07-31-07 08:44 PM - Post#47818    

I didn't want to post this 'on open' forums cause I SURE do not want to scare anyone away with the questions, but it seems as time goes by, there are less and less people, and less interest in Fusion. Every time I log in, there's less than 5 people here. Yet other crappy software sites have hundreds of members active (not bots)

I have been with Fusion from day 1, and truly love it, but where do things stand for the future, as a 'hobby' or is this anyone's 'job' in developing this software?

Why isn't there more of a concerted effort to 'advertise' the software to attract more users/members/potential developers?

I have donated money that I am responsible for, in terms of investing in a software license. The renewal special is very nice, but it won't be very nice if this is going to end up not being further developed or have general bugs repaired in a timely fashion.

07-31-07 09:04 PM - Post#47819    

    In response to kestral

All I have to say is have a little faith. Things are being developed and worked on. have you seen the 2.2 Changelog? Bug fixes are in it. New Features are in it.

The artist formerly known as scroungr Couch-Tomatoe

07-31-07 09:19 PM - Post#47821    

    In response to Couchtomatoe

Hon, it's not about faith when other people's money is involved. The lack of users, the loss of Dave and others aren't erased because of the statement put up out 'front'. I'm on board (more than 2 years) but to see things dwindling in activity and weighing paying three years ahead... well I'd like to hear what's being done to expand the user base. That is what pays the bills and makes people feel more confident in the software's future.

07-31-07 10:50 PM - Post#47822    

    In response to kestral

I personally feel the best about FusionBB than I ever had. I actually left FusionBB once and came back. While Dave was no doubt a talented programmer, his disappearances for months at a time didn't give me much hope.

Partnerships can be difficult and I think FusionBB will actually excel with a single person (Josh) making the decisions. Dave is not the only php/mysql programmer in the wild.

I know they are "just words" at this point; however, the "State of the Union" speech from Josh left me feeling good about FusionBB. He has addressed most of your concerns. He now has a person that will focus on marketing. He has more people dedicated to support. And he now can focus in on a programmer that he can hire (or fire) as needed to get the job done.

Now granted if it takes months and months to see 2.2 released that might be a bad sign.

I also don't judge the strength of FusionBB based on how many people are logged into the site. Right now my FusionBB site is running fine and all is well since I got the membership feature at the last release; therefore, I don't come in here nearly as much as I did.

I actually renewed my license for another year earlier today.

Just my $.02 worth

Grant Swaim aka Honda Guru Site Administrator autotech-elearning.com digitalliteracyproject.com

07-31-07 11:40 PM - Post#47824    

    In response to kestral

Josh has developed a good plan to pick up development and releases. The changelog already posted is full of requested items and we've got more underway yet for the 2.2 release.

Billy is on track with the marketing aspect and things are definitely looking bright.

I for one feel very good about the direction of FusionBB and the future!

08-01-07 12:30 AM - Post#47833    

    In response to Chris Peterson

To kesteral -

Yeah - since changing the structure and ownership we have finally been able to make some progress. Probably the most progress on a changelog and we're only a month or so from the last release. I expect our next big update will be in the next month or two.

The importer for VB was put out in the last release and Invison and UBB7 importers will be in 2.2 - I haven't completed testing yet and thus they aren't on the changelog, but they are done and will be in 2.2. (Now you are hearing hints about big things which were not on the changelog yet )

Billy has a great plan in place for the marketing - specific stuff and we've actually had our first press release since the day we started released this last week. The trigger hasn't fully been pulled on the plan *yet* as we need to do a couple of things first:

a) prove we can step up development - again watch the changelog and watch for the release of 2.2 soon. I think we are on our mark with the most aggressive release for us ever. We are in the works of securing our relationship with 2 new coders to assist me as needed with FusionBB coding tasks. A quick 2.2 will earn some faith from our users and people who have been watching us - another speedy and aggressive release and you all will start to see a trend.

