I'm going to work on making it do this tonight, but first I thought I'd start a thread about the process in case I get stuck, or in case you want to follow along.
First thing I'm doing is poking at the Drupal database, trying to get an idea of the structure. First, to figure out just what databases it used, I looked at the file http://www.applefritter.com/database/database.mysql This is the file that Drupal uses to initally setup the databases (I think, keep in mind I'm just poking at this point)
So I ssh'd into the Applefritter server and tried to take a look at the database drupal.forum from within the mysql prompt. It's telling me I don't have enough access to do that.
Tom, would you like to up my access on the server. If you don't post back within an hour or so, I'll just write a quick PHP script to pull up the same data.
Thanks.
-BDub
I apprecaite the enthusiasm! We don't have to use YABB, though. There are some other pretty nice BBS's. Let me look around.
I'll be in IRC.
I'm thinking phpBB looks like the best choice. Simple Machines (formerly YABB SE) is another possibility.
I was thinking YaBB because then we'd have all of the old posts there. However, they're stored as fairly simply formatted text files, and it wouldn't be that hard to write a parser to convert them into whatever format is chosen.
Anyhow, at the moment I'm still working on what mysql statements are going to be used to grab the right data from the Drupal database. As that stands, I'm still going to need to either have my access to that allowed, or use a PHP script to gather the same info. Whichever you prefer.
I'm really interested in how Drupal stores the login information, as I'm just about done a new CMS for The 'Fritter, and I'd like to be able to integrate it in there as well.
-BDub
I really think you should knock this around with the resident AF/MLA bug squasher. He did some really slick hacking to the MLA's phpBB site just today, we now have fully linkable search strings just like google does over at the barracks . . . so there'll be no more telling people to go search "holy . . ."/whatever!
. . . and the more talented folks in on the collaborative effort, the better!
jt
Most likely a good idea. Personally, I'd really like to find out the user info format so that I can tie it in with The 'Fritter CMS.
I'm sure he's got way more experience dealing with forums than me. If you're around Tom (Levens), jump on IRC.
Normally, I think of myself as a fairly intelligent person. So here I am, wondering why the MD5 hash I'm generating isn't lineing up with the one stored in the database for me.
Forgot I changed my password a month ago.
Excuse me as I bang my head against this table.
I haven't implemented it yet, it'd probably be a good idea to get T.L. in on this before that. But from what I see, in PHP, the authentication would go like this:
In the code sample above, you'd go on and say that if verified was equal to one, then (do whatever the forum does to authenticate a user. Generate a session ID, or give a cookie or whatever.)
Any comments?
-BDub
phpBB would be really, really, good. They even have a YaBB converter, I think.
yeah phpBB is my favourite ... but heres a thought ... do we really need to stick with Drupal? ... i mean there are other decent CMS that integrate with phpBB out of the box! ... i mean it would be abit of work to move things over ... but it might be a smoother ride there after
BTW ... Tom, i cant connect to the server with my SSH account ... its coming up with a username/password incorrect error ...
TOM
I've been unable to find anything that has Drupal's elaborate taxonomy setup or versatility in modules.
hmm so what we are looking at is a forum based on phpBB/YaBB hacked onto Drupal ... personally i think phpBB would probably be easier because Drupal and it are both based on php ...
but there are definitely some things i like about the Drupal forums ... the red/gray stripes for new/old posts ... makes fast scrolling alot easier ... maybe thats something that could be implemented in the new forums ...
TOM
I'd just like to use a CMS that allows plain HTML files to be used. The new MacQuarium site is ready to go, but I don't know PHP and I can't find a way to import HTML files while keeping the layout (including imagemaps) the same as I designed it.
Email me the files.
I'm starting to lean towards phpBB myself, mostly because I know my way around PHP and YaBB is written in Perl (IIRC).
I completely agree with the red lines by the way. It'd be great if we could implement it so that you could click on where is says "3 New" and have it go right to the new ones. Save us scrolling to the new information.
I really want to get rid of all the whitespace at the bottom (which is a sympton of the Drupal sidebar, and will be gone once we switch) because you hit Command-Down Arrow to go to the bottom, and then you have to scroll up half the time.
Does anybody dislike phpBB for any reason? If so, speak now, or forever hold your peace. If we swap over, and immediately get 'I hate this new layout' posts, it'll be mildly irritating.
-BDub
I checked out YaBB SE (simple machines)...eeyuccchh...
I like vBulletin, but it costs $160. I don't mind Drupal, though.