Just had a thought about a nice hack that could be added to this board.

When a hack is released for vB that we would like to try, we all click install and try the hack.

If it's a new hack then usually there are a few issues along the way. Usually these get ironed out with a few request for help with information about the issue.

But sometimes the support is non-existent and the thread just fills up with post after post of issues after issues.

Other times there is good support, but due to ongoing problems and incompatibilty issues the posts build up and up.

Now it's nice to see how many installs a hack has had, but without mooching through all the posts you really have no real idea whether the hack is either of the above.

My suggestion is that aswell as clicking 'Install' to download the hack you have a choice to click a 'Working' button after install.

Obviously not all people are going to revisit the hack and click 'Working' but if you visit a thread and there are:

100 Install clicks
10 Working clicks
and 20 pages of issues

then you know there is a chance of getting it working but you are obviously going to have some things to iron out.

On the other hand, if you visit a hack that has:

30 Install clicks
25 Working clicks
and 30 posts of thankyou's / issues

You have a good idea that the hack is working fine.

The reason I suggest this, is that at the moment you have to filter through all the posts of a hack just to see whether it's viable or original issues have been sorted.

Then (for example) if a Hack reaches 100 installs with 60%+ Working clicks, it gets moved into a sub forum of that thread for tested / working hacks.

e.g.

>3.5.x Plugins
|..> Working hacks
| |..> hack 1
| |..> hack 2
| |..> etc...
|..> New hack 1
|..> New hack 2
|..> etc...

This would enable a user to almost guarantee a hack to work without having to scan posts and hunt through pages and pages of fixes to get it to work.

Also.. one final note, Coders who post hacks and fail to support them over a period of time (especialy if there are lots of issues) should be penalized in some way, or at the least the hack should be removed.

To leave a hack available to download and be installed with known issues after pages and pages of calls for support is not in the best interests of the members or vBulletin customers.

cheers.

~Vb

~keep up the good work - all of you ;]

__________________

Thanks VB for the great suggestion. A thread has been started in the staff forums pointing to this request. I would also like to hear what other members have to think about something like this. ;)

Indeed thats a really nice idea but what i really don't like is that they all keep the hack for their own use and don't release it.

I've seen a site use extactly the same hack as vB.org but i cant find it and i really need it since my site is about downloading and supports so yea i guess ill wait for this and see if anyone is kind enough to release it.

I think the fact that it isn't released is a good thing, it's what makes a board unique.

A hack of this sort would take a lot of work, personally if I worked a hack of this size into one of my boards I would be reluctant to just release it initially.

Also, it always seems to be people that really don't know much about producing the hacks and the time and effort it takes that wonder why some are kept private. If you took the time to look into how the vB engine works you would have a general idea on how to modify and existing hack to suit your needs.

I'm sure a lot of vBHackers would agree they prefer supporting somebody with a coding issue where they are atleast trying to do something off thier own back rather than a request issue for something they want somebody else to do for them.

~Vb

i like the sound ov this addition.
personally i wouldn't have them moved into sub forums if not working.
as you well know there is many people that create there own problems and no fault of the hack itself.

so just a quick look at the thread to see if it has any working installs would be good enough for me

maybe another box for working install with fixes.

__________________
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Actually I said...

So the sub forum would contain 60%+ working hacks with over 100 installs.

You're suggestion about a box for fixes is good though. Although the Coder should update the first post with fixes that have been posted to save time.

Oh what an ideal world it would be .. ;]

The more I think about it the more I think this hack could develop into something great.. after all this board is all about the hacks.

Well the majority of the board is about Hacks and making things easier to install or fix issues.. the more I think about it, the more I think it would be great. Not just for the Coder to get a good reputation but for the end user.

I don't think Coders get as much credit as they deserve.. maybe this could lead onto something, Quarterly Coding awards.. little rossette under the Avatar.

for example:



Would you like one?

VB your just full of nice ideas, and I like it. ;) Butcher's idea about the boxes gives me a little idea also. I added a poll to this thread. Lets see the votes.

seems like a good idea to me to add those "awards"

i love your sig VB