.ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=85464&highlight=vbulletin), 5 (http://www.ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=74235&highlight=vbulletin), 6 (http://www.ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=47391&highlight=vbulletin), 7 (http://www.ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=176501)

[Rich3077]

Just strikes me as odd is all. There are open source bulletin boards.

:confused:

[matthew]

Let me refer you to this thread which was written to answer this exact question.

http://www.ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=176622

[ubuntu_demon]

This has been asked before.

It's also because vbulletin can handle the load of such a big forum as this one.

[benatkin]

This has been asked before.

And people are going to keep asking because it was a bad decision.

The benefits of open source aren't available for the forum.

Having a proprietary piece of forum software makes us the laughingstock of the linux community.

I think someone ought to start an unofficial Ubuntu forum with open source forum software.

[-X [-X [-X [-X [-X [-X [-X [-X

[az]

And people are going to keep asking because it was a bad decision.

The benefits of open source aren't available for the forum.

Having a proprietary piece of forum software makes us the laughingstock of the linux community.

I wouldn't say that. Sure a completely free-libre buletin board would leave a better impression, and probably be a lot easier to integrate with launchpad as well as a lot of other things.

However, the important thing is that the forum software does not run on my computer nor your's. Regardless of the software licencing, it's a web service. If we had to download, install and run a proprietary client to the forums to be able to use them, then that would be evil, but that's not the case. Since it doesn't run on your box, the licencing does not involve you.

I feel just as dirty using the forums than I do using google.



I think someone ought to start an unofficial Ubuntu forum with open source forum software.

[-X [-X [-X [-X [-X [-X [-X [-X

Go ahead. Choice is good. Be sure to use a dark and underground theme like getautomatix.com. That would work.

I use these forums because of the users. Everything else is pretty much irrelevant. For another forum to be successful, you would have to get all the great users to migrate there.

[MaximB]

And people are going to keep asking because it was a bad decision.

The benefits of open source aren't available for the forum.

Having a proprietary piece of forum software makes us the laughingstock of the linux community.

I think someone ought to start an unofficial Ubuntu forum with open source forum software.

[-X [-X [-X [-X [-X [-X [-X [-X

I understand your pain , I understand our pain
but it would not be wise to split our forum's community
it would be our downfall
we just have to get along with what has been given us for free.

[thk]

Then don't whine when your favorite commercial app doesn't get ported to linux... this is the attitude that keeps companies away.

I use linux because its the best UNIX-like solution available. I would be overjoyed to see more serious commercial development on linux. Are you going to complain if Adobe creates a native version of photoshop? (Or even ports to wine for that matter.) C'mon.

[az]

Then don't whine when your favorite commercial app doesn't get ported to linux... this is the attitude that keeps companies away.

The word is proprietary, not commercial. The wording in the title is not accurate. Ubuntu is most certanly commercial software. Canonical and hundreds of other companies around the world make money supporting it.

Free-libre open source software can be commercial. No problem. I'm certain that most of the software that your ISP uses is free-libre and you pay them for service.

The attitude that keeps software vendors away is the thought that software is not property. I don't feel that software is property and that's why I avoid proprietary software even when it's offered at no cost.



I use linux because its the best UNIX-like solution available. I would be overjoyed to see more serious commercial development on linux. Are you going to complain if Adobe creates a native version of photoshop? (Or even ports to wine for that matter.) C'mon.

I certainly would. I'd be the first to complain and the last to use it.

The difference is that the forum software does not run on my box. The licence in question is between the forum owner and the software author. Even if it was a free-libre licence, I (and every other user) still would be out of the loop.

I frankly don't know what motivates any non-employee to contribute code to the vBuletin project, since that is really giving it away for nothing (it no longer belongs to you and you cannot use it in another project) but that does not in any way affect my *use* of the web service that is this forum.

[panickedthumb]

For the longest time, the Linux kernel source was kept organized using proprietary software. Yes, that's right, Linus Torvalds used non-free software. His theory (in a nutshell, and my interpretation of what I read) was that if something free hasn't been developed to do what you need, then use proprietary software. We haven't found forum software that does what we need, considering all the things the admins have implemented and a lot of things that are staff-only (ways to deal with moderation, etc). Therefore we use forum software under a proprietary software.

Do you play mp3's or dvd's on your Linux box? Proprietary formats.
Use Google? I've never seen the google source.
Use Opera? Proprietary.

It's your choice as to whether you want to use free software on your box. As azz said, you aren't using proprietary software when you use this forum. Just as you weren't using proprietary software when you used the linux kernel when it was kept up by proprietary software.

