Topic: Converting from minibb to punbb
I am thinking about migrating from miniBB to PunBB. Is there a conversion utility?
Thanks in advance.
- marsbar
Re: Converting from minibb to punbb
It would be good if they made one since MiniBB is their largest direct competitor.
Re: Converting from minibb to punbb
I could make one (and one for IPB as well), but I just don't have the time :(
"Programming is like sex: one mistake and you have to support it for the rest of your life."
Re: Converting from minibb to punbb
No worries, Rickard, I understand, and I do appreciate your taking the time to respond to my post. 
I shall just keep using miniBB then.
There is actually no real need for me to change forum software, because miniBB serves my purposes quite well. It is just that a couple of users recently asked for a few non-essential, but nice to have features (e.g. user ranking by number of posts, who's online, private messaging) - features that miniBB does not currently offer in its base installation - which prompted me to look for a quick win-win solution. It is probably silly to consider switching systems just for a few extras that may or may not in future become available; therefore, I am sure you would understand if I said that I would only consider switching to PunBB if it could be done painlessly and without losing existing data.
With best wishes
- marsbar
Re: Converting from minibb to punbb
I might take a look at it... I don't have an ongoing project at the moment :D (Though, I have an exam next week, so don't expect too much :))
Hopefully I can reuse some code from the PhpBB-converter...
Re: Converting from minibb to punbb
Great! Then you can have a look at IPB 2.0 as well :P
"Programming is like sex: one mistake and you have to support it for the rest of your life."
Re: Converting from minibb to punbb
Rickard wrote:
Great! Then you can have a look at IPB 2.0 as well :P
Hehe, maybe... it'll take ALOT of time to do it.
I'm almost done with the miniBB->PunBB converter now though :)
Re: Converting from minibb to punbb
Ah, sweet :)
"Programming is like sex: one mistake and you have to support it for the rest of your life."
Re: Converting from minibb to punbb
Well, I think it's done now :)
marsbar:
Can I get a dump of your database? If not, can you test the converter for me?
Re: Converting from minibb to punbb
A converter exists now? That was fast! Thank you, Chacmool.
Since you need to study for an exam, I shall be more than happy to test the converter for you. Mind you, I haven't any experience switching forum systems before, so I am a total newbie at this. You can reach me at:
itsmarsbar(at)yahoo(dot)com.
Many thanks in advance.
- marsbar
Re: Converting from minibb to punbb
marsbar wrote:
A converter exists now? That was fast! Thank you, Chacmool.
Since you need to study for an exam, I shall be more than happy to test the converter for you. Mind you, I haven't any experience switching forum systems before, so I am a total newbie at this. You can reach me at:
itsmarsbar(at)yahoo(dot)com.
Many thanks in advance.
- marsbar
Great!
miniBB is a small forum, and I used alot of code from my other converter, so it was quite easy :) There's a small bug left though, but I'll fix it soon (have some problems converting the last post-info on the main-page).
I've sent you an email with the url and some info. Please follow the important-issue (backup!) :)
Re: Converting from minibb to punbb
is minibb faster than punbb?
Re: Converting from minibb to punbb
dd wrote:
is minibb faster than punbb?
Who knows? :D
"Programming is like sex: one mistake and you have to support it for the rest of your life."
Re: Converting from minibb to punbb
Rickard wrote:
dd wrote:is minibb faster than punbb?
Who knows?
Run bench to find out?
Re: Converting from minibb to punbb
Chacmool wrote:
I'm almost done with the miniBB->PunBB converter now though
That's great to hear When will it be available to the public?
Re: Converting from minibb to punbb
Inka wrote:
Chacmool wrote:I'm almost done with the miniBB->PunBB converter now though :)
That's great to hear :) When will it be available to the public?
Well, you could test it for me if you like =)
I've uploaded a public beta to PunRes.
Edit: Don't swap forums officially untill you know everything's converted... I don't want to write a "converter-fix" if there are any bugs left.
Re: Converting from minibb to punbb
Chacmool wrote:
Well, you could test it for me if you like
I've uploaded a public beta to PunRes.
Edit: Don't swap forums officially untill you know everything's converted... I don't want to write a "converter-fix" if there are any bugs left.
