Welcome to RCF - WHF

Nightrider · Sep 25, 2004

James 'theFinn' Atkinson, phpBB Founder & ex-Contributor, resigned...

phpBB is dead... long live phpBB!

In an not entirely unexpected email to the team, James "theFinn" Atkinson has, after a number of years inactivity even "behind the scenes" due to personal circumstance, has formally resigned as of the 30th of April, 2007.

The now newly independent phpBB still has the same active contributors and will continue to support the stable phpBB 2.0.x and develop the next-generation phpBB 3.0.x, with James having already allowed the transfer of the www.phpBB.com domain for a majority share of the financial assets that have been generated by the project via advertising to date, so as to minimise disruption to phpBB's users.

For advertisers, please note that the advertising <at> phpbb <dot> com address is no longer used nor should payments be made to it (via PayPal). Please update your address book to the new address of invoicing <at> phpbb <dot> com.

Furthermore, as all advertising campaigns prior the 1st of May, 2007 were contractually to James "theFinn" Atkinson as Sole Proprietor of phpBB; whilst the newly independent phpBB has no legal obligation to honour the contracts, we will allow already active campaigns to run their course so as to maintain relations.

Thanks!

FTM · Nov 01, 2006

I just saw this yesterday. I am still really new to phpBB and even new to the whole open source software stuff. What exactly does this mean? Do you think the support and re-development of phpBB is going to eventually fizzle out? Or will the contributors still around be able to keep it going without having a "boss".

Chris Powell · Mar 31, 2007

phpBB isn't dead. I like the software. It's the most used out of freesource software, well used way more than nukephp, php-fusion etc. Obviously the Joomla and Mambo and alike (more advanced) software's are better but there way to confusing to work with for a newbie who barley knows html, php etc. phpBB is much easier to work with that the advanced ones, hence why a lot of new users start with phpBB.

I've learnt a little php through using phpBB so it's all good my end. Of course I couldn't have got anywhere with phpBB on my jack though *bows gracefully to Nightrider

But yeah, so I really do hope phpBB carry’s on... even without the big man.

Guys like Nightrider will keep it alive (I hope) ... headbang

Glenn I · Apr 22, 2005

I'm actually using Joomla for a new local site of my town. At first it is confusing but you just need to sit down and go right through all the functions. You can even install what they call extensions (similar to phpbb's mods) They are very easy to install. I've added a forum called fireboard, a new template and a directory at the moment. I will be adding a few more things later on. If you want a web site with a front page I suggest installing Joomla.

Anyway, back to the topic..... If phpbb is to continue they need to pull their fingers out and catch up with everyone else. There are more and more forum software being written and phpbb will be left behind if they don't pull their socks up.

Chris Powell · Mar 31, 2007

Yeah I suppose I'll have to take time out and look into Joomla more... been a while since I used that software anyway

I agree with what you say about they should pull the finger out though, they've been dragging out phpBB3's stable release for far to long now.

Nightrider · Sep 25, 2004

I really don't know the politics behind any of this, but I imagine that a lot of the early developers have quit due to the attitude of those who came after. I know that Nutzzy, EM's creator, quit ages ago due to harrassment by the phpBB Staff and MOD developers. They made life very difficult for him and I imagine after a while, he just said FI and quit. That may be why theFinn quit contributing as well. I think the poor attitude by so many may be driving the best minds away from phpBB, leaving the less qualified behind. That might explain why there have been so many faulty phpBB updates this past year...

munky2

abdulbasit · Apr 01, 2007

But why the main boss left phpbb. He surely will be earning a good amount of money. There might be some big problem that's why he left or else there is no reason he should leave as far as money is concerned Wink

Nightrider · Sep 25, 2004

It said that he quit participating in the development years ago, which could be caused by a personal conflict with someone else on the staff. If things were great, I imagine that he would have been actively participating. It could be life changes too driving him away, such as health problems or outside commitments. There is no way to really know what happened, but we can still speculate...

munky2

abdulbasit · Apr 01, 2007

Hmm. One thing makes me laugh that all the MOD authors also went away due to phpbb team and the main bosses are also having personal problems. phpBB team is full of problems Very Happy

Nightrider · Sep 25, 2004

If I had my way, I would fire most of the phpBB Staff. They seem to be an arrogant and rude lot who gain more out of harrassing people than helping them. I don't like the way they run the community at all...

munky2