Now here’s one of the scariest things you can do in blogging, and with good reasons. For starters, you can totally destroy everything that you have worked at so hard up to this point. In my particular case, I have just downloaded Wordpress Version 2.3.1 last week, and now it’s already asking me to upgrade. Is it worth it? Should a blogger update when there is a new release? These are all but questions of risk tolerance and comfort zones. In the end, your blog should work fine with the current version, and upgrading is just a matter of choice.

Advantages of a Wordpress Upgrade:

  • it’s an upgrade, so obviously it’s a better version
  • bug fixes
  • compatability with new plugins and themes
  • new features

    • Disadvantages:

  • can be one huge pain in the arse
  • previous plugins may not work
  • themes may go haywire
  • down-time for your website
  • in summary—website instability and would take a lot of work

    • The release statement for version 2.3.2 contains some really loaded words, like expose and information leaks. They shouldn’t scare the average blogger—in fact, I myself don’t understand everything that was said in there. But since this is a How To blog, and I know most of you is interested on how to do the proper upgrade, then I’m going to risk BlueMumble to guide those who would want to upgrade their blogs with lesser hassles and failures(as someone else had done it already). BlueMumble has no comfort zones and I will risk it first(whether it’s a customization or monetization issue) before you do yours. This guide will also be applicable for future releases and not just this particular release. So here we go.

    1. Download the new version, unzip it, and save it in an easily accessible folder like your Desktop.

    2. Launch your FTP client and log-in to your website’s FTP server.

    3. Important: Make sure you have a back-up of everything, and I mean everything, especially if this is the first time you’ll be doing an upgrade.
      • First off, back-up your database by going to your Cpanel account and launching the SQL database back-up command. Never had to use it but what would I lose? It only takes a minute.
      • Log-in to your website’s wordpress. Go to Manage->Export, and save to an XML file. This will save your posts, pages, comments, categories, tags, etc.
      • Go to your FTP client and download your theme, plugins, modified php files, and any other important files you may have placed there and save them locally on your computer.

    4. Deactivate your theme in the Presentation tab by choosing the default template. Go to the Plugins folder and deactivate all your plugins as well.

    5. Proceed with the upgrade. Copy the contents of the newly downloaded version of Wordpress over to your blog directory. “Over” meaning folders and files you have put there after the first installation are left alone and not deleted. Copying over also preserves other customizations you have done since setting up the previous version.

    6. Let the upload complete. Try and log-in to your website. Activate your theme and plugins and see if everything is in working order.

    7. You’re done!

    So was i able to do it? Well, the mere fact that you are still able to read this guide is already a testament to the success of this guide.

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