Not worth it.

Dolphin 6.1 free + orca, is definitely NOT worth it, even before the change over, orca never worked, the licenses for dolphin free and it's plugins were (and still are) screwed up.

I set up access to my server and offered a boonex support agent to install dolphin with the correct license, but no reply, so I've removed the access and deleted the download, and I've also request that my account on here is removed, but still no reply.

If I were to scale this software from 1 to 10, 1 being the poorest and 10 being excellent, I would rate it at 1

I now have much better software that I installed and set up with 100% satisfaction, with no need to chmod 50 or more files to various permissions ranging from 666 to 777 (which I would have to do with Dolphin), I only had to chmod the config file to 755 and that's all, but Dolphin? yeah right!, I'm not going to spend hours chmodding file by file, only to find I need to chmod further files when installing the plugins.

Could you please tell me what software you got?  I'm also tired of struggling with bad software.

And I was just Getting My hopes Up That I found Some thing for my next web project. But Seem like A lot of problems.

Just installed it

Cannot Create Custom Pages.

Their Stupid ID Thing dosent work.

And hes the file permission thing.

Also the Ajax IS as much of a problem as much its drag and drop functionality is totally messed up. Sometimes it works sometimes it dont.

M dumping dolphin If Am not getting any quick answers.  looks Like very less people use it since these posts are getting very slow replies.

Try using Bitweaver, it's free and fully customizable, with plugins, themes, wiki, forum, etc etc, users can even create their own pages.

I'm still working on it, but so far it looks very promising.

Guys its been almost two weeks now .. i paid for an install and they haven got my site up properly .... they fix one thing and tell me to keep checking and sending them the problems ,.. to which they dont reply until the next day

so i got a software full of bugs that is taking forver to get installed by the so called boonex experts

i asked them to install and test it properly themself before giving me an install success message and they dont seem to understand such simple english.

Are these guys really from australia or some k-somthing stan somewhere ... its really frustrating having paid good money for an intall.

The other day they told me everything is fixed then i asked them where my download "desktop" button is and they put the link there but havent loaded the softwre where the link go ... so i get a message saying there is nothing in this destination.

i think we should all pull together and put i our money into getting a proper community building software developed by real experts who  create something and know how to intall it.

I dont mind waiting to have the bugs fixed, but when  these guys clearly have no idea and customer service , it really sucks.

They say when u are about to purchase the software that you can skype the boonex experts anytime. I send a request last week to be added so i can talk to them but still have not been allowed to talk to them.

Where do i go to get a better software.

They ARE located in Australia but they are FROM a "K-stan" country, haha. And NO they don't respond to emails... I've been fooling with it for 5 months and it isn't bad if you are a programmer.. otherwise you'll pull your hair out.

Flodotcom - are you saying you paid them $1000 bucks - $995 or whatever, and they didn't do the install?  Did you ask for your money back?  It is true, they don't return their emails, but this forum seems like a big improvement.

Rob

I have installed Dolphin for 4 or 5 people who paid the $998 and no one ever did the install for them. I have even installed for a couple of people who told me they DIDN'T know install was included in the $998 so they checked the install option on the order page and paid DOUBLE for an install they never got...

Boonex people are busy with making new updates. But I know that they should not drop customers for this. I am not sure why this happens. Already many have complained about this.

Normally I will finish the install within 1 day.

It's just as well I didn't pay the $998 for something that seems to me is a complete screwup.

At least some software developers that offer their software, have been developing that software for years before it's made available to the public.

I NEVER pay for software unless it WORKS!.

Just getting started with Dolphin v6.1.1....

Have used SMF, phpBB2, Coppermine and integrated them....

But I just like the uniqueness of Dolphin's look.

Have been able to sign up new user, post photos....change some logos, etc.

When trying to upload music, it doesn't allow anything over 2 MB and most of the songs are over that.... Any idea where to change that particular setting...same for vids I am sure.

Thanks....

I might add that I am currently running it "unregistered", I haven't used my license keys yet after reading all the drama.  Is there anything that a license key does for the FREE version?

