Posted by Egmund on Mon, Feb 25, 2019 - 12:22pm

I some weeks ago tried to convert a Drupal 7 site to Backdrop. As far as I know I followed the guidelines, but it was a disastrous waste of time.

I migrated the same site to D8 with hardly any problems, but I do not like D8. Several modules are not quite functioning (yet) and the whole construct is not to my liking.

I then tried to get into this forum for help, but it took more than two weeks to get approved - ridiculous. In that time I of course searched for other solutions, so, for me, Backdrop is not at all promising. Sad.

 

(I have several D7 sites in need of conversion before EOL (november 2021))

Accepted answer

Hello again Egmund,

The instructions to upgrade a web site form Drupal 7 to Backdrop are still on https://backdropcms.org/upgrade-from-drupal, and they have been updated since our conversation, see https://github.com/backdrop-ops/backdropcms.org/issues/509. In case something is still misleading, feel free to post your thoughts here or in the mentioned issue.

Also, recently there was a Backdrop Mini Camp with a session called "Upgrading from Drupal to Backdrop CMS" which was recorded, see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdHzcX947Vc.

Apart of that, I think possible upgrade challenges depend on the kind of site. If something doesn't work, don't hesitate to ask here or in the Gitter LiveChat or to post issues in the Backdrop core issue queue (see https://backdropcms.org/support/resources).

Regarding translations, I'll create a Danish translation group on https://localize.backdropcms.org and import some Danish language files from Drupal (core and key modules like Views). You will then be able to download the Danish language file from the Backdrop localization server and use it in your Backdrop sites. As a group member, you'll also be able to provide translation suggestions.

Comments

Tue, Feb 26, 2019 - 8:56pm by stpaultim

I am sorry that you had a bad experience, especially with this forum. About 2-3 weeks ago, we temporarily put new memberships on "moderation" to combat a huge influx in SPAM that was evading our SPAM filters. We hope to have that problems resolved shortly and to remove the necessity to moderate new members. 

Personally, I've migrated at least two sites from Drupal 7 to Backdrop and it went pretty smoothly, but I did run into some problems. I've found folks in the Backdrop community to be super helpful and I'm sorry that you were unable to reach us when you needed to.

In addition to this forum, you can also reach members of the Backdrop community on Github, in our chat channel on Gitter, or even on Twitter (@backdropcms). See here for more information. For quick responses, Gitter is a great option.

https://backdropcms.org/support/resources

I know your frustrated, but if you have time I would consider giving Backdrop CMS another chance. 

I've been trying to get a virtual user group going for Backdrop CMS. This might be a good time to schedule a session on migrating Drupal 7 sites. If you interested in that, you might want to follow this thread.  https://forum.backdropcms.org/forum/virtual-backdropcms-user-group

If your willing, we'd love to hear your feedback on the kinds of problems you ran into with your migration. 

Wed, Feb 27, 2019 - 12:38am by Egmund

Thank you Tim (guessing),

I tried to migrate a rather complicated site with many extra fields and modules needed (to create a seemingly relational DB and be able to import/export tables). The needed modules seemed to exist in Backdrop, so I gave it a shot. Got a list of several (5-6) errors. Started over with further disabling of modules and got down to one error - but still blocked from actual migration. Tried disabling further, but that created more errors. Tried to get into this forum for help, but was not accepted. Gave up.

A migration to Drupal 8 went smoothly, and the needed modules are there (but not functioning that well). Besides, I hate the direction Drupal is taking - they can't even figure it out themselves (non functioning recent releases/updates).

So, now I am studying MODX and have converted one Drupal 7 site into it (simple site). Site now loads quite a lot faster than in D7. There are much to learn, so I was hoping for Backdrop, but the delay in getting into this forum as well as 'negative' comments in various places on the net makes me somewhat wary about that solution.

Olafski's picture

Thu, Feb 28, 2019 - 2:53am by Olafski

Hey Egmund,

yesterday I started to upgrade a Drupal 7 site to Backdrop. I've been using Backdrop for a couple of sites (built from scratch), so I consider myself a quite experienced Backdrop user, and I like the CMS very much.

However, so far I had never tried to upgrade a site from Drupal before. Yesterday, I've managed to finish an upgrade but I was also confronted with several challenges. Similar to your experience, I got some errors and started over several times, disabling (and uninstalling) contributed modules, and finally the upgrade ran fine. (I'm okay with the result even if I had to uninstall more modules than I wanted. Will rework missing parts in the Backdrop installation.)

