vBulletin Blog Running on vBulletin.com

vBulletin Blog Running on vBulletin.com

Have you noticed the Blogs (http://www.vbulletin.com/forum/blog.php) link up there in the navbar?

The development of the vBulletin blogging product has progressed to the point where we have installed it onto vBulletin.com's forum for the use of all licensed registered visitors, in order to receive feedback (http://www.vbulletin-faq.com/forum/showthread.php?t=235508) and bug reports (http://www.vbulletin.com/forum/project.php?do=issuelist&projectid=3&issuetypeid=bug) etc.

Currently we are running only the blogging component, not the social networking part, which needs further work before being ready for deployment here.

Please feel free to blog away with the tools at your disposal, and make use of trackback and/or pingback to link your blog at vb.com to blogs elsewhere - this is one of the primary things we'd like to test on a larger scale here on vbulletin.com.

Before you start blogging, you may want to add a name and description to your blog. This can be done via your Blog Control Panel, a link to which can be found on every blog page, or in the list of links from your User Control Panel. It would probably also be useful to set your default blogging options and create some blog categories, the forms for which are also in the Blog Control Panel.

We hope you enjoy exploring vBulletin's new Blog systems and we look forward to receiving your feedback.


More... (http://www.vbulletin.com/forum/showthread.php?t=235507&goto=newpost)

Oh man, that's cool. Can't wait to get this on my site!

:giddyup:

See? I told you they might surprise me. It's farther along than I thought.
Take a look at it. I like it.

I checked it out. I like it too!! Woohoo.

I seriously can't wait for this to be released. Think of what it can/will do for your forum community. I see very GOOD things coming.

Whew - the vB Blog has become HAWT news at .com.
I've put a request on the features request thread. ;)

I didn't read the whole release but this is something I'm liking. Once it goes gold, I'm going to ask the rest of the staff on my board what they think and get some feedback from the members. I want to install it but I'm not going to pay for it, if no one is going to use it. ;)

One of the things I'd really like to see is the ability for each member to alter thier layout with CSS, sort of like myspace. I think it's going to be pretty boring with every blog stuck to choosing 1 or 2 themes from the forum's styles. vB could make it ultra simple and more secure by just having bunch of text boxes to paste color codes for different elements.

I want to install it but I'm not going to pay for it, if no one is going to use it.

My thoughts exactly! I would use it but would anyone else.

I didn't read the whole release but this is something I'm liking. Once it goes gold, I'm going to ask the rest of the staff on my board what they think and get some feedback from the members. I want to install it but I'm not going to pay for it, if no one is going to use it. ;)

One of the things I'd really like to see is the ability for each member to alter thier layout with CSS, sort of like myspace. I think it's going to be pretty boring with every blog stuck to choosing 1 or 2 themes from the forum's styles. vB could make it ultra simple and more secure by just having bunch of text boxes to paste color codes for different elements.
You should post this on the features request thread at .com

One of the things I'd really like to see is the ability for each member to alter thier layout with CSS, sort of like myspace. I think it's going to be pretty boring with every blog stuck to choosing 1 or 2 themes from the forum's styles. vB could make it ultra simple and more secure by just having bunch of text boxes to paste color codes for different elements.
Apparently this will not be possible. :( In fact, Wayne posted tonight that we won't even be able to skin the blog separately from the forum. THe blog will have to use the forum's skins.
http://www.vbulletin.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1393018&postcount=196

I'm extremely disappointed with this news.

My blog entry.... http://www.vbulletin.com/forum/blog.php?b=546

Very bad move on vB's part, IMHO. Why would you want every blog to look the same or install 20+ templates so the members can have different looks for their blogs then the admin has to maintain all those templates in between updates. Can you say headache? I definetly won't purchase it now. You misewell give each member a webtemplates page.

A big part of blogging is individuality.. It'll be hard enough to convince users to blog with you as opposed to some place like Blogger, as it's attached to your forum but this is another nail in the coffin.

Yeah, that really sucks. I wouldn't mind if the customizations were limited in some ways, lord knows Myspace is hideous, but NO customizations at all is just not good.

I agree with you Dan. I was all excited about vBlog, but this busted my bubble.
I won't be purchasing it.

