Hello. I wonder if you still have the old UBBThreads available for download? Was a different look. Can't you make the old releases available free of charge? Why did you do this interface change (I like it!) But can I get the old look of UBB Threads?

Also, I am a little bit confused. Are UbbCentral the same company as Groupee, Infopop, Eve Community?

Why should I buy UBBThreads (which is much more expensive than other commercial forums)? Why is it more expensive than the others? Almost so you can't afford it.

Can I use UBB Threads as a CMS/Portal site? Can I add new navigation links and custom pages?

Is the theme on this site the same as is included? Where can I see and find other themes?

Is UBB Threads fully CSS (X)HTML valid? Clean code? SEO friendly? Can you have SEO URLS?

Modding/plugin/hack system?

PS. When I edit my post title, it changes in the post view and in the topics view, but not in latest post view. Why is that? Can you change that?

Regards,
Alexander

While we do still have 6.5.5 of UBB.threads in the Members Area it does require the same purchase price as you're not only purchasing the software but access to the members area for a year for any updates.

UBBcentral, Groupee, Infopop, Eve, are all run by the same company, yes.

You could use UBB.threads as a CMS/Portal site. It's not quite as feature rich as a true CMS system, but it can be done. You can add navigation links. There is an example script that allows you to see how to create custom pages that will blend in with the forum setup.

Our price is a bit higher than some. But we have some builtin features that others make you pay for, or are not included such as the portal system.

This theme isn't included in the stock download but it can be downloaded from our Styles Download Forum along with a variety of others. Most have a preview of the style as well.

We're very good on our css/xhtml validation. There are some here on this site, but they aren't in the base code, rather coming from this custom style that is in use. Code has been totally rewritten and very easy to follow. We have search engine friendly URLs as you can see from this setup.

We don't have a plugin system, but we do have an dedicated modification site, at http://www.ubbdev.com.

The post title not changing is more than likely a bug or a cache not being updated, will need to look at that.

Hopefully I got all of your questions. Let me know if you need any clarification on any of them.

Thank you Rick. I am glad to hear that you offer the old download too. But I would probably use the newest version if I bought UBB Threads.

Is there any other way you can get it cheaper than its current price? ($229)

Do you still offer security and bug fixes for old UBB Threads versions?

The cost is actually pretty reasonable. Not only are you getting direct conversation with the lead developer, who actually listens to your input and suggestions directly -- let alone UBBDev.com which helps with special needs -- you have a very helpful community here to back you up.

I've read the forums of other products - and you have to agree they're often full of (how should I put it...) kinda dumb questions. I haven't seen that here at all. Read through these forums and you'll see...

As for bug fixes - they've been on top of things regularly since I've been involved (about 6 years). Granted, most of the energy goes to the latest versions, but that's understandable.

i answer all questions hehe...

And I agree, the license fee isn't bad at all, its just the initial license, renewals to member area are also quite reasonable.

As for legacy products, support for UBB.C has died, I don't recall if a EOL has been announced for support of UBB.C6.x however. But you can also always find support for all of the UBB products both here and UBBDev (ether of which you'll have me, your friendly neighborhood spamaholic to keep you company hehe)...

See, I said I couldn't explain it.. haha I didn't mean "dumb questions" per se (cuz there isn't such a thing)... I guess my point is, you'll likely find more *helpful* answers here for your more in-depth questions...

There are no dumb questions, just those people we hide in the back room when we're whipping the slaves...

Well, I still think the price is a little bit high! I registered for the demo (Is it a downloadble demo or just a demo site?) for like 2 days ago and I still no email.

Argh, I wish this software was free, always has to be so expensive. I mean, I guess I can't afford it. Maybe have to go with another free or cheaper software. I think you should half the price if you wanna compete with vBulletin and Invision Power Board, but that is my opinion.

So if you buy 5 licenses, then it is over $1000, which is alot!!

With a license, are you just allowed to run it on one website and one install? As IPB, vBulletin, FusionBB and all other commercial forums' licenses? I hate that kind of licensing.

Exactly why should I buy this more expensive forum? What does it have that other hasn't?

I believe Groupee offers volume pricing when ordering 5+ licenses (from an email i had back with the sales department a year or so back).

One license is for one site, its standard with the type of product.

