Question on when/why to upgrade to new version of nuke

registered · Regular Joined: Sep 03, 2004 Posts: 56 Location: Iowa

Ok, I'm a little confused on something. I'm currently running two websites with PHP Nuke 7.5. However, I do like to update to the newest versions as they become available. Now, this is what gets me a little confused:

I see that 7.6 is available. When a new version becomes available, is it best to download and install it asap, or wait for the final version to be released? I've noticed, for example: 7.4 release then there'll be a 7.4 patched version then I see a 7.4 final version.

So, in short, which is the best one to wait for before downloading and installing/upgrading?

registered · Posted: Sat Nov 27, 2004 12:25 pm

Well, you are going to be busy updgrading if you want to do it as soon as another version is available.

There isn't hardly anything different between 7.0 and 7.5 as it is.

I run 7.4 and I don't plan on upgrading for a long time. I just don't see the point in upgrading if you won't really gain anything.

To answer your final question; I wouldn't upgrade to anything untill chatserv has had a chance to look at it and make patches for it.

Posted: Sat Nov 27, 2004 4:39 pm

Ok, so when the patches are made (I'm assuming that those patch files are the files that needed fixing?), do you have to upgrade to 7.6 then install the 7.6 patched files? I upgrade as each new version comes out because I don't want to have to spend a day upgrading from version to version in order to get to the current version. From what I understand is that you can't just suddenly upgrade from 7.0 directly to 7.5; you have to upgrade to each one consecutively.

But in short, it'd be best for me to hang on until the 7.6 version has been patched? Are the patched ones the final versions or are the final versions where every known bug has been fixed and there's no need to use the patched files?

Posted: Sat Nov 27, 2004 4:46 pm

The patched versions are not official releases. Chatserv goes through the code and makes it more secure.

When I went from 6.9 to 7.4 I just uploaded the files for 7.4 and ran all the scripts to get to 7.4. For example, 6.9-7.0 then 7.0-7.1 and so on.

Once I finished that I put the patches in. Then I went and fixed all the mods I had installed.

Posted: Sat Nov 27, 2004 6:08 pm

Ahhh, alrighty. Thanks so much for helping me understand this stuff a little bit better. I appreciate it Smile

Posted: Sat Nov 27, 2004 7:04 pm

Glad to help! Very Happy

Subject Matter Expert Joined: Feb 23, 2004 Posts: 358

LS, there are two basic ways of maintaining/upgrading a Nuke installation.

#1 is to always download the latest as soon as it's available. You should do this ONLY if you either A. Love to fuss and fix code, or B. Are willing to fuss with and fix code. This requires you to monitor several Nuke support sites to catch the fixes, and you really should be able to fix things yourself and contribute the fixes.

#2 is to always stay at least 2 versions behind. If 7.6 is the current, it's a good bet that 7.4 is completely patched and fixed, no fuss needed. 7.5 is probably 80% or better patched and fixed, minimal but some fussing needed.

The other ingredient in the recipe is your need or desire for a certain feature that may be in a new release. Since realistically there hasn't been any REAL feature improvements (at least in the 'must-have' category) for quite some time, this ingredient isn't much of a factor anymore.

Realize that the author does not release new versions because of security patches/fixes (as we are accustomed to seeing from phpBB devs). It has generally become the thought around the community that the author releases things when his bank account runs low Wink

The patches, fixes, and best add-ons come from support communities like this place. Once you have a stable version that is patched and modded the way you want, it's best to just sit tight for awhile. If you download a new version from the author, you'll likely lose all of the security patches you had previously and will need to start from scratch or wait for Chatserv to issue an update for it. You just gotta understand completely what it is you're downloading, and why, then the decision usually will make itself! =)

PHrEEk

Posted: Sat Nov 27, 2004 8:21 pm

Excellent points!

Posted: Sat Nov 27, 2004 9:20 pm

Thank you! I appreciate the responses very much. I'm a novice at nuke and have been slowly (and painfully) teaching myself about it. It's nice to see that there are a few people who are willing to take the time to explain things in plain (dummy) english for those of us who are new to it all Smile

New Member Joined: Jan 16, 2005 Posts: 9

I have been a nuker for a couple of years and have been to (seems like) hundreds of nuke sites for support, read THOUSANDS of posts, posted a couple bunches myself, and you know what... this is the greatest post I've read!

