Import PHPBB database before or after applying new style

[djwins]

I am switching over from PHPBB....this is my plan:

1) Get VB3 installed *completed*
2) Apply new skin and make some custom modifications
3) Disable PHPBB and export DB (ive warned my users about downtime this weekend)
4) Import DB into VB3
5) Open VB3 forum to public if all looks well

I'm thinking its better to apply the skin before exporting/importing the DB as I can keep my current forum up as I mess with the styles.

I posted this on vbulletin.com as well

[Marco van Herwaarden]

I would do it slightly different:
1) Install vB3
2) Do a test conversion to testboard
3) Apply Styles (skins) and modifications on testboard
4) Test
5) test
6) export Styles from testboard
7) setup Production baord
8) Close phpBB and export
9) Import into production
10) Test
11) Import style from testboard (could also be done before)
12) Make full backup (database and filesystem)
13) Copy over modified files from testboard, run installers from hacks on production, add phrases/settings if needed
14) Test
15) Start second full backup and keep testing
16) Test
17) Open board and tell a few members/moderators
18) Open for public

[djwins]

Thank you very much for your response.

I'm having Vbulletin.com staff do the forum install and a very qualified person do the import from PHPBB.
I also plan on having the people that designed the skin do the skin install.

Do I really need all those backups and such? I'm trying to keep my forum's downtime to a minumum.

[Marco van Herwaarden]

Well it is always good to have backups before and after major changes.

The reason why i said to do modification (or copy modified files) after you do the import, is that the import scripts work perfect on unmodified tables. Installing hacks might alter tables. But you could ofcourse also test this first in a testrun.