Newb: Need Direction on How to Backup DB & Forum
 

I would like try out some of these great mods on the site but before doing any of that I want to backup my database and/or forum.

I am totally new to working with databases so I was hoping someone could help as to how you would go about backing up your database and forum before installing a mod.

I am running mySQL5 with phpMyAdmin. If there is any other info needed to help me out let me know and I can surely get it.

Any help would be so great. I really would love to try some of these spectacular mods!

hopefully one of these will help.

How 2 Guide - Backups, Upgrades, and Recovery!
Backup/Restore ANY Forum WITHOUT SSH

and this one might help if you run into problems.

How to Check, Recover & Repair MySQL Databases

the reason I ask actually, is because the manual talks about a few different backups...I see one for SSH/TELNET, I see one you can do through the acp, I see one you can do that is sqldump, I see one you can do through phpMyAdmin.

Im just confused on I have to back up in case a mod screws my board up!

all of those will work to dump your mysql

the best i have found is a hack in here , but the only problem is it wont compress the dumps in GZ, so you have to do it manually , i created a little batch program to make mine compress using gzip, and i enable it by running it thru a cron job on my server when i need it. but it does a backup every day at 8:am, i love it. but a lot of this is who you host with will determine how or what access you have to a backup useing their Cpanel