Discussion: vBulletin Project Tools Update / Private Beta Applications

[Steve Machol]

Please use this thread to discuss the Project Tools beta test program announced here (http://www.vbulletin.com/forum/showthread.php?t=225267).

[Mazinger]

First reply. :D

It's very weird.

I like some new functions there. :)

[Joseph]

Looking spiffy.

I like the Project Tools, I will defenately use that. I would suggest however chaning those version links to maybe a drop down, seeing as how a product version can get very large.

However I know it's still in development, however I will eagerly await the release of this product.

[simsim]

Quite impressive. Will wait to see how designers will come with innovative styles for it.

Well done, Jelsoft.

[derfy]

Frickin' a, man. This pwns.

[Onimua]

Very nice indeed. :)

I've applied. One way or another we'll all test it, but it's nice to try and see if we can get our hands on it first. :p

Good job, Jelsoft. :D

[Reeve of Shinra]

I think I need to play around with it more to fully appreciate the application.

Does the project tracker feature milestones?

[Onimua]

Hm... would it be too much to ask to put a link to project.php in the navbar, Quick Links, or some other place instead of having to click on one of the links under a vBulletin version, the click the breadcrumb to get to the main Project Tools section? :rolleyes:

[Floris]

It could be in QuickLinks for the time being I guess.

[---MAD---]

Seems interesting. Not sure if it would be useful for many forums though.

[psalzmann]

Love it, can't wait to start beta testing with my community. In fact, I've already started my testing prior to being accepted (hope you don't mind) :)

I received a DB error on this url (http://www.vbulletin.com/forum/projectpost.php?do=addreply&issueid=21662&quotenoteid=40377):

Regards,
Peter

[y2ksw]

I'm waiting for this for ages, when is it ready? :D

[Dream]

I liked the search from the old bug tracker.

Hopefully a search box (table) could be added under the "Pending Petitions" box.

[zappsan]

Looks great :)

Will we also be able to submit feature requests through this tool in future?

[bmc]

I have applied for the private beta testing rounds. My initial impressions of this product are on that of a positive note; it seems to have a good, solid feature set for this stage in development, and seems quite advanced for a project management application of its caliber. I do particularly like the usage of AJAX technology throughout the product, such as for the issue statuses, priorities, assigned users, and more. I feel that Jelsoft is utilizing today's latest and coolest technology available to keep up with modern technology standards. Not only that, but furthermore, I like the interaction of users in the product that it allows for - firstly, it allows for petitions, replies, notifications, and additional features to allow for community interaction in the involved project(s). I look forward to testing the product and articulating more comprehensive feedback (as stated in my beta testing application) for the private beta testing rounds, as well as thoroughly testing the product. :)

I look forward to seeing the development of this product progress, and participate in the private beta testing rounds to aid in this development to provide articulated feedback and give helpful, professional, and friendly insight into my opinions of the product, provide feature suggestions, note where improvement can be made (if applicable/necessary), and where great benefits are already implemented into the product(s) (if applicable/necessary).

[Andy Huang]

Awesome news :O
I can't wait for the beta :D

[StarBuG]

I can't wait for the blog.

This will be a very usefull addition to my communities.

[---MAD---]

Question:
http://www.vbulletin.com/forum/project.php?issueid=362

How come the quick reply button and the multi quote has been removed from the project addon threads?

MAD

[Mazinger]

Question:
http://www.vbulletin.com/forum/project.php?issueid=362

How come the quick reply button and the multi quote has been removed from the project addon threads?

MAD
It's still under development. Alot of features are lost.

[Floris]

It's still under development. Alot of features are lost.
That's a statement based on assumptions. No features are 'lost'.

[Mazinger]

That's a statement based on assumptions. No features are 'lost'.

What I wanted to say is that's the first version, and alot of developments are coming soon.

[---MAD---]

What I wanted to say is that's the first version, and alot of developments are coming soon.
They said its nearly "feature complete".

[mhc1576]

I hope there is a feature to move threads/bugs to and from forums.
Usually the discussion starts in a thread and later creeps up as a bug.
To force users to put in the same info again in bugtracker is not easy.
Also people starts bugs when they really just want to discuss.
Would be nice to be able to move them to a proper forum instead.

