Best way (if possible) to convert current web site to SMF/TP

[GhostRider2110]

Question for the crowd...  I one of the websites I run is one I designed and built from scratch many years ago.  I am wanted to make it much easier to manage...  Thus the wish to move it to SMF/TP...  The site is

http://www.thrcc.org

How possible is this to do?  Suggestions? Starting theme and then modify?  Just start over?  All input welcome please...

(If I should have put this in a different area, please let me know)...

Hope all is having, had, will have a good day....

--Mitch

[Ken.]

My 'family' web site started off several years back as a strait HTML site with a few coding odds and ends thrown in as I learned a few things... when it was turned into Our FamilyForum I began a process that is still ongoing where the HTML pages were pulled into the forum by various means.

Here is some of what has worked well for me with my HTML pages (several hundred of them):

• Copying the pages over into articles; works good but if you used MS FrontPage for the originals you'll have to fix and url's in the articles.
• Using the includes command to pull the actual page into the forum
  Works great but with some limitations... for example my cpg gallery will not display correctly in an includes article.
• iFrames... they work but are my least favorite

The main thing is to do lots of searches here on TP, do a lot of reading so that you can learn what's best for your needs.

One other thing that I do is maintain a special sitemap page/article to list my pages that haven't yet been converted.

It takes a bit of work but the result is worth it. 

[GhostRider2110]

Thanks Ken... so my first step is going to be getting SMF/TP up and with a theme I like... then just start adding/moving content over... in what seems the most logical place?

[Ken.]

This is JMHO based on the various changes that I've gone through.

If starting from scratch I would install SMF/TP and get it working correctly.
Next install any mods that seemed needed... but limit the number and only install those that I just couldn't 'live' without.
Early in this process an article could be added with links to any html pages from the old site giving ongoing access to them and then later those pages could be converted into articles as needed or if desired. ...some of mine may never get converted.

Only then would the themes get installed and only one at a time, making sure that all mods/links whatever else worked correctly in one theme before moving to the next one.

Of course things change and so you have to adjust your plan as you go but the main thing is to have a solid foundation... SMF/TP working correctly first, then all the other stuff.

[GhostRider2110]

I've got the base SMF/TP up....  The reason I say get a base theme I like is I really don't give theme choices...  It's my theme or the highway.. HAHAHA... 

I want to modify a theme to give me the background and color scheme I like and fits with the main colors of the organization.  But that is not set in stone either....  There are just so many great themes to go with out there... But I have to remember, I am dealing with folks from both ends of the web experience ladder... Things I think would be easy and logical to maneuver through would not be so for some of the more computer challenged folks in the club. 

That seems to go along with my basic plan of action... 

Will now have to start reading more in theme modifications and how-to's....

--Mitch

[Ken.]

SMF has a good set of Docs on themes, you'll likely learn a lot reading there.

http://docs.simplemachines.org/index.php?board=45.0

[GhostRider2110]

Eeek.....    Did you use the "L" word!!!!!??   

Thanks again Ken for the info....