UltraBB Review

(February 16, 2009 10:12)
Last Version 1.17 (December 25, 2008). Released under Proprietary License.
Resources Website UltraBB Website Download Download...
Company Data 1 Systems.
Price $ 99.
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What is UltraBB?

UltraBB is coming from the same family than WowBB. We have no feedback about who forked the other one, or if UltraBB is a simple renaming of WowBB, but still, at least UltraBB is an active project, without no known security holes, which is clearly not the case for WowBB...

It stands with the classic web applications, relying on PHP and MySQL, generally coupled with an Apache server. Apparently, some testing and usability checks are often made on a dedicated structure, the testing facility, Columbus, Ohio. This could be a very good point compared to some open source softwares, blindly developed without any ergonomical perspective...

Review Updates:

  • March 1, 2010: Update some features supported by UltraBB 1.17.

UltraBB is recommended for Large Community.

(and supports smaller communities perfectly as well.)

Server & Client Requirements

Server Requirements
Programming Language
Required Architecture and Versions.
  • PHP 4
  • PHP 5
Web Servers
How the forum is delivered to users.
  • Apache 1.3
  • Apache 2.0/2.2
  • Microsoft IIS
  • Lighttpd
  • Nginx
Databases
How Forum Data are Stored.
  • MySQL
Operating Systems
Systems Supporting this Software.
  • GNU/LinuxGNU/Linux
  • BSD UnixBSD Unix
  • Microsoft WindowsMicrosoft Windows
Browser & Client Requirements
Compatible Browsers
List of Compatible Browsers.
Mozilla FirefoxMozilla FirefoxInternet ExplorerInternet Explorer
Google ChromeGoogle ChromeOperaOpera
Apple SafariApple SafariKonquerorKonqueror
Mozilla SeaMonkeyMozilla SeaMonkey
Required Plugins/Technologies
Additional or Basic Requirements from Client Side.
Javascript.
Localization
Languages supported by UltraBB.
No.
No.
Compatibility with Smartphones
Compatible SmartPhones
Compatible Cellphone Brands and Manufacturers.
No.
Application Distribution / Type
How it is distributed / App Store Availability
No.

Forum Threads & Posts

Forum Threads / Topics
Forum Style Flat Forum Organization
  • Forum Categories
  • Sub Sections
Thread Icons Yes Topic Tags No
Hot Topics - Unread Topics Yes
Hidden Topics Yes Sticky Threads Yes
Related Threads - Detect Duplicate Threads No
Announcements Yes
Posting Messages / Answers
Message Editing Form
How to Post Messages.
  • WYSIWYG Editor
Post Editing Format
Supported Markup Language (HTML, Wiki, BBCode,...).
  • HTML
  • BBCode
Spell Checker
Checks typos on posts and topics.
No
Image Attachment
How Images can be Attached and Displayed in Message Posts.
No.
Embedded Videos
Videos and Media Websites Supported in Message Posts.
No.
Posting Features
Quick Reply Box Yes Smileys Yes
Attachments Yes Syntax Highlighting No
Message Rating
No Message Quoting Yes

Additionally to all classic features regarding posting and replying to a thread, a Gallery Plugin can display several pictures posted with one message.

Additional & Technical Features

Additional Forum Features
Poll Creation Yes
Private Messages
Users Can Communicate using an Internal Messaging System.
Yes
Instant Messaging
Discuss with Visitors and Members in a Chat Window.
Yes
Calendar
Topic, Member Birthdays, Events are available from the perspective of a calendar.
Yes
Online Users List
Connected User List (Often Found in the Forum Footer).
Yes
Members List
Search and Consult the List of Members.
Yes
Technical Features
Bundled Software
Additional Software Available with the Forum.
  • Pictures Album Manager
RSS/Atom Syndication
Posts and Threads Exported to Feeds Aggregators Syndicate.
No.
Friendly URLs
URLs are clear and contain information about the topic (title, message,...). Highly recommended for SEO purposes.
No
Post by Email
Post Directly From your Email Box.
No
Remote Control
Remote Control from External Software/Websites.
No.
Cache System
Cache pages to optimize bandwidth and load times.
Yes
Template Engine
It is easier to theme a forum using a known template engine (more docs & examples,...).
  • Custom Template Engine

User Ranks are called Mana in UltraBB.

