blogspot to Wordpress transfer
  • squashedsquashed
    okay vanilla just ate a long post.



    in ideal situation, conversion from blogspot would be smooth, except for template and picture hosted by blogspot.



    general step:



    1. instal wordpress

    2. prepare wordpress (settings, URL, etc etc)

    3. inport blogspot database. (It has built in importer. should work. If it doesn't work, then usually it's major. And definitely going to need pro. But you can always repeat the process since Blogspot archive is undisturbed)

    4. check if everything is there

    5. install/select template

    6. bookmark transfer

    7. template tweak

    8. plugins.. etc
  • squashedsquashed
    Most common pain:



    - Pictures are all broken. The ones hosted by blogspot.com won't transfer. All sizes will be filtered out.  This has to be fized by hand one by one unfortunately.



    - Template. There are template conversion tool, but it's really not worth the effort if you ask me. Might as well pick template built for wordpress and tweak that.  Most simple and elegant templete only require minimal CSS tweak. (color, fonts size, column size, and masthead link)



    The big and complicated one however are nearly impossible to tweak by hand beyond most obvious items. But... Those are usually compatible with version 2.0 and has drag and drop modules. So you really don't need to know CSS.



    -Fighting spam. Blogspot.com won't play big brothr, so you have to do it on your own. (activate akismet, install 'bad behavior, or add captcha)

    http://codex.wordpress.org/Combating_Comment_Spam



    - the built in wysiwyg input window is absolutely retarded and always screw up all psot but the simplest entry. I recommend turning it off, or install more advance input plug in.  (or use Firefox plug-ins, such as performancing)





    Where to look for help

    http://wordpress.org/support/



    Trouble shooting

    http://codex.wordpress.org/Main_Page



    Various how-tos for beginners, etc

    http://codex.wordpress.org/Main_Page
  • j clicky clickyj clicky clicky
    One question I've had about this conversion is whether I need to know anything about PHP, SQL, etc. Looking around at WordPress I seem to recall seeing something about installing stuff I didn't know anything about, like MySQL, and this made me feel like I was biting off more than I can chew. Is this a non-issue? Did I misunderstood what I saw? Your list makes the transition seem pretty smooth, Squashington.
  • x4ax4a
    Thanks for summarzing this here, Squashed!  I am still scared but may take the plunge soon....
  • squashedsquashed
    Posted by: merzmarsThanks for summarzing this here, Squashed!  I am still scared but may take the plunge soon....

     


    you can build and screw up as bad as you want with the new wordpress site, your old blogspot will still be there.



    I always think, the best is to let old blogspot archive stay, as unmaintained archive.
  • squashedsquashed
    Posted by: j clicky clickyOne question I've had about this conversion is whether I need to know anything about PHP, SQL, etc. Looking around at WordPress I seem to recall seeing something about installing stuff I didn't know anything about, like MySQL, and this made me feel like I was biting off more than I can chew. Is this a non-issue? Did I misunderstood what I saw? Your list makes the transition seem pretty smooth, Squashington.

     


    no, you don't need to know PHP, SQL or what not, unless you are planning some crazy ass mod, (eg. a page calling data in in non standard ways.. bla bla)



    but if all you want is, move your blogspot to wordpress, put standart templete + minor tweak (color, size, masthead)... it pretty straight forward.  Wordpress has built in "importer", it takes care the database transfer) 



    but as I say, if the importer doesn't work for you...then yer screwed, your system is not common and you need a help from pro. Pictures will be screwed up. But that's about it.



    If I can do it, anybody can do it.
  • squashedsquashed
    Posted by: j clicky clickyOne question I've had about this conversion is whether I need to know anything about PHP, SQL, etc. Looking around at WordPress I seem to recall seeing something about installing stuff I didn't know anything about, like MySQL, and this made me feel like I was biting off more than I can chew. Is this a non-issue? Did I misunderstood what I saw? Your list makes the transition seem pretty smooth, Squashington.

