Database Questions

Thank you for promptly answering my previous question about subscribing to an entire forum!

Now for a more technical question.  We have an existing database of archived messages from Yhaoo Groups.  The database is in MySQL (which I know from reading your FAQ is not compatable with your product).  However, I was wondering if you could share with me the structure of your message database?  Basically, I am wanting to see how much trouble it would be (and if it is even possible) to convert and import our existing database of messages to your database.  We have an exhaustive database of information in our current forum that we would really like to move to a new product simply for the value of the archive of past discussion and search capabilities.  If I can see your database structure, I think I can quickly determine if this is even possible.

Also, will your product run on Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Express Edition or do you require at least the Workgroup Edition?

Thank you very much!  We are very impressed with what we have seen of your software but want to determine how much trouble it is going to be to migrate towards your product before buying.

Keith Rucker

Basically, I am wanting to see how much trouble it would be (and if it is even possible) to convert and import our existing database of messages to your database.

Please email me and I will send the message table structure to you

Also, will your product run on Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Express Edition or do you require at least the Workgroup Edition?

SQL server express is not recommended because it does not have the Full-text search capability. As you mentioned in your message, you wanted to be able to search your older messages, which I believe you wanted to utilize the full-text capability that SQL server offers.

I sent you a message through your web site on Friday but have not heard back from you yet.  I could not find your e-mail address to send it to you directely.  Please let me know what your e-mail address is here (or let me know where to find it) and I will be glad to drop you a note directely.  I am eager to see the database structure so I can move foward on this project.

Keith Rucker
krucker@friendlycity.net

Hi Keith,

I just sent you the table structure. Thanks for your patience.

Hello ASP Playground.net
 
I am doing a migration also.  You product looks pretty interesting.  My question is that several of the fields in the pgd_Messages Table have manditory data (no nulls).  I am migrating an old site we had to yours and want to salvage the messages we already have.  In the case of IP, there is no IP in my old records but this is a manditory feld.  What can I do for this and the other fields thar have no nulls attribute?
 
Rich

easy - just send empty '' instead of null to the database. We don't have check constraint on the column to verify the syntax.

Hello Sam,
 
Oh, that does sound easy.  By empty you mean "" double quote with nothing inside.
 
Now I suspect that the some fields must have data such as the Memember ID and Forum ID (after all, what would be the poinmt of inserting the record if it will not be inteligent to the website) but excluding that type of fields, nothing will need to be done to the Message table.
 
This will go alot better then I thought!
 
Rich

I suggest you create a forum and post a few messages, and then exam the message table to understand its columns before migrating. We have Snitz and WWG migration script which can be a good starting point for you.

Hello Sam,
 
how do you send empty?
 
We have the database already loaded and we have created a forum with some test records.  I need to know what do I send to the fields in your database which are not in our old databases.  Most of teh fields map but we never recorded IP Adress; the data just does not exist.  What default value would you send in the insert query.  The fields are of verying types I see.
 
Rich

you can send '127.0.0.1' as the IP address.

Hello Samuel,
 
Here is another question: why does the application not have IDENTITY set for the primary keys on the tables?  Normally when a record inserted, the table manages the ID number.
 
Rich

it doesn't really matter, does it? Rich, you can use the support forum if you have any further questions like these because this forum is set up for pre-sales questions.