>> It's been a long time since I posted but I'm back with a HUGE dilemma.
In all honesty, this seems more of a vent, than a question. I don't see the specific question, or problem, here.
You want to use PHP, and in the past few months, GT has explicitly stated they are moving away from PHP. I don't like php for all sorts of reasons I've posted before, and I find it much more difficult to code for, maintain, and develop that a more structured language like Perl (is that an oxymoron??? or a moronic oxy??) (Yes, I've programmed in C, C++, Pascal, Delphi, Basic, and some I can't even remember using any more).
With very little effort, the GT template parser can do most of what PHP can do, within a faster, more stable environment. PHP's roots were for people who could not use PERL, and as such, it has a lot to over come to be like perl, and eventually may be there, so why not just use PERL and the GT parsers from the start? Just read what the parser engines can do, and what perl modules are out there to work with.
Be that as it may, What are you asking??? <G>
You moved away from GForum, to vBulletin, when most people go the other way -- ESPECIALLY when trying to create an integrated environment, or maintain several sites. I find most other Forum software cluttered and messy compared to GForum. I realize some sites want all the cutesy stuff, or it wouldn't exist, but it interferes with the "message" in most cases.
I'm biased, but I spent a lot of time looking at products before chosing GT's. In the past 5 years, I've been though good and bad times, as new products are released, but delays stretch on. Is it worth it? GT does not like to release a product before it's time. Their 0.x release is better than most companies 2.0, and when they get a 1.0, it's a solid 2.0 from anyone else.
I chose Links 2.0 over what ever was out there, and then moved into the early betas of Links SQL, and never looked back, or regretted the choice, even in the face of long delays. I don't have to worry about what is "under the hood" with GT's programs. You have no idea what that means in terms of growth, scalability, and long-term business planning.
I've watched the core/base code develop, and it's a true "engine" block of routines that can be used, reused, and modified to do much more than they are doiing now.
I've looked at some popular scripts out there, and *cringe* at what they are doing, when I see how GT has done it. Is GT right or the best in every situation? No. THey are human. But when you take it all together, they are not ordinary humans -- and their scripts are not either. (Ordinary that is, we know they are not human -- right?? Right?? C'mon, there isn't any AI in them, is there??)
I've looked at trying to make some scripts work with GT's code, in a Links/SQL environment (even existing SQL scripts) and when I see how they have coded routines, and logic (??, well, only in the strict programming definition, in most cases), I give up and add it to the list of things I have to rewrite or write myself. They simply are "hacks". GT's code is a complete, ground up, rewrite, based on existing perl modules, and improved modules. While there are "hacks" within the GT code, they are not the rule, but the exception.
The only question I see is the last part of your post, where you want to know if you should stick with GT and Ultranerds, and the huge base of perl programmers and programs, the CPAN archives, and such, or go with another group and PHP.
Hmmmm...... Stability, reliability, integration, reusability, Perl.... vs Unknown stability or reliability of code, PHP, one developer,....
Filet Mignon .... or Steak Um's.
Lobster ... or Tuna.
>> The choice is between staying with LinksSQL with the Ultra Package or moving to a PHP links solution with modifications made by the development company.
Hmmm..... I wonder which one I'd pick :)
Oh.... I already did..... :)
The bottom line is, from your message, you know what you want, and need to do. For some reason, you have chosen to do something else, perhaps for expediency (PHP), but it's not satisfying you, or you wouldn't be back here.
If you haven't been here in awhile... I don't think any "egos" are still around, and significant upgrades and improvements to 3rd party codes have been made by several developers - some new faces too.
>> there is a vast community of PHP enthusiasts to pick from
As opposed to the super vast community of perl programmers, developers, enthusiasts, and such (like some of the most brilliant minds ever to touch a computer or create a line of code)
Try this: http://forums.devshed.com/t90506/s.html in php <G>,
or more amazingly, this: http://www.perlmonks.org/index.pl?node_id=45213
(And yes, I'm just playing with you in this message. There is no way you'll find a better all around package of solutions or base code than with GT and Ultranerds. We're both in it for the long haul, and we both have personal stakes in it -- we run sites, not just sell software. But you knew that. Or you wouldn't be back after "switching" to vBulletin and PHP...... )
PUGDOG� Enterprises, Inc.
The best way to contact me is to NOT use Email.
Please leave a PM here.
