Conversion of other forum data

I currently co-own and operate Ask The Commish.com. As of last year, I began using Snitz Forums because it was an ASP-based message board. However, based upon our growth, I'm looking for a more robust (and more consistently updated) solution.

Cutting to the chase, I have a few questions:

1. Do you have a means to convert over the user accounts from our Snitz Forum database? To a lesser degree, I'd also like to convert the posts, but that may be wishful thinking.

2. One of the hallmarks of our message board is that the UI will change color based upon the user's favorite NFL team. If you'd like to see this in action, visit the homepage and select your team on the left-hand dropdown box. After doing so, click the Message Board link (on the lower left). I was able to easily configure this aspect of the board using Snitz (I'm a web developer, so making the change was easy). Can I do the same thing with relative ease using ASP Playground's msg board?

3. Does your board provide the capability to ban IP addresses and prevent flooding?

4. Final question: Does your board support user-created plugins? Not necessary, but definitely a nicety.

Thank you for your help and I look forward to your answers.

Bryan Hughes
Ask The Commish.com (TM)
http://www.askthecommish.com

Me again. After digging around, I found the answer to Question 1:

http://www.aspplayground.net/forum/Snitz_Conversion_questions/m_381192/tm.htm

PS: The link re-writing of the forum posts URL is a stroke of genius. Great work!

Darn. I'm officially bummed. I just read that your forum does not run on mySQL. Any chance that may be changed in an upcoming version? Considering the popularity (and speed) of mySQL, I'm rather surprised this board does run on mySQL.

Is there a technical reason this message board does not run on mySQL? Considering the large number of websites running on mySQL, I'd figure mySQL would be included in the system requirements.

Extensive use of SQL Server stored procedures is one of the things that gives ASP Playground its high degree of scalability. Its just not possible to run these stored procedures in MySQL.

Any chance that may be changed in an upcoming version? Considering the popularity (and speed) of mySQL, I'm rather surprised this board does run on mySQL.

No, we do not have plan to support mySQL and thanks to Paul for answering the question for me.

Gotcha. I might be able to get a SQL Server package added to my ISP account. With that being said, can you address my other questions?

ORIGINAL: paulwoods

Extensive use of SQL Server stored procedures is one of the things that gives ASP Playground its high degree of scalability. Its just not possible to run these stored procedures in MySQL.

which makes mysql a more inferior database engine. It's just that it is free that makes it so popular. How many times I have visitted websites and the message appeared.. to many connections .. bla bla php .. mysql error.

2. One of the hallmarks of our message board is that the UI will change color based upon the user's favorite NFL team. If you'd like to see this in action, visit the homepage and select your team on the left-hand dropdown box. After doing so, click the Message Board link (on the lower left). I was able to easily configure this aspect of the board using Snitz (I'm a web developer, so making the change was easy). Can I do the same thing with relative ease using ASP Playground's msg board?

3. Does your board provide the capability to ban IP addresses and prevent flooding?

question no.2. is not something that this board will support. If you want to use that option you'll have to (have it) program yourself.
3. yes it does. ban per user is possible and also per IP or IP group ie. (192.168.*) there is also a mod that can help you to track a members activity.

1. Do you have a means to convert over the user accounts from our Snitz Forum database? To a lesser degree, I'd also like to convert the posts, but that may be wishful thinking.

CDRinfo.com provided me a DTS package that will convert from Snitz w/ Access to our latest version 2.3. We have not tested this DTS package but it is available for download in our private forums.

If you only want to convert over user accounts, you can use the member import feature in the admin control panel (importing from CVS that contains username, password, and email).

2. One of the hallmarks of our message board is that the UI will change color based upon the user's favorite NFL team. If you'd like to see this in action, visit the homepage and select your team on the left-hand dropdown box. After doing so, click the Message Board link (on the lower left). I was able to easily configure this aspect of the board using Snitz (I'm a web developer, so making the change was easy). Can I do the same thing with relative ease using ASP Playground's msg board?

You can do the same by slightly modifying the color generating code. It is should be fairly easy for you. The color scheme is only for colors (table cells and borders + colors for font in the th cell), so you will have to change the header/footer and CSS if needed.

3. Does your board provide the capability to ban IP addresses and prevent flooding?

Yes, these are both standard features.

4. Final question: Does your board support user-created plugins? Not necessary, but definitely a nicety.

No.

Samuel...just found out that I DO have access to a SQL Server package. I will be purchasing the Advanced Edition within the next couple days.

A few final questions:

1. Does the Adv. Edition include the SIP?
2. Does purchasing the Adv. Edition include "lifetime" support? I say "lifetime" since I realize you may support really old versions, but that's something to consider years from now.

Other than that, let me say that this board looks incredible and I'm very excited to move my site forward using your technology!

Sorry, one more question:

How are file uploads handled? Is it using a .NET component or something like ASPUpload? Long story short, do I need to make sure my web server can run .NET components to use the message board?

ORIGINAL: Hughes

1. Does the Adv. Edition include the SIP?
2. Does purchasing the Adv. Edition include "lifetime" support? I say "lifetime" since I realize you may support really old versions, but that's something to consider years from now.
3. Long story short, do I need to make sure my web server can run .NET components to use the message board?

1. Yes, the SIP can be downloaded from our private forum.
2. yes. I wouldn't say lifetime but support will be available for the forseable future. I mean for a very long time.
3. unless you plan to use the gallery and the thumbnail generator for uploaded images, you don't need .NET. Upload is handled using ADODB.Recordset.

Thanks!

wanted to see if it is possible to change the re: line and still have post appear in right topic

yap, the "re:" prefix is a string in the language file, so you can change it to anything you want or simply remove it