When expired, should be able to download old versions and security fix

[joomlajon]

Shouldn't I be able to download the versions of the softwares up until that point of expiration?

Or is there a ransom for the old versions as well?

/j

[Mat Barrie]

No, it just means you can keep what you've downloaded thus far. Security fixes are also, except where they're rolled into a larger minor or major version upgrade, posted as an attachment in the announcement thread for the vulnerability. You don't need a maintenance contract for that.

[Mark]

The reason we don't provide old versions is because we don't support them. For example, 2.3.5 has a known problem with spambots which was fixed in 2.3.6 - we're not going to give out 2.3.5 because it has that problem, and we know it has that problem. Of course, if you downloaded 2.3.5 and want to carry on using it, we're not going to stop you.

As Kyanar said, security vulnerabilities (i.e. SQL injection, CSRF, XSS etc. holes), on the rare occasions they have been found, we tend to publicly post a fix.

This is all explained our standards service policy.

[joomlajon]

Oki :)

[princetontiger]

I think the IPS model works well... I've never understood why companies offer older versions due to bugs/security flaws

[Garthilk]

Well,

It's not just for older versions, something things are out of your control and you need to download the current version, but you can't because your liscence has expired.

[bfarber]

In those cases the onus is on you to retain a backup of the software.

[joomlajon]

I do understand,

The only thing is that I have paid $250 and can't get anything, so I get the feeling that I have paid a lot for nothing.

So IPB can say "Money for nothing and chicks for free" :)

I have lost my job and is starting up a site for parents with disabled children, which does not aim to be a moneymaker. Free and free from advertisment. I am only a parent of the focus group and have no organization or anything else that can count as charitywork, just me and my site. I have vBulletinlicense which has not expired yet, and I have a nonactive IPB license, but I run on phpbb because I can't afford any upgrades at all.

phpbb is ok, but vbulletin is far better in management of permissions. IPB3 looks like it will beat vBulletin by far. But I need to stay with phpbb because I am poor, not poor as people who starve but enough poor to have to save up for the license renewal fee. Money that probably will need to fill a whole as I go along so... no.

And I have heard a rumor that 2009 will be an even faecestier year ;)

/j

[Mat Barrie]

If you paid $249... wait, what package costs $249? From memory an ancient Yearly was $69, a lifetime was $199, a perpetual was $175, a standard is $149, a business is $299 (but I don't see why you'd have that for a community site) - the only thing left is a community suite. And renewing a community suite to get updates will set you back $25 (same as an IPB standard, actually) - can you ask for donations from your members? I'm sure people wont mind chipping in a couple of bucks if you're providing a community service!

[joomlajon]

My site is in the beginning of existance so I don't have many members.

The $249 was for the whole package with forum, blog and the photoalbums. So communitypack it is, I might start a forum in the future for the cerebral palsy diagnosis... time will tell.

And I have to wait for ipb3 before I know if I will switch to it, had big problems with translation so ipb 2 is not for me with

[Amy T]

I think the IPS model works well... I've never understood why companies offer older versions due to bugs/security flaws

I know some companies where you could get any version that was publicly released. :)

[dziner]

I don't agree in being able to download older version but bug fixes and only bug fixes yes they should be even after your license has expired.

[IP.iBaLLiN]

Is it really that hard to get $25 dollars every six months? I think what they have now is fine. Think of updates as a privilege. You got what you paid for already by downloading your IPB. If you're looking for updates, you gotta pay. :)

[Jυra]

What if there are no known exploits or fairly bad bugs in the version? There should either be a clear warning that the download will be removed before they cancel their support or a warning of problems before they download (while still allowing them to download it). Software is software, how do you know they aren't able to fix those bugs and security issues themselves? I think they should have access to it if they paid for it. It sould(?) be much better than having them switching over to another software.

Is it really that hard to get $25 dollars every six months?

For most people I'm sure it isn't, but that's something each individual should ask themselves. For some people it may be.

[Mark]

What if there are no known exploits or fairly bad bugs in the version? There should either be a clear warning that the download will be removed before they cancel their support or a warning of problems before they download (while still allowing them to download it). Software is software, how do you know they aren't able to fix those bugs and security issues themselves? I think they should have access to it if they paid for it. It sould(?) be much better than having them switching over to another software.

We do make it very clear that this is the case. When you download the software you have to accept the license agreement which states:

In the event a one year license expires without being renewed, the software will remain completely functional but will be unsupported and no access to upgrades will be made available.

Even though it could do with updating to reflect the new license structure (6 months instead of 1 year) - it is shown. If you don't read that and blindly click "I agree" then more fool you, I don't really see how we can make this clearer.