Irepto:  the licens for the free version is normal working, so you can make one... :)

Try this tutorial. You can also do a search at the Expertzzz forum. There is still a lot of content there.

 the setting you need to change is in your php.ini file.  if you are hosting this yourself this file is most times located in c:\php\php.ini  if you are using a hosted site you need to ask them to change the max upload size for files to something like 10mb or so.   Some hosting cpanels let you change this yourself as well.

hope that helps, Jay

Well this is possibly only true if you are running this on windows. And even if you are running it on windows, its VERY doubtful php would be in c:\php

CyberXing

i keep forgeting almost everyone on here runs linux or something other then windows... so yes i have it in c:\php running IIS7 with fastcgi at home. I do also have it on a paid linux server too.   moving over to the php side of things (very slowly) from asp.net.....

This tutorial does NOT work with V6.1.1.

I am Linux....so NO php.ini file.

Also....in the admin setttings....cannot find anywhere to change upload size.

I have another software set for 35M, so I know that my server takes large uploads.

Thanks for any input.

dudes .. if you dont like dolphin ( or you just cant use it properly) please stop flooding the forums

boonex programers are working around the clock to deliver the best dating/socal network script out there ...

and as every large piece of software it has bugs ant it will always have there is no such thing as the "bugles" software

@lrepton by default your php.ini should be in  "/usr/local/lib"

and one tip ... after editing the upload size better edit the

post_max_size
max_execution_time = 600      ; Maximum execution time of each script, in seconds
max_input_time = 600	; Maximum amount of time each script may spend parsing request data

You mean they're not working around the clock? Damn I thought this was a big corporation and all!! You know from Kyrgyzstan...damn I don't even know if I spelled that right let alone know where that is? Are they Chinese or Austrailian or other?

At any rate I'm sure they are too busy working around the clock to read this or to read about all the bogus items for sale on expertzzz.com that claims to even remove their bottom links for $10.

But apparently they do have time to erase and do away with all the pundits and make them start all over and get nominated. Man I mean lets not fix our software but lets waste a little time on doing away with these guys that have supported this script from day one and put in as much time or more as the boonex team.

When they come up with a patch for this 6.1.1 that actually works and without errors in all browsers let me know, because I too have been working around the clock to fix it.

my only problem is that i cant vonnect to rms .. -_- but with fre version i can ..

Hi,

Just an idea, but all you guys who have paid for an install but havent got one - and if you've paid by credit card... keep a record of all emails to Boonex and then call your credit card company. If you havent gotten what you paid for and you have attempted to contact the company without reply, I believe it would be a simple matter to get a refund from your card company.

I believe you have to have a record of an attempt to contact the company though.... But if you are really having problems then perhaps thats the way to go.

Cheers

Max

PS - Volley ball can be quite a hard game sometimes... so maybe give them time to get showered off and have a beer...

There's a simple fix to this problem ... if you don't like it, go somewhere else! Why are you even here posting comments if you're using other software now? as we say in Australia, just p**s off somewhere else ... simple really!

hey man hit me up tomorrow and i will send you an ini file i created that i know works. you install it in the ray directory. if you are on a dedicated box or vps you should be able to shell in, and change your php.ini file. but if you are on shared, and not running cgi php then the ini file in the ray directory will work.

try me tomorrow lrepton

later,

DosDawg

WOOT

so you have the adfree version of dolphin/ray/orca its clearly stated that you cannot use the rms.boonex.com if you are running the adfree version. need RMS hosting hit me up. otherwise, install RMS and get to rolling..

