(2015-12-14, 12:58 AM)Vashnik Wrote: [ -> ]If you can find a forum software that integrated JW Player successfully, without licensing issues, feel free to point that forum software out.
How does integrating into core forum and via plugin differ?
(2015-12-25, 01:33 AM)XP Mai Wrote: [ -> ]How does integrating into core forum and via plugin differ?
Core integration means its available right "out of the box" without modifying the original software we download from the original source. Plugins differ in that you can alter the "vanilla" version without it being a permanent code change and you can remove the plugin without removing MyBB (that's if you download the plugin and trust the author of the plugin to not screw up your database when you remove the plugin). MyBB Group is not responsible for the plugins you use, the author of the plugins you use are responsible for the plugins they make. The authors may differ from the core program and the plugin and with it, the responsibility of licensing. MyBB Group develops the core, you and I can develop additions (plugins) to the core for those interested in what we make.
So let's say you're using CentOS. The CentOS Project is responsible for their operating system and making sure it works as is. Let's say you decide to add Apache to it, this would be the equivalent of installing a plugin. You install it that adds a function to it that CentOS did not provide in your default install, a web server. Because it wasn't provided with CentOS by default, CentOS Project isn't responsible for whether your installation of Apache works or not, the Apache Software Foundation is responsible for it.
It's a lot like installing video games. Let's use Fallout 3 as an example. Bethesda is responsible for the default installation of Fallout 3, what ever mods you install to alter how the game works is the responsibility of the author(s) of the mods you use.
So let's go back to the issue: the original poster wanted core integration, meaning MyBB Group would have to support the forum AND JW Player since it would be distributed as a core feature in MyBB. JW Player is commercial-based and with JW Player's free-based license, there were limitations to what you are allowed to do with JW Player. The Enterprise level however was the only one that allows redistribution of JW Player, meaning MyBB and JW Player could be packaged together as a full suite, commercial or free. The problem is MyBB Group are all volunteers and the software is free and open-source, but no revenue that allows them to integrate a commercial product at Enterprise level licensing that would require MyBB Group to contact JW Player for a quote. The short and dirty version: MyBB Group talks to JW Player, proposes the plan and maybe an overview of MyBB's software, and maybe a budget MyBB Group is looking at for a pricing estimate, JW Player provides a price quote based around MyBB Group's plan for MyBB, MyBB Group accepts or tries to negotiate the price if they know they can't afford it. This is all to keep it legal for both sides. MyBB 1.8 is feature locked, so it would have to be done as a suggestion for MyBB 2. However, they still have to work out a license agreement with JW Player.
Using the above analogy, if it were made as a plugin, the same issue still applies as the core integration, however it wouldn't fall to MyBB Group to work out the details since it's not in the original coding you downloaded from them. It would fall to the author of the plugin, which MyBB Group as a whole, can't be held responsible for.