Why is the ezboard import so complicated?

[Cap'n Steve]

Ok, I understand why you can't release it like the others and why you need admin access to the ezboard (although I doubt many people would want to steal people's ezboards), but I don't understand the rest. You need ftp access and there's a php version requirement so I'm assuming you need to run a script, but why? Wouldn't it be easier just to run an SQL query through the admincp? For that matter, wouldn't it be even easier to make a page in the members area where I input all my information and it emails me a .sql file when it's done importing?

[Brad.loo]

As far as I know ezboard imports still have alot of manual work involded and are done by one person. This is not something you could do yourself without alot of time and knowagle of both platforms.

Personaly i've never used ezboard and don't know what all is involded, however if your main concern is giving up admin access I would'nt worry about it to much. Support will sometimes ask for such info to de-bug problems for you, some things just can't be fixed without going in and finding out what is wrong.

[Jerry]

Ok, I understand why you can't release it like the others and why you need admin access to the ezboard (although I doubt many people would want to steal people's ezboards), but I don't understand the rest. You need ftp access and there's a php version requirement so I'm assuming you need to run a script, but why? Wouldn't it be easier just to run an SQL query through the admincp? For that matter, wouldn't it be even easier to make a page in the members area where I input all my information and it emails me a .sql file when it's done importing?

Because you could use it to steal other peoples sites.

[Freddie Bingham]

I've altered the importer to have the ability to export files that you can import yourself. If you don't want me accessing your server, don't answer the ftp questions. I'll export your ezboard (I'll still need admin access to that) and send you the backups and the file that imports them into vBulletin.

[Cap'n Steve]

Because you could use it to steal other peoples sites.

If you have admin access to their site, you could steal it anyway.

It doesn't really bother me, I was just wondering why it seems to be so much more complicated than it needs to be. Thanks.

[Jerry]

If you have admin access to their site, you could steal it anyway.

A spider can grab a site with out that.

[Cap'n Steve]

I think you misunderstood me. I was talking about having a form in the members where you fill in all the needed information and it does the import automatically, emailing you the sql query to run when it's done.

The current system works fine (Thanks for the quick response, Freddie!), but I was just curious why you didn't make it easier on yourselves.

[Freddie Bingham]

It's easier for me to update the script as I do imports rather than having you do an import only to find out the script no longer works and you've imported 5,000 posts into your forum that are broken.