I LOVE DOLPHIN MAN, dont love the customer support, but love this script.

later,

DosDawg

my man, you do have a php.ini, if not on a dedicated box or vps there is a work around. this is an absolute prime example why some have a problem with this script. they dont know how to run it. this is not geocities or angelfire, where you add a few fonts and some scrolling texts. this is a web application. and just as with any application micorshit included, there are bugs and patches and fixes and security issues, and developers and testers, and guys you gotta get over yourself with the complaining. if you have been duped out of your money, paypal or a credit card, you can get your money back and move on. there is no need to stand around and take the punshiment, unless you are like me addicted to it.

this script is great guy, it has its quirks, but those of us who can, have been helping those of you who have issues. if you post you actual issue, use the forums search, and state the problem with some degree of diligence, not "I NEED HELP" that is ridiculous, or the good ol "HELP ME", get the heshnoriff outta here if you think somebody is going to read a post with such a title.

if you recall, back in school or maybe even know as an adult, the titles of things is what catches your attention, whether it be advertised as something FREE, or something that is DISCOUNTED, the method of approach on how you request help, could indicatively be directly related with the help you get.

i am done rambling, shoulda stuck this one on a blog post.

holla all,

DosDawg

I think boonex could solve the majority of their problems with complaints by simply adding a huge BETA sign on the download page and the payments page. So there is no mistaking that this is BETA software. And so that people understand this software is nowhere near ready for launch on a live site.

In fact, this is ALPHA software because I'm seeing bugs that the developers themselves should be catching.

Problem solved.

"boonex programers are working around the clock to deliver the best dating/socal network script out there"

I like this one ... last few weeks ago i tried to get them to do something they told me they dont work weekends ... ha ha what the hell is that dude talking about around the clock ... if they dont work weekends its highly likely they dont work after 5pm

I agree on the beta thing and alpha. I've said it before and been around since pre 5.6. It's been the same. They release a new version with cool new features. Everyone flocks too it, then the problems show up and errors. Seems like it is never compatible with all the current or most popular web browsers.

There is a definite lack of testing. I honestly wonder if they are just working with ie7? Because it seems like only one browser most things work with.

You can email and report errors all day and nobody will answer you.

For those of you that go with the smartpro pack...I think you guys must have money to burn or something. what do they want now? $1000 and you don't even know how to get a hold of them to install it.

Half of them ray widgets are crap and you wont use. There support is lacking and they often charge you 2x. So if you really need this adfree or free, let me know and I'll hook you up with a much better deal, and much faster than they install if ever.

But I can't promise there wont be any bugs. You'll have to watch these forums for that.

I'll install it for a fraction of the price. You go with a host I recommend and I'll give you a huge break or free install.

PM anytime.

gameutopia

dialme.com

Hi,

Just to add to the mix, I have to say that every time I have emailed support@boonex.com I have received a reply. I'm wondering if a lot of the time when people email, they are not explaining themselves properly.

Some of the posts on this forum make it difficult for us to help, and we have to ask people to be more clear.

I would suggest that if you have a problem then ask here first. There may be a simple solution that we've already looked at in the past. If we cant help then write a nice polite, clear email to boonex and let us know the reply.

Currently Boonex have told me that they are working on my problem (no spacing between lines in posts) and that they are also working on an update to Dolphin.

I personally love Dolphin. But really all I need is a subscription wrapper for a forum. I could use PHPBB or Simple Machines, but I just like the way Dolphin looks.

I know also they are also working on Shark - perhaps like in the natural world, Shark is going to eat Dolphin.

Does anyone know what Shark will be?

Cheers

Max

Agreed, dolphin I BETA software.

hmmmmmmmmm????

If you want to make software that many webmaster can use, the first thing you have to care for is that you software can be used on different servers withoud special needs!!!  And for a accepteble prize with professional support I agree.

But if you give also a free version, then as designers you have responsibility for what you bring on the market...

The most most servers don't have this special install and most hosters are not zo co-operative for low price servers.

If you have a dedicated server then you can do somerthing more... but sometimes also that is not working... :(

cheer

Rest your case on what? Name calling?

Here's some facts for you honey.

A) I am a programmer. Are you? That means I happen to be extremely acquainted with the rules and standards that govern software development and what constitutes Alpha, BETA, Release Candidate and GOLD or General Availability releases. Do you? Of course you don't. If you did you wouldn't have made the ridiculous statements you just did because you would know better. How ironic.

B) The BETA software phase is basically the usability testing phase where the developers are SUPPOSED TO release the software to a LIMITED group of people in order to gain feedback from BETA users and find out about all the bugs.

