smithy_dll wrote:
The current standard for MOD Releases on phpBB.com is the MOD Template.
Thanks for coming here to try to clear this up smithy_dll...
So if what you are saying is true, does this statement no longer apply in the Insta-Deny™ Checklist when submitting MODs to the phpBB MOD Database or does it apply differently depending on which MOD author is submitting the MOD or Update???
Insta-Deny™ Checklist
Test with EasyMOD preview mode - we are *NOT* requiring Authors to use, install, or endorse EM. But
if their MOD fails to [correctly] install with EM on a virgin phpBB install then they had better have a darn good reason why! EM will make sure the MOD obeys several MOD Template requirements beyond what the Validator looks at. EM does not add any other special requirements beyond what is listed in the Template so there are very few reasons why a MOD won't work with it.
If you do find even one thing that we cannot accept, then Insta-Deny this MOD. Do no further processing on it. Do not waste our time. Deny it, stating whatever info was discovered, and clear it from the Queue!
I really don't think this statement could get much clearer. Either the Author's MOD installs correctly using EM or it does not get approved. I see no exceptions or ambiguities here in this statement...
smithy_dll wrote:
This is the standard in use by easyMOD. EasyMOD is currently beta software so it may have flaws in adhering to the standard properly.
It is true that EM is still labeled as a Beta utlity, but EM is a thoroughly tested utility that has very few install Bugs. It is true that a MOD author can design his MODs so that EM cannot install them. What I find disturbing is that MOD authors like Ptirhiik are now allowed to do that especially when it is clear that they could design their MODs to install correctly using EM and that they have the skills and time to do so...
As in our recent discussion in his Topic Calendar MOD, Ptirhiik could have corrected his MOD by adding 6 lines of code and it would have installed correctly using EM. Ptirhiik is clearnly not afraid or constrained when writing code. So 6 extra lines of code, which I was happy to provide, would not be time consuming for him. Why would Ptirhiik write his MODs so that they can't be installed correctly using EM? It gives him the opportunity to inform the community why they should avoid EM. Strange. IOW, Ptirhiik is being allowed to bypass the Insta-Deny™ Checklist so that EM cannot correctly install his MOD, then he is allowed to tell the world that EM is the problem...
EM cannot change on the fly to work with every attempt to break it by MOD authors who don't approve of it. EM shouldn't have to adjust to Ptirhiik. Ptirhiik should be expected to follow the Insta-Deny™ Checklist just like everyone else. Just because he writes HUGE MODs shouldn't make him exempt...
smithy_dll wrote:
The only human errors EasyMOD makes are the ones programmed into it by a human.
I know about the small number and minor bugs in EM. There aren't many. Do you know what they are? If so, I doubt that you would have made the statement above and would not be blaming EM for failing to install Ptirhiik's MODs, which are clearly and intentionally designed NOT to install correctly using EM...
smithy_dll wrote:
Nuttzy no-longer actively participates at phpBB.com. People move on, start families, start careers, or advance their level of education and find they are no-longer able to participate fully in the opensource community anymore, all the time. I however, will not speak on behalf of nuttzy.
Some people leave because their lives change, others leave because they get disgusted at the adversarial environment and treatment found over in phpBB.com. If you had followed the adversarial history between Nutzzy and Ptirhiik and Ptirhiik's faithful followers, you probably can determine why Nutzzy is no longer here. Nutzzy was attempting to provide a nice utility for the phpBB environment that could make it easy for even the most unskilled to install MODs on their boards. Ptirhiik fought him every step of the way. Ptirhiik could have easily used his talents and time to help make EM the best that it could be, but instead, he chose to attack and challenge. Nutzzy provided a nice tool that has benefited thousands of admins of all skill levels. It's a shame that Ptirhiik continues to chose to try to destroy it and is being allowed to do so by the phpBB Team...
smithy_dll wrote:
Larger MODs change more due to the design of phpBB2,
MODs can be written so that a total noob can install them or they can be written so that only experts can do so. Those written for Dummies have very few isntallation problems and topic discussions never grow to over 200 pages. There is a negative attitude over in phpBB.com that blames the admin when a MOD install does not go well. It can be a very discouraging environment for those who are just getting into the phpBB experience and I imagine that a large number walk away out of frustration and anger. It doesn't need to be that way and it portrays phpBB in a negative light. I am amazed at the number of people who have told me about the poisonous environment and treatment that they have encountered over in phpBB.com. Why is that a good thing and how does it promote phpBB? I really don't think that it is or does...
smithy_dll wrote:
the QoS (Quality of Service) the MOD Team checks for goes as far as manual installation on a fresh install of phpBB.
So you no longer support the Insta-Deny™ Checklist specifications? That would be a shame if true. You would be doing a major disservice to thousands of happy EM users Manual installs pose far more risk than using EM. Why you would promote manual installs over the much more accuarte EM method is beyond my comprehension. If you really think that most people can do a better job installing their MODs manually than EM can do on any given day, then you really don't know anything about EM...
smithy_dll wrote:
In the end the GPL lays ultimate responsibility on the person using the software
It all comes down to this. MODs can be written for dummies or they can be written only for experts. If MOD authors want to make the process more difficult than is necessary, then they are not promoting phpBB but instead are telling the world to switch to something else that is a bit more user friendly. PhpBB grew in popularity because just about anyone could install and run it on their sites with very little to no understanding as to what is under the hood. It would be a shame if the phpBB.com attitude is now shifting to code more toward experts only...