Many thanks! At the moment I'm working on the english-to-estonian translation, we'll see how that goes. When I'm done I'll try the converter out.
I have almost 7000 posts in my current forum and I don't wanna lose them, so I'll have to be extra careful. Maybe I should find someone who has done some forum conversions before...
Re: Converting from minibb to punbb
Estonian? nice 
u will be second in estonia who use PunBB ^^
and give the URL plz..
Re: Converting from minibb to punbb
MaxiJazz wrote:
Estonian?
and give the URL plz..
Hi Hope all goes well... 
At the moment I'm still using miniBB, the url is foorum.mosseliiga.ee
Re: Converting from minibb to punbb
MiniBB is in fact not that different from PunBB :) Don't like the border though, but that's probably changeable...
Inka: Just backup the database first, should be no problems with the converter (hopefully :P)
Re: Converting from minibb to punbb
hello,
I'm fairly new to PunBB, been playing with it for a few days, and I am totally taken by it's awesome simplicity and elegance
I too am planning to move a forum from miniBB to punBB - where can I get the conversion script? the server listed above appears to be down.
I did start planning my own converter already, so I'll post below what I discovered so far (the relationships between the tables in miniBB and punBB) in case that's useful - maybe I can help to complete the script...
the following may look broken if the lines break up - copy/paste into a text editor with NO wordwrap!
PunBB MiniBB
========================================================== ==========================================================
punbb_forums minibb_forums
.id INT(10) UNSIGNED NOT NULL AUTO_INCREMENT `forum_id` int(10) NOT NULL auto_increment
.forum_name VARCHAR(80) NOT NULL DEFAULT 'New forum' `forum_name` varchar(150) NOT NULL default ''
.forum_desc TEXT DEFAULT NULL `forum_desc` text NOT NULL
.moderators TEXT DEFAULT NULL NULL
.num_topics MEDIUMINT(8) UNSIGNED NOT NULL DEFAULT '0' SELECT Count(topic_id) AS num_topics FROM minibb_topics WHERE forum_id = $forum_id
.num_posts MEDIUMINT(8) UNSIGNED NOT NULL DEFAULT '0' SELECT Count(post_id) AS num_posts FROM minibb_posts WHERE forum_id = $forum_id
.last_post INT(10) UNSIGNED DEFAULT NULL SELECT post_time FROM minibb_posts WHERE forum_id = $forum_id ORDER BY post_time DESC LIMIT 1
.last_post_id INT(10) UNSIGNED DEFAULT NULL SELECT post_id FROM minibb_posts WHERE forum_id = $forum_id ORDER BY post_time DESC LIMIT 1
.last_poster VARCHAR(200) DEFAULT NULL SELECT poster_name FROM minibb_posts WHERE forum_id = $forum_id ORDER BY post_time DESC LIMIT 1
.closed TINYINT(1) NOT NULL DEFAULT '0' 0
.admmod_only TINYINT(1) NOT NULL DEFAULT '0' 0
.disp_position INT(10) NOT NULL DEFAULT '0' `forum_order` int(10) NOT NULL default '0'
.cat_id INT(10) UNSIGNED NOT NULL DEFAULT '0' 1
`forum_icon` varchar(255) NOT NULL default 'default.gif'
---------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------
punbb_topics minibb_topics
.id INT(10) UNSIGNED NOT NULL AUTO_INCREMENT `topic_id` int(10) NOT NULL auto_increment
.poster VARCHAR(200) NOT NULL DEFAULT '' SELECT username FROM minibb_users WHERE user_id = $topic_poster // if no records or username is NULL then set poster = 'Guest'
.subject VARCHAR(255) NOT NULL DEFAULT '' `topic_title` varchar(100) NOT NULL default ''
.posted INT(10) UNSIGNED NOT NULL DEFAULT '0' `topic_time` datetime NOT NULL default '0000-00-00 00:00:00'
.last_post INT(10) UNSIGNED NOT NULL DEFAULT '0' SELECT post_time FROM minibb_posts WHERE topic_id = $topic_id ORDER BY post_time DESC LIMIT 1
