11 replies to this topic

[Pherson]

We are currently deciding on which forum software to migrate to and things are starting to point in IPB's direction. I do have a couple of questions though before we make a decision, as we will be porting over quite a big board and we need to make sure that we cover all angles before we make the move.

To make things easier I've numbered a few key issues that raise questions on our end:

1. Encoding - we are in the process of moving our current forums over to UTF-8 before converting so that we don't have two issues to deal with once the migration begins. Do all IPB-related products work well under UTF-8, from the board to blogs, IP content, chat? Is there a central setting for encoding that we set for all these products, or do we need to set it separately for each one?

2. Email as login - is this something that is used in all IPB boards? Currently we have a login and display name for our users, which is separate from their email address. Should I inform users that they need to update their email or at least remember the one they used to register before we migrate the board, or can we use their current login credentials for the transfer?

3 . Custom skin - as we are currently using a UBB Threads board we have decided that the migration should be to a design that resembles our current layout/design as closely as possible (after that we can start to "evolve" by changing our design to move towards the IPB 3.2 "feel" over the coming months). What is the best way to commission such a skin? We are not looking for something creative or new, but rather need someone to look at our current board and then try to skin IPB to make it look as similar as possible.

4. Import help, first days - as we are importing a decent-sized board of 3M+ posts, is there any support staff that we can contact if we happen to run into any issues with the conversion or have any set-up queries soon afterwards?

5. Chat - is it possible to raise the 250-simultaneous user limit or is that the max package allowed? I'm pretty sure we will break that barrier by some 25% so I'd rather go for this product if I can ensure that everyone can access it without having to lock some users out.

Looking forward to making a choice soon about our future forum software, and I am really leaning towards IPB here so we can make this transfer a success for all our users.

[bfarber]

1. Encoding - we are in the process of moving our current forums over to UTF-8 before converting so that we don't have two issues to deal with once the migration begins. Do all IPB-related products work well under UTF-8, from the board to blogs, IP content, chat? Is there a central setting for encoding that we set for all these products, or do we need to set it separately for each one?

IP.Board works fine under UTF-8 (in fact, it is the recommended encoding to use, when possible). There is one charset configuration setting - all apps make use of this same setting.

2. Email as login - is this something that is used in all IPB boards? Currently we have a login and display name for our users, which is separate from their email address. Should I inform users that they need to update their email or at least remember the one they used to register before we migrate the board, or can we use their current login credentials for the transfer?

You can use either username or email login - the option is yours (you can even allow both at the same time, if you want).

3 . Custom skin - as we are currently using a UBB Threads board we have decided that the migration should be to a design that resembles our current layout/design as closely as possible (after that we can start to "evolve" by changing our design to move towards the IPB 3.2 "feel" over the coming months). What is the best way to commission such a skin? We are not looking for something creative or new, but rather need someone to look at our current board and then try to skin IPB to make it look as similar as possible.

You can use our visual skin editor tool which allows you to visually create a skin on your board (this tool is built into the software itself), you can use a premade skin from the marketplace, or you can commission a custom skin.

4. Import help, first days - as we are importing a decent-sized board of 3M+ posts, is there any support staff that we can contact if we happen to run into any issues with the conversion or have any set-up queries soon afterwards?

You can email [email protected] with inquiries or to request help if you run into a bug with the converter scripts. As for setup, our general support staff can assist you with those sorts of questions.

5. Chat - is it possible to raise the 250-simultaneous user limit or is that the max package allowed? I'm pretty sure we will break that barrier by some 25% so I'd rather go for this product if I can ensure that everyone can access it without having to lock some users out.

I don't think we have a single client yet who has surpassed 250 simultaneous users. You can email [email protected] to inquire about this further, but our maximum "off the shelf" package is 250 users currently.

[NHMI]

I went from smf to IPB and honestly it took a lil getting used to but I am also an admin on a forum with VB and VB sucks! It is so hard to use and is just garbage in comparison...There is no better forum software out there IMO...I tried php and didn't like it either...IPB is the only one worth the money and as long as you pay your $25 fee every 6 months, if you need something fixed or upgraded their techs will do it for you, which to me is priceless cuz I can't do that much as far as programming and websites goes. They have a great staff and it is well worth the money to have their team on your side if you need them...and you can get any skin custom made for you...

[Pherson]

Just to reiterate and move forward:

1. UTF-8 works great across all products so plain sailing here. We will move our current board to UTF-8 and then proceed with the migration and integration of key IPB modules (blogs, IP-Content, etc.).

2. Super that we can allow both login and email address to be used interchangeably if we prefer. Two questions here:

- can we change the setting after a couple of months to email (or login) only?
- will the importer bring over our current users' login as well as display name? I tried writing to [email protected] but I'm not sure it's the right address as the email bounced back.

3. Thanks, we will get a custom skin commissioned by someone from that list.

4. As above, is [email protected] the correct email address to write to?

5. Will send an email straight away to inquire about chat packages for 250+ users.

[.Ian]

Hello,

1) okay
2) Yes / Yes
3) No problem
4) Support will assist if need be with any bugs in the conversions or pass it to the correct person.
5) Okay

If your forum is very large you might also want to consider the business licence, which gives additional benefits - http://www.invisionp...rd/purchase.php to compare the differences.

[Pherson]

Many thanks Ian, will go for the business license actually and complete the purchase later today to get things rolling.

Just two quick questions about the forums:

- is it better for SEO to set up the board using a subdomain forum.domainname.com or domainname/forum/? Or is there no difference at all?

- I understand that there are translation packs available, but is there also a tool for doing a translation on one's own?

[.Ian]

Hello,

My own personal preferred option is in the domain root - i.e. domainname.com - so that your path is domainname.com/forum/305-pre-sales-questions/ for example rather than domainname.com/forum/forum/305-pre-sales-questions/
However it depends upon the structure of the rest of your site outside of the IPS Community Suite.

All language files can be updated directly from the AdminCP. Under Look & Feel -> Manage Languages

Please let me know if you have any other questions or send an email to [email protected]

[cougarpride]

I registered a new forum ID when trying to purchase the software so here I am. Question is, can someone help me out with the payment process? Is there an email address for someone who is in charge of sales for Invision?

[Collin S.]

I registered a new forum ID when trying to purchase the software so here I am. Question is, can someone help me out with the payment process? Is there an email address for someone who is in charge of sales for Invision?

email [email protected] or [email protected] and we can help you out.

[cougarpride]

Earlier today I finalised the purchase of an IPB business license along with all the additional products that are available.

Looking forward to migrating to IPB and staying with you guys in the long run.

[Breadfan]

^^Congratulations! You won't be dissapointed!

[.Ian]

Well done

And welcome