Stop ‘Osclass Project’ dying

[Dimal]

I hope that closing down thing will only be limited to osclass market and not all osclass community. Btw I have also maintained a separate forked osclass repo at https://github.com/navjottomer/Osclass. I have done lots of work on this in past but due to not that much response from the community, I stalled it further. I request all other devs to merge their project or add a pull request if they are interested. Together we can make this situation better.

I'm not a programmer, so please be gentle.

I checked your github work and it seems you have done a LOT of work and then merged also 3.8 ? Am i right ?

Have you tested all that ? Why isn't anyone interested in that work ? It is a huge work ......

[WEBmods]

From where did you get the info that my host is worst in Europe? It's based on my country and its one of the cheapest yet best hostings I used.

Hetzner .... what can i say, if it works for you, then ok.

Hetzner? No? It's Totohost - https://totohost.hr. The data center is in Germany so it might be connected with them...

[Dimal]

Hetzner? No? It's Totohost - https://totohost.hr. The data center is in Germany so it might be connected with them...

ISP: Hetzner Online AG

varazdin.totohost.hr

Germany, Gunzenhausen, Bayern

It IS Hetzner, apparently some reseller you use. The IPs belong to Hetzner datacenters. You should know that a lot of people block IPs from Hetzner, OVH etc because of attacks.

[Saint Michael]

Once osclass is shut down, I will pull the plug on all of my classified ads websites.  There is no alternative for osclass.  Be prepared to scrap all of your osclass websites.  The truth is, probably 99% of osclass users are not generating any money whatsoever.  That being said, no one will miss osclass.

I will be relieved when I am forced to scrap all of my sites.   Its an effort to keep the classifieds visible.  I spend most of my time trying to find new users.  Thats a full time job.  If I wasnt actively involved everyday, my osclass sites would quickly turn into a ghost town.

Once, just for the fun and out of curiosity when I had plenty of free time, I replicated Osclass with WordPress and GPL plugins. Most of it was done. Interesting most time went not on functions and options Osclass has. But on blocks, layout and design. Trying to make it not to look alike Osclass theme, layout.

My personal opinion is this way is way more powerful because of WP handling of custom fields, now Gutenberg, filters, actions to extend it, etc. I would advice theoretically allways to start new classifieds script from WordPress scratch, then to continue with Osclass. Bigger community, bigger support, money invested in community is not an issue.

Takes time, it is true. But I think it is more rewarding at the end.

[Dimal]

Once, just for the fun and out of curiosity when I had plenty of free time, I replicated Osclass with WordPress and GPL plugins. Most of it was done. Interesting most time went not on functions and options Osclass has. But on blocks, layout and design. Trying to make it not to look alike Osclass theme, layout.

My personal opinion is this way is way more powerful because of WP handling of custom fields, now Gutenberg, filters, actions to extend it, etc. I would advice theoretically allways to start new classifieds script from WordPress scratch, then to continue with Osclass. Bigger community, bigger support, money invested in community is not an issue.

Takes time, it is true. But I think it is more rewarding at the end.

The PLUS of (trying) to make a Wordpress for classifieds, is the HUGE ammount of plugins for EVERYTHING. Also some great themes that make your site visually appealing. Also you can have a Blog, a Forum, all in one.

BUT, Wordpress is not designed for Classifieds. It can "behave" like a Classifieds but lacks a LOT. Also the 2 plugins for classifieds i found (the most popular) are not good. Nothing not even close to Osclass.

There are some themes for WP that are specific for classifieds, but they are paid and i can't test.

 Also pls do not post Wordpress links etc, they are deleted !

[Dimal]

https://blog.osclass.org/2012/05/11/osclass-vs-classipress-which-platform-should-you-choose-for-your-classifieds-site/

[Dimal]

Personally i will get from here

https://github.com/navjottomer/Osclass

the 3.8 modified version and try my luck in a demo site. And see how it goes.

I think that would be a good start for all you developers. Why re-invent the wheel ?

[dev101]

WordPress has massive support, that's true. However, out of the box regarding classifieds you really have to pull a lot mods to get what Osclass has out of the box. And then, for everything you need another plugin, since WP is virtually blank slate out of the box. Yes, there are tons of them (and many that you see, are not really free, because advanced features are payed - and for any pro service you need them), but there are compatibility issues sometimes, so you need more time to waste what works with what and so on. And, security related, many of those critical plugins are often hacked and exposed (granted, they eventually get updated, if not abandoned). As in every software, maintenance is the huge part of the deal, whether you'll hire someone, or rely on 3rd parties, that's up to you. I'm not saying WP is a bad idea, just that it has inverted counterpoints when compared to Osclass in many areas. Also, in Osclass you can really do some mods easy with functions etc. In WP not always you can pull it that way, solutions feel 'hacky' at best.

[dev101]

Personally i will get from here

https://github.com/navjottomer/Osclass

the 3.8 modified version and try my luck in a demo site. And see how it goes.

I think that would be a good start for all you developers. Why re-invent the wheel ?

Sure, but there are also 3.8 PRs that needs to be merged. Also, update core libs, remove old unused code etc. I think Bender theme could be replaced with some other free theme as default, upgraded with jquery and other libs (mostly for security). Also, there needs to be a problem of auto-updating resolved, because, novice users might not be that knowledgeable.

