Yes, what did happen to phalanx? I thought it was going to be release in January?
Many of you users are wondering what did happen to the Phalanx (pronounced fay-lanks) upgrade. Well, although I never set a release date, I did have a goal of getting “something out there†by January. It’s true…I did not meet this goal. There was a medley of issues that did cause this. I won’t really go into details because a large part of it was due to time sensitive work-related issues.
Around November, one day I was thinking about the current status of Phalanx in the shower (it’s not weird place to think about such things…Alan Greenspan wrote a whole book in the bathtub) and I came to the realization that Phalanx did not meet expectations. I mean other than the new ACP, everything else was ok. I really wanted iPBFree users to really push the technology further. Phalanx at that point was new stuff slapped on to an old base. Think of an old house with a new roof and windows…it looks weird.
Basically, I said screw it…I’ll do whatever it takes to fulfill my vision of what forum software should look like … even if I have to rewrite all of iPBFree forum software…. I will. Why do this? Because I want users to do great stuff with iPBFree.
Anyway, I ended up merging features that were planned to go in version 2.3 into Phalanx. In essence, Phalanx is actually 2 different versions packaged in one release. The design is quite radical (compared with what users are using now)…some of the features in Phalanx (version 2.3) is not yet seen in any paid forum software. I won’t really get into features and what has changed or even hype this release at all.
So how long will it take to see Phalanx?
Not sure, but it is currently my highest priority. After I get a beta version going, staff and well-known modders/skinners will have access to the new release (to find bugs and get user modifications converted). After we feel that most of the issues have been resolved, we will start the upgrade process (which will require downtime). I also don’t want this release rushed, there are just so many moving parts, so many things that have changed… it can be so easy to make mistakes. Be patient, I want it released just as much as you do.
What are some Phalanx features?
We are keeping this hush-hush at the moment. We don’t want the other guys’ “photocopying machine” to start just yet. Be aware, many of the features users have asked for has been implemented. Now that does not mean everything you wanted has been put in….it just means that ideas and concepts that were deemed reasonable were put in. Some features will be held back for later release (in some kind of update)….we will let you know which features will be held back at a later time.
What do you need to do to prepare for the upgrade?
I have not yet worked out the details but a checklist will be posted well in advanced. I will have everyone prepared prior to the upgrade.
Although, I call it an upgrade…it really is a milestone release (maybe I should just call it iPBFree 3.0?). When the final version does come out, users will not be disappointed and it will be quite clear why I held back the release.
Thank you Vipul, we wish everything good to you & to IPBFree..
Thanks to give us This big place.. to say what we think
Left by SaWaMa on March 16th, 2008
Thanks for the update Vipul am sure this is what everone has been waiting on :).
Keep up the good hard work and I’ll be looking forward to seeing the new release and these features your talking about ;).
Left by Scott on March 16th, 2008
sweettttttttttt
also, come join my football forum
Left by tonigol on March 16th, 2008
I hope this version is gonna be great and I can’t wait!
Left by Eric on March 16th, 2008
One question:
When this “Phalanx” comes out is it going to be a transfer, meaning that we have to re-register all over again on the forums ? Is everything all the topics, post , member details going to stay in tact ? Is there going to be any lost data ?
Left by Silver on March 17th, 2008
hey sir thanks for ur time and effort, im sure it will be great and iv always used ipbfree for long because its simply the best right now, so when phalanx releases, it will den be UNBEATABLE
thanksssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss
Left by Matthew Giblin on March 17th, 2008
Hey, Vipul will the updates come all at once or periodically each month or so?
Left by Basit on March 17th, 2008
Thanks so much! And don’t worry, I get my ideas from the shower sometimes to…XP I really can’t wait for the features, now I am so hyped up!
Good luck with getting it done!
Left by Blossomgirl101 on March 17th, 2008
Silver, there will be no lost of data. Vipul will backup the information in case of any data loss. If the data is disappear not by yourself you can request to recover it. Thanks again Vipul to announce about the Phalanx.
Left by Deja Vu on March 18th, 2008
Thanks for all the work and effort you put in this
.
Left by Anno2013 on March 18th, 2008
I thank the IPBfree staff for all their hard work. IPBfree is arguably one of the best free forum systems out there.
Left by havenomercy3 on March 18th, 2008
Thank you so much for this much anticipated update. I really don’t mind when Phalanx comes out as long as you guys make it the best. I just started to worry that maybe you had lost interest in continuing to work on Phalanx when we didn’t hear any word about it for some time. Please do take your time on it, but please also let us know how everything is going with an update every now and then like this one.
Thank you so much for all your hard work–I’m really looking forward to the release!
Left by badtzmaru on March 18th, 2008
Great News!
Left by Boo on March 19th, 2008
I would just like to drop by and say Thank You for taking your time with Phalanx and making sure members won’t be disappointed. That’s the main reason I switched to IPBFree is because they seemed to have better service and have actual upgrades compared to the other free forum service.
Oddly enough, great ideas usually are developed in the shower. I also appreciate you taking time out of your schedule to update us on Phalanx. That’s really all I needed to know, just wanted to make sure everything was going on as planned.
Left by TCE on March 19th, 2008
wow am sure its going to rock…thanks a bunch for working so hard and spending so much time with it for us users vipul and am sure it is gonna be one helluva milestone…looking forward to the release and wishing you and the staff all the best
Left by Dwayne on March 19th, 2008
hey vipul sir just wanted to add dat like u said u will have everyone prepared prior to the upgrade; how u gona do dat? r u gona like make a topic in the support forum letting us know or somethin? cos plz do dat so we aint left in suspense and we know why our forums are down at the time.
regards and thanks 2u and da staff!
Left by Matthew Giblin on March 19th, 2008
I’m really looking forward to it. Just a quick question, Do we get Extra Credits when it updates? Cause I wouldn’t have to lose anything that is really important to our forum for something cool.
Thanks Vipul and the Team at IPBfree. I am really looking forward to see your creation come alive no matter how long it takes.
Thanks
MJ
Left by Mysterious_Johnson on March 19th, 2008
Thanks for the update Vipul.
ooo… it’s snowing again…
Anyway, I can’t wait. Phalanx will be awesome!
1 question - what of Blood’s secret project? Is that gone forever?
Left by Tom on March 24th, 2008
Just thought I’d pop in and say thanks.
I’m new to ipbfree and think its great, look forward to some new things.
Allan
Left by Sporticus on April 5th, 2008
Hey Vipul,
Any updates for us =]? Or still keeping it hush hush.
Thanks.
Left by Scott on April 24th, 2008
I hope I’m amongst the beta testers.. I have been at IPBFree since its early days
Can’t wait ^.^
Left by Rarez on May 2nd, 2008
awesome, but one question;
Will we need to make all-new fourms or will there be a way to update it w/o louseing all of out skins and wrappers?
Left by Shikamaru on May 10th, 2008
go ahead and call it ipbfree 3.0 and I understand entirely about deadlines they’re never on time
Left by Sraviik on May 14th, 2008