Question.

[Zero-CU]

If i get my site(and forum) hosted with IPS, it says the IP.Board license is included, thats great. my question is though, whats the catch? i hear IPB encrypts their files.

If this is the case, can i be given unencrypted files? i plan on installing a few mods from InvisionModding.com, but i am also in need of a host at an affordable price, so IPS, can this be done?

I've supported you til the end of the free era, and i miss IPB, i've used many systems to try to replace IPB, i don't like them.

So can someone answer my question please? if i get the hosting can i get an unencrypted forum so i can add modifications?

[Lindy]

Hello,


Unfortunately, to have complete unencoded access to the source files, you would need to purchase a license in addition to hosting. With that said, many modifications / components can be applied without access to the encoded areas.

If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact sales@invisionpower.com -- we're here to help. :)

[Zero-CU]

um, i was under the impression that the entire board was encoded? can i ask why you guys do this? (encode your boards?)

[Lindy]

Proper components (that make use of IPB's modular hooks) do not require direct access to the source files.

Encoding is done primarily for fraud. Prior to encoding, one would sign up for hosting, wait for activation, download the source files and cancel and request a refund. It is a leased license, so unfortunately, the source files must be encoded to enforce such.

It's been suggested that after X amount of time being a customer that unencoded source files be offered. Unfortunately, this is not practical as there are no provisions in our systems to allow for easy tracking of who should get what source files. This is rarely a concern, however, as the vast majority of our customers only wish to change the cosmetic aspects of the software, which of course does not require unencoded access. Those who do require full source access generally purchase a license, which provides the benefits of a standard license while still offering the accessibility and stability of our hosting.

I hope that helps.

[Zero-CU]

Well im trying to save money and cash on hosting, which is why i thought your hosting would be good, i just don't see why i would have to pay for a license seperately at full retail price while still paying for your hosting if i could get the license within the hosting and unencoded files.

[Michael]

But that's just it, you don't get the unencoded files with just the hosting package. You're trying to save money, understandably, but remember, you get what you pay for. If you're not willing to pay for the full license, then you don't get the full benefits (unencoded source files) that brings.

[bfarber]

Maybe there is some confusion (though I think Michael might have cleared it up).

If you purchase a license, you get unencoded files. If you get a leased copy of the board through one of our hosting plans, you get encoded files (for the reasons Lindy stated). If you have encoded files because you are hosting with us, you may optionally purchase a license for IPB to get the unencoded files.

As has been pointed out, many modifications work without access to the encoded files. We hope to expand upon these possibilities with the next major release.