Comment to 'Is there any stable release version of UNA? If so, which one is it?'
Comment to Is there any stable release version of UNA? If so, which one is it?

  • Hello!

    As previously mentioned, the Dolphin Migration Tool was developed several years ago and was originally intended to facilitate migration from an unmodified version of Dolphin 7.4.2 to any available version of UNA. The only limitation was the PHP version required to run both Dolphin and UNA simultaneously on the same server. The last PHP version that supported this overlap was PHP 7.4, which is compatible with Dolphin and UNA up to approximately version 13.0.1.

    The most recent update to the Dolphin Migration Tool was released last year, coinciding with the release of UNA version 14.0.0-A3. In essence, the primary constraint for using the Dolphin Migration Tool is the PHP version, since both Dolphin and UNA CMS must be installed and operational on the same server during the migration process. Dolphin's development ceased at PHP 7.4, while the latest versions of UNA require PHP 8.2 and above.

    That said, it is still possible to use the Dolphin Migration Tool with a few workarounds. Dolphin does not necessarily need to be fully functional on the same server where UNA is installed. You can temporarily enable PHP 7.4, transfer the Dolphin files, and configure the /inc/header.inc.php file so that Dolphin runs correctly. Then, you can switch the PHP version to one compatible with the latest UNA (e.g., 14.0.0), install the Dolphin Migration Tool, specify the path to the Dolphin installation, and proceed with migrating the profiles.

    If your Dolphin version is unmodified - for example, it does not allow non-unique profile names or similar alterations - then profile data, including avatars, should transfer without issue. Other modules generally do not present major problems, and any minor issues that arise can usually be resolved easily.

    Several migration tools have been built on the foundation of the Dolphin Migration Tool, including Social Engine, WordPress, and others. In any case, we offer migration assistance services and are happy to help if needed.

    • Yes, thank you. I am already well-acquainted with everything you’ve explained here, and I have installed several versions of UNA. However, each version requires a patch for the Dolphin migration tool due to database changes with every UNA update, which hinders successful migration. Additionally, the migration script fails to transfer all the relevant data that we need.

      Currently, I am addressing this issue. I have installed version 14.0.0 and am making further modifications to the migration script to ensure that all views and my content are effectively transferred. I have also developed a new video module, which is essentially a modified version of the UNA albums, specifically designed for videos, as I prefer not to mix video content with photos. Moreover, I am not satisfied with the standard video module offered by UNA, so I have created a new custom video module for our site. I am also not satisfied with the standard albums module and am working on modifying it before the migration.

      These changes make the transfer process more complex, as I aim to migrate all my content directly to the new custom platform. Additionally, I am working on a few new modules similar to those I had in Dolphin, ensuring that everything is migrated without any loss. I am not in a rush and will manage everything by myself; I don’t require any assistance. Thank you very much.

      What you wrote is invaluable for anyone looking to migrate from Dolphin, making it very useful. I will share all the patches added to the UNA migration script that are relevant for anyone who still needs to migrate to UNA in the future. Happy coding!