Upgrading my site from 3.0 to 3.5

[robert_2004]

Hey guys,

i'm just been wondering how the best way to go about upgrading my forum is, and couldn't find a good answer around for this.

i'm running 3.0.9 currently on my live server. i have a good 80 - 120 installed mods and hacks, and done a lot of hacking to the site myself.

i'm thinking my steps will go somehting like this:
Please give me some advice on what you think.

- install 3.5 clean on test bench.
- download SQL from live server, import to test bench, run upgrade script.
- install CMPS, Gallery, and Geek Articles System.
- install all new mods and hacks for 3.5, including plugins and products, to quickly test them before hand.
- turn off forum on live server.
- backup SQL on live server
- rename forum, gallery, folders to forum_3.0
- upload 3.5 forum's files
- run update script on current live server's 3.0 SQL
- export test bench's SQL tables: settings, templates, phrases, etc...
- export table data from both dbs (live server and test bench) and compare table structures
- find all differences in table structures, and manually fix.

-------------
What do you think?

Is there a better way to do the forum database, seeing that i'm testing on my computer for a week, and there will be new members, posts, PM, etc on the live server.