Decrypted Bug Fixing

[thetrusteeco]

I've read on WHT that several HB owners have started decrypting HostBill to fix the bugs themselves.  Apparently this is illegal, so don't incriminate yourself.

A couple years ago I did the same thing with WHMCS.  I had several licenses and Chris (WHMCS Chris) refused to even acknowledge one of the critical issue that many others had also reported.  At least Kris has always acknowledged bugs if I could replicate them (doesn't mean he fixes them...).  Anyway I decrypted the errant code and then emailed him my bug-fix.  I expected some hostility, but instead he was appreciative and implemented it into the follow up version.  I'm not really incriminating myself here because I told Chris, and didn't share the code with anyone but him.  (Also: I still have 2 WHMCS sites because I cannot fully port my customers to HB due to bugs)

So ... has anyone talked to Kris about a decrypted version of HostBill (or parts of it) that we can work on?  I suspect he'd be apoplectic to the idea, but has anyone actually asked?

[Lawrence]

I wouldn't encourage the release of the HostBill source. That alone would be devastating if made public.

For the record, any future posts made by anybody in regards to decrypting HostBill will be combined into one thread, and locked if it sways towards an illegal discussion.

[thetrusteeco]

I agree.

Based on what Paul wrote here it looks like Kris wouldn't be intereseted any way.

[Lawrence]

He may someday, but at this stage it's not likely. The software's too young (compared to others), and I'm sure Kris has morals preventing him from releasing the source (If there were any obfuscated insecurities).

I suppose modules / addons would be great for functionality fixes (Just don't use the built-in core features), and bug reports and crossed fingers for HostBill core.

[thetrusteeco]

I'm not sure where KBKP is at with this concept today.  I've read several posts in other threads and forums since opening this thread where people have stated that they offered help with bugs and KBKP said unequivocally no.

However when I first got HB I asked for some of the code so I could fix something, and they emailed me the decrypted file.  The file wasn't anything critical to HB security, and they didn't seem to have a problem with the idea.  Which is why I opened this post.  Of course that was back when they used to talk to their customers.

[Patrick]

I'm not sure where KBKP is at with this concept today.  I've read several posts in other threads and forums since opening this thread where people have stated that they offered help with bugs and KBKP said unequivocally no.

However when I first got HB I asked for some of the code so I could fix something, and they emailed me the decrypted file.  The file wasn't anything critical to HB security, and they didn't seem to have a problem with the idea.  Which is why I opened this post.  Of course that was back when they used to talk to their customers.

I've even flat out offered help several times via ticket and i was bluntly told no and ticket closed.  I asked for the code to the stripe module so we could fix it and were told "It'll be fixed next release".  Sure it added CAD, but it's still broken.  There are some things they could easily release to existing customers if we're having issues and we're willing to fix it ourselves.  Considering we are trusted with the hostbill software itself that can be decoded and released, sending a good standing customer a payment module decoded isn't too be a deal.

They refuse help, they limit customers, they've now limited third party development, he's laughing at us and only one way to send a message and that's to dump hostbill.  Heck i'll initiate something illegal just to get them to try and take me to court and i'll let the cars fall where they may and i have a feeling it won't go as they hope it would.  It seems to be the only way to get their attention.  We're all taken for a ride and here we are worried about possible implications ?

No wonder they aren't worried, everyone is protecting them.  Let them fight their own battles.  All of us are in the hole for several hundred and we're all backed in to a corner here.