Another feature missing in vB that would be handy in Project is Post as another user for admins. Then info coming via PM or email could be used under the proper user instead of posted under user admin.

[wii]

Exactly, I appreciate what Jelsoft is doing in extending the forum software, but a project tool is very specific to few boards, compared to a gallery, blog, cms, reviews, downloads, and so on.....


Seems interesting. Not sure if it would be useful for many forums though.

[Fusion]

I hope there is a feature to move threads/bugs to and from forums.
Usually the discussion starts in a thread and later creeps up as a bug.
To force users to put in the same info again in bugtracker is not easy.
Also people starts bugs when they really just want to discuss.
Would be nice to be able to move them to a proper forum instead.

Another feature missing in vB that would be handy in Project is Post as another user for admins. Then info coming via PM or email could be used under the proper user instead of posted under user admin.
I'm pretty sure move to/from forums will be in there, it is a forum add-on after all.

As for the Post as user ability, I agree as long as such a post clearly identifies who is posting on behalf of the user.

[Fusion]

Exactly, I appreciate what Jelsoft is doing in extending the forum software, but a project tool is very specific to few boards, compared to a gallery, blog, cms, reviews, downloads, and so on.....
I'm not sure there's so few boards who could use the Project Tools. You'd be surprised how many software companies, big and small, who uses vBulletin both internally and externally.

[jeffinj]

Very good effort from Jelsoft. :D But what is bug tracker and project tools? I guess Ive never used them.

[Floris]

Very good effort from Jelsoft. :D But what is bug tracker and project tools? I guess Ive never used them.
A bug tracker is a place on your forum where you, members, or staff can post (or rather report) bugs. So people from the staff (or developers from a software) could look at the reported bugs, investigate them and fix it.

This way there's a centralized location where issue can be reported, discussed, voted on, and tagged as 'completed', or 'is not actually a bug', or 'will be feature in future version'.

Software companies could use this. vBulletin for example users this. When a vB customer finds a problem with vBulletin that's due to a bug in vBulletin they can report it in the bug tracker, our developers then reads it, fixes it and the next release will have it included.

The project tools also allows you to post new 'tasks', which is handy for staff members. They have a quick overview of what needs to be done, and others know which staff member does what.

Another option is to publish a suggestion or feature. Like 'could we get a blog installed on this web site?', or 'i would like to have quick reply turned on'. And staff and members of a site could discuss that.

Some web sites might not need it, others simply want to have it and use it internally for their staff. And some web sites want to use it to have their members involved with the development and/or management of their web site.

It is an optional addon, you're not required to install it.

[SNN]

Very nice, vBulletin devs! :)
Glad to see Beta coming out so early after announcement. ;D
Also, if we changed the board name and url like after the application for the beta, do we just resubmit? I am thinking of converting this diffrent forum to vBulletin and have my current vB forum a diffrent software (Cause it won't get many hits >_>)

Once again, great product, no bugs found as a user, =).

[bmc]

It doesn't appear you have the ability to resubmit a beta application (as that makes sense, since you should only be able to submit one application maximum anyway). I am sure one of the vBulletin Staff will be able to answer your question, however. :)

[SNN]

I just basically have to change the address :p
I guess I'm back off to testing Project Tools while it's on here :)

[Caiman]

This actually looks really useful, I'm impressed. Applied for Beta, but it looks like something I'll be buying eitherway. Thanks.

[Webnower]

I could definitely use this... I hope I get picked ;)

[Onimua]

I'm sure I'll find out sooner or later, but I'm placing the question out there now anyway:

Can Project Tools handle sub-projects? For example, under Project, there could be Project A, B, and C. What if we wanted to make it so that beneath each one would be another list, say A1, A2, and A3 under Project A? Then you would go to the bug/feature/suggestion list after that.

Or is it like how it is listed now?

I guess another way of looking at it would be like vBulletin's categories, forums, and sub-forums.

[Fusion]

I'm sure I'll find out sooner or later, but I'm placing the question out there now anyway:

Can Project Tools handle sub-projects? For example, under Project, there could be Project A, B, and C. What if we wanted to make it so that beneath each one would be another list, say A1, A2, and A3 under Project A? Then you would go to the bug/feature/suggestion list after that.

Or is it like how it is listed now?