If you don't have an active license then you haven't paid for access to downloads - sure you can continue you using the version you have if you have it, but you need to pay your renewal for access to downloads.
Think of it this way: if you buy a software on CD and lose the CD, can you download it? No.

[Jυra]

We do make it very clear that this is the case. When you download the software you have to accept the license agreement

The part you added to you post does not state that you will no longer be able to download the software you purchased.

Think of it this way: if you buy a software on CD and lose the CD, can you download it? No.

I lost my Guild Wars installation discs. What did I do? I illegally downloaded the software I purchased so I could play it again.

[Mark]

The part you added to you post does not state that you will no longer be able to download the software you purchased.

I lost my Guild Wars installation discs. What did I do? I illegally downloaded the software I purchased so I could play it again.

You have an active support license so I'm not sure why you're playing devil's advocate here.
If you have a genuine query or comment about the license agreement - I would suggest you call us or submit a ticket and we'll be happy to address the matter.

[dziner]

I lost my Guild Wars installation discs. What did I do? I illegally downloaded the software I purchased so I could play it again.

bad example. :lol:

Look lets say you purchase the 2.3 version the I would agree that if this version last over a year and there were updates I would recommend that you have access at the ver least to exploits of a large mass.

However,
if you are wanting to stay current with new features to IPB then a $25 extension for your license would be, correction should be your only choice.

[Mark]

Look lets say you purchase the 2.3 version the I would agree that if this version last over a year and there were updates I would recommend that you have access at the ver least to exploits of a large mass.

However,

if you are wanting to stay current with new features to IPB then a $25 extension for your license would be, correction should be your only choice.

Personally I think that would cause even more of a hassle, because then we'll have this conversation with people:
"I went to download the software today but I can't."
"That's because we just released an update which fixes security vulnerability in that version."
"But nobody told me I wouldn't be able to download it again!"

Or we could allow them access even if there was an exploit and have this conversion with people:
"Someone hacked by website!"
"You don't have an active support contract. We can't help you."
"But I only downloaded the software yesterday!"


I don't think either of those is fair to the customers and if I was the customer in either situation I'd feel cheated.

We can't offer access to old versions, that's the way it is and I can't see that changing. In fact, I'd be interested to know of any software company that does offer access to old versions.

[Cairns]

If I buy 2.3.0, and my license expires, I should be able to access ALL bug fixes, whatever they are, 2.3.1, 2.3.2, 2.3.3 and so on.

No-one should have to use buggy software, and bugs shouldn't be counted as upgrades.

Once the second version number changes, ie. 2.4.0, that should then count as an upgrade.


I bought 2.3.1, which 'expired' whilst I was overseas, when I got back the support had expired and I was unable to download any new version.

I contacted IPB and asked if I could pay the $25 and catch up, but they refused, I had to buy the forum all over again.

This from a company whose product was once free.

[Mark]

If I buy 2.3.0, and my license expires, I should be able to access ALL bug fixes, whatever they are, 2.3.1, 2.3.2, 2.3.3 and so on.

No-one should have to use buggy software, and bugs shouldn't be counted as upgrades.

Once the second version number changes, ie. 2.4.0, that should then count as an upgrade.

I bought 2.3.1, which 'expired' whilst I was overseas, when I got back the support had expired and I was unable to download any new version.

I contacted IPB and asked if I could pay the $25 and catch up, but they refused, I had to buy the forum all over again.

This from a company whose product was once free.

That does not sound right - if you bought IPB at 2.3.1 which expired before 2.3.2 you should have been able to pay the standard $25 renewal p the only occasion when this would not be the case is when we stopped offering Yearly licenses.

[sunrisecc]

If I buy 2.3.0, and my license expires, I should be able to access ALL bug fixes, whatever they are, 2.3.1, 2.3.2, 2.3.3 and so on.

Your licence did not expire, your access to support and future updates did.

[Cairns]

That does not sound right - if you bought IPB at 2.3.1 which expired before 2.3.2 you should have been able to pay the standard $25 renewal p the only occasion when this would not be the case is when we stopped offering Yearly licenses.

By the time my 'support' ran out it was on 2.3.3.

Once I buy a license I should be able to pay $25 at any time and get upgrades, why should I have to pay $50 a year for support I don't need and bug fixes that should be free?

Your licence did not expire, your access to support and future updates did.

I obviously know that.

[sunrisecc]

If I buy 2.3.0, and my license expires

Your words, not mine.

[Mark]

By the time my 'support' ran out it was on 2.3.3.

Once I buy a license I should be able to pay $25 at any time and get upgrades, why should I have to pay $50 a year for support I don't need and bug fixes that should be free?

Unless you were on our yearly license structure, that is the way it works. You can renew at any time without buying a new license.