Is there something available which can convert user data from the UBB across to wwwthreads?
Since I decided to migrate from UBB today (due to their ridiculous new licence policy) and I un a UBB with 2000 Members and a couple of some thousand postings, I'd extremely appreciate an import function.
Dear developping team, I have been testing your program (freeware version) for some hours now and am extremely pleased with it's performance.
Only my already existing UBB keeps me from changing the software right now.
PLEASE make it possible! :)
Best regards
If one of you can supply me with some data files (user and posts) I can take a look at it over the weekend. I won't guarantee anything, but maybe I can get something thrown together.
Send them to []
[email protected][/]
Thanks!
Matt
data is on the way... :)
Thank you very much for at least giving it a try! I appreciate it!
Best regards
Bjoern aka firewire
That looks really cool! Just wish I could read Arabic!! []/w3timages/icons/wink.gif[/]
matt
I agree. I love how it actually flows right-to-left and all still seems to "work" great.
VERY cool. :)
But are you going to share the secret of how to bring all your old UBB data across?
[]
http://www.amdragon.com/images/eileensig.gif[/]
Just for general information...
It can be done and has been done. take a look at
http://gossamer-threads.com (the software that is used here for the resources section among others). They converted a HUGE UBB. They closed the site for about a day but they made many changes... I have no idea how they did it but it seems to work very well (my username and password work and UBB was awful with the activity in their forums). Hopefully their experience may eventually help others...
Actually, the base script that I have to build off of is the one that alex at gossamer-threads wrote... I just need to modify it for wwwthreads current table structure, and then get someone to send me some sample data (an entire ubb directory tree...) so that I can test it a couple of times...
And yes, eileen, once I get it working, I will post it in the resource center... []/w3timages/icons/smile.gif[/]
Matt
I need a volunteer!! Actually, what I need is some data to test the conversion script with... I've got it 95% done... I just have to finish tweaking how it handles the moderators...
Once I get that piece working, I'll be able to send it to some brave soul to test, or I'll be needing someone to zip up their forum directories for me... so, any volunteers??? []/w3timages/icons/wink.gif[/]
Please keep in mind, that since this script is considered to be in TESTING stage, if you decide you want to test this on your own, I WILL NOT accept responsibility for it deleting data/doing bad things...! Make sure you back everything up ahead of time!
So, I'm a'ready and a'waitin' any replies! []/w3timages/icons/wink.gif[/] []/w3timages/icons/wink.gif[/]
Matt
Sorry I can't help here - I came from a WebBBS (kinda) board.
[]
http://www.amdragon.com/images/eileensig.gif[/]
I will be passing this information over to UBB as it is commercial software. Which means you are NOT allowed to ZIP it and pass the data over to people.
LOL
--
Carsten Müller, Hamburg (Germany)
Just out of curiosity... why wouldn't someone be allowed to share their forum's data with someone else? If I were using a Microsoft Access database, and wanted to send the data contained within it to someone else, I would not be breaking any laws... so, sharing DATA for whatever reason, should not, in my eyes be a problem...
Now, if I (or anyone else) were trying to reverse engineer the code that some commercial product uses... that would be different...
So, I guess I just don't understand your point... []/w3timages/icons/crazy.gif[/]
Matt
Hi!
We had quite a time doing the conversion. =) I actually wrote a script two years ago to do it, but never was able to move to wwwthreads.
Response has been positive since we moved. If you are interested, here's an updated version of the import:
http://gossamer-threads.com/scripts/source/ubb_import.txtA couple notes:
1. This one doesn't import your boards, you need to create them first in wwwthreads.
2. It adds user 'Alex' as an administrator, be sure to change that.
3. It doesn't carry over the moderators (used to do that, but I didn't bother in this version).
Hope it helps someone,
Cheers,
Alex
THanks Alex! I've got a script (based on that two-year old code of yours... []/w3timages/icons/wink.gif[/]) that is just about ready (need to test it...)... I'll double check it against yours and see if there's anything major I missed...
Matt
I am sorry if I got the wrong idea:) it just gets a little annoying everyone zipping up all the files and sending it to people when the rest of us has to purchase it. By the way, I have already a program to import all user profiles in to an MS access database. It processes 1000 records in about 2.5 seconds:)
I also have a FULL UBB IMPORT SCRIPT!!. I will trade this for a license of wwwthreads;)
Edited by The_Net_Muppet on 5/21/00 11:41 PM.
Here's the code that I have right now... it should be considered
BETA!!! I have been unable to test it, so if there are any brave souls out there who can back up their ubb systems and want to try this... let us know if it works!!
The only piece I am still uncertain of is the Moderators... I haven't had time to clean that piece up, so with the code as it stands, moderators will probably not be imported... []/w3timages/icons/frown.gif[/]
Sorry for the incompleteness, but I've had a pretty hefty work-load the last couple of weeks... and I'd rather get it out there in this form so anyone who wants to can try it and/or Alex's code (
http://gossamer-threads.com/scripts/source/ubb_import.txt)
Please let us all know if there are problems/successes!!!