That's exactly what Boonex is doing only they released this software to EVERYONE so we can all BETA test it for them then have the audacity to charge for it as if it were even an RC. When the fact is this software is NOT ready for use on a production site out of the box and Boonex KNOWS that. Yet they released it anyway. That's the point the people were trying to make in this thread you moron.

The irony here is that while you spent your time bashing people and accusing them of being less intelligent than you, those of us that actually know what we're talking about are looking at you and laughing because you obviously have no clue. Quite hilarious. Instead of degrading the noobs here all you did was prove to everyone including the noobs that you are the last person to accept help from because you are highly likely to just spout off hot air while pretending to know what you are talking about. A.K.A... A poser.

LOL at you talking about basic shit like php.ini trying to make it seem like you have a clue. Nice touch. HAHAHAHA

If you are not a webmaster dolphin script isnt really for you as most ready made scripts are because your are limited to what the software wants you and users to use  rather than providing what your users want.Anyway enough of this, those who are struggling with this software, just go to http://www.duclub.net/6.1 signup in there , sit back and relax and very soon everyone is going to turn into  webmaster :) . Those impatient als please dont sign up in there.

I'm a programmer and designer...yeah I know...weird mix I blame my parents, my dad (hi dad!) is a math professor and my mom is an artist...

Ok, here's what I know.

I know that about 95% of the e-mails I get relating to Dolphin troubleshooting is related to the incorrect server settings/host. The hosting really is your foundation.

Dolphin is one of my fav Web apps of all time. I have yet to see its equal. That being said, it is also a very specialized script that needs the right hosting. It doesn't work out of the box, nothing this unique ever does. So I am of the opinion that with the right hosting set up you can get Dolphin running pretty good.

I've done over 100 Dolphin installs and I can tell you hosting is a very important factor to consider. Period.

Check out my blog about how to install dolphin in 38 seconds or less. I write about how important your foundation can be when working with this script.

With the right settings you can install dolphin very quickly. The sample video is a sample of what I used in my own dev environment. I will be issuing a free initial release to the first 100 people who signs up in the thread.

Jtadeo, that 38 seconds blog may have been to make a point, but could also be misleading.  I think there needs to be a distinction between those who try for a few days, encounter some problems, and just give up and bitch- and those who are making a sincere effort to get Dolphin to work properly.

I have been working on this for more than 5 months, and am still not all that close to a successful install, much less a successful implementation.   As I have said before, this is the only software I have ever seen where you can destroy your database from the control panel.   This has caused several occasions where even working with experts like Mrpowless the install could not be saved forcing me have to start all over again.   Most recently, as you know, we discovered that Boonex had forgotten to include some vital membership functions in one of the "versions" of the 6.1 version.  This most recent disaster means that even our backup files won't work and anyone in this situation may lose all the work they have done   (hopefully there will be a patch to fix this- but since Boonex isn't doing normal configuration control that could get screwed up too- how will the patch know what version of 6.1 we have?).  It took more than a month of investigations and posting to figure this one out- so in a sense we are doing testing for Boonex

I'll admit I an envious of the people who have gotten Dolphin working properly, but I have always tried to make a positive contribution here and on Expertzzz when I see an area where I can help.   This software has been the most difficult installation and configuration of any open source software I have ever encountered (I've done many) and has been a really depressing experience.  I've stuck with it, because certain features- specifically the back end permissions section, fit my technical specs and business model like a glove.   If I ever get it to work, it will be really cool, but if not it will have been a disasterious decision that will have wasted hundereds of hours and may just destroy my business.

I have no problem slamming people who never contribute and never try, but be realistic- Dolphin still has some serious "issues" and the install and configuration are hardly a cakewalk for everyone here.