I guess another way of looking at it would be like vBulletin's categories, forums, and sub-forums.
From what I can see it already handles sub-projects. Under vBulletin there's 3.0 Bugs, 3.5 Bugs and 3.6 Bugs. Those are sub-projects.

I'm sure it could be nested even deeper, since it's built pretty much the same way vBulletin is.

[Mike Sullivan]

There's no nesting at this time. 3.0/3.5./3.6 bugs are just quick links I put in the description.

Obviously this is pretty much just the 1.0 release. I'm sure there are plenty of additional things people want to see -- there are plenty of things I can come up with at least, but we can't do everything (yet).

[Fusion]

Thanks for the correction, Mike. :)

[Alteran Ancient]

People have been waiting for a blog for ages, because I remember that we were all craving for a Community Blog and Gallery a while back, since IPS already fitted IPB with one, which you had to pay loads of money for. I hope that there is some kind of loyalty bonus for some of us! :D

[Onimua]

There's no nesting at this time. 3.0/3.5./3.6 bugs are just quick links I put in the description.

Obviously this is pretty much just the 1.0 release. I'm sure there are plenty of additional things people want to see -- there are plenty of things I can come up with at least, but we can't do everything (yet).
Hm... alright, thanks Mike. :)

[Blackjack]

Exactly, I appreciate what Jelsoft is doing in extending the forum software, but a project tool is very specific to few boards, compared to a gallery, blog, cms, reviews, downloads, and so on.....

However, the project tool is primarily developed for Jelsoft's own use, it would exists whether it is popular to others or not.

[---MAD---]

However, the project tool is primarily developed for Jelsoft's own use, it would exists whether it is popular to others or not.
Exactly :).

MAD

[SNN]

Is there any way for me to change URLs on the Beta Application? I moved my forum >.<

[Colin F]

Is there any way for me to change URLs on the Beta Application? I moved my forum >.<

Not really. Open a support ticket and I'll see if I can get one of the devs to change it...

[SNN]

Okay I will. Thanks :)

[Reeve of Shinra]

Will we be able to install Projects and Blogs to a different folder?

Like site.com/blogs/ or site.com/projects/

?

[badblu01]

Looks Like Invision is doing this too and for free



One of our major goals is to support our modification community and today I'm excited to tell you about a new venture to help the mod community. As many of you know we have our own internal bug tracker that we use on these forums. We've had numerous quests to release it and now we're ready to do just that, at no charge to our existing customers. The bug tracker will soon be released to IPS Beyond for everyone to download.

[Blackjack]

Nice, but this is vBulletin, don't care about Invision.

[derekivey]

Looks Like Invision is doing this too and for free
Pfft, they are always copying vB...

[Floris]

Looks Like Invision is doing this too and for free
The reason it is free is obvious:
... we're going to have the IPS Beyond community run the bug tracker project. We'll be selecting a few IPS Beyond members to help us manage this project, they'll be responsible for reviewing and integrating community code contributions ...

[badblu01]

so the vb one is official

[msimplay]

Pfft, they are always copying vB...

No they are not copying vb at all having had experience of both I can honestly say that IPB is completely different in how it operates to VB and some features it actually had before Vbulletin.

Like the profile portal , mysql fulltext searching , multi moderation, warnings system and blog component

[Onimua]

Let's not turn this thread into a vB/IPB thread. ;)

Yay for Project Tools! :D

[Floris]

so the vb one is official
Yes. The Jelsoft blog software for vBulletin is indeed an official addon. Which means it is coded by professionals who know what they're doing. And supported by a team of trained staff who also know what they're doing. Mind you, the support is free. There have been no information published in the announcement forum about the blog software availability or pricing.

[msimplay]

Yes. The Jelsoft blog software for vBulletin is indeed an official addon. Which means it is coded by professionals who know what they're doing. And supported by a team of trained staff who also know what they're doing. Mind you, the support is free. There have been no information published in the announcement forum about the blog software availability or pricing.