[:red]Remember: Use this at your own risk!! Back up your UBB forums before you try using this import script!!!
Thanks!
Matt
Has anyone tried either of the scripts posted in this thread? I'd like to know if they are working or not... []/w3timages/icons/smile.gif[/]
Thanks for the feedback!
Matt
I was hoping some one would have tried it by now. But... We are about to try it.
We have deadline of July 7th to make the conversion.
I'll let you know what happens.
Ed
just make sure to back up EVERYTHING before you try the scripts!! []/w3timages/icons/wink.gif[/] it may take you a couple of tries to get everything converted the way you want (and script tweaks!), so don't get frustrated!
Let us know if you need anything!
matt
Does the script require that WWWThreads be empty or can it the Forums already defined? Given that the WWWTHreads has been created with a new Forum not defined in UBB, does the script allow for that?
Thanks,
Ed
Ed,
not real sure on this one... my gut feeling is that it would be better to start with an empty w3t... that way you don't run the chance of duplicate forum names... however, as I stated before, I don't have a UBB system that I can test these scripts on, so I am, unfortunately, not too much help. []/w3timages/icons/frown.gif[/]
It may be possible for me to help run the scripts if I have ssh/telnet access to the box, but I would have to see when I have time to do that (new house, so every weekend seems to be filled with projects... []/w3timages/icons/wink.gif[/]) If you do want me to 'sit in' when you're running these, let me know and we can try and work something out.
Matt
Matt,
Appreciate the feedback, suggestions and the offer to help. Started to look at the details of the conversion and ran across another question.
What's the version of UBB thatthis script is converting from? There's a reference to a file that isn't in theversion we're using which is 5.37
Matt,
We started to run the ubb_impor.pl script and got the following error:
System Error: Global symbol "$Groups_q" requires explicit package name at ./ubb_import.pl line 98.
This is the code around our line 98:
" ## Alex didn't have these set, so I'll go ahead and do it...
my $EReplies_q = $w3t::dbh->quote("Off");
my $PFormat = $w3t::dbh->quote($theme{'post_format'});
my $Color_q = $w3t::dbh->quote($theme{'textcol'});
my $Groups;
## let's set the correct groups...
($status eq 'Administrator') ? ($Groups = "1-") : ($Groups = "-3-");
$Groups_q = $w3t::dbh->quote($Groups);
"
Thanks,
Ed
Earle,
All you need to do is add my in front of the $query_q variable, so the line will read like this:
[:blue]## let's set the correct groups...
($status eq 'Administrator') ? ($Groups = "1-") : ($Groups = "-3-");
[:red]my $Groups_q = $w3t::dbh->quote($Groups);
Regarding your earlier question about version... to be honest, I am not sure... I am sure that it was an older version, so you may have to look for files that contain data similar to what would be in the files mentioned...
Anything else?
matt
Matt,
well that worked at least to the point of the next error:
$CurrTitle" requires explicit package name at ./ubbb_import.pl
Global symbol "$CurrTitle" requires explicit package name at ./ubb_import.pl
Here's where the problem is,. Byt the way, $CurrTitle doesn't seem top be defined anywhere.
## ... it will not work otherwise!!!
my $NewTitle = $CurrTitle;
$UserTitle_q = $dbh->quote($CurrTitle);
Ed
okay, looks like I forgot to go clean that section up... []/w3timages/icons/blush.gif[/] so, let me clarify and fix... []/w3timages/icons/wink.gif[/]
based on a user cgi file that uses this format...
[:blue]
user name
password
email
web-site url
status2 [:red](don't know what this is... []/w3timages/icons/crazy.gif[/])
Occupation
Location
Number of Posts
User Title
Interests
Registration Date
Show E-mail
Bio
So, instead of $CurrTitle, I should have used $status. So, let's see if I can get this right... it should look like this:
[:blue]my $NewTitle = [:red]$status;
$UserTitle_q = $dbh->quote([:red]$NewTitle);
if ( ($status ne "Administrator") &&
($status ne "Moderator") ) {
open (TITLES,"filters/usertitles");
my @titles = <TITLES>
close (TITLES);
for (my $i=0; $i<=$#titles; $i++) {
my ($req_posts,$title) = split(/\t/,$titles[$i]);
chomp ($title);
if ($posts == $req_posts) {
$NewTitle = $title;
last;
}
}
if ($NewTitle ne $status) {
$UserTitle_q = $w3t::dbh->quote($NewTitle);
}
}
Just make sure to set up your filters/usertitles file with the titles for how many posts before you run this...
Let me know if that does not clean it up....
matt
Could you please explain the way you implemented the arabic language? I mean all what's needed from the w3threads side and from the browser one.
May be you'll want to attach the arabic language file to your answer?
Thanks
Yes, we
need an Arabic version of W3T --- can be integrated easily with translations if someone could take the time to post....
