Move a myBB board to VBulletin to gain mobile functionality?

[Rockingit]

I've a year old myBB board with around 500 members on it but little content - why? Because of Facebook. The myBB site was intended to migrate an existing community site that has out-grown FB in terms of functionality, and that FB group has around 15,000 members but we're struggling to shift them across 'because it's not like FB and doesn't work on your phone'. As part of the site is about people finding work then having tagged style push notifications is a big deal.

So - even before I make my eyes go square watching endless demo's and options for trials - what do I need to know?

I guess a basic question is: what's an honest opinion on the android and ios apps? Do they really work and work well, and once signed up, do they provide the push and 'instant gratification factor' that you get from FB mobile?

Then I guess the next question would be how easy is it to migrate, what tools there are, does VB have native import capabilities for myBB or do you need to faff around with third party stuff?
What's the admin learning curve like? etc etc.

After that, I'd be happy with any advice and pointers from the hive mind here, I'm sure I can't be the first to be in this position!

Thanks folks, Rock.

[Trevor Hannant]

The apps don't (at this time) provide Push Notifications however that's about to change with the next release (see announcement here). This will currently only support Private Messaging however will be expanded with future releases.

In terms of migrating your content to vBulletin, there is an unofficial importer available on our Customisation site, www.vbulletin.org, that you'll have access to as a Licensed Member (after license purchase). Unfortunately, it's only currently available to import to our previous version, vBulletin 4 however this can then be upgraded to vBulletin 5. Please also note that the importer is not supported by us as an official tool.

There is a time limited trial of vBulletin 5 Connect where you can explore vBulletin 5 Connect's Site Builder tools and test drive the software's in-line editing and other simplified site admin tools.

http://www.vbulletin.com/vb5-trial/

[Rockingit]

Thanks for this Trevor. This will probably become an Autumn / early Winter project - any idea if that's likely to coincide with future Push development?

[Trevor Hannant]

5.3.3 looks like it may have additional Push Notifications for subscribed topics but other than that, there's nothing set in stone at this point.

[Rockingit]

Does VB have a tagging system? And, does it allow you to subscribe to a sub/forum or just individual threads?

[Trevor Hannant]

You can subscribe to individual channels (forums) - you should be able to see that button if you go back to the topic listing in this channel (top right above the topic listing).

Yes, you can tag users also - Rockingit

[Rockingit]

Hmmm...... interesting. In which case we may be on to something!