Also more importantly the product will remain supported and not just dropped when the mod author decides he / she doesn't feel like updating it anymore

[MThornback]

Even more importantly, VB support is second to none....i'd rather pay for a product and be confident in my purchase than go the cheap way and pull my hair out and end up coming to VB anyway :p just cut out the middle(wo)man and come to VB...live stress free :p

[msimplay]

Even more importantly, VB support is second to none....i'd rather pay for a product and be confident in my purchase than go the cheap way and pull my hair out and end up coming to VB anyway :p just cut out the middle(wo)man and come to VB...live stress free :p

Yep that leads me onto wanting other official modifications like an Image Gallery
and CMS

[MThornback]

If the following exists...i'm sure they'll get to it...waiting a bit for quality doesn't bug me....waiting and waiting on unsupported and dead mods KILLS me....

[---MAD---]

The reason it is free is obvious:
Sneeky ;).

[Mazinger]

I like the idea of last 15 effects - very helpful.

[JPT62089]

Will we be notified if our application is denied?

[Onimua]

Will we be notified if our application is denied?

I would think that if you don't receive a response, then you are not one of the ones chosen. It's just a guess, though.

[Reeve of Shinra]

I hope I get chosen for the beta, I really need to get the blogs up on one site asap and I wouldn't mind running it through its paces. I'll even write the importer for journal hack on vb.org.

[Mazinger]

I wonder what are the places that project tools codes are found in... as I found new places all the time, in User CP, User Profile, Search... Is there more?

[Floris]

That's about it for now yes. Besides the admincp obviously.

[Mazinger]

I see new status icons like these ones:

Nice idea. But not transparent.

[Floris]

I believe they are, but only in FireFox, IE6 doesn't have proper transparency support. Maybe Mike can update vB to have the IE6PNGfix included.

[Mazinger]

I believe they are, but only in FireFox, IE6 doesn't have proper transparency support. Maybe Mike can update vB to have the IE6PNGfix included.
Sorry for being off the topic. Is Mike the developer of these stuffs? - I'm just curious to know much about positions. :)

[PitchouneN64ngc]

About the "Private" tick on replies of PT: who can view explicitely a private message? The guy who have created a report can view a private message in his bug even if the private message is not from him/her or only the staff?

[Wayne Luke]

About the "Private" tick on replies of PT: who can view explicitely a private message? The guy who have created a report can view a private message in his bug even if the private message is not from him/her or only the staff?
Who ever has permission.

Not trying to be facetious or anything but it is permission based. I would suspect that people have the ability to view their own private issues as well as any usergroup set to view them. I haven't tested that yet though.

[Paul M]

I believe they are, but only in FireFox, IE6 doesn't have proper transparency support. Maybe Mike can update vB to have the IE6PNGfix included.or convert the images to GIF's

[Wayne Luke]

or convert the images to GIF's
The previous would be better. Why should people who upgrade their browsers regularly be punished by using an inferior image format?

[Paul M]

The previous would be better. Why should people who upgrade their browsers regularly be punished by using an inferior image format?Why should people be forced to use browsers they don't want to, just for a few minor images. :)

[Wayne Luke]

They wouldn't be with an Internet Explorer conditional and a few lines of Javascript that it would include.

[Mazinger]

Why should people be forced to use browsers they don't want to, just for a few minor images. :)
I agree. vB should support all browsers/screen resoltions as possible.

[MThornback]

I agree. vB should support all browsers/screen resoltions as possible.

Thats ridiculous...they should support the most commonly used ones...because FF, IE and possibly Opera on the Win side and Safari and whatever the other is called on the Mac side make up a nice balance of choices....even with that said...IE is so far behind the times its scary...all their time goes into building a false sense of security instead of building something worth putting your name to.

Screen Resolutions is something that really shouldn't be a great affect to them....as long as they support 800x600....then it all kinda falls into place from there upwards :p

[feldon23]

or convert the images to GIF's
I am moving to transparent PNGs in my designs as well.

If it doesn't look as good in IE6, too bad. IE6 is obsolete.

Every version of Firefox, Mozilla, Opera, Safari, and IE7 all support transparent PNGs. Transparent PNGs make life SO much easier for graphic designers and allow designs that are impossible with GIF and JPG.

[Floris]

The next build of the PT will have the PNG as transp. GIF images to please the IE6 users :)

[Mike Sullivan]

Technically they're staying as PNGs, I'm just getting rid of the alpha transparency. IE6 displays them properly now (well, when I put the latest images on vB.com).

