Create Mirror Site

[MistyMeanor]

Hello there,

I am debating on whether or not I want to use the new vb5 version. I have several mods installed on my very new (less than a month old) forum that I pretty much just got set up exactly the way I want it.

My web host does appear to have Shell access, and I was able to figure out how to do a manual backup via PHP, but couldn't figure out the shell stuff.

I am asking for two things: Someone to set up my forum so it automatically backs up nightly between (3am-4am or so -- heh I guess that's technically morning!)

The second thing is, Mark from vBulletin.com gave me the link for instructions on how to create a mirrored site so that I can view my forum as vb5 as that is what would help me the absolute MOST to determine if I want to pull the trigger for a full upgrade.

I began to read it, and it scares the hell out of me! This is coming from someone that can inch my way around things, but just learned how to successfully use FTP!

My forum is for people living with a neuromuscular disease and is a support and resource based forum for all struggling with some form of this: ALS, Duchenne, Muscular Dystrophy, Lou Gherigs disease are all more commonly known types; just for example. I want my site to become a leading place for people with NMDs. It is very NEW and if I am going to do this, now would be the time, considering downtime to do it, and to not totally throw off people that become eventually - Regulars.

If someone could please help me do one or both of these, it would be greatly appreciated, and you can PM me and I will give the login info.

[ozzy47]

Just some info for a FYI.

Before Selecting a User
Once you are contacted by a member offering to fulfill the request, do the following:

1. Search this forum along with http://www.vbulletin.com/forum/ for posts by that user and with that user's name. If the posts are generally helpful, then you are usually in good shape. If there are no posts in the sites or there are a significant number of unhelpful or negative posts, be wary.

2. If appropriate, ask the user for past work examples (a "portfolio"). Note, however, that many service requests are very unique and cannot support a portfolio. Also, there is always an honest user who simply has not had enough jobs yet to build a portfolio.

When you find a member willing to work on your project, he will likely need some access to your forums that a normal user cannot have. Some items he may need and their risks are below.

• Admin CP Login: For many service requests, this is required due to their nature. However, you should create an account for that developer and then demote or delete it when he is done. That is, you should not divulge your password for your account.
• FTP access: If the developer needs to upload or download files from your site, he will need FTP access. If possible, you should create a separate account for him, just as above. Requests such as template modifications do not require FTP access unless some files need to be uploaded such as images or style sheets.
• SSH access: This is needed by some developers to fully back up your forums' database as well as run some complex queries. Template modifications and most other requests do not require this and you should not divulge it unless absolutely necessary, especially because most users cannot create separate SSH accounts; they only have access to one: their own.
• vBulletin Customer Number and Password: There is no need to ever give out both customer number and password. Your license agreement explicitly forbid sharing of your details. In case of an install or upgrade, only the customer number might be needed.

[MistyMeanor]

Originally Posted by ozzy47

Just some info for a FYI.

Before Selecting a User
Once you are contacted by a member offering to fulfill the request, do the following:

1. Search this forum along with http://www.vbulletin.com/forum/ for posts by that user and with that user's name. If the posts are generally helpful, then you are usually in good shape. If there are no posts in the sites or there are a significant number of unhelpful or negative posts, be wary.

2. If appropriate, ask the user for past work examples (a "portfolio"). Note, however, that many service requests are very unique and cannot support a portfolio. Also, there is always an honest user who simply has not had enough jobs yet to build a portfolio.

When you find a member willing to work on your project, he will likely need some access to your forums that a normal user cannot have. Some items he may need and their risks are below.

• Admin CP Login: For many service requests, this is required due to their nature. However, you should create an account for that developer and then demote or delete it when he is done. That is, you should not divulge your password for your account.
• FTP access: If the developer needs to upload or download files from your site, he will need FTP access. If possible, you should create a separate account for him, just as above. Requests such as template modifications do not require FTP access unless some files need to be uploaded such as images or style sheets.
• SSH access: This is needed by some developers to fully back up your forums' database as well as run some complex queries. Template modifications and most other requests do not require this and you should not divulge it unless absolutely necessary, especially because most users cannot create separate SSH accounts; they only have access to one: their own.
• vBulletin Customer Number and Password: There is no need to ever give out both customer number and password. Your license agreement explicitly forbid sharing of your details. In case of an install or upgrade, only the customer number might be needed.

Thank you m'dear Ozzy! Yes I always kind of do a "check up" before allowing that as far as checking them out here in this forum. I haven't asked for a portfolio before, but it has been offered to me before. But yes, I know it's very privacy related...

I trust YOU though! <cough! cough!>

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Anyone out there?

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Well was gonna try myself but I can't even get past the first set of instructions on how to update the url's. I need someone that knows what they are doing for sure!

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No one can do either of these for me?

[MistyMeanor]

Bump...