What are the chances of them updating the vBulletin software? Next to none? 
I have moved this post because it has nothing, Nothing to do with “April Fools.”
While we are not currently aware of any plans for changes or upgrades to the message board software, if that were to happen we would let you know.
I actually thought at first this could be a possible April fools joke or surprise rather. However, thanks TubaDiva for the clarification.
If the current version is meeting the current needs there is no need to upgrade.
In that case, it’s time to get rid of two minutes between searches because that really doesn’t meet the current needs…and no, Google really doesn’t cut it.
I wholeheartedly agree.
“Upgrading is the surest path to madness.” – Aquadementia: year V of the Obama Dynasty
I have to wonder if that has less to do with the current version of Vbulletin then “other” server issues.
Yeah, people were ‘abusing’ the system by doing too many searches too quickly. But we’ve since upgraded the servers. Let’s give it another shot.
I still feels weird when I’m on another board and go to hit the ‘new posts’ button but hesitate for a second because I just hit in 30 seconds earlier.
This is the only board I use that I pay for and the only board I use that forces me too either wait between searches or go to Google and search (which is pretty clumsy).
Well, given that the current SDMB is rather seriously broken (cf the constant resetting of the last read time) maybe updating would clean up whatever mess is causing the problems (then again it might not, but since it would appear that TPTB don’t know what broke or how to fix it…).
I would request that before upgrading, TPTB ask themselves whether the latest version (5.0) is really more stable than vBulletin 3.7.3. It may not be. They might also attempt to anticipate problems in exporting and importing their massive dataset.
In other words upgrading is a problematic process and best avoided without compelling reason.
IMHO:
The new version has an interface adapted to mobile devices which is nice. It’s also currently in beta. Version 4.2 is stable, but I’m not sure whether its additional features are all that compelling. Best to wait several years, IMHO.
You read our playbook. That’s our default. 
Newer servers. Paid membership. You make a convincing argument. Yeah, maybe they should release the beast and get rid of the 120 second timeout.
Other then that read/unread thing that is affecting a few users, how is the site broken?
vB 5 is awful. It’s slow. Pages require far more MySQL queries than with vB 3.* and 4.. Plugins that work with vB 3. and 4.* don’t work on 5.*. Forums that have come to depend on older plugins for spam prevention will lose that protection in vB 5.
vBulletin 4.2.0 is stable. However, it really doesn’t really bring much to the table unless it’s used as part of the larger vBulletin CMS, which based on my firsthand experience, leaves a lot to be desired. With the minimalist implementation here, all vB 4 would bring is a somewhat different front end, which, given the Dope’s tradition-bound users to no end, would result in weeks of bitching, ATMB and Pit threads, threats to leave and never return, and the like.
The vBulletin 3.* series is considered end-of-life. The SDMB uses vBulletin 3.7.3, which is several releases behind the most recent release in the 3.* series (3.8.7). There’s a lot of bug and security fixes that have been made between 3.7.3 and 3.8.7, and some new features. Considering the stripped-down implementation on the SDMB, an upgrade to 3.8.7 won’t really affect the user experience.
With vBulletin upgrades, databases aren’t imported or exported, but rather modified in place through an upgrade script. For most sites, it involves closing the board, backing up, repairing and optimizing the database, uploading all the new vB scripts, running the upgrade script, and reopening the board. It’s much more complicated if there’s mods hardcoded into any of the scripts that make up VB, or odd directory configurations.
From what I see on message boards for message board administrators, many area considering jumping ship from vB to Invision Power Board.
Thanks, elmwood. Your input is always appreciated and this is good information to know.
Are you one of those considering moving?
You’re welcome! 
Yup, I’m looking to move to IPB. It has a cleaner look, better integration, and from what I’ve seen, a brighter future. I’m on vB 4.1.7 now, and I can’t upgrade due to some configuration issues related to directory locations. (vB expects to see the forum scripts in root, and the CMS scripts in a subdirectory, which created some problems for me.) I also have Photopost, an aftermarket image galley, which can be quite persnickety.
From what I understand, IPB would take care of the move; installing the scripts on my server, converting the vBulletin and Photopost databases, and setting up a script to redirect old vBulletin URLs. The challenge: spam prevention. Are there plugins that perform the same function as those I now use with VB? (Country Moderation, MonkeyStop Keyword and URL Moderation, New Registrant Analyzer, vbStopForumSpam). For me, it’s not enough to stop spam from appearing, but rather, keep spammers from registering to begin with.
Slashdot is reporting a vBulletin exploitable vulnerabilitythat allows a remote attacker to create new administrator accounts for themselves… after which, the game is up.
The good news:
I suspect this kind of “too old to bother attacking” security methodology explains why the SMDB server runs on Windows 98. 
That said, there’s still a caution at the end of the vBulletin notice:
The “install directory” is apparently the directories vBulletin is unpacked into and set up from. Some admins apparently leave these files around after the server goes into public-facing production. These install scripts, remotely accessed, seem to be the vulnerability vector reported, and generally a bad idea to leave laying around anyway.