I wish I had read this a year ago!

Thank you PHrEEk! Smile

You da man (or woman)!

Now I can keep my sanity and not have to upgrade everytime a new version comes out... Now I can see my wife again, feel sunlight, breath fresh air, eat at normal times... and whats that by my feet?!?! I have a dog?!?!

~ Very Happy

Jim~

Quote:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LS, there are two basic ways of maintaining/upgrading a Nuke installation.

#1 is to always download the latest as soon as it's available. You should do this ONLY if you either A. Love to fuss and fix code, or B. Are willing to fuss with and fix code. This requires you to monitor several Nuke support sites to catch the fixes, and you really should be able to fix things yourself and contribute the fixes.

#2 is to always stay at least 2 versions behind. If 7.6 is the current, it's a good bet that 7.4 is completely patched and fixed, no fuss needed. 7.5 is probably 80% or better patched and fixed, minimal but some fussing needed.

The other ingredient in the recipe is your need or desire for a certain feature that may be in a new release. Since realistically there hasn't been any REAL feature improvements (at least in the 'must-have' category) for quite some time, this ingredient isn't much of a factor anymore.

Realize that the author does not release new versions because of security patches/fixes (as we are accustomed to seeing from phpBB devs). It has generally become the thought around the community that the author releases things when his bank account runs low The patches, fixes, and best add-ons come from support communities like this place. Once you have a stable version that is patched and modded the way you want, it's best to just sit tight for awhile. If you download a new version from the author, you'll likely lose all of the security patches you had previously and will need to start from scratch or wait for Chatserv to issue an update for it. You just gotta understand completely what it is you're downloading, and why, then the decision usually will make itself! =)

PHrEEk

Posted: Sun Jan 23, 2005 2:21 pm

YoL wrote:

Thank you PHrEEk! Smile

Quite welcome... Sharing experience so others don't waste their time is the best use of the internet.

YoL wrote:

You da man (or woman)!

The former = )

YoL wrote:

and whats that by my feet?!?! I have a dog?!?!

~ Very Happy

Jim~

Oh.. now that sounds familiar... but I looked over and it was a teenager! Shocked

Client Joined: Apr 15, 2003 Posts: 466 Location: FL

How old was the teenage the last time you had seen it?
I have been wanting to update to a more current and well patched version, but have hesitated because I have alot of mods. I also have alot of info I do not want to lose.
My most recent "bright idea" is that I could load a fresh application, then drop my forum tables, member tables etc into the new app. I am just unsure what version would be best for me to go to from 6.5
I'd love to hear opinions.

Posted: Mon Jan 24, 2005 8:11 pm

** shameless plug ** Wink

I do pride myself on doing upgrades for clients that keep any mods that are 'sound' and won't compromise their security for the site. There's no easy way to post a walk-through, as mods can vary so widely.

Realistically, a lot of cosmetic mods are Theme embedded, and are always the easiest to replace. Little hacks thrown here and there in mainfile or modules can be a bit trickier, but if you have a copy of the original 6.5 files (you -DO-, don't you?!! Wink

), then a file compare will quickly reveal the mods to bring over.

My current production suite that I install is 7.5 patched, and I find it quite stable. The amount of work involved dictates that a fee must be charged (or an acceptable donation received), but I do guarantee not a lost post, lost article, or any other mission critical content disappearing. I make a mirror of the site and the DB on my local machine and work from there, as to not disturb your production site. Once the upgrade is completed on my machine and everything works 100%, then we discuss an appropriate time to close the site and upload the new filesystem. Avg. downtime is around 90 mins. I have many references avail upon request. Please feel free to PM me if you'd like professional help, or if you have questions regarding tackling it yourself.

PHrEEk

Posted: Tue Jan 25, 2005 4:43 am

I can't afford help, that's why I am looking for ways to do it as easily as possible.