[Dismounted]

I've so far kept out of this thread, as you would understand. Thought I'd chime in to say a quick "thank you" to you all for not only supporting us (the staff), but perhaps more importantly, the passion with which you speak about our community here.

I would have never imagined still being around in 2017 when I first joined in 2005. It's been a pleasure and privilege to serve the community as a member of staff - this month actually marks my 10 year anniversary as vB.org staff!

As has been mentioned by others, it wasn't an easy decision to step down, but given the circumstances, I feel that this is the right decision to make. Nonetheless, it is here where I first dipped my toes into software development and hence, vB.org has in part shaped my studies and career path. For that, I am very thankful to members of the community both past and present.

As for my modifications, I will not be taking any down. For the benefit of our members, they will remain, albeit in an unsupported state, for as long as vB.org is around. I'll also still occasionally lurk around the forum!

So long, and thanks for all the fish!
For those that are confused, this is a reference to The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.

[JacquiiDesigns]

I'm afraid my original comment may have been a bit curt. I'm afraid my emotions may have gotten the better of me while I was feeling a bit dumbfounded by the announcements. What I didn't mean to leave out is this: I started my journey with forum scripts back in 2006 and vBulletin was the goto for starting online communities. It's been an interesting ride. I've received a LOT of assistance over the years from a lot of well-meaning individuals and like to think that I have offered assistance whenever I could. In this aspect - the vB.org community has been stellar and an over-all great experience.

I won't mention any names - but would just like to say this ==> A HUGE thank you to those of you who have spent your valuable, personal time in building the community, volunteering to sustain it when it seemed the new owners of the vB script didn't (and apparently still don't) have the inclination to do so themselves. Your dedication and community service have not gone unnoticed by yours truly.

Much appreciation to you guys and may your next venture(s) be satisfying and your hard work and dedication = rewarded! Cheers from Tennessee.

J.

[CAG CheechDogg]

The more I read in this thread the more bummed out I get .... really sucks !!

[In Omnibus]

Originally Posted by CAG CheechDogg

The more I read in this thread the more bummed out I get .... really sucks !!

Forum software isn't the cash cow it once was. Since all IB cares about is the cash ...

Ask not for whom the cowbell tolls. It tolls for thee.

[blind-eddie]

Originally Posted by JacquiiDesigns

I'm afraid my original comment may have been a bit curt. I'm afraid my emotions may have gotten the better of me while I was feeling a bit dumbfounded by the announcements. What I didn't mean to leave out is this: I started my journey with forum scripts back in 2006 and vBulletin was the goto for starting online communities. It's been an interesting ride. I've received a LOT of assistance over the years from a lot of well-meaning individuals and like to think that I have offered assistance whenever I could. In this aspect - the vB.org community has been stellar and an over-all great experience.

I won't mention any names - but would just like to say this ==> A HUGE thank you to those of you who have spent your valuable, personal time in building the community, volunteering to sustain it when it seemed the new owners of the vB script didn't (and apparently still don't) have the inclination to do so themselves. Your dedication and community service have not gone unnoticed by yours truly.

Much appreciation to you guys and may your next venture(s) be satisfying and your hard work and dedication = rewarded! Cheers from Tennessee.

J.

I have been at a loss for words to reply to this thread but, I think you spoke for me here, Thanks JacquiiDesigns!
It will be interesting to see what happens. God speed everyone, just incase vb.org vanishes. It has been a great experience learning the many things this community/Staff has taught me.

Tim

[Simon Lloyd]

I'm not one to bicker or comment on the "He said, she said" debacle but having just read this thread in it's entirety I feel that IB have just ripped the guts out of what was their only real asset, without VB.org most would never have purchased forum software from them, it was the support and development of this community that swayed that decision and kept us waving the VB flag.

I've only been here for around 10 years and have gone from not even being able to put a simple flat HTML page together to coding for VB and PHP - couldn't have done it without strong influences from Lynne, Paul, Dismounted, TLS and many more (not all just staff but the wider community). It will be a sad thing to see the downturn of such a great place but you guys that have been aggrieved should get your heads together and build that dream forum with all the wants and wishes you feel that other places and here could do with.

