MyBB Community Forums

While still being able to receive support as well as support MyBB, is it okay if I trim this:

{$lang->powered_by} <a style="font-weight: 700;" href="http://www.mybb.com" target="_blank">MyBB{$mybbversion}</a>, &copy; 2002-{$copy_year} <a style="font-weight: 700;" href="http://www.mybb.com" target="_blank">MyBB Group</a>.

To this?

{$lang->powered_by} <a style="font-weight: 700;" href="http://www.mybb.com" target="_blank">MyBB{$mybbversion}</a>

I am trying to clear up clutter in my footer as it's mybb on left float as well as mine and the theme on the right. Throughout the 4 links, mine/mybb extends past the center of the page.

I'm not trying to remove the copyright; if I did I wouldn't be asking this.
EDIT: I am not referring to the site in my signature.

As long "powered by mybb" and the copyright is there, you are allowed to change whatever you want.

"Powered by MyBB" with linkback to http://www.mybb.com is the minimum.

MyBB is long past the stage where such powered by-backlinks help its popularity any. At the same time it may harm your site. The version number is particularly silly. If there is a security issue found in MyBB, people can now google "powered by mybb 1.8.3" and find vulnerable forums this way. I'd remove it entirely, even if it means you get a particularly silly badge of honor here. MyBB is better supported in other ways (contributions as in patches, plugins, themes, ... or donations, or just by being active here).

IMO 'powered by MyBB' can be a clear visible image linking to MyBB website

So if I change the wording but keep the MYBB name and link then I get denied support? Is that the rule?

So long as "MyBB" is there and a link, you'll be golden as far as I know. It doesn't even need to be text, it can be an image.

(2015-02-28, 01:27 PM)frostschutz Wrote: [ -> ]people can now google "powered by mybb 1.8.3" and find vulnerable forums this way

Public version numbers are optional in ACP and advised to be turned off (also turned off by default). And "Powered by" can of course be reworded or changed to an image (it's just an example), otherwise all translated forums would be denied support..

(2015-02-28, 01:27 PM)frostschutz Wrote: [ -> ]even if it means you get a particularly silly badge of honor here.

A "particularly silly badge of honor" is not the only downside. The main thing is that you lose support on this forum, which probably is the OP's worry.

(2015-02-28, 01:27 PM)frostschutz Wrote: [ -> ]MyBB is better supported in other ways (contributions as in patches, plugins, themes, ... or donations, or just by being active here).

While I agree, it's still required by the support guidelines and there are no exceptions for it.

Maybe we should look at altering the support guidelines to allow for an image or a wording change. I think if we make it clear that requirement is that is clear the software is from MyBB and the link is there then that is ok, but then the documentation / footer text should reflect that.