UBB.threads PHP Forum Software Community Forums UBB.threads Version 7/8 Support Can you configure and test before import?

I have finally completed the installation of UBBThreads. Is it possible to configure the "look and feel" of the board before importing all of the posts from UBB Classic?

Is it possible to play with the new threads before importing?

Thanks in advance.

Absolutely.

Keep in mind that the install does not have to be the only one you ever do.

Within the licensing, you can have a second instance of the software for testing purposes. This is your "development environment" or "sandbox" to play around with.

I highly advise you to test your import until it goes off without a hitch before doing it for real.

I maintained a complete backup of my live board and used that for my import testing. Once I had it so the import went smoothly, I planned a date and time to do the import from the live board.

Planning is key.

You should always play around with your sandbox and only turn the new stuff loose on your live board once you have things well tested.

If you totally fubar the sandbox, just delete it and re-install.

Easy, install it as a new install, configure it to your liking.

When it comes time to import; drop all of the tables, run the createtables.php script from the install directory, then run your importer.

Thanks for the input.

Do you install the "forums" folder in the web root? Or, do you create a virtual directory that points to the forums folder?

I was able to install threads successfully but I can't seem to launch it. I go to server2.termpro.com/forums/ubbthreads.php and I get an error page.

It depends on what you like... if you want it to be accessable from yoursite.tld/ubbthreads.php then you install the files to your web root; if you want it as yoursite.tld/forums/ubbthreads.php then you'd install it to a "forums" directory.

As for your error, I get a blank page when accessing:
http://server2.termpro.com/forums/ubbthreads.php

I would recommend a sub-directory as it allows you to add additional sections to your site in the future keeping them all in separate locations.

definitely concourr, eventually sites grow

Don't finetune everything yet to your liking, some configuration options are stored in the database.

If you made any changed to the style sheets, export them first before you drop all those tables. There is also some icon information (like greamlins) stored in the database.
There are a few tables to backup and restore.