Obvioulsy we need you guys, your passion, your dedication and your skills, please don't let it disappear in to the Ether(net).

Whatever you do my sincerest thanks for helping me, my forum and my skill base!

[the one]

I just want to thank you all for what you have done for this community.If it was not for this community i would not have the forum i have today.Sometimes it may seem like a thankless task that you do but i for one am forever grateful for what you have done.

You have made a difference to so many of our forums and i just hope and pray that the power that be will take that on-board and change their minds and let things be the way they are

[katie hunter]

Originally Posted by Paul M

As many of you will know, vbulletin.org has always prided itself on being an independant site, making its own choices, and chosing its own staff (all of who are unpaid volunteers).

Unfortunately, this all changed four weeks ago.

Having left employment with IB the week before, I made it clear I intended to keep up my role as Administrator here - a position I was appointed to way back in September 2006, almost five years before I ever worked at Internet Brands.

However, on 2nd June 2017 (while I was away on holiday) I was (on the instructions of IB Management) removed from my Administrator role, and demoted to Moderator (by IB staff, not by our other admins, Lynne and Princeton). The reason given to me was that I am "no longer employed by IB".

This is despite the fact that IB employment and staff positions here have never been linked.

The staff here are all angry, and for the last few weeks we have tried to get IB management to see this isnt the right thing to have done.
They have refused to change the decision, and so it is with much regret that myself, and most of the existing staff are in the process of stepping down.

Over the next few weeks, Lynne, BirdOPrey5, MarkFL, Dismounted, Princeton and myself (Paul M) will all be stepping down.

Lynne has also announced she is resigning from vB Support.

My understanding is that TheLastSuperman intends to stay on for the moment (so really will be the Last (super) Man standing).

I believe our advisor Dave is also remaining for the moment.

I'm afraid I do not know what the future holds for vbulletin.org, or who from IB will be running it.
However, it has become clear it is no longer "our" site to run - as has previously been done for the last 15+ years.

While I've had few ups and down with Paul. He was one of the backbone of Vbulletin.org

I don't want to see any of these great staff stepping down. You still can support vb.org. I can understand trying to make a voice but I don't think this is the right approach for the community. It is sad to see Paul demoded but the decision for the others to step down is bad for vb.org and the community.

Really IB needs to rethink its direction in term of community support and vbulletin codes. I am still using vb 4.x and i love it over 5.x that i would never upgrade to.

[Lynne]

It's been a lot of fun. Bye everyone!

[Paul M]

Seems today is the day we all departed. Cherrio.

[blind-eddie]

We have two new staff members.... https://www.vbulletin.org/forum/info.php?do=staff

[BirdOPrey5]

It was a fun ride while it lasted.

[MarkFL]

Originally Posted by BirdOPrey5

It was a fun ride while it lasted.

Yes it was...this is a truly great community of folks, and I can't help but feel bad for the community losing nearly all the former staff at once.

I just hope everyone, or at least some of you, will understand that sometimes one must take a stand in the face of an injustice. Personally, I feel good about my decision to step down rather than be associated in an official capacity with practices I find appalling, but I feel no no less of those who decided to stay on. We each have a right to make our own decisions, and so I wish the best to those who are carrying forward here.

I am in the process of moving support for my line of products to MHB and I will also be adding support at The Admin Zone (TAZ), where I have recently joined the staff.

Good luck to everyone!

[In Omnibus]

Originally Posted by blind-eddie

We have two new staff members.... https://www.vbulletin.org/forum/info.php?do=staff

The fact that Wayne Luke has time for both vBulletin.com and vBulletin.org, or the fact that someone thinks he does, speaks volumes as to the status of vBulletin as a product.

[ChloeDione]

Originally Posted by katie hunter

I don't want to see any of these great staff stepping down. You still can support vb.org. I can understand trying to make a voice but I don't think this is the right approach for the community. It is sad to see Paul demoded but the decision for the others to step down is bad for vb.org and the community.

I think that IB was kind of banking on this, too. They miscalculated, some.

Yes, other (now former) staff could still stand by IB, coders could still produce products and give support to other license holders, but instead everyone decided to side with Paul. Rightly so.