[Sitaram]

I am told that it will be possible to receive a backup of your myfreeforum.org message board as a zipped file.

If you have WAMP (Windows Apache, MySQL, PhP) installed on your desktop (there are several free installs available), then you may import the unzipped file with

mysql --user="username" --password="password" databasename < file.sql


To learn more about the availability of a backup of your message board, you must join forum.myfreeforum.org and inquite of the Admin there, via PM.

It is exciting to think that you can install PhPBB on your local hard drive, and then import your entire message board into that desk top version, and possibly, access the mysql tables.

[Sitaram]

http://www.simtel.net/product.download.mirrors.php?id=63053

This is the download page for a freeware program which can unzip the .gz file.

I downloaded wingz zip, unzip,.... and it unzipped in an instant. It warned me that the file ended in .bin and asked me if I wanted to unzip anyway, so I said yes. PSpad allows me to view the entire thing. and certain lines just go on FOREVER to the right, but I can scroll, and see all my posts.

So, if I do install WAMP, then what would I rename that unzipped file, in order to import it into phpbb. I know you gave me the SQL command, and I saved that, so :

mysql --user="username" --password="password" databasename < file.sql


to answer my own question, I merely have to rename the file as file.sql

I have several books here on php and WAMP, which have install cds of wamp. I will try one of those, unless you know a more reliable place to download for a Dell windows XP professional.

I have one by Wiley called Secure PHP development by Mohammed J. Kabir. It looks like I would really learn a lot if I went through it.

So, my next step should be to try and import the file.sql into a phpbb install on my desktop, and try it out with Apache, etc.

Let me know if you have any suggestions. I may not attempt this for a few weeks. But it makes me feel so good to see that unzipped file in plain ascii, with all my hard work.