[TheHeartSmasher]

For the backend of the project system will it have all of the features of Mantis, Flyspray, and Bugdar. Where things are highlighted based on how old they are or their severity.

Then for the blog system the features of wordpress?


Also will these new plugins be free.

[Paul M]

If it doesn't look as good in IE6, too bad. IE6 is obsolete.VB2 is obsolete, so is VB3.0 and 3.5 - I guess Jelsoft should drop those now as well. :D

[feldon23]

It is ridiculous that we cannot use a graphics format INTRODUCED in 1996. PNG was designed not only to replace GIF, but to allow true transparency. There is presently no graphics format other than PNG that allows you to blend a logo into a background. Think about that. Think about how many designs have been compromised because of this limitation. PNG makes translucent table backgrounds, flexible gradients, and logos with glows and soft shadows possible. And yet we choose to be held hostage because of how it looks in IE6. I wish IE7 had been a forced software upgrade. I don't know why they redesigned the toolbar in IE7. It's GARBAGE. For me, the standards compliance is what IE7 is all about.

If we designed websites to look perfect on IE6, we would basically have to ignore CSS2 and design everything with tables and all kinds of ridiculous workarounds. Oh wait, we already do that. :(

[Blackjack]

Nothing is stopping you from using them.

[MThornback]

VB2 is obsolete, so is VB3.0 and 3.5 - I guess Jelsoft should drop those now as well. :D

How can you reasonably compare the two? IE is obsolete for more reasons that simply its age...

[LPH]

For those of us who applied and didn't receive any notice of receipt of beta application or acceptance - does that mean we were rejected? How are you notifying people?

[Colin F]

As far as I know we haven't contacted anyone yet.

[ThorstenA]

VB2 is obsolete, so is VB3.0 and 3.5 - I guess Jelsoft should drop those now as well. :D
Problem with 3.6 occur when having lots of forums, that's the reason why vbulletin 2 still exists, afaik. vbulletin 4 will be the successor of the 2. and 3.6 line.

[DannyITR]

Awesome. I'm really hoping to get on the beta test list. Crossing fingers.

[JakeS]

I'm guessing I never got on the list due to people have already been notified by now?

[ThorstenA]

I'm guessing I never got on the list due to people have already been notified by now?
There's no beta test now. If you read through announcement forum you'll see a new announcement with an important event startig 1th may. Seems there jelsoft people will introduce some new products and most likely new products will be presented first personal there and then same time we'll get a new announcement here as otherwise event visitors would announce these products on chit chat forum here ;) So I'll bet we'll see jelsoft products announcements on 1th may :D

[JDuc]

Without having to read through the thread, will these tools be included with your purchase of vB or will there be an additional charge for these?

[PitchouneN64ngc]

Without having to read through the thread, will these tools be included with your purchase of vB or will there be an additional charge for these?
http://www.vbulletin.com/forum/showthread.php?t=225281

[Sychev_S]

Have you started contacting members yet? :)

[Steve Machol]

Nope.

[Sychev_S]

ok :)

[MThornback]

The last few days probably set their timings back some :)

[Lord Katsuhito]

seeing as I didn't get to add my site into the betatesting I am starting up. I have a few questions.

1). I will be offering Mod/hack installs for vB, IPB, SMF, and phpBB. It will require some members offer up their FTP and login info. Will this system keep ftp and info such as that private from getting leaked out?

2). is there a set price yet on how much this system will be or still under debate.

thanks in advance

[Fusion]

1) Unknown, but if by private you mean viewable by eg. just one usergroup, I'd assume so. It's an addon, so it should be able to use access-masks etc.

2) No pricing has been released yet.

[Floris]

Everybody check (http://www.vbulletin.com/forum/showthread.php?t=229238) their email! :)

[Reeve of Shinra]

I didnt get the email, please resend ;)

[Freezerator]

I got 2, do you want me to forward one ? ;)

[---MAD---]

Any beta screenshots on the admincp end?

[Onimua]

Any beta screenshots on the admincp end?

Open your ACP, and then just replace "vBulletin" with "Project Tools." :p

[Mazinger]

I think I forgot the email adress I used to request beta testing... What can I do? :confused:

[DannyITR]

Were emails sent for blog beta test applicants as well or just project tools? I'm also trying to figure out who would use project tools other than a site for web programmers? Any ideas?

