Moving from Invisionfree

[Sir_Penguin]

I have a small invisonfree forum here (http://s14.invisionfree.com/penguin_art/index.php) and I plan to eventually build an entire website with a forum. I really like the vBulletin forum software and would like to use it but I was wondering if it was possible to be able to transfer allmembers, posts, categories etc. I have seen C4D Cafe do it when moving to invisionboard. Thanks in advance.

[derekivey]

You would have to get a database backup from InvisionFree, I think they charge for this though, but once you do, you can use ImpEx to convert it to vBulletin. I think thats how it works with InvisionFree, but I am not totally sure since I have never converted from InvisionFree before.

[Blazingurlmc]

Most likely the won't send you your back up. So wait to purchase vBulletin, I didnt and know I have to find a way to sell my vBulletin lisecense

[feldon23]

IF you can convince those nozzles at Invision to give you a database backup, then you can import into vBulletin.

[Spirix]

Last month I moved my 28,000 posts and 800 members from InvisionFree to IPB 2.1.3 You have to start a sales ticket, and tell them that you would like a conversion. Check it out here: http://invisionfree.com/index.php?p=conversion

You must transfer to an IPB 1.3 as it's the only way. So you can't just get a backup and then move to vB. You have to do IF --> IPB 1.3 --> vB

For my 28k posts it was about 54$.

This is the exact message that they gave me:
If you would prefer a raw dump of your forum's database, you need to purchase a Conversion (http://invisionfree.com/index.php?p=conversion), which will provide you with your forum's database in IPB 1.3 format. You could then convert this database to other formats. Follow the link for pricing. Import instructions that include a link to the data will be posted in this ticket after your conversion has been performed.

After purchasing a Conversion, if you'd like the database to be installed on your IPB 1.3 for you, InvisionFree can perform a Transfer (http://invisionfree.com/index.php?p=transfer), in which we restore the database to your new hosted board. The Transfer link shows pricing for this service.

Any purchases are subject to the Terms of Sale (http://invisionfree.com/index.php?p=sale_terms).
And then it was followed by this:
We accept PayPal (https://www.paypal.com/), check, and money order.

Note: We only accept US Dollars. PayPal can do this conversion for you.


Send PayPal payments to: paypal@invisionfree.com


Checks and money orders can be sent to:
Zathyus Networks, Inc
PO Box 1763
Bowie, MD 20717-1763

Be sure to make check or money order payable to Zathyus Networks, Inc.

Include a note with your board URL, what you are purchasing, and any additional details you may wish to include

For fastest processing please reply to this ticket with your payment method once you have paid.

Any purchases are subject to the Terms of Sale (http://invisionfree.com/index.php?p=sale_terms).
I sent in a money order via mail. I didn't use paypal because I didn't have paypal. I would however HIGHLY suggest paypal, as it's alot faster then mail.

I have to tell you that the entire process was a pain in the rear end. You should have a large amount of knowledge in phpMyAdmin and MySQL. If you don't then you should find someone who will help you, or purchase a transfer from InvisionFree, which can be found here: http://invisionfree.com/index.php?p=transfer

Here is a preview of what the conversion looks like:
http://img394.imageshack.us/img394/7761/untitled0xq.jpg < Admin CP
http://img394.imageshack.us/img394/8065/untitled4ue.jpg < Actual Database Dump

Since your forum is so small, I would suggest not even bothering with the whole process.

Good Luck.

[Sir_Penguin]

Yes. I was only planning on moving if my forum got quite large.

[KingSpade]

If you just recently started your forum, I'd hold off and see how successful it becomes before making the dive. With InvisionFree, your board is already hosted on their servers, if you move on to vBulletin, you'll need to find a new host.

Not to discourage you, just trying to save you a little money :). Personally, I'm a vBulletin fan all the way, though I also believe that unless you know your forum is going to move forward, that you should work with what you have.

Alternatively, you could simply purchase hosting with a web host, move to IPB 1.3 yourself and the if your forum grows, you can do the conversion on your own instead of having to request a backup from InvisionFree.

If you do not have a domain name or do not wish to buy one, depending on the host you choose, yuo may be able to nab a sub-domain such as sub.provider.com.

[ManagerJosh]

I think, and I may be wrong, but Jerry is working on an InvisionFree to vBulletin importer.

[Onimua]

I think, and I may be wrong, but Jerry is working on an InvisionFree to vBulletin importer.
What? Kind of like EZboard and some kind of spider-crawl thing?

[feldon23]

I can't think of any other way.

[EvilAkuma]

Just forget about Impex. You have less member and less post. It's best that you start from stratch and just leave a offline message on ur invisionfree board that you move to a vBulletin.

[feldon23]

Bitter?