Switch to SMF?

[Buddymc]

Not sure if correct forum to use so move if needed.

I have been running a forum at wwwdotgokartersdotcom/vbforum since 1998. Really my forum has gone down really bad. Reason is I just cant keep up with the price of what I am paying for the software I am using. And the spam bots have run all my members off. So here is some questions and comments about switching.

First I am no guru on forum software, how is support?

It says SMF is free, I been on forums that run SMF and they run as good as my paid software. How is this lol.

Is there a way to convert my forum (vbulletin3.6.5) to SMF?

Is SMF easy to modify? Like my forum has a "chat box" on the forum home.

There are many links articles on my forum to different sites. Technical articles. I dont want these lost.


Anyway I just want to try something different. And from research it appears that SMF may be what I am looking for.

Thanks
buddy

[TheListener]

Somebody somewhere will be able to help you move from vbulletin to smf.

There are various ways to add a chatroom to the forums.

As for support here I'm going to be honest and say as long as questions are sensible and worded so the readers can understand what you are asking then the support will be great.

Regarding the technical stuff.

The use of a portal mod would be a good way to look but I won't place too much on ya plate right now.

[Suki]

Welcome to SMF.

Yes, SMF is free and it always be free

Yes we have a converter, take a look at this board: vBulletin   3.6.x is included.

Yes, SMF is as easy to modify as any other software, we have the Package Manager which makes it easy to install modifications.

[kat]

You'll be pleased to know that there are converters for VB.

http://download.simplemachines.org/?converters;software=vbulletin

Modify? Have a look at our mod site:

http://custom.simplemachines.org/mods

Support? Browse the forum and make your own mind up.

Obviously, with the technical articles, it'll depend on how they're to be presented and in which format.


Either way, whether you decide to convert, or not, welcome to the forum!

NINJAD BY SUKI!!!

[Buddymc]

OMG!!!!!!
Well, I am sold. period.
I post, I go read, come back 20 minutes later, and have 3 replies.
Now this is the kind of support I need!.

Just tired of the old software and want something exciting.
Thanks for all the replies. I see I am going to have to do a lot of reading. Like I said, I can get by at doing somethings but will need help on others. And installing software is where I have problems.

This is great and thanks for the feed back.

Buddy

[Suki]

We have some documentation for installation:  http://wiki.simplemachines.org/smf/Category:Installing_SMF

[kat]

I post, I go read, come back 20 minutes later, and have 3 replies.
Now this is the kind of support I need!.

To be fair, you caught us on a good day, at a good time.

As we're all in different parts of the world and, of course, different timezones, it's not always that quick.

We do try, though. <---- We have access to some groovy smilies, too!

[TheListener]

<---- We have access to some groovy smilies, too!

There are some strange people on here too right K@?

[kat]

Can't say I've noticed.

[Buddymc]

I like smiles, have several hundred on my site now.
I will spend tonight reading up on this, then maybe tomorrow look and trying to convert. Maybe there is a way I can duplicate my data base incase something bad goes wrong.  Don't think I have ever heard of a backup being reinstalled successfully on VB.  I know I want get any support from them.

You guys have me excited now.
Thanks

[Illori]

you could always put your database in another database and connect to that for the conversion test.

[Buddymc]

you could always put your database in another database and connect to that for the conversion test.

Not a bad idea, just have to figure out how to even do that now. For the past 6 years I have someone that did all this for me. He is no longer with us. So on my own now.

[kat]

Feel free to leech.

http://www.katzy.dsl.pipex.com

[Buddymc]

Awesome! 
I have to get this switched now.

[IchBin™]

I'd highly suggest you create a clone of your current site, and practice converting there before you try your live site.

I don't know how easy it is to clone vBulletin but with SMF this is pretty easy.

[Buddymc]

I'd highly suggest you create a clone of your current site, and practice converting there before you try your live site.

I don't know how easy it is to clone vBulletin but with SMF this is pretty easy.

Sounds like the right way to go. But I have no idea how. I am trying to find somone that knows how to do this stuff. I am not ready to screw it up yet.

[Buddymc]

ok, I made a clone, but I can not remember how to point my browser to it so I can load it like a normal page.

[IchBin™]

Typically, what I do when making a clone is to put everything in a separate folder under your domain.

For example, your current live site could be:
http://www.buddymc.com/vbulletin/

I'd copy my site into another folder like this:
http://www.buddymc.com/testsite/

How did you set yours up?

[Buddymc]

oh yeah, it is coming back to me know.
Sorry, I had a seizure back in september, my mind is not as sharp as it once was.

[Buddymc]

Yeah me 

I cloned the data base and can point to it.
I even may try to convert this thing myself. I am sure with the support here I can do it.