This is something I had to grapple with recently, but for the “hobbyist” web designer, as I consider myself, this is how you do it step by step.

You will need a couple of things before you begin.

1. An InvisionFree message board (IF).
2. The latest installed version of Simple Machines Forum (SMF) on your host.
3. Access to your MySQL database (password is enough).
4. The InvisionFree to SMF converter.

Once you have all these necessary items, begin by reading the next section.

Step 1 Uploading the Converter Packet

Using your FTP, upload all the IF to SMF converter files – there are basically two for this process. Since you are using an IF board, you will have retrieved the converters for IPB (Invision Power Board) 1.3. IF, previously, was using IPB as the basis for their free system, and the IPB version was from 2003 (!). So the converter packet will reflect this.

Take both files (convert.php and invision_to_smf.sql) and upload them to the same directory as your SMF is installed on your host (should be something like www.yourexample.com/forum).

Step 2 Getting the old IF data

You will need both the path to the SMF board you installed and the path to where you data is on the old board at IF. To do this, you must log into your Admin CP at your old IF board and navigate to InvisionFree Network > Support Ticket. Once there, request your data from your old IF board – you will have to pay a fee, depending on the size of your board (IF support takes PayPal). They will provide you with a link – very important (see next step).

Step 3 Accessing the Converter

Now you can begin the conversion, which is simple. Navigate to where you uploaded your converter packet – again, it is the same file on your server as where the SMF board is located: www.yoursite.com/forum/convert.php. It should loook something like that.

Once there, you will be asked for the path of your SMF board (it should auto-detect that) and the path of your old board (use the link that IF support gave you for your data dump). Type in the password to MySQL and voila! You just made your conversion, you little genius!