Well, here I am - possibly proving that I am who I said I am and I can do what I said can do [see http://www.vendetta-online.com/x/msgboard/15/27040?page=2#328512 for details].

Most of you currently think that I am some kind of idiot/freak/troll/whatever, but you simply don't get me. That is not unusual, actually most people don't.
I said that my suggestions can improve Vendetta and while most of you think that it's bullshit, I can prove it.

As we all know, the Vendetta forum system sucks, it lacks basic functions present on all modern forum systems such as:
- Working search
- See list of a user's posts
- Advanced moderation features
- Support for advanced BBCodes
- PMs
- Many other not mentioned here

So what can I do for Vendetta:
- Adapt the latest version of PHP Forum system of Devs' choice (PHPBB, MyBB, SMF, vBulletin, or some other one) for Vendetta's needs.
- The forum will **work, look and "feel"** practically exactly the same as current VO's forum, so existing members should have no big problem accepting it.
I will adapt HTML and CSS to precisely match current Vendetta looks.

Who am I and what I do:
- I am a skilled & experienced PHP backend programmer and a Linux sysadmin. I also run my own company with another person.
- I can setup a Linux [Gentoo, Debian, CentOS] server from scratch, including kernel compilation [vanilla, patched & hardened too], performance optimizations, advanced hardware & database[MySQL, MariaDB, Percona] configuration, setup webservers [apache, nginx], development environments [PHP, Git + RSYNC], encryption [TC, dm-crypt], software RAID arrays, LVM and many other stuff
- In fact, I have already done all of that in my company (including RAID, encryption and custom-made kernel for greater performance).
- I also I am a hardcore geek (kinda obvious) and a great fan of StarTrek & Stargate universes, hence my Interests in VO universe and all the new ideas

Details:
- I know that none of you have any reason to trust me, for all you know I could be some freak/idiot/script kiddie trying to hack VO so I want to do this the "minimum required trust" way.
- Using tools like DIFF & PATCH It can be easily proven that my code contains no trojans & backdoors. Just download the same version of PHPBB/SMF/MyBB/vBulletin and make a DIFF between my code and original PHPBB code. It's really trivial.
- I don't need any servers, any hardware of any sort, because I already have an extra Linux server just waiting to get used
- Once I am finished, i will host a DEMO version of converted Vendetta's forum on my own server, so everybody can see that it works.
- If the devs will like it, i can either implement it myself on production VO servers, or I can make a detailed instruction of how to install it on destination VO servers.
- I can also set it up on a separate server, and comunicate with VO via some API (if there is one - I have no idea how VO forums work currently)

What i will require:
- Latest version of Vendetta's forum database, of course with all sensitive data (like emails, contact info, real names, addresses etc) in SCRAMBLED form
OR
Some kind of API to access VO's scrambled data (if there is an API)
- Specifications of the data, in case it isn't built using popular database technologies like MySQL/PostgreSQL
- At least SOME specifications of the destination server, it would be impossible even to instruct somebody about installation with NO information about the server whatsoever

What i want in return:
- I don't want any money, I have enough money already because, as I said, I run a successful Internet-related company.
The only thing i require is implementation of ONE small idea of mine into VO. Meaningly, the "blinking active map sector proposition" from here http://www.vendetta-online.com/x/msgboard/3/23854 - that shouldn't take more than few programming hours to do, but the idea could greatly improve gameplay.

Idea explained in short: Sectors which have a lot of player activity on the map, should blink, pulse, or emanate round circles to indicate that activity. Like explained on images below.
BEFORE:

AFTER:


Why am I doing this ?
- Actually to be honest, I have no idea why the hell I am doing this. This is madness. But I will do it anyway if the devs agree.
- Well, perhaps i want to PROVE to all of you that my ideas work and that i CAN improve this game

--------
So, what do you say devs ?

-------
UPDATE: My offer still stands. Contact me at php4456 [at] o2 [dot] pl if you are interested.

I forgot to add, that i have ALREADY done a conversion like this.

I actually modified PHPBB to work with completely custom PHP framework of mine. So I am definately NOT some PHP n00b trying something he has never done before.

I am experienced (10 years), skilled, confident and baby - I'm just good. Fuck humility.

[moved to suggestions]

I liked this blinking sectors, and also would like to have more features in this Forum.

But I don't like your position of offering Dev's a free service in exchange of the implementation of the blinking stuff.