Forgive me if I'm short, but this has all been explained ad nauseum in the past.

[23meg]

For the longest time, the Linux kernel source was kept organized using proprietary software. Yes, that's right, Linus Torvalds used non-free software.Let me add to this that this was the case until so soon as about a year ago.

[aysiu]

This has been discussed many times before:
http://www.ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=176622
http://www.ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=176501
http://www.ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=126763
http://www.ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=85464
http://www.ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=74235
http://www.ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=34919

[thk]

Good point s/commercial/proprietary/g

[Circus-Killer]

this is exactly one of the things that i hate about the oss community. it would be nice for once for the community to realise that sometime the best way to go is via proprietary software.

people need to get over the stupid ideal that commercial software is bad. on the contrary, the more companies that start supplying their proprietary software for linux, the better.

this is just my opinion of course, i just believe that being open to the idea of commercial is good, you need to look at all your options. just because you need a database doesnt mean mysql is the best choice, just because its open source. maybe the best thing for said project would be an oracle server.

point being, just cos you run linux, doesnt mean everything has to completely open source. if the admins of the forums feel that vBulletin is what is good to go with, then thats fine. its their choice. honestly, i agree with their choice. vBulletin is one of the best forum software around, and am satisfied with their choice.

but even if i wasn't, again, its their choice. thats why they're running the forums and we're not. just remember that open source doesn't ALWAYS mean better. it usually does, but not always.

[aysiu]

I just don't think people should be hypocrites. If they use Opera and Flash and Nvidia, they shouldn't be complaining if the forums use VBulletin.

[daller]

I just don't think people should be hypocrites. If they use Opera and Flash and Nvidia, they shouldn't be complaining if the forums use VBulletin.

I use Flash and Nvidia - But I don't pay for it!

Those $160 could be used for something else...

Maybe start a team to copy vbulletin? (Well, not financially :D - $160 doesn't get anywhere I know... But why not but energy into enhancing phpBB?)

[PriceChild]

But why not but energy into enhancing phpBB?Go for it :)

There's nothing stopping you.

[daller]

Go for it :)

There's nothing stopping you.

Well, there is... If I had the time (and programming skills) I would have done it...

My main concern is Bug #1...

[PriceChild]

Well, there is... If I had the time (and programming skills) I would have done it...And there you see the big problem here :)

[darrenm]

I like the new look... However this forum should use phpBB3, not vBulletin. I really don't like vBulletin and its not open-source. boo.

Every time it is mentioned on the forum suggestions its very quickly knocked down with the forum staff saying vBulletin does lots of stuff phpBB can't. Like what?

I would like the admin team to at least try phpBB3 and have a public debate on what reasons it doesn't match up to vBulletin.

[dbott67]

I like the new look... However this forum should use phpBB3, not vBulletin. I really don't like vBulletin and its not open-source. boo.

Every time it is mentioned on the forum suggestions its very quickly knocked down with the forum staff saying vBulletin does lots of stuff phpBB can't. Like what?

I would like the admin team to at least try phpBB3 and have a public debate on what reasons it doesn't match up to vBulletin.

I know that this has been answered in the past before (a few times, I think). Search the boards for 'vbulletin' and you'll get a number of threads debating it.

Here's a post from Ryan (Ubuntu-geek):
http://www.ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?p=115530#post115530


Actually just because vbulletin is "closed source" doesn't really mean its closed source. If you purchase a license you get 100% code and you can make modifications to any of it as long as its not re-distributed.

With that said I choose Vbb over many different forum software for a few reasons.

1. vbb has a good reputation for being secure.
2. vbb is provided with all source so I can make modifications as i need
3. vbb has functions other forum software do not have and those features will be implemented on this forum in the near future.
4. vbb integrated with the ubuntu mailing lists
5. and many more..

The forums did run phpbb when I first started it did not meet the expectations I had.

With that said, many linux forums run vbb I do not believe just because the linux distro is open source we should have to give up functionaly and use a forum software that doesn't fit into the overall plan for that particular forum.

-Dave

[darrenm]

Again just a load of nothing excuses.

1. phpBB has just as much of a secure reputation as vB - The only major exploits have been for php which has affected both.
2. So is phpBB
3. Such as?
4. Easily recitified.
5. Such as?

[ubuntu-geek]

Again just a load of nothing excuses.

1. phpBB has just as much of a secure reputation as vB - The only major exploits have been for php which has affected both.
2. So is phpBB
3. Such as?
4. Easily recitified.
5. Such as?
We are not switching forum software, this has been beat to death before. Vbulletin suits our needs and as of now there are no open source platforms that will, and no SMF and phpBB are not options for us.

