if i only have a backup of a vB database, is that enough to start the conversion or does one need access to the vB system that it hangs off ?
No, but the converter will fail in all attachments/avatars/etc stuff. Not a big issue per se, just a fact ;)
For the converter to work you need to import the database to phpmyadmin (if not there already) and create a dummy admin/config.php file which defines $config['Database']['dbname'] and $config['Database']['tableprefix']
no, not yet there and may never be there but i am still making all preparations; i have built another live system that's waiting.
thanks you but i feel i may have some more questions later.
Bring them ;)