Posted
4 months
ago
by
Acyd Burn
Hello,
We are very pleased to announce some planned improvements to phpBB's development process and release cycle. These changes are a direct result of our past experiences with the development of phpBB 2.0.x and 3.0.x, and will directly
... [More]
impact development direction, release strategy and version numbering.
After two great years of phpBB 3.0.x and the heroic plans for 3.2.x, we are again running into problems similar to those faced during the development of 3.0.x. In an effort to provide the community with a more solid groundwork, we have discussed and agreed upon the following changes:
phpBB 3.0.6
phpBB 3.0.6 will be released as planned.
Version numbering system
At the moment, we are using the former Linux kernel version numbering system, which we believe is no longer suitable for phpBB. We will be using a custom system specifically designed around phpBB and oriented toward a controlled release schedule.
We will continue using the X.Y.Z scheme, with the first number representing the major version, the second number representing feature releases and the last number representing maintenance releases. Unlike before, no significance will be given to even/odd numbers, so consecutive numbering (0,1,2,3...) will be used.
Here are some examples:
phpBB 3.0.x (current stable branch)phpBB 3.1.0 (first feature release of the stable branch; architecture is the same as with 3.0.x)phpBB 3.1.1 (first maintenance release of the 3.1.x branch)phpBB 3.2.0 (feature release of 3.1.x once 3.1.x becomes the stable branch)phpBB 3.x.0 (subsequent feature releases, based on the architecture of phpBB 3.0.0)phpBB 4.0.0 (completely new software with a new architecture)
Release strategy
We plan to have up to two supported branches at any given time; a stable branch (currently 3.0.x) and a feature branch (planned 3.1.x). Stable branches will continue to be supported for around 6-9 months after the date of a new feature release. Exact dates will be announced well in advance to provide MOD and Style authors with the ability to coordinate the releases of their own packages.
Each feature branch will have a tiny list of new major features and multiple new minor features, while maintenance releases will focus on bug fixes. Planned features will be announced to the public as a roadmap with additional small features being added as necessary. Overall architecture will be maintained as much as possible within feature branches to ensure maximum MOD and Style compatibility as well as smooth updating from the stable release. The automatic updater will support feature updates and, as always, assistance will be available for users updating their boards to the latest version.
We will continue releasing maintenance versions for the stable branch during the support period, with the last release aimed for around one month before the end of support. If necessary, patches for critical security issues will be released for a short period of time beyond the end of support date.
Such a release strategy prevents users from having to wait years for a feature that would've previously only be added in a major release (X.0.0). Necessary or commonly requested features will now be added to a feature release and available much sooner. This also allows us to properly concentrate on phpBB4 without the pressure of a community actively waiting for a small set of new features.
phpBB Ascraeus
phpBB Ascraeus, formerly 3.2.x, will now be released under the new version numbering system as 3.1.x. We will still attempt to provide most of the planned features, and will therefore continue using the codename Ascraeus.
Patches for external libraries
We have additionally devised a release strategy for patching grave security issues found in any external libraries that are used within the phpBB software.
If a situation arises where a critical vulnerability in an external library is found in-between phpBB releases, we will release a pl version of the previous maintenance release. For example, a vulnerability in an external library included in phpBB 3.1.1 would result in phpBB 3.1.1-pl1. Any bug fixes already made in SVN would still be released in 3.1.2 and would not be included in 3.1.1-pl1.
The stable branch, phpBB 3.0.x, is not supposed to have any external libraries.
Managing two different versions
In order to manage two completely separate products (phpBB3 and phpBB4), we will also slightly adjust the structure of the Development Team. Developers will now be assigned to their "preferred" version, although they will continue to be able to work on both. This will result in two loose groups, with each mainly responsible for one version. Each group will also have an assigned Release Manager, who will be responsible for coordinating the team and managing the releases. Release Managers will be coordinated by the Development Team Leader, although more freedom will be given to the individual development processes. The Development Team Leader will continue to be responsible for overseeing overall development and making sure that everything is in line with our philosophy at phpBB.
Effects on the other teams
Because the above changes will affect nearly every Team Member, other teams will announce their plans separate on our blog at phpbb.com.
Discussion
These decisions are the result of numerous discussions and were not taken lightly. We believe and hope that the plans outlined above will result in a better and stronger phpBB. While it is understandable that you may have a different opinion on some of the topics discussed, we would like to ask everyone to please respect the ultimate decisions made and give us the benefit-of-doubt when unsure.
We invite you to discuss what these changes mean to you as an administrator, moderator, MOD/Style author and/or user.
Thank you,
The phpBB Team [Less]
Posted
5 months
ago
by
naderman
The phpBB Development and Management Teams met in Cologne, Germany last week for 4 days of exciting brainstorming and coding. We discussed future phpBB releases and worked on phpBB 3.0.6.
Posted
5 months
ago
by
eviL<3
We, the Modifications Team, are proud to announce the availability of the 1.0.0 Gold Release of UMIL, the Unified MOD Install Library.