[Colin F]

The email address is the one that's used for your customer account.

At this time only the PT beta testing has started, thus only those people were notified.

[JDuc]

I'm also trying to figure out who would use project tools other than a site for web programmers? Any ideas?


Our site would use it in a heart beat. We are a company that deals in CarPCs and have a very very very large CarPC forum. Our company has many projects not to mention on-going developement for our front end software.

[Mazinger]

The email address is the one that's used for your customer account.

At this time only the PT beta testing has started, thus only those people were notified.
Unfortunatelly, I can't access that email. :(

[Wayne Luke]

Unfortunatelly, I can't access that email. :(
Then you need to contact support to update it. Maintaining a valid email address is your responsibility.

However the easiest way to see is to check your Member's Area and see if you have a Project Tools license attached to an existing vBulletin license. If you do not, then you were not selected for the closed beta.

[Mazinger]

I wasn't selected. What qualifications did you require to give a test chance?

[Steve Machol]

That was already mentioned in the announcement. We are not going to go into greater detail or specifics. Sorry.

[Floris]

Any beta screenshots on the admincp end?

Here's a little screenshot from the vboptions > project tools options > from alpha 1 build

[derekivey]

Thanks Floris. I didn't get accepted either Mazinger.

[JakeS]

Thanks Floris. I didn't get accepted either Mazinger.Nor me.

[Dream]

Nor me! But I didn't apply :P

[bmc]

Then I guess you can't complain Dream, hehe. ;)

[---MAD---]

Here's a little screenshot from the vboptions > project tools options > from alpha 1 build
So small - cant even zoom in :(, thanks anyway :).

Btw, I like the update to the forum index, for the bug tracker url :).

[Reeve of Shinra]

Question about Project Tools: Is the information stored in new tables or does the initial "post" and subsequent replies use the POST table in the DB?

What about the blog add-on? Can you share anything about that yet?

[Assim]

Question about Project Tools: Is the information stored in new tables or does the initial "post" and subsequent replies use the POST table in the DB?

What about the blog add-on? Can you share anything about that yet?
It should be in new tables.

[Colin F]

As far as I know pretty much everything is stored in new tables. It's definately not in the post table.

[Assim]

That's what I thought, logically it won't and never be in the post table. :)

[Mazinger]

I'm user no. 4 in reporting (fixed) bugs. Shouldn't I have a chance to test? :(

[Floris]

I'm user no. 4 in reporting (fixed) bugs. Shouldn't I have a chance to test? :(
Please don't go and start begging and complaining about it. Not picking you is not personal. We can't pick everybody, please re-read the announcement.

[Big Island]

Looking spiffy.

I like the Project Tools, I will defenately use that.

Could someone educate me as to what Project Tools is and why I should consider using it in my forum? :confused:

[PitchouneN64ngc]

Could someone educate me as to what Project Tools is and why I should consider using it in my forum? :confused:
Look this link and read about the Project Tools part: http://www.vbulletin.com/forum/showthread.php?t=224441

[Floris]

You can use it as a site feedback system, a suggestion box, a private confession box, a bug tracker, bug report tool, a task manager for staff, or feature discussion element. With a bit of imagination you can even use it as a helpdesk system or a members area (if you know enough about xhtml/css and plugin system of vb)

[JDuc]

Since our forum can use it for ALL of those reasons + some....will we be able to have multiple instances of it running on a single forum?

[Wayne Luke]

Why would you need multiple instances? Each installation can support multiple projects. Each project can have its own issue types and you can control who accesses each project via permissions.

[JDuc]

It would be nice to be able to have instances running in different areas of out forum.

For instance, our forum has a store. We'd use it for the store in the store sub-forum. We also have a front end that we support as part of the company. We'd like to be able to host the system under the front end sub-forum as well.

We also allow other front ends to use their sub forum on the forum as a support forum. It would be nice to allow them use of the bug tracking under their individual support forum.

Basically, in this instance, keeping it all in one place doesn't work so well when we want multiple instances of it running in different areas.

[MJM]

Very interesting!
So one could provide links from each forum to each project component relative to that forum.

Why would you need multiple instances? Each installation can support multiple projects. Each project can have its own issue types and you can control who accesses each project via permissions.

