Considering switching to Vbulletin, but need some input if this can be done

[jka/v]

Hi all, and thanks ahead of time for your help.

I'm considering switching over to vbulletin from ubbthreads 6.5.2.

I have a few questions:

1. Can I import all of my threads and areas into Vbulletin?
2. I have a pre-existing paypal interface that was made for ubb. Can I import the data from that into Vbulletin, and how does Vbulletins interface operate for paypal?
3. How long would an import take, and can I do this in a test environment before going live with it? Do I need a special license to do this?
4. How does the email system work for vbulletin, for things like newsletters and so forth?

Thanks again for any help here, I'm interested, but concerned with finding out the above answers before we make any kind of conversion.

[Steve Machol]

1. The current importer should work and if not then Jerry can update it:

http://www.vbulletin.com/docs/html/impex_ubb_threads

2. No, you can only import the default data, not anything from customizations.

3. It depends on how large your forums are.

4. Yes.

[jka/v]

So I would have to manually add my paypal paid members in then?

[Steve Machol]

Not sure what you mean. The users are imported. Any data that is not part of the default UBB.Treads is not imported.

[jka/v]

My Paid members are in the ubb software I would presume, but their status and paid levels is what I was wondering, and anniversary dates.

Also, what does vbulletin have in terms of newsletter software and so forth?

[Steve Machol]

There is no specific newsletter software included with vB but there is an option to send Mass Emails to your members from within the Admin CP.