Jump to content

Simple Machines (SMF) software. Possible Forum migration.


DZComposer

Recommended Posts

I am starting to become dis-satisfied with phpbb. It is lacking some nice features and to get them involves modifying the forum software to achieve them. It seems like you HAVE to mod it to get it to do things. Plus, phpbb sucks at handling spammers.

I am looking into SMF as an alternative. Those of you that are members of the KLA already know how SMF functions as they use it.

Also, I have used it on CHS, though that board has never seen any real activity in its entire exsistance.

There is a migration script for SMF that will import all of our phpbb data into SMF.

Don't worry, Even though SMF says the conversion won't change the phpbb database, before doing anything like this, I would do a full backup, database and code, if, God forbid, the migration fails miserably.

While SMF isn't perfect at handling spammers either, it offers more options on blocking things during registration.

SMF's Feature List:

http://www.simplemachines.org/about/features.php

Any comments? Questions? Concerns?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I like SMF far more than PHPBB! It's very feature-full. Since we will likely be putting the forum in the /forum directory, we'll probably have to take the forums completely offline for a few hours.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

You know, I should stop acting like I understand this crap.

So long as nothing gets messed up on the board, I'm fine with whatever happens.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I was thinking of this:

1. Create a directory on the server called forums (with an s) and map it as a subdomain.

2. Install SMF into that directory

3. Install SMF in same database as phpbb (a phpbb database backup would be made first).

4. Run the migration script.

5. test phase with both phpbb and SMF boards active (though a note will be placed on phpbb saying that all posts posted after the migration will not be converted)

6. Once everything is verified working right, I would delete the contents of the forum (no s) directory and replace it with an index.html file that would redirect to forums.starfox-online.net.

7. I would then drop all phpbb tables from the database (database size is deducted from our storage quota).

I want to try to keep the phpbb boards up throughout the process incase of a huge migration failure. That way, we don't lose the forums entirely for an extended length of time. SMF says that their migration script will not alter any phpbb tables or files, so I am not too worried about a total loss of forums. I will still make a database backup before doing this, though.

The migration script should migrate everything. You shouldn't, in theory, lose any of your profile information or posts.

Also, Dwight, SMF should be easier for you to theme. It's default theme is all W3C verified XHTML and CSS.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hmm.. I see alot of improvment.

but, one thing that bugs me.. is that the showing of witch topic that has new post(s) on, is alittle to weakly showed.. it just is a small txt far to the rigth, saying "Today". would a another layout help with some things for people?

(may be a bit wierdly written, sorry)

And btw, I don't understand why is says "new" on all topics, why does it?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...
×
×
  • Create New...