vBulletin 5 Connect Release Plans
The following is an update on plans for the release of vBulletin 5 Connect. We are working hard to ensure a high standard of quality for vBulletin 5 Connect. To maintain this level of quality while achieving a timely release of the new product, we will be doing a phased release.
The initial release of vBulletin 5 Connect will introduce many major new features while including most of the capabilities of vBulletin 4.2. The 5.0 release will include:
Core vBulletin forum functionality including the activity stream, robust moderation tools and blogs
Site Builder with new page templates, making it easy to set and modify sites
Drag-and-drop configuration, simplifying page layout
Modernized User Interface with streamlined content entry (photos, video, etc.), to increase content creation
Enhanced content search and discovery via various content modules, engaging users into deeper site visits
Improved social functionality including groups, new user profiles, comments functionality, an integrated messaging hub, social content curation, real-time updates and more
Integrated mobile-optimized version for use on
smartphones, ensuring these visitors stay and return
Improvements to the photo gallery and better integration of photos with other content
Simplified admin management with new features such as in-line site editing and customization
Improved architecture for better performance and easier customization
Built-in SEO to maximize search traffic
Easy-to-use upgrader tool for vBulletin 3 and 4 sites, plus an importer for other forum software
The primary elements of vBulletin 4.2 that will not be in the 5.0 version of vBulletin 5 Connect are CMS/article publishing, Mobile Suite, the Facebook app, paid subscriptions and non-English versions of the product. These components will be released as follows.
We will release the first update to vBulletin 5 Connect approximately 4-6 weeks after the 5.0 launch. This release will be focused on bug fixes, and will also include various non-English versions of vBulletin 5 Connect and possibly paid subscriptions.
The next piece of this phased initial release will bring to vBulletin 5 Connect article publishing capabilities similar to the current CMS in vBulletin 4 Suite. Tables and content for the current CMS will be imported into a new content channel regardless of whether the upgrade is done before or after this update, but that content will only be usable afterwards.
After that, the next element to be released will be a vBulletin 5 Connect version of the vBulletin Mobile Suite. Sites upgrading prior to this time will still be able to take advantage of the mobile-optimized capabilities of vBulletin 5 Connect, as well as the Forum Runner mobile apps which are free to site owners and integrated into vBulletin. The custom branded version of Forum Runner also will be available at a discounted price during this time. We are currently working through plans for the vBulletin Facebook app going forward, and we'll provide details on this decision-making as it becomes available.
We recognize many existing sites using these capabilities are eager to upgrade to vBulletin 5 Connect, and our development team will be working diligently to get these functions out as soon as possible. We believe a phased release is the best way to ensure all introduced features are thoroughly tested when they're launched so their quality is assured.
Helping You Build Better Communities,
Your vBulletin Support Team
