Why different attachment & search systems for add-ons?

As vbBlog is a vb addon, the approach seems to be to have everything separate:
search, different buttons or no buttons at all where where vbulletin does have them and also a different attachment system. I can see how this may be easier for Jelsoft to keep things separate.

But you are providing 3 attachment systems now:
- vbulletin attachment system
- user profile albums
- vbblog attachment system

Many sites have additional attachment systems installed in the form of a Image Gallery and File archive.

I assume that you plan to release more addons in the future. If you follow the same approach you will have even more attachment systems, which will eventually force you do do a large overhaul of your products.

I see that the same concept is already steering that way when it comes to searches. If a administrator has all your products installed then the search drop down is getting too long to handle and does not even display all your search functions (which are needed):

- Search Forums
threads, titles
advanced forum search
- Search Projects
advanced project search
- Search blogs
advanced blog search
- Search Groups
- Search Members
advanced member search

Plus currently the vbulletin attachment system is not searchable.
Most boards have addons installed that have a search function as well: Image gallery, CMS, File archive, Arcade, etc, etc. Imagine where Jelsoft will be when you release such addons.

Personally, I'm hoping vBulletin 4 will rectify this and there will be one central hub of sorts that will be much more flexible to support add-ons better. Right now I'm sure if they were to make a centralized and more common area, it would take an extensive rewrite (which would be better off for vBulletin 4).

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6 January 2009 | cameltoepants.com | edit