Is Form Tools Still Supported?

wdfw · Jul 20th, 2016, 9:57 AM

Is Form Tools still being supported? Version 2.2.6 was released three years ago. We've used FT for several years but if security vulnerabilities and bugs aren't being patched, it's time to find a replacement.

moorezilla · Jul 27th, 2016, 1:58 AM

(Jul 20th, 2016, 9:57 AM)wdfw Wrote: Is Form Tools still being supported? Version 2.2.6 was released three years ago. We've used FT for several years but if security vulnerabilities and bugs aren't being patched, it's time to find a replacement.

Ben, the developer of Form Tools, has posted in the past about having trouble freeing up sufficient time to devote to Form Tools development. I don't think the project has been abandoned, but life can get in the way of php development and I don't think there's currently a team of developers involved that can pick up the slack when Ben gets busy with life and other interests. Personally, I'd be more than willing to contribute funds to continuing the project if the "donate" page returns. I would love to see development continue and to have this work with php 7!

**alexh** · Jul 27th, 2016, 9:02 AM

Thanks for the post moorezilla!

I really hope Ben returns to the project soon too. I, too, would contribute funds to this project. It's way too awesome to see I go by the wayside.

Ben gave me moderator access to the forums a while back and I've been doing by best to keep a handle on the spam. Delete delete delete three times a day :-)

dennisvv · Aug 21st, 2016, 5:56 AM

(Jul 27th, 2016, 9:02 AM)alexh Wrote: Thanks for the post moorezilla!

I really hope Ben returns to the project soon too. I, too, would contribute funds to this project. It's way too awesome to see I go by the wayside.

Ben gave me moderator access to the forums a while back and I've been doing by best to keep a handle on the spam. Delete delete delete three times a day :-)

Hi Alexh,

Do you happen to know any good alternatives? I've searched the internet; unfortunately I haven't been able to find any.

Best

**alexh** · Aug 21st, 2016, 6:59 PM

None that I have found Undecided

dennisvv · Aug 22nd, 2016, 5:10 AM

(Aug 21st, 2016, 6:59 PM)alexh Wrote: None that I have found

Shame!

wavesource · (This post was last modified: Aug 29th, 2016, 1:03 AM by wavesource.)

Form Tools is unique in this space, a true tool of enablement. I heard talk that Ben was moving towards GPLing most of FT except core, but again, if he hasn't got time, and if PHP 7 is the brick wall, then he might have no option than to let it crash. Which is a great pity for us who use it.

Far from me to say, but if he didn't have time to work on it anymore, I reckon if he open sourced it, it would continue to spread its wings and fly.

That would be my hope if Ben couldn't service it himself, or he didn't have the gumption or resources to keep it his own.

Only time will tell, and I guess we've all had fun and have benefitted from his hard work. I know I am a mucb better programmer because of Form Tools and Ben. He's been so generous. So all the best to him whatever he is doing, probably having a nice glass of wine on his island with his wife and family. I can only say nice things about him, even if he lets my favourite bit of kit die.

wavesource · Aug 29th, 2016, 9:28 AM

Actually, as a note, have any of you ever bought a premium plugin or paid Ben for any of his other offerings, or donated?

And if Ben brought out a new product, very similar to Form Tools, but at a license fee per download with per-domain secured usage, would you continue to use Form Tools?

I would. I would happily pay a reasonable license fee for FT, for every installation I have used. And I have done all of the above. Maybe if more people had supported Ben over the years, he wouldn't be off working in greener pastures?

But my core question is, what would you pay for Form Tools? What is it worth to you, seeing that we are looking at a situation where it might be at the end of the road. Just interested.

**alexh** · Aug 29th, 2016, 10:11 AM

I was around when there were a few premium (pay) modules, but I didn't have a need for them at the time. If I remember correctly, they got a grant or some type of funding but it required they open everything up as free. I could be wrong but I believe that was the case.

I would most definitely pay for a license or contribute a significant amount to continued support and development if it meant keeping FormTools around. It's a one of a kind application!!!

wavesource · Aug 29th, 2016, 10:59 AM

I see you are moderating the forums currently. You're saying you aren't really sure what is happening either? When was the last time you heard from Ben?

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