EDIT - Dan you really should post these comments over there...

Bah, I don't spend much time on the .com -- I'm not smart enough according to a couple members over there :giggle: I'll stay on the "third-party" sites, thank you very much. :)

I kind of understand where you guys are coming from. But for my site, ill still use it, itll still be a great tool for our sports writers...

I think a big factor will be if someone is already using something that has the flexibility of customization. It's hard to take away the personalization elements from your users.

For me - I've been holding off on anything and will likely buy it, as long as it's one up-front fee and not a recurring cost.

^^agreed, and most people are...lol

that's the thing.... most people who already blog DO use a customizable script, i.e. wordpress, vBlogetin, etc. Those are the people that we want to lure to our site. But it won't be done with this as it is.

Fortunately I have ALOT of people at .com on my side :D so maybe this will change.

As for the fee - it will be one purchase fee, then most likely a yearly renewal fee, like the forum is.

Cool!! Well, I hope you and your posse win and get it personalizable to some degree. I do think it would be more appealing to the users that way.

Are Wordpress, vBlogetin, and others fee-based? Just wondering - I have no idea about this stuff. But I'm hoping it's reasonable. Is projects released with a price now? I have no interest in it, so haven't kept up.

The project tools? yes - I believe it is $50? I'm thinking the blog will be along the same price, if not a bit more.

vBlogetin is $50 or so. Wordpress is completely free.

There was a WP & vB bridge floating around a while back, I'm not sure how well that worked out.

I just created a blog at vBlogetin. I realize that it's been in developement for some time, and vBlog is just starting out - but - vBlogetin has some sweet features, and Adrian is SO open to new suggestions.

The ability to offer blog skins separate from vB skins isn't there, but I've suggested it. We'll see how well it goes over, and if it's possible.

It should be possible.. How hard writing can a simple CSS file to a folder on the server then calling it with a php conditional be.

I'm far from a php expert but it doesn't seem like a big deal even for an intermediate coder. I'm really suprised vB would limit themselves so much with what's supposed to be their flagship addon.

There was a WP & vB bridge floating around a while back, I'm not sure how well that worked out.

It's more of a foot bridge then anything... it allows for one member to cross over, and then replies to be spawned from vB rather then WP. I've not seen it in action, but was not impressed by the thread on it...though would likely be SWELL for admin sponsored news and announcements.

To allow mass member blogs someone would need to bridge wordpressMU (Multi-User).

"vBulletin Blog Running on vBulletin.com"

I saw a reference to 3.6.8 - Is this a new release that will include the blog?

No3.6.8 will not include the blog. The blog and social networking is an official add-on that is in beta testing, and will be released - whenever - as a paid addon.

I don't think there is official word that it will be a paid add-on. It wouldn't be surprising, but it isn't etched in stone yet.

Jim

If my members can't customize their own personal blogs then this program is worthless to me. I appreciate what they're doing, but they're not the only ones creating a social networking add-on to vBulletin. I was going to purchase the madebymary vBclubs, but now I'm more of a wait and see kind of mode. I'm hearing things like phpRaven and a couple of other social networking add-ons, but I'm unsure of which is best. If I'm going to invest hundreds of dollars I'd like to make sure I have the best one.

I don't think there is official word that it will be a paid add-on. It wouldn't be surprising, but it isn't etched in stone yet.

Jim
Really... I'm almost sure that I read, somewhere very early on when these add-ons were first announced, that they were to be paid add-ons.

Really... I'm almost sure that I read, somewhere very early on when these add-ons were first announced, that they were to be paid add-ons.

You may be right and I don't doubt it will be a paid add-on, but the current discussion of the announcement has no official word on it.

Jim

Yeah I've noticed that. Alot of people are thinking they're going to be able to download it upon release. They're going to be in for a surprise. IMO, if it is going to be a paid add-on that should be made clear right from the start, don't you think?

Ideally that would be the way to do it, but this is business. I had my own business for 35 years and am familiar with the wait and see approach. Give a little taste, research the competition, track the interest and demand level, and then determine the price. It would surprise me, but it wouldn't be too far fetched for vB to provide this for free.