Muhammad Chishti
Creative dIRECTOR
[:white]
http://www.imcuniverse.com
I was wondering about that. What happens about it reading from right to left?
[]
http://www.amdragon.com/images/eileensig.gif[/]
Right to left, like a caress or a slap []/w3timages/icons/smile.gif[/]
I'll have to ask sahab how they did that! []/w3timages/icons/smile.gif[/]
Muhammad Chishti
Creative dIRECTOR
[:white]
http://www.imcuniverse.com
I have a feeling it would mean rewriting all the html but maybe with templates that becomes easier. If you know that webmaster, perhaps he'd let you have a look at his code?
[]
http://www.amdragon.com/images/eileensig.gif[/]
Matt,
Sorry was on vacation last Thursday and Friday.
Made the changes to ubb_import.pl that you provided. Still getting this error:
"
System Error: Global symbol "$UserTitle_q" requires explicit package name at ./ubb_import.pl
Global symbol "$UserTitle_q" requires explicit package name at ./ubb_import.pl
"
Also have a question on setting the variables; my $member_dir, my $board_file, my $board_path and my $mod_file. The only one that seems to be different is "my $board_path" which has a path that doesn't relate to the UBB directory structure we have.
The example shows my $board_path set to: '/www/htdocs/gossamer-threads/scripts/forum/resources'
Our board path would be "*/NonCGI" rather than "*/resources" . Not sure if this is contributing to the problem or not.
Answered my own question. It's the same directory (e.g. */NonCGI is equivalent to */resources). We are able to create boards, but not import members nor import messages.
Ed
Edited by earle on 6/26/00 12:36 PM.
No, I don't know him, but will e-mail when I get the chance!
Muhammad Chishti
Creative dIRECTOR
[:white]
http://www.imcuniverse.com
Guys .. I tried the ubb_importer.pl and I changed the necessary paths but what I get is something like this ??
Importing Members ...
WARN: Skipping OldMembers. No User or email.
WARN: Skipping pindex. No User or email.
WARN: Skipping 00000017.cgi. No User or email.
WARN: Skipping 00000042.cgi. No User or email.
WARN: Skipping 00000055.cgi. No User or email.
WARN: Skipping 00000060.cgi. No User or email.
WARN: Skipping 00000074.cgi. No User or email.
WARN: Skipping 00000079.cgi. No User or email.
WARN: Skipping 00000080.cgi. No User or email.
WARN: Skipping 00000081.cgi. No User or email.
WARN: Skipping 00000082.cgi. No User or email.
Content-type: text/html
ÎØÃ Ýí ÇáäÙÇã: You have an error in your SQL syntax near '968695369,NULL,'','','','00000006
ßæä@ßæä.ßæã','','User',5,'flat',' collapsed',2' at line 6 at ./ubb.pl line 101.
You have an error in your SQL syntax near '968695369,NULL,'','','','00000006
ßæä@ßæä.ßæã','','User',5,'flat',' collapsed',2' at line 6 at ./ubb.pl line 101.
what is the problem ??
Hey Matt
I might have a guinea pig for your UBB import script.
By the way, is there a copy in the Resource Center?
(Given the popularity of UBB, such a script if supported by WWWThreads could be a big selling point for the program).
Darren.
http://www.bullpen.com.au
Hi MattyJ,
You don't know me, I'm new here. But, I've followed your work back a long ways. I have a site on CIHost. Other than needing your comments about CIHost (I'm noticing a latency on the posts already and we're only testing!) I'd like to ask about this script you were working on.
I have a webmaster who may be moving his site onto the "network" of sites we're building. His is a fairly popular UBB and he plans to just dump it and start over. He has close to 1000 members, so if we could port it over to W3T, I'm sure he'd be very pleased.
Would you have time to talk with me about it?
http://www.texasoffroad.net - this is my new site
http://home.flash.net/~tchss/ - this is the UBB site
I could use the help. This is all way over my head. Thanks for anything you can do for us....Bobby.
" Life is hard, but it's harder when you're stupid ! "
I'm just finished up on a modified UBB import script. Using it to import UBB data for the
Perl Archive's website. Once I get everything finished up I'll post a note and put it in the resource center as well.
-------------------
Scream
WWWThreads Developer
You're a man of many talents. Unassumingly beavering away in the background working on new ides before they are even suggested.
I'd love to see what you come up with, and a great reason for those running UBB to jump ship.
Darren.
http://www.bullpen.com.au
Oh man, this is excellent! I'd appreciate it if you'd keep me in mind when you post that info and drop me an email. I'll get it over to my fellow webmaster ASAP. He's down right now and it looks like he's going to trash what he has on the UBB....or rebuild another UBB. Unless I can give him a real strong case to move to W3T. This will be very helpful...maybe a case study? or example site?
" Life is hard, but it's harder when you're stupid ! "
I just posted this on the Information board. You can visit the Perl Archive's website, link found in the post, and go to their forums. They were running UBB up until a couple of days ago.
-------------------
Scream
WWWThreads Developer