This might sound odd but...

[gavpedz]

Over the years we have installed so many plugins. And hacked away at our forum. 

Is it possible to basically install a fresh version of IPS and import all forum, user and post content? So we basically all the important user and community data but with a nice clean and shiny install of IPS? 

[Bluto]

It would be great if there was a mod that allowed the data to be exported out for 3rd party mods so that you could do what you want and when finished re-install all the 3rd party apps / plugins w/ the data.  Last time I removed a 3rd party app, it removed all the apps data with the app.

I believe there is a converter does IPS to IPS.

[A Zayed]

13 hours ago, gavpedz said:

Over the years we have installed so many plugins. And hacked away at our forum. 

Is it possible to basically install a fresh version of IPS and import all forum, user and post content? So we basically all the important user and community data but with a nice clean and shiny install of IPS? 

Use IPS convert app

[gavpedz]

4 minutes ago, A Zayed said:

Use IPS convert app

Ah yes will using that will only transfer over the essential data and database tables and none of the crap form add-ons themes and so on?  

[A Zayed]

Just now, gavpedz

4 minutes ago, A Zayed said:

Use IPS convert app

Ah yes will using that will only transfer over the essential data and database tables and none of the crap form add-ons themes and so on?  

Yes

[gavpedz]

Thanks. Another quick question. I have created a test install and done a conversion which went well. If I edit the theme on the test install then choose to do another conversion to get updated posts and members etc will that overwrite the posts etc on the test install and will a new conversion overwrite the theme edits? 

 

[Dean_]

I wish I knew to use the converter. I sat for hours creating a new installation and comparing databases and copied over the data. While it did work, I wouldn't want to do it again... haha! Was good to see how it's all stored though.

[Stuart Silvester]

3 hours ago, gavpedz said:

Thanks. Another quick question. I have created a test install and done a conversion which went well. If I edit the theme on the test install then choose to do another conversion to get updated posts and members etc will that overwrite the posts etc on the test install and will a new conversion overwrite the theme edits? 

 

No, it won't. It'll do a complete conversion every time.

I do want to express that this isn't recommended. The IPS > IPS converted is intended for merging sites and not 'cleaning' up a database. It does not convert everything to your new database.

p.s. doing something like this would also cause you SEO issues as most content will now have different URLs.

[gavpedz]

33 minutes ago, Stuart Silvester said:

No, it won't. It'll do a complete conversion every time.

I do want to express that this isn't recommended. The IPS > IPS converted is intended for merging sites and not 'cleaning' up a database. It does not convert everything to your new database.

p.s. doing something like this would also cause you SEO issues as most content will now have different URLs.

Ah thank you for letting me know re URLs etc. Maybe not the best option then.

[Joel R]

@gavpedz there are other ways of "resetting" your community, depending on your goals.  Converting into a brand new site will certainly reset everything but there are more surgical changes you can on your existing community.  

- For themes, simply create a new theme.  That will always create the latest IPS default.  

- For plugins, disable then.  If you're concerned about custom code, you can always upload a full instance of the IPS installation package.  

- For templates, revert back to original.  

- For applications, disable and uninstall the ones you don't want.  Many of the older apps may not have been coded properly to remove their columns from the database upon uninstallation, so you may want to run a visual comparison between your database and a test site.  

[gavpedz]

20 minutes ago, Joel R said:

@gavpedz there are other ways of "resetting" your community, depending on your goals.  Converting into a brand new site will certainly reset everything but there are more surgical changes you can on your existing community.  

- For themes, simply create a new theme.  That will always create the latest IPS default.  

- For plugins, disable then.  If you're concerned about custom code, you can always upload a full instance of the IPS installation package.  

- For templates, revert back to original.  

- For applications, disable and uninstall the ones you don't want.  Many of the older apps may not have been coded properly to remove their columns from the database upon uninstallation, so you may want to run a visual comparison between your database and a test site.  

Thanks I think this is what I will do. Just want to do a bit of spring cleaning really get rid of old plugins folder and field and database tables.