User Profiles & Options

Some details about UltraBB features regarding members.
Member Options & Features
Bookmark Threads
User Profiles Keep a List of Followed Posts and Topics.
Yes
Email Notifications
Receive Emails When New Messages are Posted in Followed Threads.
Yes
Export private messages
Private Messages can be Downloaded by Users.
No
Payment Subscriptions
Paying Membership Subscription.
No
User Profiles
User Profile
User Information and Settings.
Yes
Avatars
Pictures of Members, Useful to Easily Identify their Posts.
Yes
Signature
Signatures Added at the Bottom of Each Message.
Yes
Ranks
Tags and Labels Identifying the Members, based on specific criteria (Total Posts Count, Credits, Moderation Level...)
Yes

Moderation & Users Management

Moderation & Threads Management
Moderation No.
Moderator per section No
Global Moderator No
Move Threads
Move Threads from Topics
Yes
Shadow Topics
When a thread is moved, the previous position is kept in order to inform users of this modification.
Yes
Close/Lock Threads
Close/Lock Problematic Threads
Yes
Users Management
User Groups
Organize and define groups of users, and apply different actions and settings on them.
Common Groups: Guests, Members, Moderators, Administrators,...
No
User Registration No.
Limit Features For New Users
Features are limited if a user has created a small number of posts.
-
Guest Posting Yes
Multiple Administrators Yes
Send Warnings to Users
Inform users by email or PM that they infringe the board rules, and could be excluded for such behavior.
No
Forum/Section Restricted Access
ACL could be use to determine if a user or a group of users can access (in read only, post message) to some sections and topics.
No
User Banishment Yes

Administration & Support

Database Management
Backup Database
Backup forum datas that you could store somewhere else.
No
Prune Database
Remove old and unused datas from your forum.
No
Restore Database
Restore a backup of your database if the previous install crashed.
No
Administration Tools
Statistics
Statistics about posts count, users, traffic...
Yes Error/Notice Log Viewer
Forum Logs could be consulted.
No
Tasks Scheduler
Maintenance tasks are regularly launched and could be scheduled.
No Mass Mailing
Send an email (newsletters, advertisements, information,...) to all users.
Yes
Installation & Upgrading
Installation Method
How this forum software could be installed.
Installation Wizard
Upgrading Method
How this forum software could be upgraded.
Upgrade Wizard
Updates Notifications
The Admin Panel informs you when a new version is released.
Yes
Forum Migration
Convert an existing forum to UltraBB.
-.

Security & Spam Protection

Security & Spam Protection
CAPTCHA
Captcha protects your forum against spam bots.
e.g., Syndicate
Yes
Abnormal Behavior Detection
Detect users or request strange behaviors, and try to process proactive actions.
-
Words Filtering
Offensing Words are automatically replaced.
Yes
User Blacklist
Prevent specific user accounts to register (based on email address, name,...) and disable potentially harmful members.
Yes
IP Blocking
Prevent access to spam robots and other scripts that could attempt DDOS or Brute Force attacks on your forum.
Yes

Vulnerabilities Advisories Criticality

Secunia Criticality

Secunia Advisories severity affecting UltraBB.

Vulnerabilities Impact

Secunia Impact

Secunia Advisories impact affecting UltraBB.

Customization & Social Networks

Customization
Plugins
Add new features to your forum installation.
No.
Themes
Modify the style of your forum easily.
Yes.
Custom BBCodes No Smiley Packs No
Custom
Thread Icons
No Additional User Profile Fields
Ask more about your members with custom fields.
No
Integration with Applications, Social Networks, Intranet...
Social Networks
Users can share information from their social network account...
No.
CMS / Blog Bridges
Integration with existing Web publishing tools.
No.
User Accounts Integration
Do users be able to log in with their corporate, Google, Facebook,... accounts?
No.
Content Aggregation
Forum allows to integrate news and content from other website, using an aggregation protocol (RSS, RDF, Atom,...).
No.