Keep in mind that vBulletin has not seen a price increase in some time. This product adds considerable value to the base product. In fact, all the quality add-ons and modifications add value to vB. A price increase of perhaps 10 or 15% wouldn't be out of order, given the investment the new owners need to recover. Offering this free add-on might soften the blow to the customer base.

Of course, I am just speculating. I have no inside resource to call on, just my own experience and devious mind. :weg:

Yes I'm familiar with the wait 'n' see approach as well, having owned my own business for a # of years in Florida.

eh, time will tell.... just not too much time, I hope. I won't be purchasing it, unless they listen to us and find a way to let us skin the blog separately from the forum.

Shouldn't they leave something for the modders? :D

Shouldn't they leave something for the modders? :Dugh, more add-ons to the add-on??? I'll have to rally the teams...

Well, see, there ya go. You obviously need something to do with all your free time. ;)

ROFL!!! Such a brat!

Jim, I think our wondering is over... read this...
This was posted by Kier a couple of days ago... http://www.vbulletin.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1407301&postcount=4

vBulletin Blog: Slight Change of Plans
Both in response to feedback from customers, to allow easier development, and in order to bring the Blog to market more quickly, it has been decided that the social networking component that had been originally intended to be released as part of the vBulletin Blog product will now instead be released with vBulletin 3.7.0.

This means that all existing vBulletin customers will gain the social networking component (although they can of course disable it through the control panel should they decide to do so) when they upgrade to the version of vBulletin that contains it, rather than having to purchase additional products.

We look forward to bringing you both vBulletin Blog and the vBulletin 3.7, which will contain the social networking component and a few other new features.



I don't know about you, but I'm thinking this is a big mistake on their part. My reasoning is, most of the people are waiting for the social networking feature. Most couldn't care less about the blog. SO I'm thinking that they are going to experience a significant disappointment in the sales #'s for the blog if the SN isn't going to be a part of it.

Of course, this makes ME a happy camper. I wanted the SN feature far more than the blog. :D

Whats this Sn i here of, what does it do and how many arms and legs am i going to have to sale to get one?

SN = Social Networking, as in MySpace, Zoints, etc.
Apparently you won't have to purchase it now, as it'll be included with vB 3.7.0, so the announcement at vb.com says.

ahhh, upgrade, that something I dread.

lol - might be worth it if the social networking feature is added. I'm looking forward to getting ahold of that.

Jim, I think our wondering is over... read this...
This was posted by Kier a couple of days ago... http://www.vbulletin.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1407301&postcount=4




I don't know about you, but I'm thinking this is a big mistake on their part. My reasoning is, most of the people are waiting for the social networking feature. Most couldn't care less about the blog. SO I'm thinking that they are going to experience a significant disappointment in the sales #'s for the blog if the SN isn't going to be a part of it.

Of course, this makes ME a happy camper. I wanted the SN feature far more than the blog. :D

Well, I also prefer to see them separated, although I ain't discounting the purchase of the blog either (even though I already invested in vBa Dynamics). But this does go to my suggestion that the parent company is looking to improve the value of the vBulletin product. They certainly will with the enhanced profile/social networking system.

I don't see this as a mistake, but I do understand there will be a lot of unhappy people. That's directly attributed to the previous announcement of it being part of the blog. People don't like to adjust their sights. Many won't look past the missing component, but the fact is, without the more popular and anticipated SN aspect of the blog product, it will make it a much more competitive product. If they kept the SN part of the blog, they would have to build the production cost into the price, which may put it well over the competition.

But what about the production cost theory if they plan to just make it a free part of 3.7? As my earlier post postulates (oooh, that's a fitty-cent word), this will be the opportunity vB is looking for to ease in a price increase.

As an old dude, I can be a bit more patient with the development process. People that haven't been around long enough to experience "good things happen to those who wait," aren't gonna be too happy. They want it now and they want it perfect - and they want it cheap. The only real problem with the official discussions of those announcements, is guys like me get grumpy about all the grumbling and our only respite is to rag on some poor oaf about his spelling/grammar, especially if he claims to be a teacher ( ;) ). I mean, let's piss and moan about something more important than, "waa, my community really needs this thing to be done now."

