Developer or Designer Edition?

[BigOrange +]

In the last few weeks I believe I have looked at most every classifieds script on the internet and have decided on 68Classifieds. I'ts great. Now I'm trying to decide if I should purchase the developer or designer edition. Price is a consideration but not at the expense of shooting myself in the foot to save a few dollars.

I believe the designer package will do what I want in making a site that will look nice by using the template system and the english language definitions. But I also want the script to be flexable enough to be able to use mods and changes that are needed to make a very user friendly site, and make a site the will be easy to add advertisements such as banners etc.

I am concerned however about making changes to the code in either package that would make it hard to maintain or upgrade the site. I hate to get into a situation where you dread upgrading because of screwing up all the great changes you have made. I don't really see any type of "over-ride" system like zen-cart uses for making changes that don't affect the core files when you need to upgrade unless it is built into the templating file sysem in 68Classifieds. I am new to 68Classfieds and maybe I just don't understand the system.

Could someone that has used the developer and designer editions please give me a description of how both packages were intented to be used and still be able to apply upgrades when they come out. Any and all thoughts would be appreciated.

I'm ready to buy when I decide on the correct edition to purchase.
Sorry that this got so long!

[arminium +]

I am only new to 68c but i might be able to shed light at your question from a level your at.

I had the same question, i chose to get the designer as i didn't see the point in spending the extra for no reason, and to be honest you can build a great site using the designer edition and even put some mods in, BUT theres always a but.

Some mods require changing your php files, you can't do that except your template folder with the designer edition.

if you have a look at www.frustratedkids.com , with the exception of the banner which is really ugly at moment i have built with only the designer edition, the banner ads i needed to upgrade to the developer.

I am not unhappy about this because i aim to build many more sites and believe in playing with things to learn and if you have the whole box and dice you can start to make mod's yourself when you know what your doing, but if you do change anything back it up first i learnt the hardway that this is a good idea

i reckon you'll enjoy 68c i have i've only been here a few weeks and learnt a massive amount working with the package and reading the forums

cheers

[juven14 +]

Both scripts function exactly the same, the designer is just encrypted.

The module system will allow modules to run on both designer and developer editions. The module makers simply need to have their hooks included in an upcoming release to work with the designer version. Also, they need to develop their modules to work with both versions, if that is what they intend.

The module system is very robust and if you make your modules right it will be pretty easy to upgrade. It took a little while to get my head around the system but it can do quite a bit with out needing to even touch the core files.

The template files can be managed in such a way that while the module is not actve their content doesn't display, so after upgrading if the module isn't up-to-date then all you have to do is deactivate it. Then you can work to upgrade your module or template files.

The choice really is how much do you want to change the way the script functions, with the designer version that is pretty limited although you can still do quite a bit with modules and smarty plugins. If you don't write your own modules you will be limited to what is out there or what module makers are willing to create. With the developer version you are pretty much limited to your own PHP skills.

The thing that make the developer version nicer is the access to the source code. Some time bugs are found and can be fixed faster than the next release via forum support. Also, you can use modifications found in the forum that require access to the core files.

I think if the price isn't that big of a factor, you will be happier with the developer version. Even if you don't know PHP that well, you can still get help with modifications to the core files. I know some people start out with the designer version and upgrade if they find they need the flexiblity.

I hope this helps.

[BigOrange +]

I know some people start out with the designer version and upgrade if they find they need the flexiblity.

Is there a limit on how long you have to upgrade to the developer edition if you find the designer won't do what you want? If you upgrade is there more cost involved other than the difference in the price of the two editions?

I'm leaning toward the designer edition but thinking I might want to go to the developer edition, if needed, when the next major upgrade comes out. BTW, how often do upgrades normally come out?

Thanks for your input!!

[Maffo +]

My advice is always to go for the developers edition. I have no reasons to offer other than I couldnt possibly imagine working with only the template files and not the php files. I work with this software everyday and I make as many changes in the php code as I do inside the template files, if not more.

[juven14 +]

Unless it's changed they only charge the difference between the two versions.

It depends, bug-fixes come as needed, and major version changes I think there have been two since I first became a customer in late 2005. These included upgrading to smarty templates and the module system, membership system, and a few others, that I can't remember at this hour.

[BigOrange +]

Thanks guys for your input. Reading this forum, and seeing how helpful everyone here is, played a big part in my decision to go with the 68Classifieds script.

I purchased the designer package. I'ts good to know I can move up to the developer package when needed. I'm afraid it may not be to long unless Maffo comes out with his banner mod that will work with the designer edition. How about it Maffo. Any chance you will have a banner script for the designer edition?

[Maffo +]

Its not as simple as that BigOrange, Modules in general just need to hooked into the system. This is fairly straightforward to do and allows mods to be used with the designer editon. However with the banner mod, a small piece of code must be added to each page of the php pages that you wish to place banners. Some pages just arent suitable to have this banner on, for example, any Mod pages, usercheckout.php

Also for category php, the banner mod works for each and every category you use. The code must be added to category.php to function.

I could spend hours,days or weeks trying to come with a solution but I think its fair to say, if you want this feature on your website and have the ability to generate lots of cash, then its a lot easier to upgrade to the developers package.

[gregbatch +]

BigOrange, I use AdPeeps (AdPeeps.com) on my site. It integrates easily into the templates and is very flexible. It even has it's own cart where users can sign up, upload banners, view their stats, etc. (if you want it, not necessary), PayPal, and more. Not knocking Maffo's system at all as I understand it is nice. But for me AdPeeps give me an edge because I can use it to serve banners on any site I have.

[Maffo +]

Excellent, and this allows advertisers to buy space on the site for certain pages? I will have to look at this program as it might save me hours of time. I have a question. I built my mod_banner so advertisers could place a banner inside the different categories. With this software can I still do that or do I have to have one set of ads for the entire category.php?

I ask this as our websites sell more on the banners than on any other part of the sites. Especially with the directory based sites. There is a need however for the customer to be able place a banner ad in the categories best suited for them. For example a carpenter wouldnt want his banner on the cake decorators page.

Is this software open source or modifiable in any way?