W3C Norms & Accessibility

Norms & Accessibility
HTML / XHTML Markup
HTML 4.01.
HTML 4.01
Click to see if it respects HTML norms.
CSS Stylesheets
CSS 1.
CSS 1
Click to see if it respects CSS norms.
Accessibility (WAI)
Web Accessibility ensures that the forum is usable by people of all abilities and disabilities.
Conformance to A level.
A
UTF-8 Support
Default encoding used to support all locales and countries.
Yes
Conformance to W3C Norms
Does UltraBB correctly follow (X)HTML and CSS norms?
No.

Norms are respected correctly.

Unique Features

Key points and major differences that make UltraBB unique:

  • Side menu options
  • Cache System

Final Words


Good.

This descendant of WowBB is clearly more powerful and more secure.

You will find in this forum software main features of a classical forum, but with the advantages of being supported by a real company. This is however also the problem because this proprietary software has a price, 99 $, that will prevent little communities and friends groups of buying it.

At the opposite, this will be a really good price compared to more expensive solutions like Invision Power Board or vBulletin.

More over, companies that have no knowledge in Web development would be able to request for their specific development needs to Data 1 Systems, the parent company of UltraBB.

Additional Resources:

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Comments (22)

I trial-tested Ultrabb's

I trial-tested Ultrabb's software, and it was an exercise in frustration. First of all, I had a few basic questions, so I contacted them on Friday and Saturday and never received a response. Big red flag.

So, I contacted them again Monday threatening to expose their lack of professionalism. Almost immediately I received a response. They claimed they never received my e-mails. Yeah, right! Another red flag.

They asked me to join their forum community for faster service. I did, but now I can't login to ask questions. What a joke! Another red flag.

While I was testing out the software, the system would allow me to create a forum, but then I couldn't post to the forum. I asked for help, and never received any. Another red flag.

At the same time, I was trial-testing VBulletin's software where things went as smooth as silk. I can see why VBulletins's #1. They're a first-class outfit.

My recommendation: I don't know what's going on over at Ultrabb, but they've got problems. Do yourself a favor, and go with VBulletin. That's what I'm going to do.

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Hi, The folks at Data 1

Hi,

The folks at Data 1 Systems offer a superb service to all their UltraBB users.

But if you send them an email from an email address which includes the words "free", "marketing" and "blog" you shouldn't be surprised if it hits their spam filter and goes straight in the bin.

I suggest you get a free Yahoo or GoogleMail email address and try again.

You can ask other UltraBB users at http://ultrabb.net/forum for their opinion of the Data 1 service. Don't be surprised if you get universal unqualified praise -- you won't find better service anywhere.

regards,

Martin.

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Evidently you are not talking

Evidently you are not talking about the same UltraUBB that I have been using for over a year. I have always received quick response and service well beyond the call of duty, even though Ultrabb didn't expect to gain a penny from the services rendered. I have received assistance that required several hours to clear my problem, sometimes self inflicted, with the ultraubb staff never expecting to gain anything except a satisfied customer. This They have Done. I suppose that the quality of service is the reason that I have personally purchased 2 ultra licenses and have been responsible for at least one more license purchase. I would not have been involved in buying three licenses if Ultrabb service was as you described. I am an extremely Satisfied customer and this testimonial is unsolicited. I am not an employee of Ultrabb, but I do consider myself a friend.

All license holders of Ultraubb software are friends. There is a closeness of community among those fortunate enough to be License owners. This is worldwide. This could not have come to pass with the ultrabb that you describe. I am sure you have stumbled across something that claims to be Ultrabb, This certainly isn't the one I know.

John Floyd

South Mills North Carolina

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My experience with the forum

My experience with the forum software is so great.

I am glad that my forum members like the forum software, though my forum is a bit inactive at times.

The two owners of this software do their best to help ANY person out who has issues.

I have only had one small issue which was not being able to login to my board when it was offline.

I had changed my domain name at that time and I posted something in secret support and got an answer.

It didn't take long at all to fix. I say new forum goers should give this software a try out, it beats the heck out of phpBB3, SMF, MyBB, etc.

No spambots have EVER joined my forum, I have only gotten two human spammers, which were taken care of accordingly by myself.

As for the new UltraBB, the forum owners have been completely honest with EVERYONE here at the forum board. They have worked hard on this software, made it the best it could be for us forum users.

The moderation features are pretty much simple to use.

The Admin Panel is easy to use. There is no Mod CP.

I loved buying my license for the forum software here. Jim and Di can do the installation for your forum for FREE unlike other forum softwares do, they make you pay for an install.