     


    okay wait, I see what you mean.

    well, I was assuming, you want to run your wordpress in some sort of "pay" service, eg. dreamhost, yahoo, or whatever other service.  They have all that set up already.



    but if you plan to install wordpress on your very own server at home... well.. don't ask me. ...
  • j clicky clickyj clicky clicky
    No, you were right the first time. I was thinking about setting up with Dreamhost. That might be further down the line tho. My current redesign is pretty far along, so this would likely be a late 2007 move (what can I say, I'm a planner).
  • blogsarefordogsblogsarefordogs

    As someone who made the jump about six months ago I can tell you it was a little bit of work for a major gain in functionality and dependability.  I'm working on a much bigger redesign, given that at current my layout is very basic, but you shouldn't let wordpress intimidate you.  Squashed is right - the importing process gave me the most worries because it took a few tries to get things the way I wanted them exactly.


    All in all I've been super pleased with wp though.  I have minimal PHP knowledge and have figured things out with the help of a few friends.


    As an addendum I do recommend picking a new wp theme rather than trying to convert your old blogger template.  There are lots of good ones out there, but a lot more bad ones too.  Browse around in advance, for sure.

  • squashedsquashed
    Themes



    repository of tested themes

    http://themes.wordpress.net

    minimalist

    http://www.plaintxt.org/2006/06/13/the-best-minimalist-wordpress-themes/

    simple

    http://oriol.f2o.org/qwilm/

    big site

    http://www.wordpresstheme.com/





    Wordpress plugins (administration, anti spam, theme rotators,various eye candies, etc)

    http://wp-plugins.net/





    also: Wordpress has pingback, which is fairly usefull to quickly network between friendly blogs.
  • paul.irishpaul.irish
    Wordpress does offer a bunch more functionality than blogger, and if you didn't already, it gives you a chance to ditch your .blogspot.com URL.

    I'm currently in the midst of a blogger -> wordpress transfer. I had some issues using the import tool. 



    My Importing tips:

    1)     If you're currently publishing to an FTP, set your publishing to a blogspot address first.

    2)     If you've hacked your blogger template a lot, remove the trickiest parts. They may trip up the importer.



    J Clicky, it's nothing to scare you off. It's a weekend project, but it shouldnt be too bad. I recommend it for just about everyone on blogger.

    You'll see aurgasm on its new legs pretty soon.
  • j clicky clickyj clicky clicky
    Thanks Paul. I've got a couple weeks off at the end of the year and I am hoping to get the new stuff up then, with the B->WP transfer coming maybe 6/07.
  • squashedsquashed


    Todo list



    - create how-to draft  (blogspot to wordpress for mp3 blogger)

    - submit to codex



    -----------



    content

    1. consideration

    2. preparation

    3. moving steps

    4. post moving

    5. quick template alteration guide



    ----------------
  • squashedsquashed




    Once you go Wordpress, you'll never go back. There is so much you can do and so much help to do it. Plug-ins, themes, etc.

    http://blogging.wordpress.com/


    http://theblogjoint.com/2006/08/29/top-wordpress-plugins/


    http://scribez.wordpress.com/2006/09/16/new-ten-best-free-wordpress-templates/


    http://silentbits.com/2006/09/12/top-wordpress-themes/


    http://del.icio.us/popular/wordpress/



    --------------

    moved information from this thread:


    http://elbo.ws/vanilla/comments.php?DiscussionID=1074&page=1#Item_21




     


    --------------


    Also usefull



    list of all template tags

    http://codex.wordpress.org/Template_Tags



    template discussion/documents

    http://codex.wordpress.org/Blog_Design_and_Layout

     




  • squashedsquashed
    okay people...



    everybody pick a section and start writing ...

    for those who is moving, write down your experiance. (key summary and essential information)  so it can be integrated in 'how-to' doc.





