phpLD 3.0 is now in the works!

[David]

I want to emphasize there is no date promised for completion, but the target is around the beginning of 2006, assuming most of the important goals are met.

You can see the homepage of the dev site here:
http://www.phpld.com/

In order to get this done, it's going to involve many hours of programming, as well as expenses. For this reason, for the first few months (probably 6), there will be a small charge for 3.0 (probably $25). However, it is my intention to continue to make this a free script, so after the time has elapsed, 3.0 will become free, but hopefully during the 6 months where it is not free, it will allow us to raise enough revenue to cover the costs of building 3.0, as well has have a surplus that can be applied toward further improvement of 3.0 (or even 4.0!)

Thanks to everyone for your support, and hope you will help us make 3.0 a success. If anyone feels they would be able work on any of the priorities set forth on phpLD.com or make a contribution financially, please let me know.

Update: In order to keep up with the cost of support and continuing development, phpLD will not be a free product, except for our version 2 which has always been free. Depending on volunteer support was just not feasible (and quite problematic). By charging a fee we are able to properly support phpLD. Since this post was written phpLD grew to become the leading directory script, and sales have continued to be strong. We could not have done it without a strong support system funded by charging for phpLD. Thanks to everyone for you support.

Update 2: We recently received a message from one of our competitors asking us to please raise our price to the same amount as they are charging. We refused. We have also had customers tell us that we could charge far more than we do now. Again, our primary goal is to make sure there is enough money to pay our staff, and continue growing, because through that growth we can provide a high level of support and continuing advancement of the script, which benefits everyone who has chosen phpLD over the years (well over 100,000 sites).

Thanks! :D

[WebDesignPoint]

Great stuff!

If I beta test it for you can I get a free copy? :lol:

[David]

Content visible to registered users only.

Beta testing is a little ways away still, but that may be a possibility.
I'm hoping also that people will feel that it will be well worth the money to upgrade (ex. will make more than $25 as a result of the upgrade).

[Scorpion]

Its a great news david, i feel $25 is every much worth, looking forward for release of phpld 3.0

[Bill]

$25 is a great price, i will be upgrading myself. :)

[David]

Cool, I'm going to do my best to make it something that helps make YOU successful. I know that if I can do that, we'll all be happy. :)

[Bill]

is it going to be easy to upgrade from rc 5.2 to 3.0? Thanks ;)

[David]

I hope to make it easy. So far, we have not done anything that changes the database. Early adopters will probably get direct assistance when needed, and then I'm sure it will get easier as get more familiar with the upgrade process.

[richm]

Will the regional directory be part of 3.0? It seems like this feature could be turned on and off, although it would mean an upgrade to the database for all users. I know that many people must be considering adding the regional "view" of their directory, but knowing that you are not in the upgrade path for the product is a major negative. I don't know that maintaining two products makes much sense from a support perspective either. I would gladly pay the $25 if I knew that this feature was incorporated into the upgrade, at least as an option.

Also, I hate to start piling on, but I would really like to see links in multiple categories (i.e. hold down control and select several). Those of us who allow links to appear in more than one category hate the fact that one fix does not fix all, and that when you search, you see several listings. I have implemented this on other sites, and have been considering doing this as a mod here. However, I think I will wait and take a look at 3.0 first (but keep this feature in mind as you make changes).

[David]

3.0 is still in the preliminary stages, but the main goals are to first address issues that have been repeatedly discussed here:
- captcha
- languages
- support for more categories (likely will be adressed in 2.0 also)
- individual pages for links
- improvements to mod rewrite (partially done)
There will probably be some other new feautures, but want to cover these first. Also, if I can get people buying 3.0, then it will be easier to offer more as we move forward (3.1 for example).

[richm]

Thanks! If you are doing this with the same database, I assume that we could install it into a different directory and run it in parallel on our sites till we are satisified. If so, I would be happy to help out with the Beta (and still pay $25, a bargain in my opinion, even though my site is a hobby site, it is a much cheaper hobby than golf!)

[David]

Whatever we do with the database (probably some small changes), it will be a high priority to make it possible to switch from 2.0 to 3.0. Likely, we will help earlier adopters as needed.

[Ap0s7le]

Yeah, we'll offer one on one assistance with any problem cases.

Even if the DB structure changes, we'll create an import script from the old to the new.

That shouldn't prove to be a problem.

later

-Casey

[canespa]

Hi David ...

You may want to give this idea some thought. You may want to give away your PHPLD V 3.0 again BUT incorporate your own adsense channel into the code and once the user surpases the $25 enable the user to edit the code and place their own adsense on it. I know this may be an off the wall idea but it can gaurantee the funds you need to develop the product. Once you have recieved the appropriate funds to cover the development, you can start delivering the PHPLD V3 without your adsense embedded in it OR simply make it a requirement of using it for all installations.