Anyway, this concludes my story.

P.S D. Jackson, either shut the fuck up or get the fuck out..

Have a nice day!

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Then you fucking keep

Then you fucking keep insulting those who use either free forum solutions, or those who use VBulletin or I.P. Board, how about YOU fucking off?

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I have a website drawing well

I have a website drawing well over a million hits per month. My UltraBB has over 800 members. Never a problem, never any delay from the staff at their customer service. I would suggest you get an e-mail address that doesn't sound like it belongs to a Nigerian scam. The fact that you would come here and slander one of the few companies out there that actually provides personalized customer servic says more about you than it says about them. Grow up.

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I've been using ultraBB for a

I've been using ultraBB for a couple of years on two seperate boards and fully intend to start two more. My main board has over 2000 members and I cannot say enough about the fine service I've received from Ultra. I have no training in the computer programing field but have still managed to hunt and peck my way through the process of creating two very active boards. The fine folks at UltraBB have always been there to quickly help me out of the jams that I have created.

Tim Swing aka "Buster"

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As a very satisfied customer

As a very satisfied customer of Ultrabb for a year now, I am astonished to read this review. The pm that new customers receive is an automated reply of welcome, nothing more.

I can honestly say that the support I have received at Ultra has been second to none. Jim and Di go that extra mile for all their customers and their patience is boundless when one of us screws up our boards. I made enquiries about having an Ultra board on a Sunday afternoon (NOTE A SUNDAY) and received prompt replies. By Monday morning Jim had transferred all my files and we were up and running with the Ultra board.

When the software was updated recently, my board was updated by them at no extra charge and any queries I had was promptly dealt with.

You only have to read the forums at Ultra to see what a happy band of customers they have and what a great team spirit there is.

http://www.ultrabb.net/forum/

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As John Floyd mentioned in

As John Floyd mentioned in his post above we can't possibly be speaking of the same people. I have quite a few years of Forum management experience, from the usual freebies to expensive packages but only from a users viewpoint, and always with a take it or leave it attitude from the owners. Now, with Jim and Di's help, I am able to go into the software, get things changed and tweaked for my members satisfaction and to make our board that bit different to the thousands of others out there. No more putting in requests to anonymous people who may take days, weeks, or not even bother to answer and nearly always with an expensive price tag. Now it's so very different with a very quick and personal service.
With the very reasonable one off charge, free upgrades, daily backups, easy to manage software and my own personal assistants in the shape of Jim and Di why on earth would I want to go anywhere else.
In case anyone is reading this who is not familiar with this particular forum software and thinks I am exaggerating then all I can say is get yourself over to the ultrabb forum and see for yourself.

http://www.ultrabb.net/forum/

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I agree and echo with all of

I agree and echo with all of the above posts about how great UltraBB is... I have had nothing but the best service and and response times when needing help...
Jim and Di go above and beyond to help each and everyone of us on personal and group levels ...

I would 'highly and only' recommend UltraBB and Data 1 Systems...

Im a long standing customer that is going NO WHERE !

Thank you Jim and Di for the most AWESOME product !!!

Paul & §issie
DeLand, FL.

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I am absolutely THRILLED to

I am absolutely THRILLED to be a longtime customer of UltraBB and Data1. I receive the best support and Personal attention. I have used many different types of software and Ultra ranks up there with the best.

This Mr Jackson obviously hasn't a clue to what he is talking about.I have yet to have a problem with the hosting, software or the service. In fact the service is head and shoulders above anyone else I have used. If there was any issue between Dat1, UltraBB and Mr Jackson, I would BET the farm that the only problem was Mr. Jackson.

I highly recommend UltraBB to anyone. As far as HOSTING go with Data1. I was so pleased with Jim and Di that I canceled my service with Startlogic early and forfeited my $$, because I wanted to switch to Dat1, before the end of my contract. I have NO regrets. Every minute of being their customer has been my pleasure.

I will always be a customer and I urge anyone to consider them for their hosting or BB needs.