There are several "why should I buy ubb other than _____" threads on this site, some quick reasons:
The level of support is unmatchable, where else can you talk with the lead developer anytime you need? Where else will you get the style and type of support, let alone have a say in the way the product works? Everyone else is in it for the money, Rick however is the original creator of UBB.threads, it's his baby as it's always been, he wants to see it be the best it can be.

There is one such thread here (first oen i found in this forum, there are several others astrew).

One thing to also keep in mind is that some forum solutions encode their sourcecode with any number of solutions (Zend, IonCube, etc) however with UBB.threads you get direct access to the code which is non-encoded to modify as you wish.

Bottom line though is if you can't afford it, then you can't afford it. We can give you all the information in the World but if you don't have the money for it then we're not going to be able to assist you in that department.

There are alternatives if you have to go down that road but if you're new at this type of software you'll find it difficult at best to get it going and keep it going beyond a VERY basic board.

No. I am more of a Pro on Bulletin Boards than you think. I am sure I know more than you about this. Just because the price is over $200 doesn't mean it is better.

You guys don't like newbies asking here (like in phpBB you said), that is a very stupid attitude. Well, I will see if I will buy UBBThreads, will let you guys know then.

Hi Alexander -

Perhaps we're trying too hard. I don't think there's a "general attitude" against newbies here at all. Joking around here and there, maybe, but probably with the intent to convey that because this product is less mainstream (and not free), it seems to attract a bit more sophisticated customer base.

Only you can decide was is right for your site. You've taken it for a spin here, and are encouraged to continue to see all that Threads has to offer. If you'd like to check out the Admin area, you can ask for a demo here. I think you'll find it to be very user-friendly and much more powerful than many other products.

As for the cost, sure, it may seem* like more than most others. But having tried almost all other BB products out there (like you), I've found that you usually get what you pay for. And to me it's rather moot considering the value (to me) of the community that I've built, and the helpful community here. And it doesn't hurt that my sites are reasonably profitable so I'm still way ahead of the game.

*Let me quickly compare some key points of Threads vs another popular alternative:

"$149.99" is cheaper in the short term, sure. But that's good for "6 months of support/upgrades". Add another $25 for another 6 months. Now you're up to $175. "2 business day ticket response" can seem like a lifetime when your forums are down. I've gotten help here sometimes in minutes, and certainly within an hour or two. If you want "1 business day turn around" yet still only "6 months of support" you're now up to "$299.99" for a "Business License", plus another $50 for the next 6 months. That's $350. I like their product as well, but when I add it up, to me it doesn't compare, IMHO.

But as I said, whatever's right for you is, well, right for you. Good luck on whichever solution you decide upon!

JG

Hello jgeoff!

Thanks for your answers. I know that you mean IPB, but how do you think UBB Threads compare to FusionBB and vBulletin?

I registered for the demo for like 3 days ago, yet no email.

The email is automated and should come immediately after you sign up for the demo. Since it's only available for 24 hours, the original has expired already. Go ahead and sign up for another one, if you don't receive an email (check your spam folder as well), then let me know and I'll give you the URL once it's setup.

Thanks Rick.

It was in the Spam filter. I will check it out.

I have nothing against other comparable products - But if you take a look at this comparison chart, for instance, keep in mind that some of those "NO's" under Threads should be "YES's", and most others are currently under development for a near-future release (as far as I know). There are also features that they don't list there that Threads already provides, like the Shout Box, and will likely provide in the future (blogs).

They all have their pros/cons, but as I said, UBB was right for me.

Okey, I tried out the admin control panel! Pretty neat. I love the style of UBB.

Some questions, what are post islands?

Can I get RSS news to a specified forum?

Can I search inside a topic?

I have put member ratings and topic ratings on, where do I rate a topic? I have turned it on in the ACP, but I don't see any "Rate Topic" nor "Rate Member".

Can I get more stuff to show beside each post? Such as MSN/AIM or something simular or custom profile fields or fields that user has edited?

Can I make custom profile fields?

How to for example hide avatars for guests? Where do I find that permission system?

Also is there a rating system for user's post? Can I show the rating/karma beside each post?

Post islands are basically small blocks that contain recent posts or topics. You can see one in use here on the left side entitled "Recent Topics".

Yes, you can create an RSS feed for a specific forum or for multiple forums.

You cannot search inside an individual topic at this time.

