Using database on two copies of vB
 

I'm planning ahead for vB4 and wanted to find out if I can run two versions of vB (my current and vB4) using the same database as I prepare the new forum to replace the old. I'd like to import all the current messages into the new vB and have any posts to the old vB also show up in the new as I am preparing to take it live.

Can this be done both technically and legally?

You can run a copy of your site under testvb or something as long as it's not publically accessible and is password protected (.htaccess). This copy can then be used to prepare the new forum/import posts/test modifications.

You do not want to have two 'sites' running on the same database, especially two different versions of vb. When you update, the database gets upgraded and may cause problems if you try to access it using the older version files. If you create a test site running version 4.0, you will want it to have it's own database. You can, however, create a copy of the live database and import it as a new database to use on the test site.

I don't believe it has to be password-protected? I thought the only condition was it isn't accessible publicly? (i.e. on a mysite.com/forum etc)

From the license agreement:

Ahh, my bad.
Thanks for clearing that up Lynne!

You can have 2 installations in 1 database by using different table-prefixes for each installation. But using 2 databases is much more flexible and less prone to mistakes.

So the best route would be to import all old messages into the new database just before taking the new forum live?

No, use the test to test the upgrade, prepair the new style. But redo all the changes and upgrade on your life board. You can export and re-import to updated style from the test to the production site.