Converting b2evolution to Wordpress
I have some b2evolution installs from a couple of years ago, a couple of which have been used and really need updating to a more efficient software platform - such as Wordpress.
However, there is no official Wordpress converter from b2evolution. Apparently, what complicates matters is that the database structure changes significantly in successive b2evolution releases.
Anyway, I’ve been dreading converting any sites over, but decided to run a test tonight.
Luckily, I used the standard CPanel install of b2evolution and never made the effort to upgrade the software - which is lucky because they were version 0.9.10 - and there is a Wordpress importer for that.
Step 1: Back up b2evolution database and files
Step 2: Upload WP files
Step 3: Install Wordpress into the same database as b2evolution
Step 4: Upload the converter from farook org to the wp-admin folder
Step 5: Run converter
And - it actually worked - with a couple of caveats.
The first is that the URL rewriting is screwed. The importer didn’t populate post names with posts. So you can’t mod_rewrite them with %postname%.
Categories were also missing names, but it’s only a short manual edit to add those.
The situation I’m left with is that I can set up URLs just using %post_id% as I like for mod_rewrite, but this means the related posts plugin for Wordpress is unlikely to give any joy.
I could attempt a URL rewrite using this plugin from dawgiestyle which is built for b2evolution 0.9.10 - but if the %postname% isn’t present in the first place I don;t see that working.
Instead I’m just using a redirect in the main Wordpress template within the php endif tags:
header(”Location: http://www.example.com/”);
exit();
However, I’m satisfied with the situation - it’s not great, but there’s still plenty of scope with work with in Wordpress even with the URL’s not being a prefered optimum. And it’s better than continuing with b2evolution.
I could attempt another import - probably will play with one tomorrow using a different import script - though I suspect at this stage that script is geared towards b2evolution 1.6+.
And considering the number of import errors reported in general, a less optimum import of b2evolution to Wordpress appears better than no import at all.
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[...] Importing b2evolution to Wordpress I love using Wordpress as a CMS - but when I first started experimenting with CMS installs I used b2evolution - simply because of the one-click install from CPanel Fantastico, and I wasn’t sure which software platform to use. Anyway, Wordpress is easily my CMS of choice now - Platinax is built on it (news & blog). However, what to do about those b2evolution installs? Mostly they’ve just been stagnating, but I’ve been returning periodically to upgrade them to Wordpress. I’ve already posted on my blog about converting b2evolution to Wordpress using Farook’s plugin, but I’ve since come across a couple more examples which look good: b2evolution to Wordpress migration script - just used this - piece of cake - though remember to rename those .php.txt files to .php How to Import b2evolution Posts to Wordpress - I tried using this, but I couldn’t get it to work - however, it seems more targeted at more recent b2evolution versions, and my b2evolution installs were really old - 0.9.10 I think, which is around 2 years old! Anyway, hopefully this may be of some help to more than just myself. If it does help, feel free to let me know by posting a reply. __________________ Search Engine Optimisation consultant Need search engine traffic? I can help: Britecorp SEO services [...]
Pingback by Importing b2evolution to Wordpress - Business Forums — July 10, 2007 @ 8:52 pm
Sorry if I am intruding being a total newbie to the issue of conversion from b2e to WP. Thisis the first time I have read the topic. I thought it was the other way around- WP users might ne looking for migration to b2e..well, you learn something each day.
So, for a non teckie like me- what are the advantages of WP over b2e as you see it?
Also, there are many tutrials free and paid for WP but i havren’t foun any 3rd party b2e tutorials for new bloggers like me thus far. What’s up with that?
Thanks
Comment by Lawrence — January 19, 2009 @ 6:35 am
I have a B2E blog and I thought the same thing that it was supposed to be better. I find that I am limited as to what I can do because I am not a coder and B2E requires lots of coding to customize.
I am looking to migrate to WP because of functionality. Anyone see why this would be bad?
It looks a little complicated but not impossible - also I am running B2E 3.0 any reason why this scenrio above wouldn’t work?
Comment by Sheri — January 4, 2010 @ 4:40 am