[darrenm]

Well, thanks for the explanation. I understand that you are sick of seeing the same thing over and over again but why not just give a proper answer? I also understand that there are some areas that the trouble taken to write the mods for phpBB and then not be sure its 100% secure where you would rather not have to keep justifying your actions but I do think a forum deeply ingrained into the Ubuntu philosophy needs to at least try to use an open-source BB system.

[darrenm]

I'm sorry this is so ironic. when I tried to post that reply this happened:

(edit: Just meant in a light-hearted manner)

[ubuntu-geek]

Well, thanks for the explanation. I understand that you are sick of seeing the same thing over and over again but why not just give a proper answer? I also understand that there are some areas that the trouble taken to write the mods for phpBB and then not be sure its 100% secure where you would rather not have to keep justifying your actions but I do think a forum deeply ingrained into the Ubuntu philosophy needs to at least try to use an open-source BB system.
http://ubuntuforums.org/announcement.php?f=48 you can find your answer in there. We started off using phpBB.

[darrenm]

http://ubuntuforums.org/announcement.php?f=48 you can find your answer in there. We started off using phpBB.

OK, thanks and all that but the answer really isn't in there. Of course, you're not obliged to divulge but the question I would like answered is: which advantages does vB provide that phpBB doesnt?

[delfick]

try to use an open-source BB system.

but these forums are better :D

(i love these forums :D)
(just hate that border :P)

[t_anjan]

I can't believe anybody is even willing to compare the end-user usability of phpBB and vBulletin. Leaving alone the argument about open source, surely, there can't be any other argument. Maybe SMF has a prayer, but not phpBB, please!

[DizzyTech]

How has this suddenly become a war between vB and phpBB?

Everything has flaws. vB can be a resources hog, but if I had the money, I would use it.

So does phpBB. It can be miserably slow, but is extremely lightweight.

Don't act like these are the only systems available. There are alternatives, including, but not limited to: SMF, MyBB, PunBB, UNB, UseBB, and XMB. The list goes on.

Though, while I would love to see the Ubuntu Forums run on a different solution eventually, we should have what works now, and not what will work in "Oh, say, a month or so". Do you realize how helpful, in its current incarnation, this forum can be to a new user? Everything is clear and well-placed. vB is set up well right now.

If another solution can be put together on the side to match this forum, so be it. You try it. But let's keep what works, and only that, zealous philosophies aside.

[msimplay]

Don't really know why people have got such a problem with vbulletin its the top dog when it comes to forums software. It has the most featureful software with a reputation for being a well written script. Plus the support of the vbulletin forums is really great.

Being a vbulletin admin myself I know nothing beats using vbulletin because its administration features make having a forum easy. Whatever features the free forums have got now I know that vbulletin had them first.

Also those complaining about vbulletin because its paid software its just silly.
Whats wrong with buying software that someone has worked hard on.
Either way its the personal choice if you don't think it's worth it then don't buy the software just use something else :p

[bone2006]

What is frustrating is these posts don't answer any questions what so ever.
If I selected to use windows over Linux I could say well Linux can't play certain games, Linux can't use Autocad, Linux has problems with my printer..........Linux has problem with my wifi card.................. ...etc

PLEASE tell me what PHPBB or SMF does not do that vbulletin does? It's really being hypocritical to say that vbulletin just gets the job done..............I'm sorry, but that's insulting.
Windows gets the job done, do you want us all to use windows?

We could probably list a long long list of what windows can do that Linux may not be able to do...........but I'm using Linux 99.9999% of the time.

THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR USING VBULLETIN!!!!!!!!!!

How about this, save the 160 dollars a year ubuntu is spending on Vbulletin and how about open up a thread to contribute money to SMF or phpbb3 for the features that are claimed to be missing?

Please first explain what's missing, explain why these solutions can't work.

If you gave me a choice between two video cards with same performance I'd go with the Hardware that provides open source drivers. With that being said............then you should identify exactly what vbulletin can do that SMF cannot do?

Guess what I just went to pclinux OS and guess what...........they are running SMF................... I guess they don't know what they are doing?

http://www.pclinuxos.com/index.php?option=com_smf&Itemid=58

Guess what gentoo uses http://forums.gentoo.org again not Vbulletin

Guess what Mandrivia is running...........again not Vbulletin
http://forum.mandriva.com/

Debian uses.........hum..........not Vbulletin
http://forums.debian.net/

I just can't see anything that's more hypocritical

[p_quarles]

First of all, no "excuse" is needed, since vBulletin is a completely legitimate choice.