b) get the other major importers in place - since we get so many requests for them, but people can't switch until the importers were done. For a vast majority of our product life, we've only had the UBBThreads importer and most of the major UBBThreads players came with us. phpBB folks are slowly coming over, but it's a bigger jump from a free product to a paid product... since they are using a free product as they don't want to purchase software. But with each phpBB security issue we see an increase from phpBB switchers. The VB importer is finally done, thus the VB folks can start coming over, and I know some have - and we've had several inquiries lately.

c) We've got to get our shopping cart/license system up to snuff before we start drawing masses of people here. We haven't wanted to divert too much of our own development efforts towards the license system (see item A on this list Billy has taken the ball and run with this - we are doing some testing on our development license system, which will then need to be integrated into this site. Expect to see this done in the near future.

d) Our documentation was poor and disconnected in the wiki. This is being altered and worked on as we speak. Expect us to roll something new out with regard to our documentation soon.

Now I'm not sure we want to be all things to all people. Fusion is a niche just like the Macintosh Computer was - the BMW car - or the Mont Blanc pen. Those didn't have the highest market share, but they were quality products with their own market.


To Grant -
Thank you.

"Now granted if it takes months and months to see 2.2 released that might be a bad sign."

This won't be the case. I only had 1 major bug for 2.1.1 and that was the cache issue - which wasnt' really fixed before, but is fixed now. We started getting so much new functionality - I saw no need to release 2.1.1 with bug fixes only to follow shortly with 2.2. The fact of the matter is, everything on the changelog right now is done - so if I relased it today it'd be a great release. But a month and a half after 2.1, it's a little soon. So we're adding some additional things in, but there's no "major construction" which will delay things. Once the time has come for us to start testing it and starting the release procesws it's ready to roll now, and will only get features added between now and then. I don't want to give an actual timeframe, since I'm the one who made the rule about not giving timeframes in the forum. It won't be released in July but it will be very soon. I've said that before I know - but in a bit you'll all begin to see just how serious we have become.

Indeed Dave was a great coder, and even back then I had all the decisions on my shoulders, but was still at the mercy of the code. All the great plans and intentions in the software world can't go anywhere for very long without the code following along. And as Grant said, Dave was a partner, and had the most incentive, but didn't have the same desire I did. Doing what I can myself, and paying coders to do specific tasks - in which they get paid for after... definitely steps up the development pace.

I currently have controlling decision making power - which is fine, but not what is needed in the long run. What I needed was people who shared my vision coming in and handling what they are good at. Have you met Billy and Chris. They are wonderful, and each running with their end of the plan - and in daily communication with me.

Feel Better, Feel Younger, Sleep Better - Trans-D Tropin Visit www.BuyTransD.com - use coupon code 1004 to save $20

08-01-07 12:33 AM - Post#47834    

    In response to kestral

• kestral Said:

I'm not very active on this forum, becasue I have my own forum to run. I come here to stay informed about the updates or if I have a problem. The fact that I don't have to post here often speaks to the quality of FussionBB.

I just renewed my membership for three years.

08-01-07 12:35 AM - Post#47835    

    In response to Claude

Thanks Claude, I'm really pleased about the lack of major support issues here - we definitely have our issues, but certainly nothing show stopping.

Feel Better, Feel Younger, Sleep Better - Trans-D Tropin Visit www.BuyTransD.com - use coupon code 1004 to save $20

08-01-07 01:11 AM - Post#47840    

    In response to JoshPet

Hi Kestral,

I just wanted to jump in here and add some bits from my point of view.

There are definite changes in the works, but there is no immediate gratification and these changes will not all be placed into action tomorrow.

When Josh and I first sat down and really had some meetings about Fusion it was obvious that it was a great product and that each release only got better. That being said there was not a clear and well defined path for Fusion (new development ideas were thought of but I really mean business wise here).

Together we have worked out some clear and well defined new strategies and plans for how to achieve those goals for both the FusionBB as both software and as a business.

