==phpBB2 (crawler) TO phpBB2 CONVERSION INSTRUCTIONS==
[Scripts tested with phpBB2 2.0.23]
[To convert to a different forum software, modify topics_posts_XXXX.py and members_XXXX.py accordingly]
Before you begin, make some settings that will improve conversion:
In your preferences, set the date format to "U" without quotes (the default is "D G:i, d M Y" if you want to change it back).
	All dates should now appear as large numbers.
In your preferences, set your timezone to GMT (with no offset).
In your preferences, set the language to English.

==REQUIRED STUFF==
A Web Server with [preferably] MySQL.
Forum Software installed on this web server, configured and ready to go -- if you aren't using phpBB2, you should convert to phpBB then use a converter to your software (a double conversion may cause a lot to be lost, but the topics, posts, forums and members should be intact)
Database Access - need to be able to insert, delete and truncate
Python (versions 2.5 to 2.6 will work, but Python 3 will NOT work!) -- download from http://www.python.org

=STARTING OFF=
0) Make some changes on the source forum.
	In your personal profile preferences, set the date format to "U" without quotes (the default is "D G:i, d M Y" if you want to change it back).
		All dates should now appear as large numbers.
	In your personal profile preferences, set your timezone to GMT (with no offset).
	In the admin panel, install the subSilver theme. Select that theme from your profile preferences.

=FORUM STRUCTURE=
1) The converter will crawl for forums, but you may have to fix the forum permissions.
=POSTS AND TOPICS=
2) Change some settings in settings.py (edit the file)
	table_prefix
		When you set up your forum software, what prefix did you use (default will depend on the exact software used; it's usually the product name plus an underscore)
	COOKIEDATA
		Get this by entering this into the address bar while viewing any page in your forum:
			javascript:document.cookie
		and copying the entire text of the page that appears.
		The COOKIEDATA line should look like
			COOKIEDATA='<Cookie Data retrieved from the prompt message>'
		with the single quotes around your data.
	URL
		URL to the board's root (http://<name>.<domain>.<com|net|etc.>/)
	RANDOMNUMBER
		a randomly chosen number used to generate member passwords, so they stay the same from run to run.
	NUMUSERS
		ID number of the most recent member. You can safely go much higher, since the crawler will only convert members with entries.

3) Run the members_topics_posts.py Python script (Windows: double click it; *nix use "python topics_posts.py" as a command)
4) Import the SQL batch files members.sql, topics_posts.sql and categories_forums.sql to the forum database
=MEMBERS= - SMF or phpBB
5) To notify members of the new passwords (randomly generated), run the pm_passwords.py file (configuring settings.py first to suit your needs).
	[in settings.py]
	msgtitle
		The title of the personal message to send
	msgbody
		The text in the personal message. %%0A is a line break (new line), %s is the password (use this only once!)
		If you must use a % sign for any reason, place two of them (%%), only one will show up in the PM. Failure to do so will result in a failed script run!
6) Resync all boards.
=FINAL TOUCHES=
Make sure to set your forum permissions correctly.
Manually add any moderators, themes or other settings.

=BUGS/INCOMPLETE CONVERSION NOTES
-No topic views
-No Attachments
-No Polls
