vBulletin

[s.fox]

Why does the Ubuntu Forums use proprietary software(most particularly vBulletin)?

vBulletin is proprietary, that is an accepted fact, but this doesn't really mean it is completely closed source. This is because 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.

If you require more information about vBulletin then you can refer to it's FAQ which can be found here:-
vBulletin FAQ

A few reasons why vBulletin was chosen over other free and open source software:-

1. vBulletin has a good reputation for being secure.

2. vBulletin is provided with all source so modifications can be made as needed.

3. vBulletin has functions other forum software do not have and those features will be implemented on this forum in the near future.

4. vBulletin has been integrated with the Ubuntu mailing lists.

5. This forum has a large database, a very active community and also requires certain features which cannot be fully catered to by other free and open source forum software. vBulletin on the other hand has those required features and the stability to handle the daily loads and the large database.

Did we ever try using free and open source alternatives?

Yes we did. The forums did run phpBB when it was first started yet phpBB was dropped as it did not meet the expectations that were required to run the Ubuntu Forums consistently.

[critin]

The freedom is also to share and modify the code. vBulletin restricts that freedom.

I think I understand the point your trying to make, though proprietary refers to ownership. Free Software is free by default and the GPL ensures that freedom cannot be stolen from us. Even if it was forced apon you you would still have that freedom, although you would have lost your freedom to choose non-Free Software

Bingo!!

[kio_http]

Why does the Ubuntu Forums use proprietary software(most particularly vBulletin)?

vBulletin is proprietary, that is an accepted fact, but this doesn't really mean it is completely closed source. This is because 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.

If you require more information about vBulletin then you can refer to it's FAQ which can be found here:-
vBulletin FAQ

A few reasons why vBulletin was chosen over other free and open source software:-

1. vBulletin has a good reputation for being secure.

2. vBulletin is provided with all source so modifications can be made as needed.

3. vBulletin has functions other forum software do not have and those features will be implemented on this forum in the near future.

4. vBulletin has been integrated with the Ubuntu mailing lists.

5. This forum has a large database, a very active community and also requires certain features which cannot be fully catered to by other free and open source forum software. vBulletin on the other hand has those required features and the stability to handle the daily loads and the large database.

Did we ever try using free and open source alternatives?

Yes we did. The forums did run phpBB when it was first started yet phpBB was dropped as it did not meet the expectations that were required to run the Ubuntu Forums consistently.

I still don't agree with this.

1. Other open and secure alternatives exist
2. Agreed but using a completely free alternative is better for a project like Ubuntu.
3. Its been a long while and no such vbulletin features have been implemented here.
4. True, but does that really mean it cannot integrate with phpbb.
5. This forum's activity is actually very low nowadays.

Most users ever online was 43,695, August 5th, 2010
Now: 8494 (218 members and 8235 guests and 41 Spiders)

Phpbb forums with much more larger communities than the current one exist.

Phpbb should be forked or even improved upstream rather than using vbulletin.

[Elfy]

At present there are no foreseen changes to how the forum is run.

Thread Closed.