During the upgrade, I asked some questions in the Backdrop Gitter channel, which was very helpful. As Tim mentioned, the Gitter channel is a great option to get quick responses. That said, I became aware that the upgrade process from Drupal 7 to Backdrop has to be improved both technically and regarding documentation.

I'll create some upgrade related issues in the Github Backdrop core queue and in the issue queues of contributed modules, looking forward that the upgrade process will be improved.

Thu, Feb 28, 2019 - 3:30am by Egmund

Thank you for your comment Olafski,

I fear though, that before Backdrop migration is improved and properly documented, I will be proficient enough in MODX Revolution to convert to that platform instead. The D7 site I converted to MODX took less time to do than I think I could have done it in Backdrop.

Olafski's picture

Fri, Mar 01, 2019 - 1:22am by Olafski

Thanks for your reply, Egmund! For curiosity: what does "converting" mean? Is there a sort of upgrade or migration path from Drupal to MODX Revolution, or do you have to rebuild a Drupal site in that system?

Fri, Mar 01, 2019 - 1:41am by Egmund

This method can/should only be used on reasonable simple sites. I experimented with a site with no (extra) users.

First copy the site with HTTrack (WebHTTrack). Then it is simple to insert the resulting files and text into a MODX Revolution site - works right away. But the site should be severely cleaned up at some point, template and content is mixed and too many unnecessary stylesheet calls. The site is https://nibbana.dk

The only way to migrate more complicated sites I know of is via WordPress.

Olafski's picture

Fri, Mar 01, 2019 - 3:34am by Olafski

Thanks for your feedback! From visiting the site, I'd say it could be built from scratch with Backdrop in a couple of hours. If it was my site, in such a case, I'd prefer to build the site right away and copy/paste the content, instead of upgrading from Drupal.

Fri, Mar 01, 2019 - 4:12am by Egmund

That is all true Olaf.

However, I am in the process of learning MODX to see which way the future is (since Drupal 8 and soon D7 is out).

My plan at this point is to recreate (build from scratch) my domains in MODX Revo.

I have 'visited' (tried) Backdrop twice now, and both times were seriously disappointed. First time there were hardly any modules converted and available. Second time I could not migrate to Backdrop and help (this forum) was (yes, I overlooked the chat channel) not available for several weeks.

Olafski's picture

Fri, Mar 01, 2019 - 4:39am by Olafski

Sorry again that you was disappointed by Backdrop, Egmund, and I understand that you chose a different way. Good luck!

Fri, Mar 01, 2019 - 9:26am by Egmund

& thank you for trying to help me. Hope this (Backdrop) project succeed.

Sat, Mar 02, 2019 - 4:50pm by stpaultim

For the record, we've dealt with the SPAM problem and removed the need for moderation of new accounts. Once again, users should be able to join the forum and post messages immediately. 

If anyone is unable to post to the forum, please use the contact form on backdropcms.org to reach us. 

Wed, Jun 12, 2019 - 11:57pm by Egmund

I will try to 'awaken' this topic again.

MODX Revolution will take some time to learn and Backdrop looks increasingly good.

What instructions should I (try to) follow converting a D7 site? Asking since last time instructions were somewhat misleading/incomplete/outdated.

Another thing: This time one stumbling block is the lack of translations (& lack of access to be able to translate). What file should I use as a basis for (core) translation? (Yes, I have the D7 language file). What other language tools/modules would be useful?

Thanx in advance Egmund

Olafski's picture

Thu, Jun 13, 2019 - 3:11am by Olafski

Hello again Egmund,

The instructions to upgrade a web site form Drupal 7 to Backdrop are still on https://backdropcms.org/upgrade-from-drupal, and they have been updated since our conversation, see https://github.com/backdrop-ops/backdropcms.org/issues/509. In case something is still misleading, feel free to post your thoughts here or in the mentioned issue.

Also, recently there was a Backdrop Mini Camp with a session called "Upgrading from Drupal to Backdrop CMS" which was recorded, see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdHzcX947Vc.

Apart of that, I think possible upgrade challenges depend on the kind of site. If something doesn't work, don't hesitate to ask here or in the Gitter LiveChat or to post issues in the Backdrop core issue queue (see https://backdropcms.org/support/resources).

Regarding translations, I'll create a Danish translation group on https://localize.backdropcms.org and import some Danish language files from Drupal (core and key modules like Views). You will then be able to download the Danish language file from the Backdrop localization server and use it in your Backdrop sites. As a group member, you'll also be able to provide translation suggestions.

Thu, Jun 13, 2019 - 12:10pm by Egmund

Thank you very much Olaf for the quick and thorough response.

I got the translation files and will get to work on the missing 25% (as well as converting some sites).

E.