I'm not too sure how much we're aloud to talk about here about this, but I was looking at the proposal on vBulletin.org (http://www.vbulletin.org/forum/showthread.php?t=102471)
Basically, this proposal would put a directory on vBulletin.org where people could pay Jelsoft in order to advertise their commercial hacks on vBulletin.org. Basically, Jelsoft is selling advertising on vBulletin.Org. Here's my response to the thread below, and you can read quite a bit others here. Currently, no discussion is allowed over there on this issue, just responses, but I'm sure we can get away with it here :D Here's my response to it below, and I'm sure some people will chime in here with their opinnions.


I can't really see the motiviation behind this or this being a good thing at all. vBulletin.org was designed and has been a source for free and publically available open source modifications for as long as I've owned my vBulletin license. I admire the hack authors that take the time to code, debug, and test their hacks and release them for no cost. Think about it though. It allows commercial hack authors to submit their hacks to a considerably sized audience of vBulletin owners and gain exposure (and consequently...sales). They pay Jelsoft for the right to advertise their hacks. If the commercial hacks start making enough money to justify the fee, more and more hack authors will jump on the band wagon, moving over to commercial options instead of the free open source option. These hack authors will make a profit, Jelsoft will make a profit, and the end user will be forced to pay for hacks that were originally free. Whose winning here?

I agree with you Pyro, I think the whole Commercial thing is just stupid. I feel that if they want it, they should start another site just for it. We already have to pay for a vBulletin license, why should we have to pay for most of the hacks for it also???

Yep I saw that and I haven't made the time to write my own feelings. But in short I don't have a problem with a commercial directory.

I love the fact that people are willing to release and support their hacks for free (I could not afford to pay coders to build everything otherwise), but
a persons time does have worth, and if someone codes a massive add-on then I feel they deserve paying for it.

However, like many others I do have a concern that if people can charge, then more of the commercially motivated people may stop releasing free hacks and only offer paid ones. I hope that doesn't eventuate. :(

vb.org is a free resource, and has always been one. This change will make many hacks move over to become paid hacks. If Jelsoft wants a hack directory, then make paidvb.org or something along those lines. vb.org should remain free.

Let me hear your comments.. Make sure they are thought out and clear, you only get one chance at this. I hope this is stated clear enough.
I think I pay enough for the vB forum software if and when you choose (as I am sure this will be started) to start this process it will be a sad day for many that do this for fun and giving all they can to purchase vB and it's upgrades yearly. As any company is always looking to make a profit (nothing wrong with making a profit mind you) it just seems as will life, the things you used to take for granite and enjoy either become something you have to pay for to enjoy or it eventually dies due to others producing a spawn of offshoots to make user pay for the product. Most recently, Invision and as far back a Free Dial Up internet, etc.
I hope this does not happen but I doubt we really have a say to prevent something like this from happening nor should a few people stop the advancement of a desire to make a profit and expand the horizons, we are a free country built on democracy and all peoples have the right to better themselves.

Personally, I will not be purchasing any mods unless VERY affordable and most likely move to a FREE forum where modifications for the forum are still free.

I had my say for what little it costs now to say it.

... I think I pay enough for the vB forum software...I agree that there is an issue of price creeping. We see it everywhere in life. First it starts at a dollar. Then it is $1.10 and before you know where you are you are needing a second mortgage to keep up with the cost.

Having said that I can't see how people can call vB pricey. If I had to pay for a coder to build me a forum like vB from scratch I would be looking at a bill up in the tens, if not hundreds of thousands of dollars. So to pick it up for the paltry sum that it is I feel is reasonable.

I also understand, that as many of us do this as a hobby (and see little if any of our money back) that to keep online communities affordable is essential, but I can't see this changing. The open source mentality is here to stay. If your favorite coder only releases their hacks in the paid area it is only a matter of time before a member of the "free" brigade releases it in the non-paid section.

The only time I feel an issue will arise will be if they allow people to put a hold on a code idea. i.e., if I release a blog in the paid section they then ban anyone from releasing a free version. This would be the thin end of the wedge, but I would be surprised if it happened.

P.S. what was with the green font?

Think about it. I pay, I get paid support for this code. I don't pay, I get the free version (IF available) and the support from a coder offering it for free and the coder offering it for free (while another coder is getting paid for the code) is not going to feel as obligated to support the code as the one getting paid. Support will suffer.
P.S. what was with the green font? It's all about the green isn't it?
*Actually not sure what happened but I think it was fitting.

Aha, now I understand.

Though I am not sure how support will suffer if you are paying. Do you not get great support from the Jelsoft team?

Do you not get great support from the Jelsoft team? I damn well better for that price. ;)
SMF gives outstanding support and they are free and open sourced.

Well, I suppose if one is accustomed to the free model they why would you want to pay?

But in truth, there are very few "great" free enterprises in life. Even things that are distributed for free are often paid for by advertising dollars etc.

Something like mini-mods would be harder to generate advertising for. Then if you generated that advertising how would you dispense it to the myriad of hackers who abound in vB.org.

I come from the paid services camp. I am use to paying for professional services and believe that every laborer is worthy of their hire. If I receive no revenue from something then it will need to be inexpensive (or even free) else I can't afford it. But then that is the way life is in general.

i stoped doing any vb dev. really when 3.5 came out due to time restraints. i'm opposed to getting the paid mods listed on vb.org it makes me want to sell my licenses for vb and move to another forum software thats free.

The resources on vbulletin.org are free, but there are indeed more and more people who also make bigger and completer (i guess) commercial resources. These are not allowed to be posted on vborg though.

There is a services forum where people can request help in exchange for money. But it should be that if you have a resource question you should also still get free help, this I believe is still the case.