Open Source vs Cloud Hosting features

Skisma

Hi,

I'm new to vanilla's software and am curious about the features in the open source version. I've begun customizing my new forum today and noticed there seems to be not as many built-in features as I expected. I could just be overlooking since I am new to this, so I apologize if that's the case. I guess my question is, are there more features in the hosting version than the free version? I thought I read that they were the exact same, the only difference being that the premium version is "peace-of-mind" being that that there is a dedicated support team that assists with everything.

Edit: I realize I probably should have searched a little further before posting this. I'm still looking for answers, but if this is considered spam or a duplicate thread, I'll understand if it's deleted.

Adrian

Those looking for a good page on comparison can review : http://vanillaforums.com/resources/understanding-vanilla-offerings

peregrine

I thought I read that they were the exact same,

have you looked here...

http://docs.vanillaforums.com/

Skisma

@peregrine‌ Yes, I didn't see a comparison chart or anything.

All I really want is to give as much functionality to users as possible, a reason for them to come back and post again. Such as a rep system, polls, etc....are there any plugins you recommend?

peregrine

no. the searchbox is your best friend.

here are a few I found when I made the effort to type some words in a searchbox.

some old...

http://vanillaforums.org/discussion/25578/nominations-for-best-plugin-created-this-year
http://vanillaforums.org/discussion/28401/vanilla-awards-for-best-community-developed-plugin-theme-and-application

http://vanillaforums.org/discussion/26469/what-best-plugins-vanilla-forums

these also may be of interest if you haven't read them.

http://vanillaforums.org/discussion/28420/faq/p1

http://docs.vanillaforums.com/

http://vanillaforums.org/discussion/25115/how-to-how-can-a-new-user-better-help-the-community-when-asking-a-question

hgtonight

Welcome to the community!

This gets asked about once a month, so it would be awesome if there was a single post I could point to: http://vanillaforums.org/discussion/comment/213124/#Comment_213124

Skisma

@hgtonight‌ Thanks for being so welcoming! Yea I kind realized that was a generic question after I posted it, sorry:/

Your plugin, Yaga, does it work with 2.1.6? It gives me the warning message when I navigate to it's download page.

hgtonight

Are you talking about the following message?

Warning! This community-contributed addon has not been tested or code-reviewed. Use at your own risk.

That is added to all the community addons unless someone from Vanilla Inc. specifically review the code and click a little box saying "This is reviewed".

I wouldn't say disregard it completely, but you can in the case of my addons.

vrijvlinder

@hgtonight said:
Are you talking about the following message?

Warning! This community-contributed addon has not been tested or code-reviewed. Use at your own risk.

I wouldn't say disregard it completely, but you can in the case of my addons.

LMFAO, I have never seen such self deserved deserved humility ! But please don't bog hart that joint.. peregrine has some deserving ones too.. as do others. The warning is only about items that the community has provided but does not necessarily insulate the vanilla team's "approved provided" from bugs. It only means it is free and worked at some point for someone else.

Skisma

@hgtonight‌ @vrijvlinder‌ ahh I see, well that's good to know! I downloaded your plugin, but didn't read the readme so I installed wrong. I'll have to look at that tomorrow.

While I've got your attention, do yall know of any good prefix plugins? I searched and only found 1 or 2 results that haven't been updated in years. I'm really looking for way to give users prefixes to assign to their discussion topic. Ex: in my Forge Maps category/forum I would like the options of Halo 2, Halo 3 and Halo 4 to be available in a dropdown box when starting a new discussion.

hgtonight

I am not sure what a prefix plugin is.

Mind describing it in more detail?

Bleistivt

I guess he means a predefined set of tags one can choose to go before the discussion title. That's kind of what categories and sub-categories are for, though.

I found this, not sure if it still works, though:

http://vanillaforums.org/addon/discussionprefix-plugin

x00

The vanilla core is "vanilla", you use addon in both cases to spice it up.

The difference is the hosted service is for those who don't want to worry about software and server stuff, and have a selection of hand picked addons, which are supported by the team. But you have to stick to those.

OS version for people who want to get their hands dirty, you can pretty much do what you want IF you have the knowledge and skills.

Yes there are thing unique to the hosted version, but there are often equivalents for the OS version.

Skisma

@hgtonight‌ @Bleistivt‌ Yes that's correct, a predefined set of tags that users can select when starting a new discussion that will display as a "prefix" to the discussion title. So in my "Forge Maps" category/forum we can have for instance [Halo 3]: My Halo Map.

Categories/subcategories wouldn't really work as well here because then users can also post in the parent forum and it will cause inconsistency...because "Forge Maps" isn't a root forum and I can't just make it a header.

hgtonight

So... predefined tags?

Have you looked at the tagging plugin?

Skisma

@hgtonight‌ Well not actual tags, I have that plugin enabled already. I'm talking about prefixes, they're actually pretty common in forums so hopefully I can find something.

Example: http://files.vbulletin.com/3.7/thread-prefixes.png

I did see there is a plugin called "DiscussionPrefix", but it hasn't been updated in over 4 years so I'm not sure that will work.

vrijvlinder

That happens to be a @Linc plugin and maybe he can revamp it

http://vanillaforums.org/addon/discussionprefix-plugin

peregrine

@Skisma I did see there is a plugin called "DiscussionPrefix", but it hasn't been updated in over 4 years so I'm not sure that will work.

As harsh as it may seem, some things are spoon fed and tested for you, and some things you just have to breakdown and test for yourself. Setting up a duplicate test forum (examples given in tutorials category) is an ideal way to go for testing things. Also reading all the comments that are placed below the plugin when you click on the plugin itself can give you insights. As well as reading the description and the readme carefully. Its really pretty simple to try it yourself. then report back what bug or problem you found and someone might offer help.

Also, people have the option of posting here, it helps the community (people like yourself, helping people like yourself)

http://vanillaforums.org/discussion/26703/plugins-themes-that-work-and-dont-work-in-vanilla-2-1

Otherwise cloud solutions may be your best option.

Skisma

@vrijvlinder‌ Ah ok, well I'll look into it a little further to see if maybe it'll still work.

@peregrine‌ cool story bro

Adrian

Those looking for a good page on comparison can review : http://vanillaforums.com/resources/understanding-vanilla-offerings

peregrine

@Adrian said:
Those looking for a good page on comparison can review : http://vanillaforums.com/resources/understanding-vanilla-offerings

from the link....

Vanilla OSS needs to be installed on a web server that is running Apache, PHP and MySQL. Installing plugins requires uploading files to the server.

does it require Apache? seems like others run it without Apache and use other web server software e.g Nginx.

Maybe

Vanilla OSS needs to be installed on a server that is running PHP, MYSQL. and a webserver (e.g. Apache), Installing plugins requires uploading files to the server.

hgtonight

@peregrine said:
does it require Apache? seems like others run it without Apache and use other web server software e.g Nginx.

I, for one, run it on nginx in the wild. I still use apache for some local development though.