More vB Products Please

[ChrisLM2001]

So what? Is it so what the reason AJAX was incorporated into 3.5.0 is because of competition (despite all of the catcalls of it's problems, while neglecting the very basics like css/xhtml to spec)?

Jelsoft is adding more developers for a reason (either because they finally realize the code and all needs to be clean/fixed -- and there's too much on the backburner to do with but a few handful of workers and frontend customer service folks). I hope it's also because they'll be developing some officially supported mods and/or extensions.

The bad thing about addon mods from vbulletin.org, you're on your own. There is no support from Jelsoft on them. If vBulletin plans to get more "corporate" and design forums for businesses (not just hobby forum communities) they need officially supported addons -- as such businesses won't spend their lives trying to update/upkeep a forum from 15 year-olds who are budding hackers as well (that's not a slur, but to businesses image is everything and why they're so slow in implimenting online sales). The mod community is an asset of show/tell, but it translates poorly to those forking out serious money for forum development and need professional help.

Chris

[babolo]

I took a look over on IPB's site today and was a little surprised/disappointed to see all the new products they're coming out with:

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Invision Dynamic: Looks like some kind of CMS solution for sites that run IPB. I'm aware that there are things like vBAdvanced, but a lot of people need something "deeper" than that.

Nexus: An online store. One thing that has been sorely needed in vBulletin is a storefront integration; TheVBGeek.com is working on something (we own and use it on our site). It's a great addon for being in beta, but compared to the looks of Nexus it's got a long ways to go. I believe an official vB storefront addon would be tremendous selling point to a lot of people.

Vectura: This would be a great addition to any site - The ability to offer your members free webmail. I think there was an addon a while back for the 3.0.X series, but again, it wasn't an offiicial vB product.

Invision Gallery: There are two excellent solutions (that I'm aware of) for gallery integration - PhotoPost and the vBAdvanced Gallery. The vBAdvanced is great (we use it) but it still has some kinks and isn't as powerful as PhotoPost (EXPENSIVE and not designed specifically for vB).

Invision Blog: Lots of vB solutions out there for this already, but the more official vB products the more your appeal grows.
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Please don't think I'm trying to start an IPB vs vB debate or that I'm complaining. I just think vB ought to put out some sort of "this is what's coming, it'll be done when it's done" thing out there.

vB is a great product and you've got a lot of loyal consumers, give us some news

Thoughts?

So what... That stuff is going to cost. We have people at vbulletin.org willing to do it free.

[Chris M]

Well time is needed too.

I strongly don't believe Jelsoft would ever create a dependent product where one product needs another to run (as how it is at a certain company), but rather create independent products that can become dependent if necessary.

Agreed - Jelsoft would do well to have the option to integrate seemlessly with vBulletin but have the ability for it to be entirely standalone

Chris

[Vtec44]

From: http://www.vbulletin.com/about.php

Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd is a UK based new media company specialising in developing low-cost, high-performance web applications.

I don't see anything that says it just specializes in just forums . Besides it benefits us in the long run if they add additional applications

I stand corrected. I guess Jelsoft has much bigger plans that will take longer to do it right.

[ManagerJosh]

Well not just the gallery. Anything. Portal. CMS. Webmail application. Any future Jelsoft application . It creates the ability for a webmaster to expand accordingly to their pace without needing to have a centralized app. Granted there are benefits of having it centralized, the biggest thing you risk is breaking the budget of people

[MRGTB]

Well it's an interesting idea, if they did bring out a Gallery that can be used as just a stand alone gallery for people who just want to host images and maybe let people reply to them.

That would work for people who are not really interested in running a fully blown forum board. And it would target a different type of individual as well as still allowing forum board users to also intergrate it into thee boards.

[ManagerJosh]

Then Jelsoft will be just another software company, not the company that writes great forum software. That's just my personal opinion, I'm sure whatever they are going to do will be great. I'll support them

From: http://www.vbulletin.com/about.php

Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd is a UK based new media company specialising in developing low-cost, high-performance web applications.

I don't see anything that says it just specializes in just forums . Besides it benefits us in the long run if they add additional applications

[ManagerJosh]

What do you mean, they would create lets say a Gallery that could be run as a stand alone product without vBulletin board?

Yes. It can be standalone while at the same time, at a later date should a user decide to buy vBulletin itself, can integrate

Currently if you look at you know who, you MUST buy the forum otherwise the Blog, the webmail app, the portal, gallery won't work.

[Vtec44]

How so?

Then Jelsoft will be just another software company, not the company that writes great forum software. That's just my personal opinion, I'm sure whatever they are going to do will be great. I'll support them

[MRGTB]

Well time is needed too.

I strongly don't believe Jelsoft would ever create a dependent product where one product needs another to run (as how it is at a certain company), but rather create independent products that can become dependent if necessary.

What do you mean, they would create lets say a Gallery that could be run as a stand alone product without vBulletin board?

[ManagerJosh]

That can be a good and bad thing

How so?

[Vtec44]

but rather create independent products that can become dependent if necessary.

That can be a good and bad thing

[ManagerJosh]

Well time is needed too.

I strongly don't believe Jelsoft would ever create a dependent product where one product needs another to run (as how it is at a certain company), but rather create independent products that can become dependent if necessary.

[Hooper]

It would appear that way.

[MRGTB]

Personally, I don't think they will bring out a CMS or a Gallery for a few very different reasons. If they did I would be surprised.