What do you think?
Frank

[David]

I might be willing to make an arrangement with some people in this way, but really I will need the funds to help cover the work I am doing right now, as well as improve my ability to offer support to people.

I fully intend to make 3.0 free, but just not in the initial release phase. It will become free after about 6 months. (see the first post of the thread)

Update:
Though phpLD version 2 is still free, and has received multiple updates since this thread was started in 2005. After getting a clear message from our users that they needed support from us, we chose to offer two products:
1. phpLD v2 - a free directory script
2. phpLD v3 and v4 - a paid script with excellent support and continuing updates
(see first post of the thread)

[canespa]

Hey David,
How much are you looking at? PM or email me. Also check your email and look for my email. It was sent to your admin account.
:wink:
cheers
Frank

[nt1]

hi,

my first post :)
i love your script and decided to donate 5$ before i even used it. good luck !

i wanted to know if there is going to be an upgrade from PLD 2.0 to PLD 3.0 ?

thanks !

[David]

Hi, thanks for making a donation. I'm working pretty steadily now on phpLD 3.0, but these things do take time. Basically, what is happening right now is we going down the list of items listed on www.phpld.com. Probably, we will add a few more features still, but the main goals right now are toward ease of use and search engine friendliness.

[vkaryl]

nt1, Casey posted in another thread that they were looking at an upgrade setup. I don't know whether there's time though to get it into the new release. It would certainly make life easier though!

[David]

I assume you mean a script to upgrade from 2.0 to 3.0.
If yes, it's already written and is part of the current release, so no additional scripting is needed.

[vkaryl]

Thanks for the information, David. That's VERY good to know!

[Bill]

I think 3.0 should include improved meta tags, that can be added in the admin panel. I think this could fit in with the site map catergory. I know in 2.0, it really wasnt told how to edit your meta tags, until i found out on this forum.

[kickass]

And can we expect that some of the issues that were never dealt with in earlier releases, such as unencoded special characters that bork validation, phpsessids showing up in urls, and validation-busting numerical IDs on links, will be fixed finally and for good??? Or will we be seeing more of the same?

[David]

Content visible to registered users only.

If you can find the code where this was fixed, please let me know.

Admittedly, there have been some bugs that were not fixed. I just didn't have the resources to keep putting into fixing everything. I'm hoping with 3.0 people will spend the $25, which will empower me to be more helpful back to the community.

[vkaryl]

Content visible to registered users only.

If you can find the code where this was fixed, please let me know.

Admittedly, there have been some bugs that were not fixed. I just didn't have the resources to keep putting into fixing everything. I'm hoping with 3.0 people will spend the $25, which will empower me to be more helpful back to the community.[/quote]

Well, I think that's what kickass meant, that there WAS no code fixed for those problematic areas. I would hope that some of the things that REALLY needed fixing (like the ones kickass details) would have been first on the list for the new version. That's generally how the software development world works, though of course there's always going to be an occasional situational difficulty version to version, where something can't be fixed without a complete recode of the program....

[kickass]

David, these things never WERE fixed, though it was requested repeatedly that they be done,and if you insist I trot out all the requests for fixes I will do so, though it would be easy enough for you to run the search on this forum and see the requests that I and others have made for these fixes over and over again. I'd think you'd want to do it for the simple reason that not fixing these things produces SLOPPY CODE the way it is, and has done so for two or more versions now. And for you to beg for money to do these fixes after all that vkaryl and I have done for you personally and for this community is just way beyond belief.

When a script that has your name on it produces sloppy code it does not do you credit nor your coders credit. Which is a shame since in a lot of other ways you have a good thing here. I should think you'd want to put your name on something you could be proud of.

The unencoded characters are a particular embarassment for you and your coders, since this is, according to people I know who write php for a living, a very basic, elementary and necessary fix that should never have had to BE a fix.

Using numerals as an ID element breaks EVERY rule in current coding standards, and should have been done away with ages ago.

And passing phpsessids in urls hurts everybody in google rankings.

Now, are you going to build your next edifice on a foundation of shifting sand AND expect people to pay for the privilege? I would hope we'd see some good faith here in the form of the fixes we've been asking for for a LONG LONG time before you expect us to put up dough.

[David]

You can characterize the code however you wish. I try my best to keep everyone happy. I'm happy to make sure the encoding issue is resolved. Please PM me 2-3 sentences describing the problem, so I can make sure I understand. My head is spinning a little right now...my cat is about to die it seems. :oops: :(

[kickass]

{url not currently in service}
That sympathy card you're playing is getting very dogeared and frayed, David . . . whether it's true or not, it's becoming akin to the boy who cried wolf.

