Some More Fun Reading
Seems a lot of people have been busy of late. Lots of other blogs and sites are starting to pick up the story and run with their own comments on it:
TheRegister Update (read the first comment as well - confirmed it's legit!): http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/10/30/vbulletin_defends_forum_bans/
Case study, as everyone has been expecting: http://econsultancy.com/blog/4886-case-study-how-to-lose-customers-and-destroy-your-brand
Along with: http://www.dancryer.com/2009/10/vbulletin-meltdown-and-great-ips-customer-service & http://www.iwasaround.com/activism/vbulletin-holds-consumers-puppy-hostage-302/
And in order to avoid any claim of bias, we have the vBulletin pre-sale pre-release extension announcement:
http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Internet-Brands-Inc-NASDAQ-INET-1068736.html
One good bit of news, apparently vBulletin have listened on one tiny thing - beta access for everyone who purchased.
Shame their stock hasn't done too great though, are the quarterly results and guidance, along with bad press finally having an effect? http://www.google.com/finance?q=NASDAQ:INET
TheRegister picks up the story
Just as things were starting to quiet down (mainly due to everyone being banned), it seems the story has started to spread further and has now hit a very popular technology news site, TheRegister:
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/10/28/vbulletin_controversy/ :
When we contacted vBulletin, general manger Ray Morgan originally said he would answer our questions about the forum bans - and the general protests over the company's new pricing setup. But more than 36 hours later, he has yet to do so.
At least customers aren't the only ones being ignored.
User reveals vBulletin / Internet Brands Priorities
Thanks to the user who sent this in. Wouldn't it be great if the hundreds of other threads could get such a quick reply? While asking for a reply to every thread within 5 hours is perhaps asking too much, given the norm is a reply within 5 days (or never - the thread is closed or simply disappears) I don't think it is too much to ask!
Perhaps if vBulletin and Internet Brands actually addressed threads with legitimate complaints rather than focusing on threads that bolster their ego and self-esteem, there would not be the mess there is now.
Yet another banned for constructive feedback
It seems that Internet Brands continue to use the Ban option to silence customers and opinions they would rather not hear.
One user explains:
"The ban reason should communicate just how bad things have gotten:
"You have been banned for the following reason: We are taking you at your word: You've already lost me as a customer, and I won't be coming back"
That's right, they banned me because I said I was not going to be spending any more money on their software. They also banned me from vb.org which effectively ends my license, as I cannot receive updates, plugins, support (oh, did I mention since they banned me they won't reply to support tickets?)... basically, I am going to be forced to switch to another software despite having an active license that is fully paid.
To be honest, I am in disbelief. I don't really even know what to say about it."
Read the whole post at http://forums.digitalpoint.com/showthread.php?t=1546553
vBulletin.com Forums back – now v4
After what seems like forever (around 28 hours), the vBulletin.com forums are finally back up - and running v4.
After an initial bumpy start:
We finally have the forum back up. More screenshots and comments after the break.
How do Invision handle pricing/license changes?
Well, lots of people have been wondering if Invision Power Services would be any better with changes to the pricing or licensing structures of IP.Board and other products. Despite examples in the past of Invision honoring license terms, we've got some great examples from changes they've announced today - changes that actually benefit customers!
Click through for more information
bbAuthority Interview Matt Mecham, IPS
With many vBulletin users considering the switch to IP.Board and other Invision Power Services products, the timing of the bbAuthority interview with Matt Mecham - founder of Invision Power Services and current CSA + developer - couldn't be better. It covers some of the recent events with vb4 and is a great way to find out just a bit more about one of the key members of the IPS management.
The full interview can be seen here: http://www.bbauthority.com/interviews/interview-with-matt-mecham-founder-of-ipb
And finally, there's just one killer comment we have to share:
Kier says: 20/10/2009 at 7:41 pm
Good interview, Matt, and thanks for the comments about me, Mike and Scott. IPB3 looks like the current state of the art for forum software, well done to you and your team.
I think that says it all.
vBulletin 4 Demo Leaks
Earlier today, a link to a public vBulletin v4 demo spread across twitter. It appears to be related somehow to vBulletin China, and can be accessed at: http://www.ziy.cc/vb/index.php
As it will no doubt disappear shortly, we've included a selection of 18 screenshots - click through to view.
Invision Confirms Super-Refugee $125 Discount
As noted in one of the comments yesterday and our own vBulletin vs Invision 4 year pricing comparison post, the "IP Bundle Promotion" is currently available from $224, when the items included would normally fetch $348.98. Despite being advertised at $299.99 in their forum post announcing the promotion, we've had it confirmed that the $224 price showing at the moment is intentional.
The bundle can be purchased by clicking here or via this link: https://www.invisionpower.com/index.php?appcomponent=billing&module=order_wizard§ion=order&type=packages&list=186,183,214&coupon=vbrefugee
It includes the IP.Board Community Suite (Forum, Blog, Gallery), IP.Downloads and IP.Content, representing amazing value for money.
An excellent bundle representing an excellent saving. Well done Invision Power Services!
Note: We have no idea how long this offer will last. You may need to clear your cookies/cache/temp internet files to see the reduced $224 price.
vBulletin vs Invision Power – 4 year cost comparison
An in-depth look at the pricing and licensing options of both vBulletin and Invision, with calculations on prices and costs over the next 4 years based on available information. The quick summary: Invision works out cheaper unless you need an integrated CMS. Click through for details.