    Use this wiki to organize the doc, before submitting to Codex.

    http://musicblogwiki.elwiki.com/Main_Page
  • brandonbrandon
    Another Wordpress plugins page:

    http://blogcritics.org/archives/2006/12/31/100520.php
  • squashedsquashed
    update:



    if you have moved to new blogger (registering with gmail+pwd)

    you gonna need this plug-in to move blogger archive to wordpress.



    http://www.romantika.name/v2/2007/01/31/import-new-blogger-to-wordpress/



    Image importer. (this will transfer all your blogger hosted image to your wordpress server. I never try it, so ..not sure how well this work)

    http://notions.okuda.ca/wordpress-plugins/blogger-image-import/





    see also these notes:

    http://www.webbleyou.com/2006-09-14-how-to-move-from-blogger-beta-to-wordpress



    http://codex.wordpress.org/Importing_Content
  • squashedsquashed
    aha, so I finally can explain why google is doing all sort of strange stuff with their RSS and login. They are trying to prevent people from migrating!



    They keep changing everything everytime there is a patch for migration tool. I guess google really need those content to generate their ads eh?



    main plugin page here

    http://www.romantika.name/v2/2007/01/31/import-new-blogger-to-wordpress/



    which leads to this latest revision.

    http://www.techcounter.com/wordpress/import-blogger-beta-posts-to-wordpress/
  • squashedsquashed

    Okay haven't tried this. But transfer problem and sidebar shenanigans by way of blogger are supposedly no more.






    http://wordpress.org/development/2007/05/wordpress-22/


    On behalf of the entire WordPress team, I’m proud and excited to announce the immediate availability of version 2.2 “Getz” for download. This version includes a number of new features, most notably Widgets integration, and over two hundred bug fixes. It’s named in honor of tenor saxophonist Stan Getz.


    Goodies:


    • WordPress Widgets allow you to easily rearrange and customize areas of your weblog (usually sidebars) with drag-and-drop simplicity. This functionality was originally available as a plugin Widgets are now included by default in the core code, significantly cleaned up, and enabled for the default themes.
    • Full Atom support, including updating our Atom feeds to use the 1.0 standard spec and including an implementation of the Atom Publishing API to complement our XML-RPC interface.
    • A new Blogger importer that is able to handle the latest version of Google’s Blogger product and seamlessly import posts and comments without any user interaction beyond entering your login.
    • Infinite comment stream, meaning that on your Edit Comments page when you delete or spam a comment using the AJAX links under each comment it will bring in another comment in the background so you always have 20 items on the page. (I know it sounds geeky, but try it!)
  • RachelRachel
    Ohhh yeah and what perfect timing I will have to try it out and see how it works, be prepared for an e-mail from me. hAHA
  • RachelRachel
    I just transfered everything using the importer in the WP 2.2 version...OMG it was seamless, so easy I almost couldn't believe it.

    If you were thinking of transferring from your new blogger to WP now is the time. WEeeeeeeee
  • squashedsquashed
    Wordpress 2.3 is turning evil. Why the fuck are people always try this trick?



    time to write and complain people!



    "Popular open-source blogging engine WordPress has been upgraded to 2.3 — with some unexpected nasties in the mix. As of version 2.3, WordPress now periodically (every 12 hours) sends personally identifying information (blog name & URI) to the mothership, along with an alarming amount of information including $_SERVER dumps, a list of installed plugins, and your current PHP/MySQL settings. Most unfortunately, it does not provide any way of disabling this functionality, and WordPress does not have any privacy policy protecting this information. In a thread about the issue, lead developer Matt Mullenweg defends his actions and staunchly refuses to add an opt-in interface, telling users to 'fork WordPress' if they aren't willing to put up with this behavior."



    http://yro.slashdot.org/yro/07/09/25/1632246.shtml
  • itsatrapitsatrap
    all the more reason to develop and host your own CMS
  • squashedsquashed
    I'll just wait until somebody post one with ping back op-out option.
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