How does the vBulletin forum team protects their forum software ?

[akhileshbc]

Hi...

I was thinking about this forum software and suddenly this question came into my mind.

Since, the entire source code is available to the public (I am not a PHP programmer, but I know that the entire source code is visible to those who have it), how will they protect their forum. They are charging a big amount for the license. So, can you tell me, what kind of mechanism do they use to protect it ?

Thanks in advance...

[JuggaloBrotha]

PHP code isn't available to just anyone who wants it, the rendered page in the browser is after the PHP's code has executed.

You'd have to ftp into the server to get the source code.

[akhileshbc]

PHP code isn't available to just anyone who wants it, the rendered page in the browser is after the PHP's code has executed.

You'd have to ftp into the server to get the source code.

I was saying about those who buy that forum. Not the end user who uses it. That is, when you buy the forum software, you will get the full source code of it. That is the case that I was trying to point out.

[dclamp]

They dont protect it. You can see all of the code. While it is not open source, as far as i know, you can make some changes. For example, the "Thread Resolved" option on VBF is unique to VBF. I believe penagate and visualAd helped create it.

[gep13]

Short answer is, they can't protect it 100%. However, I am sure they have a team of lawyers waiting to jump on anyone found to be taking advantage of their code.

Gary

[akhileshbc]

Thanks guys...

Another question, if we want to add new features to the forum, can we do it by our own or do we have to get permissions from the vBulletin team or will they do it for us ? (Like the "Thread RESOLVED" option in here).

[dclamp]

You might want to read over their license agreement to get the details...

[gep13]

Agreed, off the top of my head, I am not sure. You will have to check their terms and conditions in order to be 100% certain.

Gary