How do you update your phpBB forum?

Its getting time consuming

[buksida]

With all of these new versions constantly emerging from phpBB (at least once a month) I was wondering how you all cope with updating it.

For me I like to be sure the new version is completely new so I backup all my modified files and then delete the entire forum folder off the server replacing it with a full new version (its acutally uploading .18 while I'm typing this). Then I need to run the upgrade and redo all of my mods, and re-upload all my images the whole process takes about 2 hours.

How you you do it? I have never tried the modified files only version, is it easier and will you get the correct version number in the Admin panel?

[futuresky]

If you've got Mods, and have ssh acess to your server to run the patches, the patch files are probably the best way to go. I used to download the changed files and the go through the whole process of reinstalling mods but that can be horrendous.

The patch files will do all the work around what you've already got on your forum...if it gets confused it'll spit out some "failed hunks" messages and reject files which you'll need to know what to do with to fully get the updated version working (search for failed hunks on the phpbb site forum to get an idea about what to do), but all in all it's a whole lot faster than gong the the "changed files" or "full package" route and reinstalling all your mods.

You'll need to run the update script as usual after doing the patch and sorting your failed hunks.

Usually takes me about an hour to do an upgrade using the patched files way.

I know you do this but just to reiterate what you said...always back up your existing phpBB files before upgrading.

[LBmtb]

I've used easyMod (think that's what it's called) and it worked very well. Look at the phpbb forums for it.

[Litefoot]

I've used the patch file method with great success each time. I too was getting frustrated with all the frequent upgrades and so far, this has worked out for the best.

However, two of my BB's had asked to switch to a different type of boards so they could upload photos right from there own computers. With phpBB you had to go through a very lengthy mod to accomplish this.

My point is that this other type of boards called SMF have what they call a "one-click" upgrade. You enter the admin panel and if there are any upgrades....one click and you're done! Very easy. You can even convert your phpBB forums to them without losing anything.

I am in no way promoting SMF over phpBB. Just offering a comparison for upgrade purposes. :)