Rob

Hey CALTRADE thanks for your comments.

re:"Jtadeo, that 38 seconds blog may have been to make a point, but could also be misleading. I think there needs to be a distinction between those who try for a few days, encounter some problems, and just give up and bitch- and those who are making a sincere effort to get Dolphin to work properly. I have been working on this for more than 5 months, and am still not all that close to a successful install, much less a successful implementation."
Well, it is certainly not my intent to mislead. If you review my blog a little more, one of the purposes of that entry is to help speed up your development. Rather than working on your live site, you should work on a local version of your site. I mention it in the very first paragraph.

That video and my setup clearly shows an install that takes 38 seconds or less. I actually had one of the Boonexers try it out and they were able to set one up on the spot. As mentioned, the install is for dev purposes only. It does not set CRON jobs but it does automatically set up the database, the login, password, file copy and so forth. The blog entry gives info about the intent of the code study -- that with the right setup you can do a Dolphin install quickly. I know it has saved me a lot of dev time for my own projects. I would imagine it would help others as well.

Ok, here's the key:
That install would not have worked IF the hosting did not match the specs. It's that simple.

What I am not saying is that Dolphin does not have bugs. I am asserting that in my day-to-day experience, your server setup or hosting will impact whether you have a successful install or not. A successful install is a base foundation for Dolphin to run. This however does not account for the bugs that riddled its 6.* releases.

If your hosting does not match the specifications you will have problems. If it matches then it will install. This obviously is based on the premise that you have the correct scripts in place.

re:"I'll admit I an envious of the people who have gotten Dolphin working properly, but I have always tried to make a positive contribution here and on Expertzzz when I see an area where I can help."
CALTRADE you have been one of the guys that's been out there. So kudos to you man :) You are a positive contributor in my books. Knowing what doesn't work is just as important as knowing what does!

re:"This software has been the most difficult installation and configuration of any open source software I have ever encountered (I've done many) and has been a really depressing experience. I've stuck with it, because certain features- specifically the back end permissions section, fit my technical specs and business model like a glove. If I ever get it to work, it will be really cool, but if not it will have been a disasterious decision that will have wasted hundereds of hours and may just destroy my business."
I'll tell you what. I am starting a "PIMP MY DOLPHIN SITE" program. E-mail me and I will fill you in with the details.

re:"I have no problem slamming people who never contribute and never try, but be realistic- Dolphin still has some serious "issues" and the install and configuration are hardly a cakewalk for everyone here."
You are correct and there are services who will install it for you free if you purchase hosting with them. There are also sites that will give some info about how to go about getting stuff done in Dolphin. If you take stock of events in the last few months you may agree that there are now more resources for Dolphin.

Great thread and good comments everyone.


...sip....

Honestly, there's a lot of 'kinks' in the code, and I'm disappointed at the fact that they include "free" services like RMS that don't work. Luckily, I'm a coder so I have pretty good success in correcting the code flaws. For anyone who's not a code monkey though, good luck. You can check my install out over @ http://www.sinfulexpressions.com

I would be glad to help anyone who is having major issues(whether with the install or with ongoing problems in a complete install) for a small fee.

Thats so true cash, this so called wannabe's are only limit to php.ini and server settings to make something work.

james,

nice post you and caltrade.

i am going to have to agree with you 100% about the server matching the script. if you are not meeting at least minimum requirements, then you are going to be fighting an uphill battle. also, some will find that the program that they have chosen to use as their uploader was not the nicest creature in the cyber world, and decided not to upload empty directories, or fails to upload .htaccess files.

there are still many things that boonex could do that would improve this scirpt, and i am sure they are working on many more features. this script is powerful, buggy yes, but powerful.

later,

DosDawg

I agree with that, Dolphin has so many powers, only why not working on a stable version before build new features into every new version... :)

ya ya .. laugh at me .. w/e

last few times i contacted support they responded in the matter of hours cuz i contacted them when they were online

so i dont see the problem with the support ...i told them bout my problem they askd for ssh acces and then they tried to fix my problem

but after they found out im using cyberxin rms they told me to ask them to chek their rms ..

bah .. this is a compleate mess ..

noo .. i have the recommendet rquirments and its still not working ..