GitHub is not a CDN... but could be used. Also, premium themes and plugins update management -- how will users know? So, you see, "minor" things become complex easily

[Saint Michael]

Once, just for the fun and out of curiosity when I had plenty of free time, I replicated Osclass with WordPress and GPL plugins. Most of it was done. Interesting most time went not on functions and options Osclass has. But on blocks, layout and design. Trying to make it not to look alike Osclass theme, layout.

My personal opinion is this way is way more powerful because of WP handling of custom fields, now Gutenberg, filters, actions to extend it, etc. I would advice theoretically allways to start new classifieds script from WordPress scratch, then to continue with Osclass. Bigger community, bigger support, money invested in community is not an issue.

Takes time, it is true. But I think it is more rewarding at the end.

The PLUS of (trying) to make a Wordpress for classifieds, is the HUGE ammount of plugins for EVERYTHING. Also some great themes that make your site visually appealing. Also you can have a Blog, a Forum, all in one.

BUT, Wordpress is not designed for Classifieds. It can "behave" like a Classifieds but lacks a LOT. Also the 2 plugins for classifieds i found (the most popular) are not good. Nothing not even close to Osclass.

There are some themes for WP that are specific for classifieds, but they are paid and i can't test.

 Also pls do not post Wordpress links etc, they are deleted !

Maybe I was not clear enough. I made it not from some classifieds plugin (did not even look at them). Took different plugins for whole different purposes, than directly classifieds, and tweaked and adapted them to Osclass replica. And tried not to touch core code of plugins and WP, except for one old, abandoned plugin for valuta conversions directly on site.

I think WooCommerce is bright example. Relatively rich company behind it, it means you can monetize time input. And WooCommerce needs good performance too, so it means WP can deliver it.

[Dimal]

WordPress has massive support, that's true. However, out of the box regarding classifieds you really have to pull a lot mods to get what Osclass has out of the box. And then, for everything you need another plugin, since WP is virtually blank slate out of the box. Yes, there are tons of them (and many that you see, are not really free, because advanced features are payed - and for any pro service you need them), but there are compatibility issues sometimes, so you need more time to waste what works with what and so on. And, security related, many of those critical plugins are often hacked and exposed (granted, they eventually get updated, if not abandoned). As in every software, maintenance is the huge part of the deal, whether you'll hire someone, or rely on 3rd parties, that's up to you. I'm not saying WP is a bad idea, just that it has inverted counterpoints when compared to Osclass in many areas. Also, in Osclass you can really do some mods easy with functions etc. In WP not always you can pull it that way, solutions feel 'hacky' at best.

The problem is not what you mention above, the problem is that you CAN'T exactly replicate Osclass in WP. You can't. Maybe it is a plugin thing, maybe something else, i dunno. The existing WP plugins just can't. I have even tried some "directory" plugins to turn them to classifieds, the result is poor.

The results are visually great but not good for structure and ads etc etc.

[Dimal]

Personally i will get from here

https://github.com/navjottomer/Osclass

the 3.8 modified version and try my luck in a demo site. And see how it goes.

I think that would be a good start for all you developers. Why re-invent the wheel ?

Sure, but there are also 3.8 PRs that needs to be merged. Also, update core libs, remove old unused code etc. I think Bender theme could be replaced with some other free theme as default, upgraded with jquery and other libs (mostly for security). Also, there needs to be a problem of auto-updating resolved, because, novice users might not be that knowledgeable.

GitHub is not a CDN... but could be used. Also, premium themes and plugins update management -- how will users know? So, you see, "minor" things become complex easily

I have no idea what 3.8PRs are 

I get what you say, but it is a START.

Next i guess someone must un-dress Osclass 3.8 from Osclass Market / Updates and generally any connection with Osclass servers.

And the rest you say.

But again this guy at the github has done a lot of work already (you seem to be a developer, are his changes good or bad ?).

[Dimal]

Maybe I was not clear enough. I made it not from some classifieds plugin (did not even look at them). Took different plugins for whole different purposes, than directly classifieds, and tweaked and adapted them to Osclass replica. And tried not to touch core code of plugins and WP, except for one old, abandoned plugin for valuta conversions directly on site.

I think WooCommerce is bright example. Relatively rich company behind it, it means you can monetize time input. And WooCommerce needs good performance too, so it means WP can deliver it.

Ok, now it is more clear. Without mentioning names and urls, can you give us an example ? What kind of plugins ?

[dev101]

Undressing is a step that is very easy to perform. I am not concerned with that part much. What I am worried about is the update notification process and such, if the script will have some meaningful life. I mean, it can be stripped from that all-together, of course. Navjot's changes are all good, most of them were known bugs/issues reported here and on official GitHub project, no worries.

[Dimal]

Undressing is a step that is very easy to perform. I am not concerned with that part much. What I am worried about is the update notification process and such, if the script will have some meaningful life. I mean, it can be stripped from that all-together, of course. Navjot's changes are all good, most of them were known bugs/issues reported here and on official GitHub project, no worries.

Ok then. Also i see that the theme i use (Osclasswizards) is (or will) be moved to github since apparently they left Osclass business also.

That could also replace Bender. After been improved/changed.

What i see is a lot of work and not sure who will do all that. And why.

Anyway, first we must wait to see (if any) response from Osclass team about all that.