These goals and plans cover everything from how we are going market Fusion as we move forward to how we will continue to implement and release future versions. Many of these changes cannot be released publicly all at once (i.e. we have to complete step 1 before step 2, so though we have a plan for step 7 already you won't catch us talking about them publicly now).

There are also somethings we have to fix and make more efficient (i.e. the licensing and billing system) before we can do large marketing pushes.

I could go on and on, but in short we have a better view of the future now then I believe there has ever been for Fusion and we not only have a plan that we are following closely, but we are already surpassing the goals we have set.

Fusion is not relying on someone who develops when they feel like it anymore. Instead we now have paid developers, we have someone to do quick bug fixes and oversee all development and develop himself (Josh), we have someone to actively work on our new marketing strategies and keep the business end on track (me) , and we have someone on staff that helps tweak code and work closely with the community in a fashion that never existed before (Chris).

I think that when 2.2 releases it will be considered a VERY respectable release by all, especially when you consider all the great features that 2.2 will include.

I really hope that has comforted some of your concerns. Please feel free to PT me or email me (billy@fusionbb.com) if you ever have ANY questions at all about our future. Of course I can't divulge all of our secrets (we always have a few up our sleeves) but I am definitely more then happy to answer all the questions I can.

Billy Cooter Managing Partner, VertexHost.com

Edited by FusionBilly on 08-01-07 01:19 AM. Reason for edit: No reason given.

08-01-07 01:16 AM - Post#47844    

    In response to JoshPet

Personally - I've got nothing but great things to say about Josh and the support I've received here. I may not log in very often because I've got my own hobby board to take care of. But as far as I'm concerned FusionBB rocks. Thanks to everyone that has helped me get up and running, as well as worked through my bugs.

Great support and customer service.

08-01-07 01:50 AM - Post#47849    

    In response to kestral

I'm here because of one simple reason.

I trust Josh.

That's enough for me.

08-01-07 06:23 AM - Post#47860    

    In response to kestral

As someone who runs a phpbb forum tagged onto a static site & who's researched which platform to use for the merger of my forum & site I'm fully aware that I may be backing an underdog by chosing Fusion. Try searching for info on FBB on the Admin Zone!

That said, the help I've received by members on this forum & behind the scenes from the Fusion people has been simply outstanding. I know it's quiet here & over on the FBBdev forum but that suits me having spent fruitless hours trying to find the info I needed on the phpbb community forum.
Here, the service is personal & you're dealing with the head people & get the answers you need & quickly for a very reasonable license fee. That's important for someone like myself who's not a coder & really just wants to get on with running & adding content to a site.

It's the same reason I stick with my comparatively small hosting service - I'm dealing with people who own the company & who customers know by name (Crosswinds.net). They have had rough times in the past but I'm glad I stuck with them.

I'd say make hay while the sun shines - the feature set on FBB is excellent without endless mods, bridges & integrations & I have every confidence the user-base will expand - I'm just happy to get my FBB site up & running while it's nice & quiet here. Once that happens, like Claude, I'll probably only be back here occassionally to check for updates, if I have a problem, to help others where I can & to see what others are doing with FBB.

08-01-07 06:59 AM - Post#47861    

    In response to sb1963

There's not a lot more that I can add, as most has been said. I've been with FusionBB from the beginning and I think I have something like license number 3 or so, but it's certainly in the first 10 licenses ever issued. These forums are slow because people are not having major, if any, issues with FusionBB, pure and simple. When the do have an issue, Josh or Chris get it fixed for them in a timely manner, which is not something you can say about many other forum packages. Josh has NEVER given up on Fusion, even when Dave disappeared and could not be found. Josh pushed on, found people to replace him, added more and here we are, with more features added much faster than I've seen in the past, CUDOS Josh and the rest of the Fusion team!

