Upgrading from UBB .. have some questions

[DaBuzz]

I'm leaving the UBB fold for a number of reasons that I won't go into here. I have a few questions about the upgrade process and the feature set of VB.


When converting from an existing UBB, does the process leave the existing UBB in a fully functional state? (i.e. can I buy VB tonight, install it, convert an existing UBB and test the VB in a private area while my users continue to use the UBB without noticing anything?)
Does VB have the ability to export out the membership mailing list and if so, what format? (Those who select "yes" to allowing BB admins email them)
How does VB implement categories and does the category view option (assuming it has one) function similar to the UBB?
Are passwords encrypted in the mySQL table and if so, what crypt routine is used to encode/decode them? (I have other features of my site that will have to use membership data and I'll have to be able to tie into this with minimal hassle.)
If I purchase the current VB version (1.1.4 I believe), is the 2.0 upgrade free or will it cost me more money? (I read the 2.0 version should be out in 3 weeks but my UBB is at its breaking point and I can't afford to wait for it to go up in flames.)


That's all i can think of at this point. Let me just say that you guys have made HUGE strides in the right direction since I first started considering VB earlier this year. This product looks great.

Those who may be "old school UBB'ers", you probably recognize me. Sorry it took me so long to come to my senses about the UBB and pursue an alternative. ;)

I've done some heavy mods to my UBB, if anyone is interested in looking at it, it's right here (http://www2.pdabuzz.com/Discussion/)

Thanks for taking the time to read my questions.

Wes

[Freddie Bingham]

(1) Yes but, of course, any posts or new users to your UBB after the vB import won't be reflected on your vB unless you rerun the import.

(2) I do believe someone wrote a hack that exports the members into a list separated by commas (it is a very trivial thing to do)

(3) Don't understand your question and I can't answer the UBB question as I never ran UBB [edit] Looking at your forum I can see you have categories listed on the main page and clicking on one takes you to another page that lists the forums. You can set an option in vB that will only list the categories as you have it. The difference is that when one is clicked it will "open" up and show the forums in it beneath it. You can duplicate the effect by going to the main page of this forum and click on a category and it will display as I described it. One could create a hack that duplicates your current style with not too much effort.

(4) passwords are not encrypted

(5) You receive access to the member area for 1 year so any upgrades posted in that time are yours for the taking.

[Edited by freddie on 11-03-2000 at 12:35 AM]

[WebStyles]

Regarding #2. VB has a feature that will let you generate a list of emails seperated with whatever you character you want. You can also specify many parameters (like email contains [something], join date, number of posts, most everything). :)

Nice to see you! I swear, I break into fits of laughter whenever I think about the copyright text post you made a long time ago! :D

[Freddie Bingham]

Oh yes I guess #2 is in vB, I just never used it and I wish all of the forums I have joined wouldn't use it either as I forget to check "NO" to sending Admin emails. ;)

[DaBuzz]

Thanks for the replies guys.

I bought VB 1.1.4 last night and installed it on my test box with no problems. Now I'll need to see if I can import my existing UBB without any problems as well. :)

BTW, freddie ... I've been going through the hacks forum and should thank you in advance for the great hacks you've released. Although I haven't installed any of them, I plan to once I go live with my new forums. :)

[Ted]

Yours is one of the most heavily hacked, and nicest looking UBB's I've seen. I bookmarked and will be watching to see what you do with your vB. Good luck!

[Steve_S]

Welcome to the "fold" Wes :) What a nice surprise to see you here. Yoiu were very helpfull to me in my early years.

Iv'e had vB stagged for over 2 months while I try and find the time to migrate and test from my UBB install

Please watch your "sigs" when you import the UBB threads. 1.1.4 may have cleaned this up even more as Iv'e not tested this yet.

I just ran a few informal speed tests and 1.1.4 Rel 1 is definetly noticeable faster than the prior version

[eva2000]

sorry for barging in on this thread, but i couldn't help but say hello to DaBuzz - why ? cause conincidently i have been visiting your site since i found it last month - i am a fanatic handheld gadgets crazy mad man :D even have a planned hobby pda/ultraportables/handheld web site on the books ;)

Since i never ran a UBB i can't comment on the rest, but no 2)

Stallion wrote a hack for it at the request of me2be - http://vbulletin.com/forum/showthread.php?threadid=2878