From the boonex forums:

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User Statement:

This is a rather discouraging read, in the sense that everything stated has proven true in my experience.

I am embarrassed to say that the neat little dolphin video was enough for me to transition my production phpbb/wordpress site over to it almost immediately. Wow was that a bad idea!

Don't get me wrong, if all the features they claim to package this thing with actually worked or were supported, it would be one hell of a platform. It's unfortunate that they use the buzz words of a social network as a gimmick to suck you in, then let you get socked with high prices for modifications that should be included to begin with. I see a value in being able to purchase modifications, true modifications that extend the ability of the base platform, but I should not have to purchase an extension that fixes something that was broken with the base.

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Andrews reply...

For a long time we have been very active in adding features to the default package and at some point it began working against us. So, we decided to slow down on features and bug-fix, up to the point when Dolphin, as it is, becomes very stable. There's no predicament or conspiracy behind it. I don't even look at what devs do as their personal mods, and always order things that need to be developed according to demand and "trends"/need. Developers produce their products from how, after they're done with their day work.

So, right now we are focused on fixing bugs and improving speed. This will continue for some time, and we'll only be adding features that are crucial for correct operation of the script. Report your specific issues or bugs and we will work on them, and will issue an updated version very soon.

I have previously posted my thoughts on Dolphin 7, saying that it is indeed, in some ways, based on old technology and approach, which keeps taking it's toll, and we are working on 2 things - better Dolphin 7 and a whole new Dolphin 8.

Now, we have tried lots of different products, including Wordpress, Joomla, Drupal and many other and I can tell you that their "legendary quality" is a myth. They all have their flaws and Dolphin 7 has it's own strengths when compared. For an "out-of-the-box" community software it beats them as hands down and will only be getting better.

We have made our share of mistakes, both in coding and management, but we clearly see a path to fixing them.
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And finally another user statement:

I have to chime in Andrew- Your statements regarding the WP/Joomla/Drup are a bit dated. Actually, way dated. I'm speaking as someone fluent in all 3, but I'll use the current offerings available (and most free) for Joomla as an example here. Your current line of thinking could very well be your downfall because lately, Joomla's ability to become everything (and then some) Dolphin is right now is staggering. No dependencies on remote servers, no attempts at encrypting anything, and sadly, 99.9% of it works right out of the box. They dont try to milk any $ out of support forums, especially for people trying to get corrections/variations for their specific situations, like some do. Everyone knows thats a waste of time nowadays because with a few google searches and the right utilities, that "valuable" support "information" thats being hidden behind member only forums is open for anyone to read, no matter the platform.

You need to keep up on whats going on around you to remain innovative because as someone who has, does, and will continue to see it all, I can say this: youre setting yourself up for a very hard fall if you rely on that line of thinking. Joomla and Jomsocial right now (Jomsocial is open source now) have the track on any of the social community softwares out there. Where you are shooting yourself in the foot moreso is anyone who has tried these "community" specific packages ends up learning more than they need to drop a Joomla/JS instlallation in, in minutes - no rooting through 20 different authors to get a simple task done. WP and Drup are slowly following suit.

You need to introduce a true package- and one that can be backed up by a solid working experience- not a nickel and dime setup where you leave features out and expect people to run a gauntlet of people asking for 20,50,100$ for something you should have included in the first place because it IS a standard elsewhere. Nobody's going to pay for a uber premium package because you say it is- it has to BE one.

Hope you take some of this to heart because I wouldnt have said it if I didnt like, and want Dolphin to go somewhere. As a consumer, I go with what works and feel its at least a return gesture to speak up when theres alot at stake.

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All I have to say is wow.