'Course, then you have something to do with your time by starting a topic here about what a jerk that old grump is over there. :roll:

Ya know, I already like this discussion waaay more than the official one. :D

Jim

LOL is there a thread here about you being a jerk?? Where?? I wanna weigh in on that one! j/k :giggle:

The only reason I said they may have made a mistake, was in the blog aspect. People were expecting them to be released together, and many many people made NO secret about the fact that the only reason they were going to purchase the blog was to get the SN feature. Now that they'll be separate, the blog isn't going to sell as well as they hoped, I'm afraid.

But like I said, this makes me happy, because I didn't have all that much interest in the blog. I wanted the S/N feature. The fact that it'll be included in vB 3.7 just makes it sweeter, imo :D

LOL is there a thread here about you being a jerk?? Where?? I wanna weigh in on that one! j/k :giggle:
I think your exact words were, "...looks like an ass." I was, but that's besides the point. :D Here: http://www.vbulletin-faq.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9778

The only reason I said they may have made a mistake, was in the blog aspect. People were expecting them to be released together, and many many people made NO secret about the fact that the only reason they were going to purchase the blog was to get the SN feature. Now that they'll be separate, the blog isn't going to sell as well as they hoped, I'm afraid.
I understand. The initial announcement had been etched in the minds of those who take those things as gospel and now there's a big disappointment. Some people have no vision. A quick glance over at vB.org, or any modified forum (like here) will easily remind you of how bland the stock vB product is. It's one of the reasons it has such a huge catalog of modifications - to the joy of anyone willing to import an XML or edit a template. I have no doubt the blog will be clean and simple, as it should be. I also have no doubt it will be modified by coders to the nth degree. That's a good thing.

But like I said, this makes me happy, because I didn't have all that much interest in the blog. I wanted the S/N feature. The fact that it'll be included in vB 3.7 just makes it sweeter, imo :D
I'm looking forward to seeing what comes of the blog. I've got a couple entries on vB ( http://www.vbulletin.com/forum/blog.php?u=57168 ) and I really should continue to play with it, but I am trying to get my flooring forum situated on its new server right now. But, dammit, I sure wish they'd hurry up with 3.7 because my members reeealy need it now. :no:

Jim

rofl!!! too funny. Well I'm not making any excuses for my rant - I was ticked off. But it wasn't aimed entirely at you, if that's any consolation. People bitch over there like a bunch of babies! I don't care to post on release threads anymore, because the developers bust their asses to make a good product for us, and people bitch, bitch, bitch about another upgrade. I just want to scream at them "Grow the hell up people! If you don't want the better product, don't upgrade!!! "

/ end vent, lol

At any rate, I'm glad you came back even after reading that. :giggle:


But, dammit, I sure wish they'd hurry up with 3.7 because my members reeealy need it now. :no: :rofl:

Call me stupid but what exactly is this social networking thing.. I get what social networking is, mySpace, YouTube, etc.

How is this tieing into vB though? Member profiles will be able to be more myspace like? Postbit links to your MySpace profile like people are coding in already?

I guess I don't quite "get it"..Peggy help! :)

Well the only experience I have with SN is myspace and Zoints. vB hasn't revealed anything about how their SN is going to work, so I truly have no idea.

I guess I'm going on the assumption that it will somewhat resemble MS and Z, which is probably going to lead to disappointment.

I'm really hoping that it's not going to be hook-ups to myspace. I want nothing to do with that.

Thanks Peggy, you gave me a clue at least. We'll see how it plays out, at least I'll get to play with the SN aspect with out having to buy the blog add on. :)

Yeah that's what I'm liking about this turn of events as well. This'll be great for my TalkOhio forum :)

This is 'sort of' an explanation of what the SN feature is, or is supposed to do? from the original announcement about the official add-ons. Keep in mind that reference to the blog is now no longer applicable.

Additionally, vBulletin Blog adds social networking functionality to your vBulletin installation, which will allow your users to quickly and safely make connections and form relationships. Member profile pages are extended to include an enhanced buddy system, visitor tracking, blog integration and a comment system, all housed within a new and improved profile page template together with improved delivery of existing profile information.