.last_post_id INT(10) UNSIGNED NOT NULL DEFAULT '0' `topic_last_post_id` int(10) NOT NULL default '1'
.last_poster VARCHAR(200) DEFAULT NULL SELECT poster_id FROM minibb_posts WHERE topic_id = $topic_id ORDER BY post_time DESC LIMIT 1
.num_views MEDIUMINT(8) UNSIGNED NOT NULL DEFAULT '0' `topic_views` int(10) NOT NULL default '0'
.num_replies MEDIUMINT(8) UNSIGNED NOT NULL DEFAULT '0' SELECT Count(post_id) AS num_replies FROM minibb_posts WHERE topic_id = $topic_id
.closed TINYINT(1) NOT NULL DEFAULT '0' (`topic_status` && 1) == 0 ? 1 : 0
.sticky TINYINT(1) NOT NULL DEFAULT '0' (`topic_status` && 8) == 8 ? 1 : 0
.moved_to INT(10) UNSIGNED DEFAULT NULL NULL
.forum_id INT(10) UNSIGNED NOT NULL DEFAULT '0' `forum_id` int(10) NOT NULL default '1'
`topic_poster` int(10) NOT NULL default '0'
---------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------
punbb_posts minibb_posts
.id INT(10) UNSIGNED NOT NULL AUTO_INCREMENT `post_id` int(11) NOT NULL auto_increment
.poster VARCHAR(200) NOT NULL DEFAULT '' `poster_name` varchar(40) NOT NULL default 'Anonymous' // if 'Anonymous' make it 'Guest'
.poster_id INT(10) UNSIGNED NOT NULL DEFAULT '1' `poster_id` int(10) NOT NULL default '0'
.poster_ip VARCHAR(15) DEFAULT NULL `poster_ip` varchar(15) NOT NULL default ''
.poster_email VARCHAR(50) DEFAULT NULL SELECT user_email FROM minibb_users WHERE user_id = $poster_id
.message TEXT NOT NULL DEFAULT '' `post_text` text NOT NULL // detect tags and replace with regular smilies: <img src="http://www.synapse-audio.com/forum/img/emos/grin.gif" border="0" align="" alt="">
.smilies TINYINT(1) NOT NULL DEFAULT '1' 1
.posted INT(10) UNSIGNED NOT NULL DEFAULT '0' `post_time` datetime NOT NULL default '0000-00-00 00:00:00'
.edited INT(10) UNSIGNED DEFAULT NULL NULL
.edited_by VARCHAR(200) DEFAULT NULL NULL
.topic_id INT(10) UNSIGNED NOT NULL DEFAULT '0' `topic_id` int(10) NOT NULL default '1'
`forum_id` int(10) NOT NULL default '1'
`post_status` tinyint(1) NOT NULL default '0'
---------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------
punbb_subscriptions minibb_send_mails
.user_id INT(10) UNSIGNED NOT NULL DEFAULT '0' `user_id` int(10) NOT NULL default '1'
.topic_id INT(10) UNSIGNED NOT NULL DEFAULT '0' `topic_id` int(10) NOT NULL default '1'
`id` int(11) NOT NULL auto_increment
---------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------
punbb_users minibb_users
.id INT(10) UNSIGNED NOT NULL AUTO_INCREMENT `user_id` int(10) NOT NULL auto_increment
.username VARCHAR(200) NOT NULL DEFAULT '' `username` varchar(40) NOT NULL default ''
.password VARCHAR(40) NOT NULL DEFAULT '' `user_password` varchar(32) NOT NULL default ''
.email VARCHAR(50) NOT NULL DEFAULT '' `user_email` varchar(50) NOT NULL default ''
.title VARCHAR(50) DEFAULT NULL `user_occ` varchar(100) NOT NULL default ''
.realname VARCHAR(40) DEFAULT NULL NULL
.url VARCHAR(100) DEFAULT NULL `user_website` varchar(100) NOT NULL default ''
.icq VARCHAR(12) DEFAULT NULL `user_icq` varchar(15) NOT NULL default ''
.msn VARCHAR(50) DEFAULT NULL NULL
.aim VARCHAR(20) DEFAULT NULL NULL
.yahoo VARCHAR(20) DEFAULT NULL NULL
.location VARCHAR(30) DEFAULT NULL `user_from` varchar(100) NOT NULL default '' // crop to 30 chars
.use_avatar TINYINT(1) NOT NULL DEFAULT '0' 0
.signature TEXT DEFAULT NULL NULL
.disp_topics TINYINT(3) UNSIGNED DEFAULT NULL NULL
.disp_posts TINYINT(3) UNSIGNED DEFAULT NULL NULL
.email_setting TINYINT(1) NOT NULL DEFAULT '1' `user_viewemail` tinyint(1) NOT NULL default '0'
.save_pass TINYINT(1) NOT NULL DEFAULT '1' 1
.notify_with_post TINYINT(1) NOT NULL DEFAULT '0' 0
.smilies TINYINT(1) NOT NULL DEFAULT '1' 1
.show_img TINYINT(1) NOT NULL DEFAULT '1' 1
