The Future of phpBB

[imkingdavid]

So, they've already begun a new forum section at phpBB's area51 for discussion of phpBB 4. Does that seem kind of premature to you? They're only on version 3.0.6 of their 3.x line. I personally feel that they should continue with 3.0 instead of beginning a whole new software design. What's your thoughts on the matter?



Also, what features do you think they should add if they were to begin 4.0?

 

[Nebulous's iconNebulous]

Cool, maybe the will add standard ajax features and mod installations that dont require manual edits.

 

[Payton]

Cool, maybe the will add standard ajax features and mod installations that dont require manual edits.

That would be great.

 

[Corleone]

phpBB has an AutoMOD tool:

AutoMOD is a tool designed to parse and automatically install MODX MODifications for phpBB3. It also has the ability to uninstall MODs. It is a useful tool for MOD authors and end users alike: All MODs are installed with AutoMOD prior to being accepted in the MODs Database. As such, any MOD listed in the MOD Database should install with AutoMOD. Support for AutoMOD is available via the forums.

 

[alienS]

I would perfer AutoMOD to be automatic with the phpbb installation and more stable and can do edits for all the themes you have on your board.

 

[Nebulous's iconNebulous]

phpBB has an AutoMOD tool:

Not very many mods install with that.. Also you have to install the auto mod. They also have another called unmil or something like that. Which is also as useless. You usually end up having to do them manually anyways because those automatic things are buggy and unreliable.



Phpbb needs to release their own that is built into the software.

 

[phatuis]

To put this plain and simple, if they had more AJAX features and an auto MOD installation system like, say SMF, then they would dominate the competition.

 

[Corleone]

Not very many mods install with that.. Also you have to install the auto mod. They also have another called unmil or something like that. Which is also as useless. You usually end up having to do them manually anyways because those automatic things are buggy and unreliable.



Phpbb needs to release their own that is built into the software.

Agreed. Just thought I'd throw it out there. phpBB let alone is decent software, but the modifications build up the forum. Without MOD's, phpBB wouldn't be that great, but since they do offer MOD's, you are given some room to work with and you are capable of building up a great forum with the software, but as you've said, it requires installation for the autoMOD. I hope phpBB will revamp their software with a feature that allows you to automatically install MOD's. Till then, trail & error. I learned to install MOD's through the help of a few people, but I basically learned with trail and error. It is not an easy task at first, because it seems so intimidating at first, but it really isn't too hard whenever you learn how to do it for the first time and become comfortable with it. Another problem with phpBB is that they really do not have a user-friendly guide for people with no previous experience to install MOD's.

 

[akiratheoni]

I think that it's fine that they've started developing phpbb 4. It doesn't mean they're abandoning phpbb 3. A lot of companies do this with their products. For example, when the trading card game Magic: the Gathering releases a new expansion, their R&D team is already developing the next expansion that's due to come out in eighteen months -- so they're working a year and a half in advance.



If they're building phpbb 4 from scratch as they did with phpbb 3, it means they can start innovating and doing other things with the software such as integrating the mod installer as discussed above.

 

[Tom]

phpBB should come with all modifications pre-installed. It takes too long to install MODs on phpBB. And the whole layout is cluttered, not user friendly, slow and just -- ugly!



phpBB are the most premature forums any way - most of them. Very rarely do you come across a successful phpBB forum - so making 4.0 when you're still at 3.0.x doesn't surprise me.

 

[erocks08]

When is it coming out?

 

[Corleone]

Question is too premature: (Response from support team member at phpBB)

No phpBB 4.0.x won't be released in the coming couple of months, it won't be released for the coming couple of years

. The next major version will become phpBB 3.1.x but that one won't be released any time soon as development haven't started for that version at this moment.

But put 4.0.x out of your head because it isn't worth thinking about that one at this moment, 4.0.x will become an other complete rewrite so that will take at least a couple of years once the actual development starts.

So... Probably not for a few years.

 

[Crusader]

phpBB should come with all modifications pre-installed. It takes too long to install MODs on phpBB. And the whole layout is cluttered, not user friendly, slow and just -- ugly!



phpBB are the most premature forums any way - most of them. Very rarely do you come across a successful phpBB forum - so making 4.0 when you're still at 3.0.x doesn't surprise me.

You sir, rock! I'd choose a guestbook over phpBB

 

[Fierce]

phpBB should come with all modifications pre-installed. It takes too long to install MODs on phpBB. And the whole layout is cluttered, not user friendly, slow and just -- ugly!



phpBB are the most premature forums any way - most of them. Very rarely do you come across a successful phpBB forum - so making 4.0 when you're still at 3.0.x doesn't surprise me.

I disagree,PHPBB boards SHOULD NOT come with all modifications pre-installed.Some mods are buggy and awful and for some it would take up too many system resources.



Anyways I couldn't care less, I refuse to use phpBB1,2,3,4 and so on.

 

[Tom]

phpBB should come with all modifications pre-installed, or at least ones that are most installed.



Nobody wants to wait 1 and 2 hours for one modification to be done.

 

[Fierce]

phpBB should come with all modifications pre-installed, or at least ones that are most installed.



Nobody wants to wait 1 and 2 hours for one modification to be done.

This is why I don't use phpBB and I find their templating system annoying and confusing.

 

[Tom]

But in post number 14- you said you disagree.

 

[Skillet]

Yes, he might have, but just leave it at that.



I love phpBB. No problems at all.

 

[Tom]

Well in a debate, consistency has to be met. It's a prime requirement.



Trust me, I know - I'm a junior debater.

 

[Fierce]

But in post number 14- you said you disagree.

I didn't disagree with all of it,sorry for the confusion+.