New forum software?

Marvel Wrote:P.s I wish there was a quick link to find the post made by you

click on your name (here in the thread) -> "Find more posts by Marvel" , that not fast enough or am I not understanding what you mean?

Amet Wrote:click on your name (here in the thread) -> "Find more posts by Marvel" , that not fast enough or am I not understanding what you mean?

I mean when you first log-in, I go to my name > then statistics > Find all posts.
I just wondered if there was an easier way around like add it to quick links?

I personally think the layout, function and color theme of the forum is one of the better ones I've used. My hope, if it is decided to use another forum software, is that the replacement is as usable as the current forum setup is.

pike Wrote:Maybe if you let us know what sucks, we can take this into consideration when we look at alternatives ?

Better support for mobile devices. It's almost impossible to use it on a phone.

pecinko Wrote:Better support for mobile devices. It's almost impossible to use it on a phone.

Actually, completely agree with this one. That is one thing I'd change/like to see added with the forums.

Well either way, the software needs to change. This version is no longer supported. And if we're going to change, it's the perfect chance to move to something FLOSS.

TheUni

I know I have not been here long, or posted all that much, but figured I would throw my two cents also.

Has something like Shapado <http://shapado.com/> been considered. Forums are great for discussions, but when trying to find an answer to a problem, it can be difficult to find once the thread has spanned several pages. The answer always seems to be buried somewhere in the middle for some reason.

Something that is more Question and Answer oriented with voting and accepting answers, gives a couple advantages. It encourages the person asking the question to ask better questions. Meaning giving more details and encourages better answers.

The downside is it is not fit well with discussions (much like this thread is), so maybe the optimal solution is somewhere in the middle. I dunno, just another idea.

Thanks for all the work you all do, it is very much appreciated.

theuni Wrote:Well either way, the software needs to change. This version is no longer supported.

Quote:And if we're going to change, it's the perfect chance to move to something FLOSS. TheUni

Please consider the following:
(1) cost of bandwidth - many other forums are not optimized for keeping queries low and bandwidth usage low.
(2) cost of training xbmc.org staff how to use the new software. People's time is valuable.
(3) security of other software. vBulletin certainly is quite secure vs. many other softwares.
(4) admin issues - administering a forum is time consuming. Any software that makes the job 10% harder, will add up to alot of time.
(5) absolutely HUGE threads - are you sure other forum softwares will handle the massively long threads here ?
(6) versus "going FLOSS" for philosophical reasons, shouldn't the smart people who advocate for FLOSS also know when FLOSS doesn't meet their project's needs ?
(7) if your FLOSS project is made less efficient because you chose forum software for philosophical reasons, is that a win for FLOSS or a LOSS ?
(8) are you sure now is a good time to be disrupting the important communications here ?
(9) FYI I don't really like vBulletin, but it is the best software for a site this large. One day, xenForo might be better, as it has a more modern architecture, but it's still early days in that project.

There are times when using non-FLOSS software is the best decision for a FLOSS project. XBMC is beacon of light for FLOSS. Harming the project by using software for philosophical reasons, not to meet the needs of the XBMC project itself is very risky.

The better approach to a change in forum software is ....
(1) what are the information needs of the XBMC project ?
(2) what software meets those needs ?
(3) spending some money on non-FLOSS software that respects the time and information needs of thousands of people is a win for FLOSS, not a Loss.

Make software choices for the needs of XMBC, not to be an ideologue.
Vive le XBMC.

osirisjem Wrote:Make software choices for the needs of XBMC, not to be an ideologue.

http://ubuntuforums.org/

pecinko Wrote:http://ubuntuforums.org/

Ubuntu forums, powered by vBulletin.
I have to ramble on to make a point and you make it with one link !
Interesting example.

vBulletin may need changing if vB4 isn't improved.
xenForo is already better than vB, in many respects.
I am not sure about xenForo and a forum this size though.

Nothing wrong with staying with vB3 for now.