In all honesty, this seems more of a vent, than a question. I don't see the specific question, or problem, here.
You want to use PHP, and in the past few months, GT has explicitly stated they are moving away from PHP. I don't like php for all sorts of reasons I've posted before, and I find it much more difficult to code for, maintain, and develop that a more structured language like Perl (is that an oxymoron??? or a moronic oxy??) (Yes, I've programmed in C, C++, Pascal, Delphi, Basic, and some I can't even remember using any more).
With very little effort, the GT template parser can do most of what PHP can do, within a faster, more stable environment. PHP's roots were for people who could not use PERL, and as such, it has a lot to over come to be like perl, and eventually may be there, so why not just use PERL and the GT parsers from the start? Just read what the parser engines can do, and what perl modules are out there to work with.
Be that as it may, What are you asking??? <G>
You moved away from GForum, to vBulletin, when most people go the other way -- ESPECIALLY when trying to create an integrated environment, or maintain several sites. I find most other Forum software cluttered and messy compared to GForum. I realize some sites want all the cutesy stuff, or it wouldn't exist, but it interferes with the "message" in most cases.
I'm biased, but I spent a lot of time looking at products before chosing GT's. In the past 5 years, I've been though good and bad times, as new products are released, but delays stretch on. Is it worth it? GT does not like to release a product before it's time. Their 0.x release is better than most companies 2.0, and when they get a 1.0, it's a solid 2.0 from anyone else.
I chose Links 2.0 over what ever was out there, and then moved into the early betas of Links SQL, and never looked back, or regretted the choice, even in the face of long delays. I don't have to worry about what is "under the hood" with GT's programs. You have no idea what that means in terms of growth, scalability, and long-term business planning.
I've watched the core/base code develop, and it's a true "engine" block of routines that can be used, reused, and modified to do much more than they are doiing now.
I've looked at some popular scripts out there, and *cringe* at what they are doing, when I see how GT has done it. Is GT right or the best in every situation? No. THey are human. But when you take it all together, they are not ordinary humans -- and their scripts are not either. (Ordinary that is, we know they are not human -- right?? Right?? C'mon, there isn't any AI in them, is there??)
I've looked at trying to make some scripts work with GT's code, in a Links/SQL environment (even existing SQL scripts) and when I see how they have coded routines, and logic (??, well, only in the strict programming definition, in most cases), I give up and add it to the list of things I have to rewrite or write myself. They simply are "hacks". GT's code is a complete, ground up, rewrite, based on existing perl modules, and improved modules. While there are "hacks" within the GT code, they are not the rule, but the exception.
The only question I see is the last part of your post, where you want to know if you should stick with GT and Ultranerds, and the huge base of perl programmers and programs, the CPAN archives, and such, or go with another group and PHP.
Hmmmm...... Stability, reliability, integration, reusability, Perl.... vs Unknown stability or reliability of code, PHP, one developer,....
Filet Mignon .... or Steak Um's.
Lobster ... or Tuna.
>> The choice is between staying with LinksSQL with the Ultra Package or moving to a PHP links solution with modifications made by the development company.
Hmmm..... I wonder which one I'd pick :)
Oh.... I already did..... :)
The bottom line is, from your message, you know what you want, and need to do. For some reason, you have chosen to do something else, perhaps for expediency (PHP), but it's not satisfying you, or you wouldn't be back here.
If you haven't been here in awhile... I don't think any "egos" are still around, and significant upgrades and improvements to 3rd party codes have been made by several developers - some new faces too.
>> there is a vast community of PHP enthusiasts to pick from
As opposed to the super vast community of perl programmers, developers, enthusiasts, and such (like some of the most brilliant minds ever to touch a computer or create a line of code)
Try this: http://forums.devshed.com/t90506/s.html in php <G>,
or more amazingly, this: http://www.perlmonks.org/index.pl?node_id=45213
(And yes, I'm just playing with you in this message. There is no way you'll find a better all around package of solutions or base code than with GT and Ultranerds. We're both in it for the long haul, and we both have personal stakes in it -- we run sites, not just sell software. But you knew that. Or you wouldn't be back after "switching" to vBulletin and PHP...... )
PUGDOG� Enterprises, Inc.
The best way to contact me is to NOT use Email.
Please leave a PM here.
Re: [galfriday] LinksSQL + Ultra Package VS Customized PHP Links Script