[Onimua]

Very interesting!
So one could provide links from each forum to each project component relative to that forum.
It's entirely possible with some permissions changes. :)

[Wayne Luke]

Basically, in this instance, keeping it all in one place doesn't work so well when we want multiple instances of it running in different areas.

You can link to different projects from different areas. That is how it is setup here really. There are several projects in our Project Tools installation. Currently customers can see 2 of them. The rest are currently staff related. Different projects can be linked from different areas.

Multiple installations on a single forum wouldn't work as it is a product that uses plugins to tie into the vBulletin engine. It doesn't have its own separate database.

[MJM]

Will it be possible to to use the Move/Copy forum functions to move a forum posting into Project Tools?

Having a Help Desk (and other 'Project' issues) within the forum system has provided a very important functionality for me, so that when a member posts something (or a portion of a post) that is more appropriate in our Forum based Help Desk etc, I can easily transfer this to the Help Desk and discuss the issue from there.

[kuyenmotdivad]

Its so good that the vBulletin team are making something different to vBulletin like Blogs and a Project Tool but I really wish they would make a topsite script like this one, its good but they dont update it since 2005 : http://evo-dev.com/products/evotopsites/ and I have the pro version for $77 and no updates still.

[Dean C]

Can I ask for a link to that story about the kitten puppy? Even if it is an old aprils fool joke ;)?

[Wayne Luke]

Can I ask for a link to that story about the kitten puppy? Even if it is an old aprils fool joke ;)?
Don't know if its the same link but news.google.com turned up:
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007%5C06%5C14%5Cstory_14-6-2007_pg9_8

[Dream]

My server mysql/php versions changed since I applied for beta, can I change them somewhere? Or the beta testers have been chosen already?

[MJM]

Will it be possible to to use the Move/Copy forum functions to move a forum posting into Project Tools?

The answer is probably no, though without actually having the Project Tools addon installed I wouldn't be able to know if it provides the ability to Move or Copy a forum posting to a project.

With the loss of this functionality I can't see the use of this addon. :(
Creating a forum for a special projected use can provide almost the same functionalities without losing the forum moderation tools.
Adding notations (Fixed 123 ; Confirmed, etc) to Thread Titles would provide our members with similar issue > search capabilities.

Hopefully vB will consider integrating the Forum thread/post moderation tools with the Project Tools addon in the future.

[Wayne Luke]

You cannot move threads to project tools and you cannot move issues to the forums. I don't know of any plans to create IMPEX modules for the project tools either.

You have a lot of the same issues on issues within project tools that you do with threads. As well as additional features such as assigning issues to specific members, tagging them easier with AJAX (not editing a title), allowing users to confirm issues or vote if they want an issue implemented and more.

Project Tools is not a forum replacement. It is a project management application.

[MJM]

Project Tools is not a forum replacement. It is a project management application.

Prior to and regardless of the Project Tools addon, the Forums were and continue to serve as a software application for managing projects, and discussing issues about a defined topic.

Sorry to be blunt about it but to provide some new functions in Project Tools while losing other important moderation tools that are crucial to the managing and placement of topical discussion in our forums just doesn't sound very appealling. :(

[Wayne Luke]

You're not losing anything though. I am not sure where you got that idea.

[MJM]

I would be at a loss if I replaced our current or any anticipated forum based Help Desk or special 'project' based forums with the Project Tools addon because I would lose the ability to move/manage posts at our forums to their correct place at the Project Tools addon.

I rarely see vB support staff use the (Move/Copy) tools at this site, (which may be why development didn't feel this was an important functionality(?))
It is perhaps easier for staff to reply to a support question/problem/suggestion/'project orientated post, posted in the wrong forum by recommending to the user that they repost in the appropriate forum (or now... the Project Tools section).

However, it is my opinion that using the Move or Copy (copy/move/snip portion) is quite easy to do with the new ajax function, and is much appreciated by our members and makes for a better managed site.

It's only natural that in a discussion orientated multi forum system that users will go off track or post in the wrong forum.
Use of the Move/Copy function in a support based forum doesn't necessarily need to imply that the moderators are a bunch of heavy-handed control freaks, but that they are instead going out of their way to ensure that a posting or portion of a post will be positioned where it will best serve the poster and receive due attention.

