4images gallery management script from 4homepages.de came out with their latest update / version 4images 1.7.6 . If you subscribe to their newsletter , you probably already know it .

The new version 1.7.6 of the 4images – Image Gallery Management System has been released!

This release comes with lots of improvements, bug fixes and minor changes, e.g.:

* Added possibility to sort by filenames in CP image search form
* Improved download of big files
* Added onchange javascript for “per page” dropdown
* Disabled download button in lightbox if there are no download permissions for all images in the lightbox
* Fixed issue with paging tags
* Fixed missing image name escaping in alt tags of thumbnails
* Fixed redirect bug in admin/admin_global.php
* Fixed problem with brackets in template vars
* Updated URL for ICQ status image
* Fixed sql query in download.php
* Fixed logout problem where guests can delete other guests sessions
* Fixed displaying non-active images on details.php
* Improved download of big files

Theres already a feedback thread on the 4images forum if you are really into German language . Since I am more of the English language speaking crowd , i skipped the first 2 pages . Lol . I guess they really got too many bug reports or frustrations from sites using 4images having large files for download … that they mentioned it twice in their newsletter which i pasted above
One of these days i must learn .DE language to better grasp what all the super members such as jan , nicky , rustynet ivan say in there . *sighs* At least V@no speaks more English . thank goodness for that .

Over the past 2 weeks , we have developed vbulletin skins for 2 different websites / clients . One for a flower discussion community forum and now currently a Spanish fantasy gaming website . The 2 new templates that have been developed are quite a bit more colorful than before , especially the Spanish forum .

Developing custom templates is naturally costlier than regular templates, because they are uniquely designed for 1 single customer to maintain their individuality . These templates we do not allow for download directly from our website. Among the last 2 clients i was mentioning, one of them provided their own PSD and our work involved converting the Photoshop design into a fully coded vbulletin template , which could be imported on their existing forum , which also used vB CMPS , along with 13 other vbulletin Addons / Plugins / Modifications. The odd thing , however , is that both times the client / customer requested their “unique vbulletin template” to be a clone of a existing forum site design !!

I have been discussing about the legality of doing this design with a few web designer friends of mine and have also posted on webmaster forums . As of yet , people are of the idea that since the liability of the content – design and text copy , is of the owner of the domain , it should not concern me , as the designer. However , as the designer it should be in my best interests to let the customer / site owner know that he is opting towards probable legal hassle. My friend suggested that i get at least a email confirmation , if not in writing , that it is by his idea the design is being cloned . Furthermore, he also suggested that I should not include a link back to my website / portfolio page – proudly claiming that the vbulletin clone design was done by me / us, thus alienating ourselves from any complaints or such.

I just noticed on my stats – several people searched for 4images themes and templates. I noticed I am quite on the top for the keyword 4images templates . So , I just want to mention – if you are looking for downloading 4images templates and 4images themes , just put down a comment on this blog and I will try to fullfill it if like your request . If you like what I make you are free to donate $2-5 – but its optional , and the theme will be free , as long as you abide by the basic rules – i.e. show your love by showing your linky love .

I also know i have not put up the thumbnails or screenshots of the designs I have made till now of 4images themes, but i have my reasons for that . I showed the theme to a few friends of mine and they liked it so much , that they wanted the 4image theme exclusively for their own gallery – so i sold it of to them for some moolah don’t blame me , hehe . I will make some other 4images template for this blog again soon .

tada… for now

*Edit / Update : Based on the request , this is the new free template i have created , which you can see on Demo Here.

For many months , i have always wanted to do what we are doing now, i.e designing templates and skins. Over all these times earlier, i have come across various alternative sites… some of them having very good customisations and some having a good amount of skins. Since we are still at the beginning, i doubt if our works can yet be called good customizations, and also since our workforce is as of yet limited, we don’t have a good number of templates / skins either.

However , i am also having the dilemma … what to aim for , quantity and quality ? We have just started to sell … so i don’t have a good enough understanding which will help in selling more and thus making better money . As i have seen, as of yet making just CSS or colour changes can be done pretty quickly , but integrating designs differently does take a bit of time . I think , for now i will go and hunt for more inspirations …. not just design wise , but also from the business point of view.