Re: BB conversion
sin:
While I wouldn't mind seeing this done simply from the standpoint that it would be easier to deal with an existing phpbb system I also can see why a system based upon phpbb that is a lighter version would make an incredible difference in the performance of the bb system.
Hm...so basically, just do the features we want to see, and leave out the rest. Personally, I would be happy if Tiki Forums just used phpBB markup.
However I would like to present a query as to the possibility of importing data from an existing phpbb system into the forums on a tiki site.
This sounds like a great idea, but realize that some things will not come over. If fact, some things (like phpBB markup) will just look like strangely punctuated text.
However, I do think that creating a {non-Tiki-app}-to-Tiki data conversion toolset for some popular packages might by a nifty thing to do. The problem is that a) those packages are popular for a reason, so I would think people less like to switch away from a well-developed system to a less mature, less specialized one; and b) if it's not a "popular" package, there won't be enough people needing the conversion tool to warrant the time spent doing it. (Feel free to prove me wrong! I do data conversions - in part - for a living.)
That kind of brings me back around to my original question: why not pick a forum app and integrate it? Preferably one that allows for easily integrating "look-and-feel" (its using smarty would help). I'm all for taking advantage of pre-existing development and the corresponding increase in developer cycles without expending any energy on avocacy.
dreamwolf