.show_avatars TINYINT(1) NOT NULL DEFAULT '1' 0
.show_sig TINYINT(1) NOT NULL DEFAULT '1' 1
.link_to_new_win TINYINT(1) NOT NULL DEFAULT '1' 1
.timezone TINYINT(2) NOT NULL DEFAULT '0' 0
.style VARCHAR(25) NOT NULL DEFAULT 'Oxygen' 'Synapse'
.num_posts INT(10) UNSIGNED NOT NULL DEFAULT '0' SELECT Count(post_id) AS num_posts FROM minibb_posts WHERE poster_id = $user_id
.status TINYINT(1) NOT NULL DEFAULT '-1' 0
.last_post INT(10) UNSIGNED DEFAULT NULL SELECT post_time FROM minibb_posts WHERE poster_id = $user_id ORDER BY post_time DESC LIMIT 1
.registered INT(10) UNSIGNED NOT NULL DEFAULT '0' `user_regdate` datetime NOT NULL default '0000-00-00 00:00:00'
.last_visit INT(10) UNSIGNED NOT NULL DEFAULT '0' `user_regdate` datetime NOT NULL default '0000-00-00 00:00:00'
.last_action INT(10) UNSIGNED NOT NULL DEFAULT '0' 0
.admin_note VARCHAR(30) DEFAULT NULL NULL
.activate_string VARCHAR(50) DEFAULT NULL NULL
.activate_key VARCHAR(8) DEFAULT NULL NULL
`user_interest` varchar(150) NOT NULL default ''
`user_newpwdkey` varchar(32) NOT NULL default ''
`user_newpasswd` varchar(32) NOT NULL default ''
`user_sorttopics` tinyint(1) NOT NULL default '1'
---------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------
NOTES
I need to figure out how to convert from the datetime type used in miniBB, to the
integer timestamp (standard unix timestamp??) used in punBB.two features I'd like to see added to punBB:
punbb_forums.forumicon really needs to be added - it's a feature that doesn't cost any processing time, and it's something useful that almost every forum has. My pretty icons that I made for miniBB would be lost otherwise.
punbb_users.interests really should be added too - it's a useful feature that most users really appreciate, and it's a great opportunity for users to say something about themselves and get to know each other. Maybe this could be simply be called "profile text", have it support BBcode, and present it on the user's profile form as the place where s/he can put whatever information they'd like to share, such as their interests - when converting from miniBB, we could add "interests:" in boldface in this field before copying user_interest there.
if I make such enhancements for punBB, is there a chance these features could be integrated into the "official" punBB by the developers? having to install mods or addons for such minor feature would be a drag for most users, I think...
Re: Converting from minibb to punbb
The converter is done I think... hopefully there's no bugs left, so I've released it now. Will see if something bad happens :). I've uploaded the files to another server... PunRes seems to be down alot lately :(
I'm not converting interests and the icons (never thought of the icon-thing, might look at it.). This should not be that hard to change yourselt if you like it.
Re: Converting from minibb to punbb
Chacmool wrote:
PunRes seems to be down alot lately :(
No fear, the work is going forward :P
Re: Converting from minibb to punbb
thanks Chacmool, I'll bring it home and take it for a test spin
and yes, I can do the icons thing myself, the interests/text thing should be pretty easy too, I just think it would be a good idea if these were integrated into the standard distribution - if that's possible, I would be happy to fully document any changes made, so that they would be easy for the developers to copy/paste into their version.
Re: Converting from minibb to punbb
Jansson wrote:
Chacmool wrote:PunRes seems to be down alot lately :(
No fear, the work is going forward :P
Might be true... but why can't PunRes be online at the same time?