Rating a topic is under the "Topic Options" dropdown. Rating a member is done from their profile screen.

To add more things besides each post would currently take a template modification, would be fairly simple and could be requested at UBBDev.com.

Yes, you can make 5 custom profile fields. These can be setup on the Registration Settings -> Registration Screen Tab in the control panel.

Show user avatars for anon users is set under Display Options -> General -> Topic Display Options.

You can't rate individual user posts at this time. Only the user or the topic itself.

So much for saving Rick some time...

Some questions, what are post islands?

Post Islands aka content islands are the boxes you see on the left and right - you can create your own and put whatever content you'd like in them. See my forum for an example of placing Google or other ads. See: CP > Custom Islands

Can I get RSS news to a specified forum?

You can set up RSS feeds for any/all forums. See: CP > RSS Feeds

Can I search inside a topic?

You can search specific forums or all forums. Also search by Member. You might be able to search a particular thread if you include the thread title with your search term. I think Search needs a little more work, but I'm hoping it'll be fine-tuned as the software grows.

I have put member ratings and topic ratings on, where do I rate a topic? I have turned it on in the ACP, but I don't see any "Rate Topic" nor "Rate Member".

At the top of each thread you'll see a "Rate this Topic" pulldown. I don't have "Rate Member" enabled, but I assume it'd be in the pulldown when clicking on the person's name next to a post. (There are a few neat shortcuts in those pulldowns, actually)

Can I get more stuff to show beside each post? Such as MSN/AIM or something simular or custom profile fields or fields that user has edited?

All those fields are displayed in a person's profile. You can pretty easily add them under their names in posts with edits to the appropriate templates.

Can I make custom profile fields?

There is space for a few extra fields already built in. Check out your own profile options and preferences.

How to for example hide avatars for guests? Where do I find that permission system?

Hmmm... can't seem to find that for only Guest users. I thought it was in an earlier version. But you may be able to set that in Group permissions?

Also is there a rating system for user's post? Can I show the rating/karma beside each post?

Just Topics and Member Ratings at this point. I don't even use Member Ratings because it could cause ill-will and hurt feelings. I'm sure the same about Post Ratings, if it was an option.

Thanks for the answers.

Well I mean to fetch RSS data from an outside source and make new threads each time. For example lets say news from BBC News, and each time a new entry is posted at BBC News then it will create a new topic with the data in the specified forum.

How to make a site navigation as in this portal?

What is advanced support? So If I buy the cheapest license, then I get no support?

You can probably fetch RSS news and post them in a custom content island. As for it actually creating new threads, that'd probably take a major hack - if even possible at all.

How to make a site navigation as in this portal?

You mean a site map, or?

What is advanced support? So If I buy the cheapest license, then I get no support?

You get the same support you're getting right now included. Advance Support would be for more complex issues which Rick could better explain...

(I'm afraid to reply now thinking Rick already has. )

Oh and just to chime in real quick, I've been with the UBB since the late 90's, and experianced several authors over several company names and a couple of products... Keep in mind that this was well before several of the competing products where even a twinkle in their authors eyes.

Alright. Thanks for the answers.

Nah, I mean the "Purchase" and all the portal navigation links in the portal.

Gizmo, what do you mean with that?

we had something like this in the initial beta, it wasn't that large of a "hack" it was actually a fairly easy update; but it hasn't worked "well" since like Beta4

Add a new custom island, and assign it where you want it to be (under your portal settings)

Okey. Thank you.

Might come with more questions.

I count on it ;)...

I'm working on styles though, so any responses from me may take a while :x

Would be nice - I can think of a few sites that generate nice rss feeds, that would be good for an automated forum.

I got some new ones.

Why are UBB Threads so expensive??

$229 per license and $125 for upgrades (that is insane!). I mean come on, the upgrade price is insane and also the first license price!

Why are Mercedes more expensive than Subarus?

If you look beyond price and consider features and support, you'll find it very competitive I think.

The main reason is we have some things, like the portal, that other software doesn't include or that you have to pay extra for. We're not a new company, so our pricing was never set to undercut anyone. We might not do as many new sales as some of the cheaper competitors but we have a good track record with return customers, either renewing or buying more licenses. This allows us to focus more on what our current customers want instead of what we need to do to attract new customers.

Well, the standard license doesn't include advanced support, what exactly does it mean?

