Exporting S9Y data

[Pat]

S9Y seems to be a wonderful product and fit (almost) perfectly my needs. But, whatever is the product and its qualities, I want to be able one day or another to switch to another product.

It seems that there is not a lot of possibilities to do that with S9Y, isn't it?

Almost all blogging softwares have a MT import function and a lot of them solve the previous problem with an MT export function. Does this function exist or is planned?

Thanks, Pat

[garvinhicking]

Hi!

There's a generic export of the s9y data. And you always have the SQL database dump.

There is no common export format for Blogs that Serendipity could use , which allows to export all valid data. The MT export function only covers the title, body and comments of a blog. The RSS export already covers that, so the MT export is virtually no better.

Usually it's in the repsonsibility of the "new" software to import data of other produts. Serendipity, for example, can import data from about 10 blog systems. So if you switch, you'll need to find a blog software that cares as much about importing data as we do. Nah, don't take that too seriously.

Really, since Serendipity is well structued SQL-based, you should have no problem converting s9y data to any other system.

Best regards,
Garvin

[Pat]

Hi Garvin,

Thanks for your answer. You are quicker than me. :oops:

There is no common export format for Blogs that Serendipity could use , which allows to export all valid data. The MT export function only covers the title, body and comments of a blog. The RSS export already covers that, so the MT export is virtually no better.

MT format seems to be a de facto export standard: all blog and CMS software I have seen import MT format.

The MT format covers as you said title, body and comments, but also categories and authors and it's enough for me.

Usually it's in the repsonsibility of the "new" software to import data of other produts. Serendipity, for example, can import data from about 10 blog systems. So if you switch, you'll need to find a blog software that cares as much about importing data as we do.

You are theoretically right, but I have not seen any (not one!) blog or CMS importing from Serendipity. Probably, S9Y is not enough used despite its huge qualities.

Nah, don't take that too seriously.

It's an important feature for me. And perhaps other persons don't use S9Y or switch to it because they feel trapped in the system…

Really, since Serendipity is well structued SQL-based, you should have no problem converting s9y data to any other system.

I believe you, but I am not a programmer. So I need an existing function.

Best regards.

[garvinhicking]

Hi!

I understand that. But it seems every developer was yet so satisfied with s9y, that he didn't need to write an exporter.

The API is open, an exporter could easily be written. So if anyone wants to contribute such functionality, we'll gladly add it to Serendipity!

I myself consider developing features and improving documentation and other things more worthwile spending my own time with and I think it's more important to keep people using s9y instead of moving them away from s9y, so I sadly can'T offer free help in developing the exporter.

However, I believe one could even write his own RSS feed template and use the MT export syntax for it to provide a quick exporter tool.

Best regards,
Garvin

[Pat]

Hi,

I myself consider developing features and improving documentation and other things more worthwile spending my own time with and I think it's more important to keep people using s9y instead of moving them away from s9y.

It's not in order to leave S9Y, but to use it and feel free: I don't enter a room if there is not an exit (easily) avalaible…

Thanks a lot for your time and your quick answers.

[garvinhicking]

Hi!

But s9y is an opensource platform with an open and not proprietary, free SQL data exchange format. You always have an exit with that.

Best regards,
Garvin

[blog.brockha.us]

And s9y has the RSS export as Garvin mentioned, that can easily be changed to match the output you'll need to export. I think this is the easiest way to produce an export to another software.

[Pat]

Hi Grischa,

How to do that?

Thanks.

[blog.brockha.us]

By editing of the feed_*.tpl files. If you don't have it in your template directory, copy one from the default template.

[bjornbjorn]

FYI - I've just released an S9Y to MT Export here:

Serendipity to Movable Type export.

I used it to export my blog and it worked great, but let me know if you find any problems

- bjorn

[blog.brockha.us]

Thanks for releasing this! I didn't test it, as I don't want to change and I don't have the time to look into the MT specs to verify it. But if you test it already, it should work, shouldn't it?

[bjornbjorn]

Yepp, it should work

Let me just say I switched system because I needed a forum to go with the blog (and wanted the two to be integrated). Other than that, s9y would have worked great for my needs.

- bjorn

[garvinhicking]

Hi Bjorn!

I can understand that reasoning. Did you have a prior look to the s9y forum plugin? It's a reduced functionality forum, but would work for some people. Even though I agree it would need a new maintainer.

Best regards,
Garvin

[rita]

Hi,
I am an uber-newbie to this, but have been trying to export my Serendipity blog to WordPress. Any tips? Advice?