Free? Can we trust it? Convince us.

[elmerfudd]

We have been researching a CMS for a professional site.

One thing in life we have learned is "you get what you pay for".

So then VBadvanced is FREE ... how can this be? How can the makers derive income to live on?

We almost went with a Canadian company but just as we made the decision to buy they went "squirly".

So VBadvanced seems to be the thing - but how can we confidently base our livelyhoods on something "free"? Is there a professional version and VBadvanced is just a 'shareware' version of something else?

Thanks.

[The 360 Place]

they make their living on ads probably..like the one at the top of the page...

[elmerfudd]

We appreciate your reply but we want tho hear from the makers. Surely banner ads can no way matcha liscense fee like for Vbulletin.

[The 360 Place]

Originally Posted by elmerfudd

We appreciate your reply but we want tho hear from the makers. Surely banner ads can no way matcha liscense fee like for Vbulletin.

VBadvanced also offers Premium things at a price.

[KW802]

Elmer,

If you search the various vBulletin related community sites (eg: vBulletin.org, etc.) you'll find that vBadvanced has been around for some time and is not going anywhere anytime soon.

To answer your rather blunt question, though: Brian has stated on multiple occasions that offering free licenses to vBa CMPS is his contribution to the vBulletin community and it will remain free in the foreseeable future. That is made possible by the other vBa products, such as vBa Links and vBa Dynamics that are available for purchase, and also via the occassional voluntary donation.

[fpena]

I contemplated the same question while looking at the system. As to why something as capable as everyone says could possibly be free.

I moved from Joomla to VBA due to the tight integration with the forum. So far so good and I love the speed compared to the previous CMS. I also have VB Dynamics which I did pay for so not everything here is free. But it really is all as good as they say it is!

[surfdude]

You can also purchase branding free option - my favourite.

I know Brian does not like to blow his own trumpet ("Convince us"?!? Why would he, it's a freebie!), so I'll take liberty to briefly do this, if I may.

I have been using this product for years and have enjoyed tight integration with vB, vast number of options and features and timely new releases. Not to mention support from from both Brian and community as a whole. True power and versatility of this cms is only realised after some thorough usage so try before you 'buy'!

Oh, and I use Links script, which I paid for initially and then for access to members area for updates once a year. I am seriously considering vBa Dynamics as well.

So, money is made from paid-for scripts, branding removal option and annual access to members area for script updates - after the initial 12 months are up.

vBAdvanced was always free and my guess is it also serves as an introduction (lure) to other scripts. I can't imagine much money comes through advertising.

[CareyCrew]

You only need to look at how long this forum has been running,then see vbulletin.org etc to see the references for vBAdvanced.

You can opt for the branding free and professional install service as a way to contribute if you are worried about "cash flow" etc.

With the level of service given here by the way is just as good as on any fully paid software site.