View Full Version : GAZ versus CommBull
minstrel
06-24-2007, 11:25 PM
First, let me assure you that this is not a troll post but a genuine question.
A colleague who is considering purchasing GAZ has asked me what I think of it.
I'm currently using Combull for vBulletin 3.6x, which I purchased for $12 USD. I understand it's now selling for $25 USD.
My question is what features does GAZ have that are lacking in CommBull and that would justify paying a price more than three times the cost of CommBull?
Again, this is a serious question, not a jab or a troll post.
The Geek
06-25-2007, 12:14 AM
I think its a legitimate question, not a troll post :)
The problem is that:
1- I havent used combull since the free version a couple years ago. It was a mess and not easily customizable from my perspective. I am sure it has come a long way since then.
2- I will naturally be biased so I am not going to be the best person to answer :)
There has been some discussion of it here (http://www.thevbgeek.com/showthread.php?p=20167) (follow the thread a couple of pages) that may help. Aside from that, and the feature set, hopefully someone else can come on board to give you a more balanced view of the two.
HTHs!
minstrel
06-25-2007, 02:04 AM
Thanks for the response. Actually, it appears I was misinformed. The basic price is about double that of Commbull.
Question:
1. You offer an installation option. Is it that difficult to install? Why or under what conditions would I need this option?
2. Does it use the standard vBulletin product installation system?
3. Are there any unusual complexities in configuring this or is it done from the Admin CP as one would expect from other vBulletin add-ons?
minstrel
06-25-2007, 02:26 AM
One other question: Your purchase page says that the price is 24.95 pounds sterling ($49.90 USD) only until May 18.
Is this price still in effect? If not, what is the new price?
Serendib
06-25-2007, 04:25 AM
Hi minstrel,
let me answer some of your questions:
You offer an installation option. Is it that difficult to install? Why or under what conditions would I need this option?
It's very easy to install. I think that The Geek's offer to install it is just an easy way to make some extra money and is a nice service for those who hardly know anything about vBulletin.
If you have installed add-on's in the past, you'll succeed with this one, too!
Does it use the standard vBulletin product installation system?
As far as I can tell: yes
Are there any unusual complexities in configuring this or is it done from the Admin CP as one would expect from other vBulletin add-ons?
There's no need to edit any files, you simply stick to the Admin CP and configure GAZ the way you like it.
Greetings,
Jan
The Geek
06-25-2007, 08:25 AM
Thanks Jan :)
The only reason the installation service is there is because some users are only admins that know nothing (and do not want to know anything) about configuration and set up. If you have ever installed anything with vB's product system, then you can install this :) TBH, I usually discourage people from paying for the installation as it is as simple as could possibly be. The cost is only to cover my time doing it (£15 for 15 minutes).
The date restriction sounds like it was the copy from the initial sale. Ill go change it :)
Thanks!
Hornstar6969
06-25-2007, 10:34 AM
Installing is a breeze, so has the upgrades during beta, i am now using gold, and have not had any problems, and the features gaz has is amazing, well worth the money!
I'll 2nd that GAZ is easy to install.
I've never used the combull, but I don't see anything being better integrated and easier to use with vBulletin.
StuntFactoryX
06-25-2007, 06:43 PM
i like gazette... easy install and it works... i have never tried anything else.. and i see famaliar names using it that i have seen before on vb.org. we have monkeys and geeks. so for the extra 20 bucks or whatever its worth it... and i know where to find a geek to get help if i need it :)
minstrel
06-26-2007, 01:35 AM
Okay. Thanks for the input.
Has anyone used BOTH CommBull and GAZ? I'd be curious about a head-to-head comparison.
I'm generally happy with CommBull (I own the 3.6x paid version) but I'll admit there are one or two minor irritations. I'd be interested in the opinion of someone who has tested both.
jluerken
06-26-2007, 06:04 AM
I have used both, commbull and GAZ but to be honest, I used only the free 3.5.x version of commbull.
I really liked commbull but I am using several other Geek products and I like the friendly and good atmosphere and service here so I decided to go with GAZ.
The price is fair and Geek is always open to feature requests from the customers.
Most I like the design integration which sends out the newsletter in the way the board looks for each single user.
You can setup multiple newsletters with different content for different groups.
Documentation is good and if there is a problem, here are a lot of people willed to help!
minstrel
06-26-2007, 01:21 PM
Most I like the design integration which sends out the newsletter in the way the board looks for each single user.
You can setup multiple newsletters with different content for different groups.
Thank you. CommBull for 3.6x does include style integration but only for the default syle, I believe, and the content is fixed for all subscribers as far as I know, so these are two "new" features in GAZ.
The Sandman
06-26-2007, 02:39 PM
Question: Will GAZ import the existing newsletter subscription data from CommBull or will it start over with all members subscribed?
The Geek
06-26-2007, 07:01 PM
I have just hit the mass delete button. Sadly I couldn't delete as fast as some of you can post.
PleasePleasePlease guys. Whatever politics are between you all, don't bring them here.
To answer your Q Sand... No. The subscriptions will start afresh.
Saying that, there is an subscription link that takes less then a second to click so I doubt anyone will be too annoyed to get a new newsletter they do not want :)
minstrel
07-10-2008, 12:44 PM
To answer your Q Sand... No. The subscriptions will start afresh.
Saying that, there is an subscription link that takes less then a second to click so I doubt anyone will be too annoyed to get a new newsletter they do not want :)
I am converting from CommBull to GAZ for my forum. What I'd like to do is set subscriptions and format to the same as the current ones for CommBull, presumably via a MySQL query.
What are the GAZ database variable names for (1) subscription status and (2) newsletter format?
Morgan
07-10-2008, 05:41 PM
Check the gaz_subscriptions table:
userid - the vB user ID
emailformat - 1 = HTML, 2 = Plain Text
newsletterX - 1 = Yes, 2 = No, X = Newsletter ID
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