In any case, you are welcome to develop a PHPBB site that does everything this site does. The requirements, currently, would be that it can manage over half-a-million user accounts with complex permissions levels, can accomodate 15,000 simultaneous users (we haven't hit that yet, but will after the Hardy release hits the headlines), can remain online during large-scale database operations, and can do all of this while running on two middle-grade servers.

Oh, and: you will have to do all of this in your spare time, for free. Let us know what you come up with. :)

[LaRoza]

THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR USING VBULLETIN!!!!!!!!!!


There isn't. But there are reasons for using it.

People seem to equate non free software is automatic Windows type EULA's. It is not like that.

The source is visible and easily edited. The price is low; the quality is high.

This forum didn't start out with vBulletin either.

See the other posts and statements of the admins (especially ubuntu-geek).

[Drone4four]

So it's been established that vBulletin is the bb of choice. Well done. Can we talk about a new theme that isn't so horrendous? Check out vBulletin at the compiz-fusion website: http://forum.compiz-fusion.org/

[LaRoza]

So it's been established that vBulletin is the bb of choice. Well done. Can we talk about a new theme that isn't so horrendous? Check out vBulletin at the compiz-fusion website: http://forum.compiz-fusion.org/

This theme was built by volunteers. It is being rebuilt for the upcoming upgrade which introduces many new features.

ubuntu-geek has devoted many hours to working on this site (as all the FC has and all the staff).

I find your attitude to be most disrepectful. If you are will to contribute, do so. It is easy to criticize. Everyone one here is a real person (except me). Be respectful and considerate. If you can't do that, then this forum isn't for you.

Make the theme yourself and apply it (you can do that with modern browsers). If you want, you can submit it to ubuntu-geek to see if he can use it.

[Drone4four]

I'm sorry. My rudeness won't happen again. In the future, I'll be more considerate.

[bone2006]

Thank you so much for replying with the requirements and reasons for using Vbulletin. So I looked around to see why couldn't phpbb or SMF fit the bill. Well I found a link that has the biggest boards on the internet and the number 1 board which is much larger is running phpbb

http://rankings.big-boards.com/?p=all

Ubuntu's board.........is 658 on the list

http://www.gaiaonline.com/forum/index.php
Gaia has 1,311,507,233 articles posted with 12,250,348 registered users.-> Most users ever online was 123,381

http://www.linuxforum.com/forums/ -> 70,968 members -> SMF
http://www.simplemachines.org/community/index.php -> 1,466,691 Posts in 189,246 Topics by 136,232 Members. -> SMF

I will take your word on it that phpbb or SMF cannot handle what ubuntu forum requires.............

I was under the impression that donating to places like this http://www.ubuntu.com/community/donations would help pay for running and administration of the board along with other ubuntu related activities. But now there's a suggestion that if I prefer free open source solution like a board on ubuntu's site that donating money isn't what is needed and my spare time is what is needed.

If money isn't enough please pm me and tell me how I can help, I will put in as much spare time as I can to help the community

[LaRoza]

I will take your word on it that phpbb or SMF cannot handle what ubuntu forum requires.............

I was under the impression that donating to places like this http://www.ubuntu.com/community/donations would help pay for running and administration of the board along with other ubuntu related activities. But now there's a suggestion that if I prefer free open source solution like a board on ubuntu's site that donating money isn't what is needed and my spare time is what is needed.

If money isn't enough please pm me and tell me how I can help, I will put in as much spare time as I can to help the community

I am not an administrator of this forum, and do not know how it works on that end, but it isn't just the size that is the issue. This forum has rather complex configurations I imagine, and since the forum used other software in the past, and it was decided to move the vBulletin they must have had very pressing needs.

Canonical takes care of the small licensing fee, and the hardware it runs on.

The best way to contribute to this forum is to provide friendly tech support, and just enjoy the community participation :-)

[hyper_ch]

Can we talk about a new theme that isn't so horrendous? Check out vBulletin at the compiz-fusion website: http://forum.compiz-fusion.org/

Actually the compiz-fusion theme doesn't appeal to me at all.. it has not really a coherent theme and uses harsh colors...

I think the ubuntuforums themes is a lot soft and more appealing and relaxing and IMHO it portrays much more a "serious" board than the one used on compiz-fusion.

[KiwiNZ]

This whole subject has been done to death.
And it really makes no difference to the members and guest that view the forum that we use VBulletin.

Lets move on.

Thanks