Converting from ProBoards/FreeForums to XenForo

[Robust]

So far the only option I found is using this to convert Forums.net db dump into SMF and then into XF (three way conversion basically). However, ProBoards -> Forums.net costs $60, and that's a risk assuming it doesn't work. Scrapers are usually the easiest way to get content off ProBoards. Anyone know of any scrapers to get content off into XF or a forum that can be converted into XF? I know people have done it before.

 

[pclinger]

Using a scraper is a violation of the ProBoards Terms of Service. We provide a fair, legal way for you to get a full copy of your forum data (which includes a license to use that data -- you do not have a license to all posts on the forum without transferring to Forums.net).

 

[Robust]

Using a scraper is a violation of the ProBoards Terms of Service. We provide a fair, legal way for you to get a full copy of your forum data (which includes a license to use that data -- you do not have a license to all posts on the forum without transferring to Forums.net).

So all content is licensed to ProBoards, owned by the user but the forum owner has no control over the license of the content? By using Forums.net, the forum owner has a complete, irrevocable license to his/her content, right?

 

[pclinger]

By switching to Forums.net we give you a license to all the forum content. When we acquire a license from each individual user they give us the right to sublicense the content. We exercise that right when you switch to Forums.net.

 

[Robust]

By switching to Forums.net we give you a license to all the forum content. When we acquire a license from each individual user they give us the right to sublicense the content. We exercise that right when you switch to Forums.net.

So even on Forums.net you still hold a license to all of the content whilst hosted by Forums.net, by what I make of that message?

 

[Digital Phoenix]

To me it sounds like they are free to steal/hold your content hostage/ do whatever they damn well please with it. Sites like that are a bloody scam.

 

[Liam Madness]

To me it sounds like they are free to steal/hold your content hostage/ do whatever they damn well please with it. Sites like that are a bloody scam.

How is it a scam? For starters, it is in their TOS. So the user should have read that. I don't necessarily agree with the tactics of Proboards. But anyone who is serious about their site would never use free hosting. I made the mistake once a long time ago with forumotion. It's far too restrictive.

That's like calling scam on Cash advance places with high as hell fees. You knew(or should have known) the details before signing. It's not a scam when the info is presented to you in English.
Robust Not that I condone breaking any agreements, what's to say you don't scrape your site or whatever it is called and then shut the proboards down.

 

[Robust]

How is it a scam? For starters, it is in their TOS. So the user should have read that. I don't necessarily agree with the tactics of Proboards. But anyone who is serious about their site would never use free hosting. I made the mistake once a long time ago with forumotion. It's far too restrictive.

That's like calling scam on Cash advance places with high as hell fees. You knew(or should have known) the details before signing. It's not a scam when the info is presented to you in English.
Robust Not that I condone breaking any agreements, what's to say you don't scrape your site or whatever it is called and then shut the proboards down.

I wouldn't say it's a scam, but it's restrictive to say the least. With what ProBoards provides users free of charge, they deserve something other than ad placement out of it. I'm not sure owning the license to all of the content is one of those things though. Regardless, best to talk to pclinger if anyone has a problem with it. I guess it's just a business tactic to make you move to Forums.net if anything. When I think of a free-hosted forum software whatever (idk what category these fit in), the first that comes to mind is ProBoards, then Forumotion. They're definitely doing something right if they have so many boards with them. Not that I condone some of their policies, I hate them, but they're doing good business, even though it might be annoying asf.

I don't understand what you mean, if I wanted to move away I probably would scrape it and shut the proboards down/let them disable it for violation of my ToS. Personally, I couldn't give a **** about their agreement and their license. Past all of that, I think with my brain, and my brain says it's my user's content on my forums, regardless of where I host and how much I host for. So in my mind, it's completely ethical. Though, with the Forums.net upgrade available and the ability to take your database with you, I'd just do that. Saves trouble down the road, even though it's a more expensive route.

 

[Digital Phoenix]

Eh, just scrape it and be done with it.

 

[davemacc]

It depends on whether you want your user account data or not. As far as I know, scraping the site will just give you the posts, I don't think you'll get the user account data, which means it might be difficult to get your members back, including post counts etc.
I could be wrong on that though, it may be possible to get the user data as well.

If it's possible to do it easily and legally, it may just be better to pay your money.

So even on Forums.net you still hold a license to all of the content whilst hosted by Forums.net, by what I make of that message?

I think he was trying to explain how they were able to licence the content to you when you moved to forums.net
on Proboards they exclusively hold the licence and you have no rights to the content, whereas on forums.net the content has been sub-licenced to you for you to use on your board.

 

[Danielx64]

I read that you can get an export for free if you waited for six months, not sure if that still the case.

 

[Digital Phoenix]

They're definitely doing something right if they have so many boards with them.

It's not really that they are doing anything right, it's more along the lines of, their users are 90% new startups that have no idea what they are doing/don't have the time or inclination to learn how to do it themselves.
And 99% of those probably don't even read the TOS.

 

[Bikenut]

Yep. That's me. I knew how to attract member and advertisers, but know nothing about building my own forum or SQL. But, forums.net is fair and their support is outstanding for newbs like me.