Today is Day 19 of the Be A Better Blogger series. We’re using the outline offered by Collis Ta’eed in an article titled 31 Days To Becoming A Better Blogger, and our topic for the day is:
Update your blogging software to its latest version. Out of date blogging software can be vulnerable to bugs and attacks from hackers. Just make sure to back up your previous install (and that you know what you’re doing). You might need to spend some time researching the transition before you actually begin the process...
Oh boy 😆 I have to confess... I dont know how to do this one 🙄 LOL
The last time I upgraded to a newer version of WordPress, I hired someone to do it. His name was Chris Boaze and I give him a high recommendation if you are looking for someone to turn to yourself. You can request a free quote from him at his site.
Check out the video below, and if you have any good tutorials or resources on the topic you can share them with us in the comments section below...
How To Upgrade WordPress
What version of WordPress are you running - and do you manage your upgrades yourself?
About Lynn Terry
Yes you are so right. Back up whatever you are going to be changinge before you change it.
Hey Terry,
You are the angel of blogging!
Thanks for your great tips.
Hi Lynn,
There's a plugin that does all of what's shown in the video completely automatically, leaving your theme directory alone.
It's called WordPress Automatic Upgrade
Thought you may wanted to know. 🙂
I just upgrade using Fantastico in cpanel. They tend to be slow in making upgrades available but otherwise it makes it extremely easy. I am currently running 2.3.3
Hi Lynn,
Good day to you. Am really surprised that I've taken a 'long vacation' from this blog. I guess this series on blogging is quite educating judging from the interest so far.
But I will have to take time to read through now...
I agree with Melissa, about backing up what you are doing. I had a great reminder last week when my hard drive decided it was done working. Now I back up everything! 🙂
You can always go to the WordPress site to find out if you've missed any critical updates (the ones for security reasons). If you have, get updated ASAP. You really don't want to get hacked.... been there done that with another script I used to run and it was a nightmare I never want to go through again.
WordPress also has easy to follow instructions for upgrading. It's not hard at all.
Hey Lynn,
Case Stevens recommended a good plugin. I started using this myself a little while ago.
The completely automatic function didn't work on my sites, but the semi automatic worked perfectly.
It was super easy to use. Even the semi automatic is super easy.
With just a few clicks, the plugin will:
* Backup your database and allow you to download it.
* Put your site in maintenance mode.
* Disable all plugins.
* Access WordPress' site, transfer the new version, and unpack it.
* Install the new version
* Give you option to perform the upgrade (one click)
* Reactivate all plugins with summary
* Take site out of maintenance mode
* and do a clean up (delete temp files, etc)
And this is all done with just a few clicks... or less if the fully automatic option works.
~Shannon
p.s. Information provided to show my love to this plugin, not to disrespect Chris. 🙂
I second this opinion, updating the blog software is necessary. Here is a link http://codex.wordpress.org/Upgrading_WordPress, worth recommending to you.
Luckily I am not the one handling the software itself, but we're a tad guilty of running behind with our updates, too. I'm copying your url and sending it to my partner 🙂
Also very small world - Chris Boaze's dad Steven is a long time friend though we've fallen out of touch (but I bet he wouldn't recognize the pen name!).
Cool Diane - I believe Steven is also a member at the SSWT Forum 😀
Paul - I've been through that too. No fun!! Check this out though.. http://www.clicknewz.com/1159/free-remote-backup/ 😉
Thanks for the plugin link & details you guys. I'm going to check that one out for myself!