Add a commenting system to Resource manager

[Alpha1]

IMHO using threads to discuss resources is not optimal. The current method entails:

1. Upon creation of Resource entries it creates empty threads. Google dislikes such empty content.
2. For resource updates and reviews a placeholder post is added to the thread.
3. When the resource is deleted, it leaves a thread without its master content.

It would be much better to have a commenting system for the Resource manager. This way webmasters can use what they like best.
In my experience a commenting system works much better because people are much more likely to comment is there is a comment box right under the content. They can just start typing without the need to find a tab. it leads to more content and engagement.

I use @Bob 's addons which have such a commenting system and this approach works great.
The media gallery already has a commenting system, so it would make sense to apply a similar method to XFRM.

When you do add a comments system to XFRM, then please please do make it easier to discover new comments. See my other suggestions about better content discovery.

better content discovery

xenforo.com

 

[Digital Doctor]

would having the reviews appear directly under the Overview accomplish this ?



aren't resource comments ... reviews ?

I myself think the reviews / comments should appear directly under the Overview.

But I can see why Xenforo moved it to a tab as silly member comments under the Overview could be annoying to addon developers.

 

[Matt C.]

Not the same thing in my opinion. Reviews are reviews. Another comments tab could be used to ask questions or post information.

 

[Digital Doctor]

Not the same thing in my opinion. Reviews are reviews. Another comments tab could be used to ask questions or post information.

The resource manager is designed for xenforo's own use to house the addons.
I doubt they want "Overview" comments.

 

[Alpha1]

aren't resource comments ... reviews ?

Nope.

The resource manager is designed for xenforo's own use to house the addons.

Functionality has been added to the Resource Manager that caters to customers instead of xenforo.com
The suggestion is for functionality that be turned on and off. It has no impact on this site if they don't find it useful for their own purpose.

 

[Digital Doctor]

I suspect the priority is 2.4. then 3.0. then, then, then, then, then Resource Manager requests.

 

[alfaNova]

I believe it's time to retire both XFRM and XFMG. Their functionality can now be more effectively handled using Thread Types combined with additional forum types.

Thread Types offer a more streamlined, native, and flexible approach that aligns better with modern forum workflows. Maintaining XFRM and XFMG alongside this newer system adds unnecessary complexity and duplication. By consolidating around Thread Types, we can simplify the user experience, reduce maintenance overhead, and encourage more consistent content organization.

 

[PhineasD]

XFMG is completely abandoned, it's not worth it right now.

 

[Alpha1]

I concur with the sentiment that XFRM and XFMG have not been getting a lot of love. XFRM is still a very long way from a good Downloads Manager. I was using a MUCH better Downloads Manager 20 years ago. If XFRM would be retired then I would expect that this would be good for XenForo because 3rd party addon developers would release better solutions.

Thread Types however are much more limited than Content Types. By way of comparison: compare Article Management System with Article Thread Types.

 

[alfaNova]

I concur with the sentiment that XFRM and XFMG have not been getting a lot of love. XFRM is still a very long way from a good Downloads Manager. I was using a MUCH better Downloads Manager 20 years ago. If XFRM would be retired then I would expect that this would be good for XenForo because 3rd party addon developers would release better solutions.

Thread Types however are much more limited than Content Types. By way of comparison: compare Article Management System with Article Thread Types.

I partly agree with your point, but relying heavily on third-party add-ons for major functionality changes often leads to problems. We invest in an add-on, build content around it over time, and then if the developer abandons it, all that effort can go to waste. That’s why I’m personally not in favor of replacing the default article system entirely.

Ideally, even if an add-on is removed, the content should remain accessible within the forum’s core system. I’m sure many of us have faced this issue before. This is exactly why people generally stick with XenForo’s built-in features, perhaps with some visual enhancements, rather than depending on external solutions for core functionality.

I understand that not every feature can be default in the core system, and not every existing feature can be enhanced. That said, when I choose an addon, I try to pick one that I wouldn’t be too upset about losing if things go wrong. In a worst-case scenario, I want to make sure the forum still functions well and that I don’t lose anything critical.

 

[Kirby]

I tend to disagree that a dedicated comment feature for XFRM is necesary or would at least be a good idea.

From my experience there are primarily two types of messges posted for resources:

Feedback
This is pretty much what review / ratings are made for, users can post their comments there if they want (the vast mjority doesn't to that, just like the vast majority doesn't comment on products on Amazon, YouTube videos, news articles on a website, ...)

Questions / Support
This is exactly what discussion threads are made for, IMHO it wouldn't work too well with a simple comments system, you'd basically need the full thread & post featureset.
Of course it would be possible to add / implement all thread / post features for XFRM resource comments to efecctively ... turn them into threads (which IMHO would be kinda like reinventing the wheel).

I was using a MUCH better Downloads Manager 20 years ago.

What esactly was soo much better?

Do you have any users complaining about XFRM or requesting features / changes?
Frankly speaking I think that XFRM is pretty much feature-complete and doesn't need much work (except for maintenance of course)

 

[Alpha1]

If you think that the XFRM should just be a tool for providing software to customers, then I can see where you are coming from. But for webmasters who need a Community Downloads / File sharing Manager, it's a whole different perspective. Things like feedback and Support are irrelevant for the this use case. From both perspectives the other side may seem ridiculous.