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I've been using Ultra almost

I've been using Ultra almost a year now and love it. This is my THIRD forum software in 6 years and the support from Ultra is the very best I ever had. My forum is a modest size (15,000 members and 650,000 posts) and when I switched to Ultra and their hosting last June I had to ask Jim (Ultras owner) for advice because my database was over a gig in size. Jim spent most of the weekend moving my forum for me and never asked me for a dime extra for all the work he put in.
By Christmas my forum had grown too big for the server and I decided to have a dedicated server to cope with the traffic. Again Jim offered to do the whole job for me, even though I should have been doing it myself. Another weekend of work for Jim and no extra charge.
I'm not connected with Ultra in any way, I just happen to be a real person and customer and very satisfied with the service at Ultra. I won't be switching to VB any time soon and I should add that like many other people, I don't even look at emails that have "free, marketing and blog" in them.

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D.Jackon sorry to here you

D.Jackon
sorry to here you feel you did not get the service you required from Ultra as i have found the sevice/support i receive from Ultra excellent.

My queries are answered promptly and the owners go out of their way to help.

It also has a great friendly support forum where the members are only too willing to help each other.

100% happy customer.

Bm.

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After reading the responses

After reading the responses to my review of UltraBB, I need to make one thing perfectly clear. I personally don't have anything against UltraBB. I really don't. In fact, I'd never even heard of them, until I started doing research on forum software a few days ago.

And to be perfectly honest, I really wish my free trial with UltraBB had worked out, because I really did like the product. I was just a potential customer trying out their product. That's all. But I can only go by my first impression of their service.

Unfortunately, that first impression wasn't a good one. And that's exactly what I reported. Using testimonials to trash me because I told the truth isn't very professional. I think that should tell you everything you need to know about how UltraBB operates. Everyone isn't going to say nice things about you. Accept that, and move on.

My advice to anyone reading this review is this. Forums are serious business, and I took my research very seriously. I was very close to purchasing UltraBB. I just needed some reassurance. Unfortunately, I didn't get that. So, I went in a different direction.

Look, you simply can't afford to take a chance with service. Believe me, it's just not worth the headaches and aggravation. Especially if you're technically challenged like I am.

Anyway, I stand by what I wrote. I don't trust UltraBB's service. Nothing personal. I just don't.

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Hello David, I don't have a

Hello David,

I don't have a problem with you not choosing my product, we are free to choose anything we want that fits our needs.

My problem was that your review was misleading. We truly did not receive your first two e-mails, they were sent from your e-mail address which if I were you I would seriously consider changing due to modern spam filters.

The misleading part was:

"So, I contacted them again Monday threatening to expose their lack of professionalism. Almost immediately I received a response. They claimed they never received my e-mails. Yeah, right! Another red flag."

The reason we received that one is because you sent it via our web form which sends directly from the server regardless of what e-mail address you enter as reply to. Of course we are going to get it, it was sent from us.

So the first e-mail I receive from you was a threat based on you assuming I had ignored you. It was untrue and that's what I have a problem with.

The facts are the UltraBB staff does everything they can to provide a level of service that is somewhat popular if you will read the other responses, there was no reason to provide a misleading negative response based on an assumption.

Jim

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Hello Jim: I've been using

Hello Jim:

I've been using that e-mail address for several months now without any problems. In fact, my subscribers receive my blog updates via that e-mail address just fine. But let's put that aside.

The biggest problem I had was that you didn't reach out and try to help me, when I told you that I was having problems with your software. You also didn't try to help me when I told you that I could no longer login to your forum.

From those two incidents alone, I came to the conclusion that if I can't get help now for even the most basic problems, I certainly won't be able to get help when I'm a paying customer. That prospect frighted me.

Unfortunately, that's the negative impression that I was left with about your company. I didn't mislead anyone. I simply told the truth, and to your credit, you didn't call me a liar. I appreciate that.

But here's the really sad part, Jim. Even after all of this, you still haven't reached out to try to smooth things over. You still haven't done the right thing, and apologized to me. Instead, you're making excuses and blaming me for what happened.

All of this could have easily been avoided, if you had treated a prospective customer with a little more respect.

I stand by every word I wrote in my review.

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I'd say another major red

I'd say another major red flag is the shear number of "positive" reviews all lumped together after your "negative" review.