The Gunfighters Corral Tombstone Pictures

08-01-07 07:24 AM - Post#47862    

    In response to greg

I too want to add my praise and confidence in this software.

I have been using it since Josh implemented it on Leoville Town Square and always liked it.
To show my support and confidence, I purchased a 5 year licence late last year and am on board for the long haul.
Anytime I have asked a question, be it in the forums or a PT directly to whoever, I have had a timely response to all.

Kudos to the FusionBB team!

Cheers
Craig

08-01-07 06:26 PM - Post#47890    

    In response to CraigW

Thanks everyone!

I came off the last week having felt very productive for the progress we've made, some tough bugs I have solved and the direction I think we are taking.

It's very encouraging to see that it's been noticed from your end!

Feel Better, Feel Younger, Sleep Better - Trans-D Tropin Visit www.BuyTransD.com - use coupon code 1004 to save $20

08-01-07 06:49 PM - Post#47895    

    In response to CraigW

The Kudos are great (don't stop that)...this is where I get confused 'here'. Had occasion to visit another forum. Looked at their software , well, to put it bluntly, it sucks. What I can't figure out is WHY so many people seem to support it.

Frankly, IMHO nothing even comes close to Fusion in terms of function and use. So WHY aren't there more people here/using it? Without people using it and being here to support it ($ and community) a product doesn't grow.

I have no qualms about Joshs' dedication to fusion, but being on line since 1990, dedication isn't the only factor needed for a successful product.

08-01-07 07:25 PM - Post#47897    

    In response to kestral

• kestral Said:

Its a no-brainer to me, Simple Machines is free and FusionBB cost $150 + $50 a year for updates. If you are running a small hobby level board go for the free sucky stuff.

If you want a board with features like extensive group permission settings, integrated photo galleries, integrated portal, and integrated membership processing go with a commercial grade software like FusionBB.

People lining up for free sucky stuff is nothing new.

Grant Swaim aka Honda Guru Site Administrator autotech-elearning.com digitalliteracyproject.com

08-01-07 07:29 PM - Post#47898    

    In response to kestral

One thing that might help it is to get it listed on Hotscripts.com. As far as I remember it's not there and a lot of people search there for new scripts for message forums. That's where I found UBB when I originally ran it. I don't know what it takes to be listed, but just a thought. Personally, I'm happy with slow growth as it gives the guys time to make sure the product is "good" when released and aren't so involved with supporting a really buggy product that they don't have time to plug away on new features. However, from the sounds of it, with their marketing plans and the team Josh has put together, I'm thinking the next 12 months are going to see a big jump in users and traffic on the support forum. Just the fact they are still at it after this long of a period says the product is going to be around. They survived a huge crises with Dave going awol the way he did and have bounced back better than ever, with better features and bugs being squashed even faster than before.

The Gunfighters Corral Tombstone Pictures

08-01-07 09:37 PM - Post#47910    

    In response to kestral

• kestral Said:

The simple answer to your question is that FusionBB has never really been marketed before. It was more of a word of mouth product then anything else.

But as per my last post that is all about to change, we are preparing to launch some new marketing campaigns shortly.

Also as was mentioned SMF was free and because it is free it is distributed by some hosts and sometimes packaged or recommended to be used with other free software, that does give them an edge on distribution but they rely on paid support and donations to make $$$ which makes their business model very difficult.

Billy Cooter Managing Partner, VertexHost.com

08-01-07 09:37 PM - Post#47911    

    In response to greg

ha ha
Billy submitted us to hotscripts a week or so ago - not sure if the listing is live yet.

I'm not worried about mass appeal yet. Again, UBB.Threads was an elite product (pricey) and had a lower market share than others. Threads was the only import tool we had for a while - and I honestly feel that most the UBBthreads active crowd came over here. The development community there pretty much consists of the old Classic users.

Feel Better, Feel Younger, Sleep Better - Trans-D Tropin Visit www.BuyTransD.com - use coupon code 1004 to save $20