If I buy the software, and after the year then can I still use it, if I don't payed for updates.

So it is a lifetime license?

Advanced support is only necessary if there is some technical issue that can't be resolved by normal means. For example if someone is having some type of an issue that they just can't figure out even with standard help via a ticket and forum, and they want me to login to their server and debug it for them, then that would fall into Advanced Support.

Advanced support is pretty rare, out of all of our tickets and help on the forum I maybe have a couple a month.

Yes, the license for the version you currently have installed at any time does not expire, it's good for life. You only need to renew if your access has expired and you want to download a newer version.

Alright. Thanks for the answers Rick.
Can you get discount on the upgrade?

Upgrades are optional, not required.

Unlike other bills you may have, this one only requires future payments if you want them.

AFAIK the only discounts are on bulk licenses; but this would be a better question for sales versus the lead programmer.

though it may be prudent to state that some security issues may arise where an upgrade would be noted as critical, although rare

So security fixes and bug fixes aren't free to somewhat "old releases"? So you have to pay for the upgrade for security and bug fixes?

"bugfix releases" are generally new versions; I have heard in the past of people getting a critical bugfix release through the support desk when their license had expired.

It's also good to keep in mind that Rick has stated that he plans on the major releases to be pushed out regularly, which means major features added quickly and more often than in the past, so you could easily see several major revisions within a simple 2 month period in which bugfixes would also be pushed out for.

Alright, I love UBB Threads, the look and everything. I am just afraid I will miss something from vBulletin or Invision Power Board (IPB) if I choose these board and I am not sure but maybe they have better permission controls. Is it something they have that UBB Thread hasn't?

Any tips or comments how UBB Threads is better than vBulletin and IPB, except the portal? I would love to hear some stuff why I should choose this forum over them. If I am honest, the default style on this forum is the only one of these I have seen that I like, I am not sure if I will be able to make a nice skin for and if it as customizable as vBulletin or IPB.

Also do you have a future roadmap for UBB Threads, so I know where the forum I am buying is going.

Would it be easy to do this? To make a new navigation link to Watched Topics and show when the latest post was added, should actually be default in UBB Threads. A single page just for Watched Topics, so you easily can get access to your subscribed content. Because it is somewhat hard to go to My Stuff > Watched Topics > My Watched Content > My Watched Topics.

Another small suggestion, why not just enter the previous edit reason text when editing the post again, so you don't have to enter it twice or again.

On active topics, can I add lets say "Active topics in x days or x weeks or x years?"?

A cool thing would be "Show my shoutbox comments" and in the shoutbox, show previous shouts if enabled by the admin.

How do I make a private topic? How does it works? Can I invite multiple recipients and kick them if I don't want them there anymore, lets say for collaboration etc.? Or kick any persons that I don't want to give access to anymore. ?

When I click the topic, why do I come to the 4th page instead of the 5th page which is the last post?

If I just want to reply, to none but just to the post, must I use quick reply then? Since if you click a reply button on someone's post, then you reply that person.

Can I add custom BB Code? Can I add flash content, such as YouTube videos?

Can I just give certain usergroups or users right to use an avatar, and specify different sizes for different users or usergroups? Can I turn animated GIFs for some people or usergroups on and for the others off? Can I give access to images in signature for some users and usergroups and some not? Is the permission system powerful in that way?

A few things that've come up lately:
1. Direct contact with developers.
2. No "funky" licensing.
3. a promised "faster" release cycle (which means more features/faster)
4. quick and percise support via the supportdesk, or this forum.
5. a large development community
6. me, because everyoe just loves me lol

Making a link in the navigation bar would be as simple as editing the template file (header.tmpl I believe).

The shoutbox currently purges data as it goes over the limit, so keeping a log of items isnt' a possibility.

A private topic is a private message, there are several ways, you can click on the users name on a normal post and select send pm rom the dropdown, or you can click send pm from their profile. You can add numerous people to the list by entering their name in the private topic box and clicking add. You can invite as many people (up to the limit set by the admin in the control panel) as you'd like to a private topic. I don't believe there is a current feature to kick people from a PT, though it would make a great feature request.

I think the 4th/5th topic thing may be a bug, are you sure that the last post on page4 was already read?

The quickreply box is always open, it';llautomatically attach itself to the last post unless you select quick reply (or reply) to anindividual post.