The FREE script is a loada sham im a Php Developer and The script is badly coded there are missing Tags threw-out the whole application, Missing Files Wrong names giving to the files, it seeems they had Animals writing this application because no human being with sence  could make so many mistakes, the only thing that works in the script, is the install/ ....from thats the script is a bomb site i've tryed to correct these Error but there are so many errors, i might aswell write my own soical network application

2miggy282

:) have you any sample of bomb-code? and missing Tags threw-out? and something else troubled? Are you can correctly understand code?

Well of my head in the FREE 6.1 the  index.php is missing a ?> at the end, Header.inc.php is  not in the "inc" directory when the index.php is  including it..  they are using short tags  <? ?>  Which is not adviseable because some server host are not configured to use short tags in the php ini... also inthe inc/class/ the "BxDolProfileFields.php, BxDolPageViewAdmin.php and BxDolMenu.php" all have  missing a ?> at the end i mean i could go on and this is off my head im sure if a dugg deeper is the script i'd find more mistakes.

Hello,

header.inc.php always located in 'inc' folder, seems you just copy or move it self

So about unclosed ?>  just in ends of files - this is not mistakes, it not obligatory parameter in ends of files,

sometimes happens (several clients) that transfering files via FTP file uploaded with addition enter at the end of file, thats very bad, so it just prevent this troubles in future. And missing ?> in ends of php files not error.

Read manuals

I have not moved or deleted any thing, download teh script and go in the inc and look for header.inc.php, you'll find its not there . i've never heard of starting a php script with just the opening tags.... normally you have to open the tags (<?php) then once you've finish you'd close them (?>) perhaps u need to read the Php Manual www.php.net it states this very clearly in there.. the script is a miss...

The file inc/header.inc.php is created by Dolphin script during the installation process... You can download it from your server ;-)

http://ch2.php.net/manual/en/ini.core.php

Description of core php.ini directives

short_open_tag : Tells whether the short form (<? ?> ) of PHP's open tag should be allowed. If you want to use PHP in combination with XML, you can disable this option in order to use <?xml ?> inline. Otherwise, you can print it with PHP, for example: <?php echo '<?xml version="1.0"'; ?> . Also if disabled, you must use the long form of the PHP open tag (<?php ?> ).

...

1. The closing PHP tag at the end of a file is not necessary. See also Rules on whitespace section below.
2. The closing tag implies a semicolon (for line termination) in the event no semicolon had yet been specified (see instruction separation. If the closing semicolon had not been specified for the last instruction in the PHP code block, if a newline were present before the closing tag, it would be included as part of the statement (e.g., as part of an echo statement).

[edit] Rules pertaining to HTML or whitespace preceding or following PHP tags

1. Spaces are required after the <?php tag but not for the short tags or script tag (ASP tags?)
2. In order to avoid very long lines of code (where a developer may wish to have multiple PHP tag sets immediately follow one another but without newlines being added to the output), PHP considers ?>\n equivalent to ?> (i.e., PHP omits one newline after closing). To add an outputted newline between such PHP tag sets, one must therefore put at least one further newline.
3. With cookies and sessions using cookies: As cookie headers (or sessions relying on cookies) do not allow ANY HTML to be sent to the user before they are sent, no HTML (including even whitespace) should be present before the very first opening PHP tag (or also before the very first opening and after the very last closing tag (assuming no unclosed opening PHP tags at the end--see below) in the case of an included file--assuming there is a last closing tag; see below).
4. It may be helpful to omit the last PHP closing tag (see above) if one is including or requiring a file processing code before a cookie is sent (see above), or if one is using output buffering and doesn't wish for additional whitespace at the end of the file to be sent to the browser. See also instruction separation.

more info: http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Programming:Complete_PHP/Escaping_from_HTML

Wow! Second post I read, and sure sounds nasty here. Thanks for the chance to install and try out the app, has a lot of promise, but sadly the community (this Sammie person is a great example of how to ruin your image) seems angry, with little to no response from Boonex, and if there are replies, wow are they nasty, belittling and so on.

PHPizabi, Elgg and some others seem to have a bit more of a mature community and out to answer without all the "your an idiot comments"

Bye and thanks for the fish...