This month in April we looked at upgrading Joomla using SP Update or JUpgrade for Joomla. Both methods have its pros and cons as we looked deeper into how they work.
The part that I presented on was the SP Update method using the component from CyEnd.
SP Udate Overview
The component overall does a good job of updating and migrating data from Joomla 1.5 to 2.5.x series.
My personal opinion of the component is that it will get the job done but there is still more work to do afterwards to help fine tune the process of upgrading the content to the website. As with any automated processes there is always more work to do.
With upgrading our own websites from Joomla 1.5 -> 2.5.x we've found it easier to copy the data from the tables over manually and setup default permission levels and category assignment for all the entires and then manually reassigning or rearchitecturing the website.
This is a step that we usually would have done either way with upgrading a website and more likely prefered method internally at PB Web Development.
For other custom databases or components that SP Upgrade didn't update, you'll have to manually rebuild or update these as well to suit Joomla 2.5.x.
At least the upgrade path to Joomla 3.0.x will be much easier.
Leave your comments and feedback below.
Peter Bui
An all round web specialist with years of experience in web design, development and open source solutions.
Twitter: astroboysoup