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I have been a happy UltraBB

I have been a happy UltraBB customer for over 2 years now. I have a modest sized forum of around 2600 members. I recently bought a second license and started another forum. I couldn't be happier with the service I get. Making a simple post on the community forum will get an almost instant response. The group of guys and gals on the UltraBB forum will do anything they can to help you out, should you ask for it. I have asked and I have had several members go above and beyond to help me out. I couldn't imagine ever getting better service for a mere $99 one time fee.

UltraBB gets 5 solid stars from me!

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Great support. Been using

Great support. Been using them for years.

Questions answered in a timely manner and on several occasions UltraBB team fixed my site after I messed up.

The UltraBB help forum is kind of boring as not many issues. Usually postings from someone doing modifications or considering modifications and needing help.

I suspect an upgrade is in the planning stages but don't hold me to it.

By the way, Data 1 servers have almost 100% up-time and can't remember a time when my site timed out. They back up everything. I would recommend you let them host your site.

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Update to my review on March

Update to my review on March 20th 2009.

Well here I am two years and two months after my last review of UltraBB. It probably makes sense to get straight to the bottom line first, which is that I would not still be using UltraBB if I wasn't totally happy with it.
My forum now stands at 1.3 million posts and 35,000 members, over double on my last previous review. I haven't needed to use support much (I think twice) since my previous review, and each time the response was fast and positive. Large forums need good support and software, UltraBB and the staff at Data1 more than meet my needs, and I plan on staying with them for the long term.

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Be very wise on picking the

Be very wise on picking the home you want to buy. Once I heard that fashionable bags were on sale and hobo bags were included, which made me so excited that I couldn't fall into sleep the whole night. Now a historian, say Mr. Nowadays, there are quite a number of data search websites you can choose from to cater to all your public record needs.
Feynman, as one of the smartest people who has ever lived and one of the principle creators of Quantum Electro Dynamics (QED), decided he needed to help the world understand the universe a little better, so he wrote a series of lectures designed to do just that for everyone who wasn a theoretical physicist.
Besides, respect people in the nude, never feel embarrassed or hesitant. Or it might include the name of the printing type used in making the book and the name of the person who designed that type. The omega juicer balances efficiency, durability, and attractive style to give its purchasers exactly what they want in a juicer.
But wait, as the infomercials say, there more. A marketing "tease" will never build brand, relationships and revenue. the Bulls won 35 of 47 negative, do so in eastern fifth of the record reached the playoffs, Jordan 26.9 points per game, five.3 assists, 6.9 rebounds, 1.78 steals per game more than that regular season, Attempt numerous great shoes, I believe you have more expertise, a fake encounter in the future, when the feeling came out.
The fact that Clothing, Autos, and Building Materials all saw among the largest gains is a positive signal, as all of these sectors are generally considered discretionary in nature. Look at the time taken to ship the product. We love nothing more than firing up the BBQ and preparing for a huge feast.
"Thanks to Scott I have gone from not getting paid to booking a one month holiday in Thailand because he has literally turned our business around in less 5 hours of consulting. Get your family involved in helping cut coupons. Sorry Ronald Moore, but the v shaped eye never did it for me.
Salespeople won't want to lose the sale to another store who will, in turn, be gaining you as their customer. So, working in academia is the only part of that that is true, as the department I work in is Internal Medicine, not anything to do with psychology.
Ideal for use with wall block or around pools, these spillways build a smooth glass-like sheet of water. As far as I know, the gifts with good quality and sale in a cheap price are as follows, such as unique-designed wool scarves, delicate silk scarves with an exotic beauty and strikingly beautiful silver hair decorations, etc.

1*1 @***@

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hitechito's picture

I have no problem with my

I have no problem with my product choices are not, we are free to choose what we want, that fits our needs.

My problem is that your opinion is misleading. We have not received the first two e-mails were sent to the e-mail address, which, if I were, I would seriously consider changing due to modern anti-spam filters.

Details misleading:

"So I contacted again on Monday, threatening to expose their lack of professionalism. Almost immediately answered. They said they had not received my e-mail. Yeah, that's it! Another red flag . "

The reason I am one because you sent via our online form, which is sent directly from the server, if the e-mail that you enter the answer. Of course we do, it has been sent.

The first e-mail I received from you a threat based on suggesting that I did not. It was not true, and that's what I have a problem with.

UltraBB personal situation makes every effort to provide a level of service that is a bit more popular, if you read the other answers, there is no reason to give a negative response based on a false assumption.

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