Convert SMF 2.0.1 to Xenforo

[PJG]

In a month the whole internet requires secure servers for everything. My current host requires I give them $100/yr in addition to my current hosting charges so my forum will still function (be on a secure server).

I don't think I can (am not personally able to) update my SMF version. I want to see if I can find something I like better and move the data we have.

I have a fairly large forum (is 5400 threads/53K messages large?) in Simple Machines 2.0.11.

I am looking for a forum software and a good host for it.

So ideally I'd find 1/ a server host, that was also 2/ technical for hire as needed for this, with 3/ a good forum software, that 4/ will let me import my forum history into the new forum software, and 5/ is not economically unworkable since this is a hobby out of pocket.

I really like the demo I saw of xenforo.com. I have a few critical questions:

1. I can't seem to find a list of install/migration vendors or server vendors recommended. I actually thought when I came here that the company itself did forum hosting the way wordpress.com does hosting for their blogware for example. Even if my current host was willing to swing it (I don't think it will support it), I have been looking to move away from that host for this forum for a long time. Can someone at xenforo help with reference to a server vendor and (if the server corp can't do it) and install/migration vendor?

2. Say I put my database in your forum software. Will that in turn be exportable/migratable to something else in the future, the way I think SMF and phbb are to xenforo now?

3. Is there some point at which my database is over a certain size and I'd get charged more?

4. It looks the ability to manage things like media files / uploads / etc. is an extra charge. When I see that upgrade charge, is it a one-time fee? Or every year?

5. If one has media uploaded from users, is there access to it in some way that is FTP or database (so, in bulk for download for example)?

6. What kind of backup options are offered or inherent in the software?

This seemed the thread to ask these on as it's SMF specific, as is my forum.

Kind regards for any assistance.

Best,
PJ

 

[Chris D]

1. I can't seem to find a list of install/migration vendors or server vendors recommended. I actually thought when I came here that the company itself did forum hosting the way wordpress.com does hosting for their blogware for example. Even if my current host was willing to swing it (I don't think it will support it), I have been looking to move away from that host for this forum for a long time. Can someone at xenforo help with reference to a server vendor and (if the server corp can't do it) and install/migration vendor?

It’s not a service we provide at this time. Our customers use a whole range of different providers from shared hosting all the way up to multiple dedicated server set ups. Some of our customers even have their own hosting companies and specialise in XenForo services. We can’t recommend a specific one a single it very much depends on your requirements but we have a “Third party services” forum where you will find various services, hosts and appraisals from their customers.

2. Say I put my database in your forum software. Will that in turn be exportable/migratable to something else in the future, the way I think SMF and phbb are to xenforo now?

Correct. As much as we'd like to keep you forever, you're free to leave at any time

3. Is there some point at which my database is over a certain size and I'd get charged more?

Not at all. You buy the license and it's yours forever.

4. It looks the ability to manage things like media files / uploads / etc. is an extra charge. When I see that upgrade charge, is it a one-time fee? Or every year?

XF has a built in attachment system for uploading images/files to posts. That might be more than sufficient in the first instance. If you want a more structured approach for displaying downloads/managing updates then you can use the Resource Manager (which is what we use here) or you have a big focus on images/videos and other types of media, then you can use the Media Gallery.

The license is a one time fee ($140, for the forum software). That includes 12 months of support and upgrades. After the 12 months, if you'd like to upgrade, it would be $40 for an additional 12 months. If you don't need any support or upgrades at that point, you don't have to renew your license and you can carry on using it at no extra charge.

5. If one has media uploaded from users, is there access to it in some way that is FTP or database (so, in bulk for download for example)?

The files are stored on the file system, but the way it is structured is very much so built for performance and security and attachment re-use (technically it's possible for the same file to be attached to multiple items of content) so it's not exactly in a human-friendly navigational structure. It is possible for the Admin to get a list of attachments by a specific member in the Admin CP though, and you can download things (albeit one at a time) through there.

6. What kind of backup options are offered or inherent in the software?

We'd suggest using a host who can perform backups for you (though it's also worth testing those occasionally to ensure they work) or performing the backups yourself. It doesn't need special software to do. It's just a case of copying all of your files from the FTP, and exporting your database. Even if hosts don't provide an automated way to do backups, usually they will have tools to download copies of your files, or database.

Hope that answers all of your questions. Let us know if you have any more questions