Also, I'd say to wait for the next VO versions, before adding the blicking systems.

@Kabuloso

###But I don't like your position of offering Dev's a free service in exchange of the implementation of the blinking stuff.###

I would do it myself, but I really don't have time in my life to learn C/C++. I know enough languages already.

And i seriously doubt any of the devs would let me touch the C code anyway.

-1

I only have three real gripes about this forum.

no [quote][/quote] tags.
no [code][/code] tags.
does not gracefully handle unclosed tags.

I don't give a flying fornication in florida about any of that other fluff that fancier forums feature.

Devs if you're reading this, my previous offer to fix the tag bug still stands. And unlike this joker, I do mean for free, no strings attached.

Well PoL I have on many occasions offered my services to the developers to implement Trident shields, but they are so unwilling to accept free help it's just entirely unreasonable of them. I mean really, free help and they say nothing. So so stupid.

@TheRedSpy

###Well PoL I have on many occasions offered my services to the developers to implement Trident shields, but they are so unwilling to accept free help it's just entirely unreasonable of them. I mean really, free help and they say nothing. So so stupid.###

Being afraid of you stealing their code is quite reasonable (depending on situation of course).

But this time, nobody's asking to touch or even see any of VO's code. No need for that.

Everybody knows I only steal guild banks, trade secrets, identities, lisas heart, market niches, capital ship parts, purified xith, slimes sister and station owner keys.

How am I not trustworthy enough to do this.

PoL, I'll make you a deal... you know what? Forget it. You just aren't worth the sarcastic genius.

@ryan reign

###PoL, I'll make you a deal... you know what? Forget it. You just aren't worth the sarcastic genius.###

Peculiar... I expected more bashing & calling names from you. That is quite unusual. What happened ?

I like a challenge, and you aren't... calling you on your bullshit is like kicking a retarded puppy.

PoL, the reason so many people troll you on the forums is because of stuff like this. You offer a free forum system, when the devs have already mentioned to YOU their forum is deeply integrated into the game as it is and they will not change it. Then, you bargain to get your (admitedly good) idea implemented. Its not the quality of your ideas that people hate, its the delivery. If the devs wanted a new forum system, it would be almost as if they had a gun to their head and you were saying implement this idea or else.

Also, I know this is the wrong place to discuss it, but there is a tiny problem with your blinking sector idea; most noobs never click the "zoom to universe" button to see the systems at all, so they would never see your content. If you can think of a way to get past this problem, then by all means its a great idea, and similar once have been suggested recently by others (sectors "blinking" instead of systems).

A lot of your ideas are good or even great, but you've got to work on your presentation and responses. Many have already mentioned your belligerent responses to posts; maybe try to tone it down a bit and be more agreeable? And if the devs say no, then their word is final as it's their game.

I think he's probably the most successful troll yet. He's like of The Onion of thread posts.

Excuse me, Whistler, you can't just waltz in here and award him the 'most successful troll' award. These things have to be decided by a panel of your peers and presented at the awards night in the VO convention.

Geez, the nerve. Just because you're a guide doesn't mean you don't have to follow procedure.

+1 to TRS, as you are no doubt aware Whistler... I was given that distinction by Thespian when he proclaimed me King Troll, an honor which humbled me greatly and for the sake of credit where it's due, I abdicated my crown to the Doc.

As someone who actually has experience integrating with existing enterprise applications, PoL either has way too much time on his hands, and thus does not run his own successful 2 person company....or he doesn't understand the scope of such a project.

I'm with Rin, there's no reason we need forum fluff. Let them spend their time worrying about things that actually matter.

Could they replicate the data into a database specifically for the forums? Yeah. Is there enough return on investment for them to do so? No.

@Savet

### and thus does not run his own successful 2 person company....or he doesn't understand the scope of such a project.###

Actually, the company has 4 persons. But only 2 persons are the owners, me included.

###PoL either has way too much time on his hands###

I do have a lot of free time. That is because I only have to work hard if something breaks up or if we implement a new project. Otherwise, usually "money earns itself" is the buisness as usual.

###I'm with Rin, there's no reason we need forum fluff. Let them spend their time worrying about things that actually matter.###

The point of this proposition is exactly for the devs to stop worrying about the things that don't matter. Once the new forum is ready, it will require wayyyyy less maintenance.

aww I was looking forward to PoL's rebuttal of my post.

***** Facepalms *****