Understand, I have no expectations that anything will change around here, I already see the handwriting on the dang wall. I guess it's time to start shopping another directory script . . .

[David]

I don't know about wolves, but there's plenty barking going on. :twisted:
I've bookmarked this post, and I'll see what I can do. Thanks for you wonderful attitude. I'm choosing to have a great day. :D

(Captain, my 15 year old cat with kidney disease, had some tuna and drank some water this morning. He doesn't seem to be getting worse, but we are still very concerned about him).

Oh, and there other people who care about cats too:
http://www.mattcutts.com/blog/my-cat-is-sick/

If this software is not working out for you, and you are planning to go elsewhere, please don't talk about it here. It's just common courtesy.

As I said before, I haven't had the budget to fix everything. I've done a lot, and what may be important to you may not be as important to others. If I can pull off getting some people to buy 3.0, and I think I can, it will allow me for flexibility to address things like encoding.

That said...2.0 is continuing to see growth every week. The numbers are going up, not down.

[Nobody]

Ouch. Please David do keep up with those skilled programmers that I have joined the community. A sellout of this open source project would really not benefit you or anybody else at this point.

My sympathy goes to vkaryl, kickass and the other PHP programmers that have put so much efforts in this script, we can't just let 'em down.

I believe there are plenty of us that agree with kickass and vkaryl.

Also - why don't ju just merge phpLD 2 (mods, addons and so on), phpLD 3, phpRD into one project? This what benefit for all, and all the efforts what be put into one single script, that would be even better rather than split the project up further.

[Anonymous]

How would you define "sellout"?
Is asking $25 so I can fix problems like the encoding selling out?
(Remember, it may become free once costs are recovered)

With regard to 3.0 code, it will not be that much different with regard to the base code, and will be quite possible to upgrade a modded forum.

What I am not going to do is go the phpbb route where they went years without improving much. If it takes money to improve, that is what I will do. However, there will always be a less cutting edge free version.

If someone has a proposal that would bring more quality, and a method for doing it, please step forward. Meanwhile I have invested thousands of dollars in 2.0 and now more in 3.0.

[kickass]

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

The Big Kahuna just answered my prayer . . .

[cheese729]

8D Thats the way it is done do you not think so.

[Anonymous]

fix problem :

Don't use ID on receprocal links. 75% links exchange use Database and never change theyre scripts to add ID.

Nice Scripts to compare URL_SITES and RECIPROCAL_URL.
URL_SITES : {url not currently in service} and
Reciprocal URL :{url not currently in service}

[minstrel]

Content visible to registered users only.
What has the Big Kahuna got to do with anything? :?: :?: :?:

[gustotelmy]

I will be donating 25$ as i have made some cash from phpld,
i hope that meta tags and a few other things mentioned by others are addressed eventually. I really love the script and it is close to easily being the best script for directories soon with a few mods... i also thought up an idea that may or may not be that easy:

- related categories

ie if you are in a category, links to what categories are related

thanks for the great script and please dont give up there are many that will pay a small fee for the continuing addition of good mods and upgrades to the script....

(if my-and others prayers are answered eventually for some new mods I will defininetly pay the 75$)

[Neticus]

Content visible to registered users only.

Isn't that what Symbolic Categories are for?

[gustotelmy]

I guess they dont work for me ( :oops: - when i add them i get a @ link which then sends me to the main directory page so i am not sure what i am doing wrong ) or maybe I messed them up by adding mods....

thanks for the clue :D

[Neticus]

Hmm I think I had the same problem and found a fix in the following link, perhaps it was another link but if it dosen't work its still a bugfix :D and you could always search the other 'symbolic link' topics.

{url not currently in service}

Happy hunting.

[Anonymous]

I wonder why you do not have a paypal button or a contributor's list, to show who helps you with the cost of providing this service? I run simplemachine forums, cause I can not afford paying for real big scripts. I will wait and hope the next version becomes free? I only pay for domain and use free hosting. :wink:

[gustotelmy]

Content visible to registered users only.

thank you for the information! i thought it wasnt me....


I have real good mod requests:

- Meta Names/Descriptions how to add per category ( i will try to figure this out myself)

- Optimize titles
instead of Directory name> Category > Sub-Cat

we should have

Sub-cat > Cat > Directory

or the option to add any title for that sub category.


One more thing is I was looking to remove the links from the sub-cat or cat pages (due to loss of PR of page - the links i have are not paid or reciprocal and i want to keep the PR). I am looking for ways to do this ie no rel linking or linking through a details page....

can any of these be added easily to PHPLD 3.0?? i would buy the full price PHPLD if it had those functions...thanks
(or i can pay a small fee which we can decide for those functions)