Dizkus

I'm currently using PostNuke 0.7.6.2 and MySQL 5.0.2.2 here: http://www.arsnonline.com

A year or so ago, I did an upgrade from 0.7.2.6 to 0.7.6.2 and there's been some flaky code here and there which has resulted in some odd behavior.

Because our season gets back underway in August, I'm looking to create an entirely new installation and import my current database.

What is the best way to do this?



Should I create a subdomain such as http://test.arsnonline.com , install the latest version of PostNuke, import my database, configure my theme and get everything setup properly, delete everything in the main root and then copy the test.arsnonline.com installation over to the main root?

If so, a few questions:

1) Obviously, during my development of the new installation, I'm going to need some data. Should I just use a copy of the current database? Keep in mind I'm going to be continuing to add data to the current database so I'll need to copy it over again when I'm ready to go live with the new installation. Does this pose any problems?

2) I've been using AutoTheme for the past four years and while it works, I've not been extremely pleased with it. What are the advantages of switching to an Xanthia theme or is just personal preference? I've noticed that Xanthia themes seem to be more text-based. Since my site really uses images, should I stick with AutoTheme?


The quirky code I mentioned above ... could it be in the database itself rather than the actual PostNuke files? If so, those errors/quirkyness is just going to be copied directly voer to the new installation which would be defeating the purpose of all this work of trying to get a more stable installation. Is there a way I can make sure there are no errors in the database before I copy it over?

I would appreciate any direction anyone can give me and maybe some things I should look out for during the upgrade.

Thanks

1. You could just copy your existing database to a new database, install a fresh PN-release and see if everthing works well. Since you're using a 7.62 now, I don't forsee any problems [I've done it a couple of times so far]. Use the config.php in your current site and copy it to your test subdomain. When you don't see any problems you could edit your config.php and change the database name. That way you can add new content to your site without the hassle of copying it afterwards. I had an old PN-version [0.7.2.x] and I've been upgrading to 0.7.5, 0.762 and now 0.764 and everything still works fine! I have to admit, I see a lot of stuff in the config vars, so maybe I'll install the latest version + the modules I use and then copy the database stuff in those modules, so I have a fresh install with all my content [whén I have some time left].
Since you're using the current database [or the copy of it], I'd make sure not to use the current theme, but Extralite, you might get in trouble íf you decide to change template engine. In System--> modules you'll probably get some 'files are missing', I don't think that will be a big issue, as long you get your most important third party modules present.

2. That's why I've changed from AT to Xanthia about a year ago [or a little more], I had to learn a lot, some things are similar, some are completely different, but at the end, it gave me more freedom to achieve what I really wanted. With pnRender you can use plugins where needed. Since I'm a Pagesetter user, I actually can use filters in home/master.htm which was never possible with AT. I have one client who's on an older server, and I noticed AT is faster concerning rendering the page, that's the only advantage AT sometimes has [as a personal user, maybe others have different experiences].

About your errors/quirkyness, I have no idea, maybe an exemple would be usefull.

- Igor

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