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OK, I'll admit, "the good, the bad, and the ugly" have absolutely nothing to do with phpBB or this post, but it sounded kinda cool ;)
So, for those who don't know, phpBB is a really cool, versatile, scalable, free, open-source bulletin board package. It uses the php programming language and a database backend to allow for a bulletin board system, and much, much more. To see what its capable of, please visit the website I have been working on/developing for the past few months: Univ. of Rochester Mock Trial Organization. Its not entirely done yet, but as soon as it is, you'll all be getting an email telling you and asking for you advice/opinions ;) !!
Anyway, back to the point of this post. So, I've really gotten involved in developing (well, its more like customizing, but there is some development involved, and it sounds cooler to say developing) the current phpBB site that I'm working on, and heavily modifying it. I'm almost done, and actually just created my first true mod (for those of you that don't know, mod stands for modification and its basically a modification of some of the original code of phpBB to change/add/enhance/increase certain features) (its actually my second mod, but my first mod was modifying another mod, so I guess it doesn't entirely count). Thats not to say that this is the first time I've modified my bulletin board (because its not, I've added a ton of other mods developed by other individuals, tweaked some of them, and even tweaked some of the original coding of phpBB). But this is the first time I've developed a mod that I can/will distribute to others for use in their phpBB 2.0.4 board. Its not entirely in proper format yet, although its all there and understandable (and while I've tested it, it hasn't been tested by others or received any sort of approval or anything), but if your interested, please visit it here.
Anyway, I'd just like to say that phpBB is definitely one of the coolest software packages around, and the community that has formed itself around phpBB development is also really awesome (and for all those who've offered help to me...THANKS!...you know who you are ;) ). I also can't wait for the official release of phpBB 2.2 ... it looks like it will be even greater than the current phpBB 2.0.x versions (which is hard to imagine).
OK, OK...so I'm a big dork...but this stuff is really very cool and allows for a lot. My whole take on society is that information is very powerful, and instanteous, always-on access to information is revolutionizing the world. For instance, it might be one thing if the threat level is lowered from Orange to Yellow, but aside from watching CNN, if you wanted to know exactly what the current threat level was, where would you go? That's right, you'd hit up the Department of Homeland Security's Website. This is just one of a million examples of how information should be and usually is available all the time and how this is becoming a boon to many; and the main source of this information is the world wide web. Therefore, having a bulletin board type program that allows for easy posting of pertinent information without having to edit web pages, etc. (and also emails out this pertinent information, posts it on the main page, etc.), as well as discussion, calendaring, photo album, file storage, etc. is an incredible tool!
OK, OK...I'm guessing your getting tired of my ranting...but anyway, this type of technology definitely has and will continue to revolutionize the world...so get on board while you can!!!
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Posted by Marc Bressman
@ 2:19 AM
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