A Community Downloads / File sharing addon has always been a popular thing. On vbulletin there were addons like:

1. AndrewD's Links and Downloads Manager. (which I used and had hundreds of features, plus addons to the addon)
2. Downloads II
3. @DragonByte Tech vbDownloads. (relatively simple downloads manger compared to the other two)

XFRM has taken that slot. No developer in their right mind is going to release competition to an official addon. Even if the official addon does not cater to the demand. We have seen what happened when XF took over one of the media Galleries and the developer of the most popular Gallery had to give up.
We all know that XenForo team is not going to add a lot of features to the XFRM because the past has proven that and therefore its rather pointless to post XFRM suggestions. @Digital Doctor is correct about this.

The above addons from decades ago offered much more functionality than XFRM. Some trivial, some things members miss or tempers their participation. So of course community members would like to see some of those features they lost back as well as some more modern features. Some features we had: comments, multiple files, file browser, who downloaded, statistics, file browser, document viewer, custom field search, e-books monetization tools, affiliate link stuff, place an entry in multiple locations, quota usergroup permissions & pay to get more quota, redirection controls, file mirroring, file checker, link checker, similar resources, advanced criteria for trophies, resource category moderators, SEO optimization settings and entry controls, limit guest downloads. I'm pretty sure there was much more, but you get the drift.

 

[fords8]

@Alpha1 , do you have an old download for the AndrewD mod? Or a list of features that it had.

 

[Kirby]

A Community Downloads / File sharing addon has always been a popular thing.

I think the key point here is has been.
Sure, 20 years a ago eCards were a thing - as was file sharing with eDoney2000, eMule, Napster and Kazaa.

Today?
The mentioned tools have all been abandoned some 10-15 years ago and I bet todays teenagers & twens hardly can make any sense of these terms and those who do have grown older and aren't interested in community downloads & file sharing any longer.

So of course community members would like to see some of those features they lost back as well as some more modern features.

Well, from my experience I pretty much doubt the average community member misses the mentioned features.
Resource manager is a tiny niche product, the vast majority of cummunities doesn't use nor nor would have have a need to to so.
Whiin the small customer base I'd again expect only a small fraction to be interested in more features.

Just my 0,02 €

 

[Alpha1]

To the mods. Here is proof that its indeed reusable code:

Links and Downloads Manager - vBulletin.org Forum

Links and Downloads Manager vBulletin 3.7 Add-ons

web.archive.org

Anyway, attached is the changelog and the readme for extra's. It also had modules (widgets) as well as Podcasting / streaming stuff in beta.
Unfortunately Dr. Andrew D passed away many years ago. I loved working with him and his work. He added many features on my request.

Sure, 20 years a ago eCards were a thing - as was file sharing with eDoney 2000, eMule, Napster and Kazaaa.

Yeah, like Joe Rogan and Podcasting, streaming, e-books, self-help guides.

 

[Wildcat Media]

XFMG is completely abandoned, it's not worth it right now.

I regret purchasing this add-on, as it is so limited in scope that my staff won't even use it to post our gallery images (posted from as far back as 23 years ago). It's needs better sorting, etc. It's been stagnant enough that honestly, I'd rather just get my money back for it, or have it "converted" over to an add-on license for XFRM. (Which, now that I think of it, could actually make more sense for how I want to configure XFRM for our use.)

If you think that the XFRM should just be a tool for providing software to customers, then I can see where you are coming from. But for webmasters who need a Community Downloads / File sharing Manager, it's a whole different perspective. Things like feedback and Support are irrelevant for the this use case.

We have a need for something to replace a network of pages from a handful of WordPress sites, and through some styling and phrasing changes, XFRM would work perfectly for what we need.

As for commenting, it's only a little extra work for me to move the "reviews" section up, then add some template modifications to remove the wording and star rating system and make it work for comments.

We'll never offer downloads or sell software, so that is useless for us. I get the impression it wasn't named XF Software Manager or XF Download Manager for a reason. It's used for resources. And not all resources have a need for reviews or ratings.

I do still agree that linking a thread to a resource is a good idea, as it's a good place to suggest edits, corrections, and additions. But I think that's optional...?

It's something I'll look at after I convert a couple of WordPress blogs to XF...

 

[fords8]

Just a little look.Still have to clean it up. But you get the idea.

 

[Alpha1]

A downside of Resources here having a discussion thread bolted on, is that customers may not even see the resource before buying.
An abandoned resource may have an UNMAINTAINED warning or list that it only works for old XF versions. Or there may be other warnings on the resource. But not on the discussion thread. While article threads have the article listing at the top of all pages, with the main information there. Or at least the indication there is important data to read, resource discussion threads do not have this.

The discussion thread resides in the forum application. Its the point of entry for most users. There is only a Buy button above the thread, without the resource listing itself. The user is just one click away from a purchase.
They may buy without being aware that the product they are buying is defunct and abandoned.

 

[Digital Doctor]

with this addon:

[XB] XFRM: Resource Discussuion Full Description Message

Oct 22, 2025

Let your readers dive straight into the full resource details without extra clicks

• Painbaker
• Add-ons [2.x]

redirecting the Overview to the Discussion Thread

might work for this request.

It's not adding a commenting system to the Overview, it is adding the Overview to the discussion.

 

[fords8]

I have a little bit more to do on the comment addon. Hope to have this released within the next week or so.