I do not think i will support this community any longer.

[Arantor]

Last Active - 12 March...

So, doesn't care about the community but may have been here for other reasons? No idea.

[perplexed]

lol that's the thing that amuses me about the internet, no one can just make a decision and go, they have to tell everyone about it first.  Drama is the name of the game.

[Arantor]

* Arantor is guilty of that on more than one occasion

[perplexed]

sorry but I think we have probably all done it at one time or other.  It's not the same when you can't slam a door on the way out though lol

[Arantor]

Ah, the problem is when there is a door of sorts to slam, you half slam it then find yourself keep reopening it...

[Pegasys]

The original poster may not have returned because... as he/she said... not gonna support the community any more. But at least he/she left the door slightly ajar with a "I do not think.." precursor.


But I can understand the frustration of having SMF "in-between" for such an extended period of time.... especially if you are setting up a forum for the first time or just ready to upgrade your existing one.  You don't really want to commit to the "old version" with the new one so close to being ready. But if the final release is months (or years) away... you may not have the option of waiting for it.

Just knowing that something newer & better is almost ready... just takes all the shine away from the older version. And then when you see the official site running the new version... and so many of the 3rd party mod sites running it as well... it can be hard to know which way to go.


The regulars on this site seem to know what's what... and have all the latest poop on everything. But the majority of SMF users, keep in mind... only stop in occasionally when they need support or are looking for some mods to enhance their systems.  Their primary interests lie with whatever subject their forums are about... not the forum software itself.


SMF is clearly in flux... and the rumors or internal dissension do not help encourage confidence.  This can be seen with the SMF support (mods & themes, etc )community as well. Many mods added to forums... like the forum software itself.... are not something that you can freely often change like your underwear.  They may be free of cost... but they are certainly not free of a notable time commitment in setting them up. 

Once you decide which forum software to go with... or which of a major mod (like a portal mod) to use with it... most users are then largely committed to whatever they have chosen.  So many are shopping around... looking for the latest and greatest. And if one is ready and released before the competition... its going to get the greatest share of the market.  That's just simple Business 101 !!   


* Now... if you are predisposed to being flippant about this and think it doesn't matter... crunch some math.  Assume there are 1 million forum customers globally and, let's say... 3 major forum products available. If 99% of the market chooses or switches to 2 of those products because they were first with the  newer & improved version, then the 3rd one is gonna lose almost all of its interest, support... and in the case of freely developed, software... most of the appreciation that is actually the  paycheck for those who dedicate their time & efforts to developing & supporting  freeware.

* If Ford made the best car ever for 2011... it isn't gonna do them any good if they can't get it out to the show rooms & dealers before 2015.

[Gargoyle]

lol that's the thing that amuses me about the internet, no one can just make a decision and go, they have to tell everyone about it first.  Drama is the name of the game.

I still get emails from guildies on WoW.. I just left.. LOL

[Andy1122]

I have heard so much more about the compatibility issues within the different fractions of smf (developers, support team, friends, former friends, & the rest) and less issues with the software tool itself.  But has it stopped the wheel of progress so far? No and mostly won't.  If it affects the smf software in the nearest future, things will eventually work itself out for the generality of our community. 

My point is that the software works ... the system still works .... but the people behind it may have issues to deal with.  Let them deal with it whichever way they feel deemed. Anybody is free to leave or join the community whenever they feel like and for whatever reason. I care less ... you didn't leave the US because McCain had issues with Obama in the last election (and vice versa) so what's the fuss about leaving the community because some ex and current smf coders have issues to deal with. We all have issues to deal with, especially with colleagues at our workplaces.

There is a system in place here and it works, the other issues and the rest are irrelevant ... for now. And finally my advice to all those in dispute, find a negotiated agreed-upon win-win solution for the interest of the community

[Liam.]

Well said Andy. SMF is well established and won't go away for a long time due to the community, and if one person leaves, thats something they can't stop, but you're running away before it's over...

[adbrad]

I've thought about leaving the community and smf forever. but the other free forum scripts just don't compare.
this was made worse by one member having a dig but then i thought well just see how things work out

[bloc]

I have heard so much more about the compatibility issues within the different fractions of smf (developers, support team, friends, former friends, & the rest) and less issues with the software tool itself.  But has it stopped the wheel of progress so far? No and mostly won't.  If it affects the smf software in the nearest future, things will eventually work itself out for the generality of our community. 

My point is that the software works ... the system still works .... but the people behind it may have issues to deal with.  Let them deal with it whichever way they feel deemed. Anybody is free to leave or join the community whenever they feel like and for whatever reason. I care less ... you didn't leave the US because McCain had issues with Obama in the last election (and vice versa) so what's the fuss about leaving the community because some ex and current smf coders have issues to deal with. We all have issues to deal with, especially with colleagues at our workplaces.

There is a system in place here and it works, the other issues and the rest are irrelevant ... for now. And finally my advice to all those in dispute, find a negotiated agreed-upon win-win solution for the interest of the community

True, we all have. But from one that only tried being on a open source team like this for 3-4 years, its very discouraging to be in a team where some people tear apart the positive feeling, by going behinds peoples backs, by openly quarrelling and question every decision. Its like a bus where everyone wants to drive lol. Someone has to drive(and the driver can be changed), and the rest sit back - nothing different in RL.

Everyone is replaceable, true, but too many replacements too often leads to instability. If none of the same people working on SMF 2.0 beta1 is there for 2.0 RC3 its worse for the software. And thats the saddest aspect, that people with both experience and visions for SMF have gone purely due to the management inwards in the team.

But yes, SMF stand tall still - but at least us ex-teamers hope that things will change with the structure of the team, so that not only those willing to contribute once again, but also new people, will be able to do so without the same internal BS again. If not, well, there's the community of course. But the software(and team) will be in flux.

[Magestickown]

Piss. This thread is full of drama.




/thread

[kat]

Nobody forces you to read it, Magestickown/Majesticown..

[Magestickown]

Nobody forces you to read it, Magestickown/Majesticown..

I realize this. But if he's going to leave he should. And not cause a big drama fest. This thread has been spamming my e-mail ever since it has been posted.

[Arantor]

The OP's last post was 2 months ago, I guess that's about right.

[Antechinus]

SMF desperately needs a "cancel notification for topic" function.

[Arantor]

You can unnotify per se (if it's notifications -> emails), as for removing from unreadreplies, there's Karl's mod updated by vbgamer, as well as my hack published in the thread of that mod.

[Antechinus]

Yes I know you can turn off email notifications. I was meaning on a per topic basis rather than globally.

[Arantor]

Yeah, then see Karl/vbgamer's mod or my ugly hack. Would be great if installed here but somehow I doubt it'll happen.

[kat]

I HAVE asked/grovelled...