GRRR Squad Forum

Epicness, looks like converting to VB3 and the converting VB3 to VB4 works better.... busy checking it all now.....



update - worked brilliantly.

Once converted, have to setup ALL the board permissions and wot nots - but defos going SMF->VB3->VB4 is the way to go.
I've also noted all the gotchas and things to tweak and do differntly during the conversion to get everything completed sucessfully.

Well i can right sql transforms for you to fit the current data into the new DB structure.

With a bit or research and time, I'll end up being simple - just catch the 'gotchas' and eliminate them. . . We don't have a business urgency to this, so I rate, take the time, do it properly and be happier with the end results.

I would want to import everything my post count is important but if it is going to be too hectic or sticky tape solution then rather start fresh and clean

why wouldnt you want to import everything?

Makes everything better if we keep it all.

Lee, wouldn't it be quicker and easier for you to set it up from scratch? Do we need to port all the threads across?

Thanks Q, will go look at my php.ini and httpd.conf for the timezone setup.

"there is also a problem with all posts and threads having the incorrect timestamp - so I'm working on how to fix those.
As you can see, it's never a simple process." Either the sql server or the apache server has the wrong time zone set most likely. Depends if the time zone stamp is called in sql or php.

More updates, lots of testing etc.

The conversion process is not without it's flaws, I made several attempt to convert and had major failures.
After many hours of troubleshooting I found 1 thread and 1 PM with characters that the Converter could not cope with and killed them.

the next problem I'm currently dealing with is the attachments - they refuse to convert @ the moment -
there is also a problem with all posts and threads having the incorrect timestamp - so I'm working on how to fix those.
As you can see, it's never a simple process.

One thing that will most definately happen during conversion, is that passwords will be reset, but I can set it to send out password change emails, so it's not really a big deal. Unless of course I find another tool that can convert passwords, but it's unlikely looking at SMF's SALT/HASH method.

I'll update once I understand more and have some more progress.

Thanks for the update Lee. Let me know if/when you need funds for the new solution.

Agreed, we should add QB to the Forum administrators team.