My interest in using the Project Tools addon wasn't just for the purpose of trying out some new hitherto untried project orientated issues at our site, but to use it as an alternative method to the forum method.

I wasn't initially thinking about moving all the threads from current specific forums that I wish to be placed at the Project Tools addon,(though this does make sense), but archiving, and then and starting afresh with the new system.

However if I can't Move/Copy new Threads or post entries from a forum into the new system as a daily moderation function then I'll stick with using the forum system for stated purposes.

[the geek]

Hey MJM, I agree that a move/copy feature would be a very good idea - but honestly - from my perspective I don't see it as a deal breaker. Maybe its just my experience vs. yours, but PT is pretty full featured without it. I cant really see much opportunity where I would have moved a thread into PT or vice-a-versa. That doesn't mean that it isn't a great idea, it just means that from my experience, that would be a minor feature for PT. PT goes far beyond a support forum.

Hope my experience helps shed some perspective.

[Steve Machol]

I rarely see vB support staff use the (Move/Copy) tools at this site, (which may be why development didn't feel this was an important functionality(?))
Not true. I use them everyday. :)

[MJM]

I will concur that my opinion may be in the minority as this system may end up being used more often as a software bug tracker, which is not my field, and most vB powered sites that I frequent do not use the Move/Copy function as they could but direct the user to post in the appropriate forum instead.
However this addon is reminiscent (to me) of some 3rd party addons which offer vB integration but only goes as far as the user login and the permission system but fail in other areas of integration.

[Wayne Luke]

I rarely see vB support staff use the (Move/Copy) tools at this site, (which may be why development didn't feel this was an important functionality(?))
It is perhaps easier for staff to reply to a support question/problem/suggestion/'project orientated post, posted in the wrong forum by recommending to the user that they repost in the appropriate forum (or now... the Project Tools section).

I actually move many threads across the site into different forums every week. The redirects don't stay long though. We do rarely use the split thread feature but that is a time issue because usually when we do, it adds more threads asking where their thread went. Other staff members move threads regularly as well.

To me the fact that you don't see it shows that aspect is well run on this site. I believe moderation should be a behind the scenes process and impact users to the smallest extent possible.

[Mazinger]

Not true. I use them everyday. :)
Yeah. Too much. ;)

[Neal-UK]

How do I apply to become a tester for the Blog, my member will love this.

[Mazinger]

The private beta hasn't started yet. You'll have to apply a form in the members area when it begins.

[MJM]

Not true. I use them everyday. :)
I will twice cuncur ...

I actually move many threads across the site into different forums every week.

Thrice cuncur ... I sure don't see your every 'move' ;)

I can understand that with paid service orientated sites, staff can be under more stress to answer posts quicker then a free service site such as mine, where users except a slightly longer wait for answers, which enables me to use the Copy Post feature to copy/move/ post > snip and retain relevent post portion > reply to post in New/merged to Thread ... then edit/add a redirect link from the original post to new location.

However if vB was, by example, to direct some existing forums over to the Project Tools addon, I bet (with the inability to use the Move function) that you will have no other recourse but to more often direct more users to post 'over there', and might wish for the Move function.

As a hopefully final comment, I have been quite pleased with using the 'forum system' for our special 'project' needs, but this wasn't until improvements were made in the Redirect system and the Copy Post function was added, (and I might add that I may have played a small role in getting these added. :)

A belated Thank you :)

However I may still miss using the project Tools addon for the special features/functionalities it provides.

[MRGTB]

Is this now close to being released?

[Floris]

When we have news we will publish it in the announcement forum.

[Dream]

zomg the beta hasn't started yet

how could you do that to us!!!!!!!!!

[Onimua]

zomg the beta hasn't started yet

how could you do that to us!!!!!!!!!
What are you talking about? How would you know?

[MRGTB]

I think I read a post earlier were the BETA was suposed to be starting today, 1st July

[hornstar6969]

Hope so ^^ that would be good because i'm on holidays and have lots of time to test it out :)

[Dream]

What are you talking about? How would you know?
Beta was said to start before Q2 end :p

[Onimua]

Beta was said to start before Q2 end :p
How do you know if it did or didn't. We still have time... :p

[Reeve of Shinra]

An hour perhaps in some areas of the world.