Moving from G-T Links 2

[esm]

Well, I have been concerned for some time about my Links 2 database. I have over 700 links with a file size of amost 600kb and I add about 1 link per day. From what I understand, I am approaching the practical limits of Links 2 although it only takes 1 minute and 20 seconds to "build" all the links. But sooner or later I will need to move to a SQL based product.

Although I have certainly enjoyed the G-T Links community, I held off on upgrading to Links SQL because of the price. It would probably do what I wanted but it did seem complex. I looked at in-Links but didn't like the feature set. I think I did look at Indexu but probably dismissed it as having less features than in-Links.

But ver 3.1 has certainly changed my thinking. While it is not perfect ( e.g., the implementation of additional categories can be improved ), it certainly has taken a giant step in the right direction.

I installed and used the Lite version. I imported the category and links databases with no problems. While I finally learned enough Perl to make Links 2 do pretty much what I needed, it was, and still is, not easy. And even though I know less PHP than Perl, I was able to make changes to the php templates very easily. For example, I changed the category page to print all the subcats one under another and with the total number of subcats to the right.

Now all I have to do is import the real data from Links 2 to Indexu. And I have over 84 fields. Ouch. Some of the problems I see are:

• I have some of the same fields ( Editor's Pick, password, username ) that I would like to import from my Links 2 file. The import file seems easy enough to modify, so maybe this won't be a problem.
• I want to keep the Links 2 ID number as the link_id number but the import process creates it own number for this field.
• I have several select fields and several Yes/No fields. I want to be able to include them in the "detailed" page as well as part of the search and modify page. I did see function ShowDropDown which looks like it might work.

I am sure I will discover other issues and somethings I just want be able to do. But all-in-all Indexu seems a very good choice.

well, just some thoughts before I get started. Converting may take a while!

[dody]

Hi esm, welcome to indexu community!

Basically moving from link 2 to indexu is very easy. But it also depend on how much modification you have done with link 2, and what data you want to keep.

It seem you have made a lot of modification
How can you have over 84 fields? It's big.

I imported the category and links databases with no problems.

The lite version has no custom field ability. You may encounter problems with with your data.
While in INDEXU 3.1, importing GT Links will ignore flag data from link 2 such as new, hot, rating, etc.

Also there's consideration that indexu rating system is different with link 2. Indexu have member review and visitor rating. You may not able to use link 2 rating data. Or you may need to manipulate indexu data first, indexu keep track ip number of visitor rating and count it.

If importing using GT Links 2 format doen't satisfied you, you may use tab delimiter file. You must rearrange your link 2 data to indexu 3.1 format, then import it using indexu.

Please contact sofiah@nicecoder.com for further assistance on importing your data.

[dody]

I want to keep the Links 2 ID number as the link_id number but the import process creates it own number for this field.

Yes, indexu assign its own ID, do not use Link 2 ID.

I have several select fields and several Yes/No fields. I want to be able to include them in the "detailed" page as well as part of the search and modify page. I did see function ShowDropDown which looks like it might work.

Yeah... it's a tricky way. Not documented yet. It's an easy way to generate html code for drop down list and radio bottom. I'll write tech note how to use it later.

[esm]

as for the drop down list, check out the following.

Adding a drop down select field

I would be interested in your comments!

Go easy as I know nothing of PHP and very little mySQL!

[esm]

thanks for the welcome.

bummer on not being able to keep the links 2 ID.

I had no problem with importing the category.db and links.db file. Obviously, only the identical fields were imported but that was OK. I knew that beforehand.

Can I modify the db_import.php file to
*create the addtional fields
*match up the links 2 fields with the indexu fields
???

Actually, that is my last project before I buy Indexu.

I may not do all 84 fields. Just enough to satisfy myself that it can be done. Or least the difficulties involved.

I don't expect to transfer all the features from Links 2 but there are a couple that I would like to keep but....I'll live

I am very pleased with Indexu. It seems to be very easy to work with and to customize.

Now to read the manual....!!!!
.
.
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[dody]

Can I modify the db_import.php file to
*create the addtional fields
*match up the links 2 fields with the indexu fields

You may wasting time by hacking the lite version. Those two are already implemented in indexu 3.1. Please forgive me if I'm too cruel

Now to read the manual....!!!!

The tech note is helpful too www.indexu.com/technote/

esm, did you get my pm? private message?

[esm]

yes, I was aware of that in 3.1 I could add custom fields thru Indexu. I was not aware that I could match the fields up for import purposes.

For example, if I create a field call City in my Indexu links table, can I then populate that column with the data from the City field in my Links 2 db? I don't recall seeing anything that allowed me to do that. And I looked closely at the demo.

I just tried the demo and it is broken and needs to be "reset."

yep, I know the lite version is not as compresensive as the paid version. But it would only take a minute or two to add the SQL column and copy an extra line or two into the db_import.php file. Besides, it give me a chance to learn more about the import process...

got your PM

[esm]

yep, I had already read thru the tech notes...

thanks for your help! I really appreciate it...!

[dody]

Hehehe ....
Wow .... you must have good knowledge on sql and php.
Good luck with your modification!
I'll write more tech note on other day.
Let me know if you have any question. I'd like to help.

[esm]

well, thanks, but my knowledge on those subjects is limited. I do know how to spell PHP! and I can write the simplest of SQL SELECT statements.

[lewisw]

esm,
I saw that you created a mod for converting the hits from links 2 flatfile. With Dody's help I was able to import all my links information into my database but I must import my links hits to match as I have 4 years of collective data an currently the indexu links have 0 hits as per the import which I knew would happen.
I really have no php knowledge and I found your instructions to confusing for me to even try and import is there any way I can ask you for your help in just getting me my hits into indexu ? The rest I don't care about.

Best in health,
Lewis

[esm]

send me an email. attach your links.def file and I will modify the hack to import your links.db file.

[lewisw]

Wow I am sorry I missed this post.
I will send it to you as soon as I get home as I do not have ftp access from my office.
You are too kind.
Lewis

p.s. will I need to delete all the information from the database in indexu since if I understand your mod has to be done with only the categories added ? If so how do I empty the database ?

[esm]

now is the time to learn phpadmin or I like GTs mysqlman http://www.gossamer-threads.com/scri...lman/index.htm

or just go to the admin control panel and click the Alter link at the bottom left. scroll to the SQL box at the bottom and enter this command:

delete from idx_link

then enter

alter table idx_link auto_increment = 0;

and you have added the categories...

[esm]

bummer on not being able to keep the links 2 ID.

update:
Actually, if you start with an empty INDEXU database, you can import the old LINKS 2 ID number.

General steps:

1. turn off the auto increment feature for the link_id field
2. add the link_id field to the data import section in the db_import.php file
3. import the data
4. turn the auto increment feature back on for the link_id field
5. use a sql statement to set the auto incement number to the highest number
   ( or use phpmyadmin which has a feature to do this )

I guess you could do this with the category database also.

.