ProBoards Database Merge and vBulletin Cloud

[RunAwayScientist]

Hi there, I have some questions related to merging or importing data from an old forum as well as the Cloud hosting option. Specifically:



1. What kind of data formats/types can the vBulletin team (assuming vBulletin is chosen as the host with the standard package) import for us? Would any mySQL database work or system that uses or relies on mySQL? I.E., if we were to import data from a ProBoards forum template or some other forum type.



2. If choosing to go with the vBulletin Cloud option, will we have access to FTP options or would we have to go through your company to effect specific changes in our site/forum data? The description is somewhat vague in what it offers/does not offer compared to a standard hosting package with your affiliate glowHost, and I would like to know what features are removed compared to that method of hosting a forum? If you can't make a comparison, what advanced features does the Cloud option offer?


Thank you for taking the time to answer our inquires and we look forward to utilizing vBulletin's services.

[Zachery]

1. Currently, just other vBulletin sites.

2. No FTP access to the files/database directly. We can provide database/file backups at a request. Turn around time is normally pretty quick.

[Joe D.]

On vBCloud you cannot use "Add-ons" or extensions, you cannot edit templates directly, and you cannot import custom styles. You can still customize the look of the site using style variables and in the 5.1.2 upgrade which should be soon, you will be able to easily add custom CSS for even more style customization.

[RunAwayScientist]

Thank you for the detailed information. I've been taking a look at Impex to convert phpBB, I assume this might work? Consequently, would vBulletin staff or your affiliate GlowHost (if maybe you know they have in the past) be willing to do a conversion/transfer for us as part of setup fees?

[Joe D.]

If you wanted to convert ProBoards to phpbb you could then use Impex to import into a vBulletin forum. We do not offer this migration service, but we do provide Impex for free to license holders for people who wish to attempt it on their own. Make sure you import into a supported versions of phpbb to minimize the risk of trouble.

The list of compatible versions is here- http://www.vbulletin.com/docs/html/i...rsion=40202601

Note- you would have to have a working vBulletin forum to then be imported into vBCloud if that is still your ultimate goal.

I do not know of any official affiliated web hosts, there are hosts who have experience with vBulletin but whatever they offer is on them- we (in VB Support) do not officially work with any other web hosts.