Upgrading from the Stoneage (3.0.3)
 

I finally have access to a 3.0.3 installation that was ruined by my host. I have a few hacks installed including vba cmps and the original event attendance. I've been able to get it working under php5, which I know is not supported or even easily possible.

Now that I have a working site again, I need to upgrade. I've already been playing with 3.6.12 and 3.8.3 and the newest plugins, so I have a design of a new site in mind. But I want the content from my old site. So the question is, what is the best upgrade path to accomplish this considering I have hacks on the original site?

If memory serves me right, the 3.0.x series needs all hacks removed from the php files before upgrades. Is there anything else I need to think about or take into account? What are some of the other issues I can run across?

I plan to do everything first locally on a completely sandboxed version of my old 3.0.3 site (won't be connected to Internet). Once I succeed there, I want to do this on my new host and on my live data. I need to finish all this by this upcoming Friday, so getting it right the first time will be nice.

Any advice and assistance appreciated. :)