UMIL is a library for MOD authors. It enables them to create database installation and update scripts for
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their MODs easily. It provides a unified way to access phpBB's API for adding modules, modifying the database and more.
This release includes a number of bug fixes and some additions. For details, please refer to the changelog. We hope this version to be the most stable so far.
You can find the download on the UMIL page (bottom right). For more information, such as API documentation check the phpBB Wiki. Please report any bugs you encounter to the tracker.
The Modifications Team
You may discuss this announcement in the discussion topic. [Less]
Posted
5 months
ago
by
Acyd Burn
Hi,
code.phpbb.com (phpBB's Code Forge) will be taken down in a few hours for a server move. Because we not only need to adjust DNS entries but also move mailing lists and our repositories the downtime can last for an extended period (ranging from 4 hours to 24 hours).
Posted
5 months
ago
by
eviL<3
Best Captcha Plugin Competition
The upcoming release of phpBB 3.0.6 will include a brand new captcha system. We are looking for the best captcha plugin from you, the community.
A free bertie will be awarded to the three best captcha
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plugins. We have the following categories: Community Choice, Team Choice and First Approved. The community choice is chosen by using a poll. The team choice is chosen by the phpBB team internally. The first approved MOD is the first one that gets approved. We will strictly validate them in the order they are submitted.
Guidelines
Here are some basic guidelines that should be followed when creating a captcha plugin.
Plugins should be editless. Especially no alterations to existing plugins. The proper way to make a plugin based on another is extending the class Language files should use the name "captcha_.php Template files should use the name "captcha_.html ACP template files should use the name "captcha__acp.html Demo template files should use the name "captcha__acp_demo.html Plugin files have to use the name "phpbb__plugin.php
Timeframe & eligibility
We will be accepting submissions to the MODDB for one month (update: extended to September 4th) after the date of this announcement. All submitted captcha plugins are automatically nominated. The person listed first in a winning MOD will receive the prize.
Resources
The following links will help you to get started writing a captcha plugin.
phpBB Blog: 3.0.6 CAPTCHA plugins and youphpBB Wiki: CaptchasCode forge: Captcha plugins listingIf you need help you can post in the MOD Writers Discussion.
You may discuss this announcement in the discussion topic. [Less]
Posted
5 months
ago
by
eviL<3
Best Captcha Plugin Competition
The upcoming release of phpBB 3.0.6 will include a brand new captcha system. We are looking for the best captcha plugin from you, the community.
A free bertie will be awarded to the three best captcha
... [More]
plugins. We have the following categories: Community Choice, Team Choice and First Approved. The community choice is chosen by using a poll. The team choice is chosen by the phpBB team internally. The first approved MOD is the first one that gets approved. We will strictly validate them in the order they are submitted.
Guidelines
Here are some basic guidelines that should be followed when creating a captcha plugin.
Plugins should be editless. Especially no alterations to existing plugins. The proper way to make a plugin based on another is extending the class Language files should use the name "captcha_.php Template files should use the name "captcha_.html ACP template files should use the name "captcha__acp.html Demo template files should use the name "captcha__acp_demo.html Plugin files have to use the name "phpbb__plugin.php
Timeframe & eligibility
We will be accepting submissions to the MODDB for one month after the date of this announcement. All submitted captcha plugins are automatically nominated. The person listed first in a winning MOD will receive the prize.
Resources
The following links will help you to get started writing a captcha plugin.
phpBB Blog: 3.0.6 CAPTCHA plugins and youphpBB Wiki: CaptchasCode forge: Captcha plugins listingIf you need help you can post in the MOD Writers Discussion.
You may discuss this announcement in the discussion topic. [Less]
Posted
5 months
ago
by
wGEric
On Thursday, July 23, 2009 during OSCON this year in San Jose, California, USA there will be a local phpBB meeting. Although this is not an official phpBB event some phpBB Team Members will be there. If you are in the area and interested in meeting
... [More]
some of the phpBB community, you can find out more details here: http://www.phpbbweekly.net/osconvasion/
This event is sponsored by phpBB Weekly, the unofficial weekly phpBB podcast. [Less]
Posted
5 months
ago
by
Marshalrusty
We will be performing a hardware upgrade today, beginning at 17:00 UTC.
The maintenance is expected to last several hours, during which time phpBB.com will not be available. Please make copies of any online resources that you may need during that time.
Thank you,
- The phpBB Team
Posted
5 months
ago
by
Brainy
In an effort to increase our connections with the community at large, the phpBB Teams are glad to announce the creation of our newest community effort – a series of question and answer sessions entitled “Meet The Team”. This series is focused on helping you, the end user, learn a bit more about us, the [...]
Posted
6 months
ago
by
Kellanved
You probably have already heard about it: the next release will include a host of new features. This post will present one of them in detail, showing the idea and the impact on users, style and MOD authors.
Most admins are experiencing problems with spam, which is taking away lots of energy that would be better [...]
