Open Source PHPlinkDirectory

[ilushkin]

I was recently browsing through Hotscripts in order to find something similar to PHPLD for my second directory website. What I found out from hotscripts is that very few directories are open source or free in other words. Most of them would run you anywhere from $50 up to $350. And those free ones like cplinks and others are simply crap or dont offer support at all. So I decided to stick to PHPLD. Indeed this product is probably best in its niche. But my concern is: Can we keep it open source? what if someday David would realize that they will be able to make a commercial product of it? In this case, ya'll will end up paying for the some usefull features which are in the future.
Everyone knows that David has spent a fortune in the process of developing this product. Sure he wants his money to be returned, hugh? So there is a possibility that PHPLD will go commercial in the nearest future. Specially when there are new members download PHPLD daily. This forum itself has 500 members. So the question is. Can we keep this product open source for its future develpment and OUR usage free of charge? I'd say, yes we can. Simply by making small donations we could raise some ''make up'' money. If each one of this forum member would donate $10, that's about $5000. Ok, if $10 is too much, lets make it $5. We will get back much more in return! (as of myself, I did my small part - you are next) I hope that I made my point :)

[David]

Donations definitely help me keep it free.

Just to give you an idea of my thinking for the future.
Products like Newtopica and the Regional Directory will cost money.
phpLD 3.0 will cost money for a while, until we release 4.0.

Donations have been very sparse. Any help is appreciated.

Thanks for the support illuskin! 8)

[ilushkin]

what kind of features you are planning to implicate in it, David?

[David]

Content visible to registered users only.

It will mostly be improvements to what we already have. Here are a few items on my list:
1) Option to display separate "more info" pages for each link
2) Google sitemap output
3) Possibly some improvements to the admin user interface
4) Integration of a few of VSDan's mods (turn on or off)
5) Likely a new template on the front end

[Bill]

Content visible to registered users only.

It will mostly be improvements to what we already have. Here are a few items on my list:
1) Option to display separate "more info" pages for each link
2) Google sitemap output
3) Possibly some improvements to the admin user interface
4) Integration of a few of VSDan's mods (turn on or off)
5) Likely a new template on the front end[/quote]

Sounds great! Cant wait to try it out :)

[Nobody]

Content visible to registered users only.

It will mostly be improvements to what we already have. Here are a few items on my list:
1) Option to display separate "more info" pages for each link
2) Google sitemap output
3) Possibly some improvements to the admin user interface
4) Integration of a few of VSDan's mods (turn on or off)
5) Likely a new template on the front end[/quote]

So, how certain is it phpLD3 will not be free? :o

[David]

Content visible to registered users only.

Much depends on the success of things like Newtopica and the Regional Directory. We get almost zero donations right now. Fortunately, we do get people helping in the forums, but not enough to actually put together 3.0 at zero cost. Therefore, it is likely there will be a charge for 3.0 for the first few months. Then it will become free.

I'm just trying to devise some method to allow this script to move forward, and be able to meet costs as we do that. If you have any suggests, please let me know.

[Nobody]

But there are going to be versions in between RC 5.2 and 3 that won't cost anything, right?

[David]

Content visible to registered users only.

Yes, it is likely there will be patches to the 2.0 version.
Note: there will always be a free version :wink:

[ilushkin]

Content visible to registered users only.
make a donation, each and everyone, including you, David :)