Adrian Trenholm Coda del gruppo

Now on WordPress 2.0

Wow, that was slick. I just upgraded from WordPress 1.5 to WordPress 2.0. The procedure goes like this:

1. Back up your database (you do this regularly anyway, don’t you?)
2. If you are especially cautious, like me, ensure you have an offline copy of all your WordPress 1.5 files
3. Delete all WordPress files on the server, except those you have modified
4. Meanwhile, edit the new wp-config.php file to show your database name and password
5. Upload all WordPress 2.0 files, including the updated config file.
6. Navigate to yourdomain/wp-admin/upgrade.php
7. Click the “upgrade Wordpress” link
8. You are done

I know that some people haven’t found it to be this smooth, so I was a bit worried before I started, but without cause. That was fantastic. A huge “Well done, and thank you” to the WP developers. This WYSIWIG interface is pretty zippy too, although I may stay with Markdown and w.bloggar, regardless.

The new instal of WordPress - as opposed to upgrading - is similarly slick.

You can download WordPress 2.0 here.

PS Yes, this is my first post in ages, but I am not going to say much more at this stage. Ideally, I will be posting again regularly in the next few days.

Welcome back

Wordpress 2 is nice isn’t it? I’ve updated 3 of my blogs to it so far, but I can’t face doing the others at present. It’s been a tough week of online ‘admin’ - moving email servers, upgrading WP, backing up files… I need a rest!

Don’t welcome me back too soon, Andy. I start my new job tomorrow, so posting may still be pretty infrequent for a while yet.

S’OK I know the feeling

Adrian - glad upgrading Wordpress was easy for you. I found the process to be just as easy. I just wanted to caution you, saying “Delete all Wordpress Files on the Server” isn’t necessarily the best bet.

You do not want to delete the following files: wp-config.php, wp-content folder, wp-images folder; .htaccess file.

I’d also suggest anyone upgrading deactivate all plugins before upgrading. You can find out what plugins are compatible with WP 2.0 here.

I’m glad to see you emphasized the point about performing backups

Do themes for 1.5 continue to work in 2.0? My site has a customized theme, and the only thing that’s holding me back from the upgrade is that I don’t have time to fix my theme if 2.0 breaks it.

Just so you folks know, there is a serious (IMHO) problem with the permalinks in WP2. Basically if you use the /postID/title-name format the new system will not work and you’ll be dead in the water.

I was terrified enough to backup everything and as such had little trouble downgrading again, but if you don’t back up it’s a problem.

I really never had a chance to play with it much since having all my old posts inaccessable was just not an option.

Here’s my post on the subject:
Wordpress 2.0 isn’t Ready for Primetime

David - good point about the files not to delete. I used the same phrasing as in the WP instructions ie delete all except those you have altered. “Those you have altered” will typically the be those files on your “do not delete” list.

Jim - I was a bit tentative about the upgrade, because I was afraid of my site breaking, but it was all fine. Bear in mind that this is all standard stuff, including the Blix theme and permalinks. Asymptomatic says this about themes in WP 2.0:

Here’s the good news: Themes are probably OK. Unless your theme was doing something crazy before, it’s probably going to work after the upgrade. There have been a lot of new plugin hooks added to the 2.0 version, but it doesn’t seem like anything made it into the theme system that would cause it to break.

Plugins are another matter though.

Bryan, sorry to hear that you have had troubles. I was really keen to get onto 2.0 because of the change in the user system which will suit another project I will be working on next month.

Moral of all these stories: backup, backup and backup some more.

PS Sorry it took me so long to moderate your comments - I started a new job this week, so blog and personal email has taken a back seat.

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