You can hack in just about anything you want, you get access to the core code with the UBB, no fancy encoding like with other products.

i think your permissions will take a while to be added in as a feature, but I believe rick is planning to increase the permission system at a later date

Alright. Thanks Gizmo. I am just afraid that I won't have money for the upgrades in the long run. 5 years of upgrades are $625.

Also, please submit these request I showed you, and I would love the "Watched Topics" in the navigation, and kick participants.

I think it should be a button "New Private Topic", can be confusing that you have to find an user and click "PM" just to start a Private Topic.

Another great thing for the admin would be to turn or off Mark As Edited and also being able to select the Mark As Edited box as unselected as default, can be quite annoying to just uncheck it if you never write a reason.

Why is Convert license to Silver or Gold
Click Order for prices? Why not just show the price?

Also was the UBB Threads pricing extremely high for some years ago? So it is cheaper overall?

I also wonder if you offer some converters from other forum bulletin board software.

Just to ask again, will I still be able to download UBB Threads 6.x?

Why does Groupee have two products and not just one?

Can I show the last topics on an external HTML page easily for news etc from a specific category?

Bear in mind that you do not need to renew your subscription every year - it is optional - you only need to renew when you wish to either get support or download an update etc.

I tried do "Total topics to to show per page: (default is 10)" to 100 and it said it is invalid, why is that? It seems like it is limited to 1-99, also posts per page, the admin should be able to set it unlimited. I am just replying in the quick reply box, however it says "Re: Ian", even though I didn't reply specifically to him.

Try 35 for topics and posts, that's what mine are set at. I use this number as my forum's default because someone a while back on WebTV said it couldn't display more than that for them for some reason.

I don't have time right now to help w/ the other questions, sorry. Gotta run out again soon. Just had to get a quick fix.

I have all mine set to 99 - I prefer the longer length.

99 is the maximum without altering the code.

It says 're: Ian' as that was the last post in the thread at the time of posting....

Alright, thanks for the answers.




Well, yes, but it is still not accurate since I am just replying to the thread and I am not replying to you.

Also what about multiquote? Is it available or maybe as an add-on? Should be included by default of course.

You are - as I am the last post - if you wish to reply to someone else, you need to click on reply to that post

feature requests can be made anytime by posting in the feature/sugguestion forum.

As an admin you can edit the template files to make changes, this would include the "deticking of the mark as edited" box.

Convert license is greyed out as the price varies based on your license type. If you have a silver license, it costs less to upgrade to a gold license than from a standard license; hence why you have to click the box and login with your license, so a proper price can be displayed.

The UBB prices for UBB.threads has remained about the same for quite the while.

There are converters in the member area, these are currently just for UBB.Threads6.5, UBB.Classic 6.7, and PHPBB. Rick has stated that the next converter on the block is the vBulletin one.

When you get access to the member area, you have full access to:
UBB.Classic 6.7.x Final
UBB.threads 6.5.x Final
UBB.threads 7.x Releases (and public betas)

Groupee has one downloadable product and one hosted product, the hosted product is for people who don't want to have to bother with maintenance, and the downloadable is for people who want more power.

There isn't a stock manner to display active topicson an external page, short of the recenttopics island; if you know how to code php/mysql it's relitively easy to make such an addon.

As ian noted, you only need to renew member area access when you want to download an update; you don't HAVE to renew member area access if you don't wnat to and it is always your choice to do so.

Your license is yours forever once you buy it, it's good for one operating installation at a time, you can use the software indefinately (unlike some other license-ware forum solutions).

Also, if you depend on search engines for traffic, not to mention if you don't want to be hectic on your server resources), i'd keep total topics to show per page under 15 or so (10-25 is good for search engine food).

If you use the quick reply, and don't reply specifically to a post (using its quick reply button) it will attach your post to the last post on the thread (for threaded-mode compatability).

I'm not sure what you mean by multiquote though...

It's gonna say Re: Someone regardless of how you reply. Personally, I don't even notice those links -- I pretty much only assume someone is replying to a specific person when they quote that person directly... Maybe that's just me, tho...

Alright, thanks for the answers. With multiquote I mean the ability to quote multiple persons.

There already is a multiquote, but it only works for the Quick Reply

Alright. But isn't their an option to show multiquote within each post or something, maybe beside the quote button?