Upgrading to Wordpress 2.5? Read this first!
This Saturday, the first stable wordpress 2.5 was finally released. After some delays and two beta release candidates, wordpress as reached another new level.
I could mention the new features that come with the new version, and how awesome the new control panel was, but i won’t do that. First, im not in the mood for that, and second, my first impression on the new cpanel was not that good lol.
Last week, with the release of the final version of the options theme, i decided to upgrade to the wordpress RC-2 in order to properly use the new theme, which was WP 2.5 specific.
I had to do some research first on how to safely upgrade my wordpress installation, and spent some time reading about the possible incompatibilities with some plugins.
So, after some research i decided that it was time to backup my database (obviously), not only from this blog, but from all my sql driven sites. Heck, if i was downloading one database why not download all of them and spare some time in the future?
Now, with all backups placed in a “safe” place it was time for the next phase:
Checking plugins issues with WP 2.5
Every wordpress blogger will have for certain, plugins installed, and most of you will be like me, a plugin addict, that installs almost all new plugins that appear lol. But this new version is different in so many ways, that some plugins might not work correctly, or not work at all.
So, a mandatory stop is the Wordpress Codex where you can find a list of compatible plugins, and a list of plugins that don’t work with this new version. Just browse the list and see if there’s a plugin that you use and it is known not to work with WP 2.5. Just take notice that if your plugin is not on the list, that does not necessarily mean that it is compatible.
This may be also useful. There is a plugin called Wordpress Upgrade Preflight Check that will generate a list of all your installed plugin, and it will tell you if there’s issues with the wordpress version you want to install. Unfortunately, the plugin author has not released yet a version that checks problems in upgrading to 2.5. It only does to version 2.3. But check the plugin page often, as i expect a release soon.
Now, with instant upgrade plugin, i just click to install the latest stable version of wordpress and voila! You have upgraded easily your blog and in a safe way.
Now, you just need to test your blog to see if you find any conflict with your plugins, and if everything is fine then, there is nothing more to say than:
Enjoy the wordpress features and happy blogging! 
Btw, i made a new bans site 
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Do you suggest upgrade using fantastico ?
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yes. it is ok to upgrade through fantastico, but don’t forget to backup your site and database first
If we upgrade through fantastico, fantastico will automatically backup all file & database at /home//fantastico_backups/
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Thanks for the info. I have been eager to upgrade my blog but was nervous about how it would affect my plug-ins - I use a lot of them. I have also wondered if my theme is compatible.
I was considering doing a back-up of my blog and installing at another location and doing a “test upgrade”. Do you think that is a good idea, or am I getting too paranoid now?
Chuck
no. you are not getting too paranoid.
Just backup all your blog files and database, and upgrade the blog version. if something goes very wrong you will have the old files to restore. Alternatively, as you said, you can do a test upgrade of your blog in another location.
but i prefer the first option…
If you don’t mind one more question. I’ll just backup my files using FTP but what is the best way to back-up my database. Is there special utility I can use? I use GoDaddy hosting, I’ll drop them a line, their help is usually pretty good.
Thanks for the info!
FYI - I am having trouble posting my comment, this is the third time I posted.
you can use godaddy control panel to download a backup of your database. if goddady uses cpanel than that process couldn’t be easier. alternatively you can install this plugin:
WordPress Database Backup -> http://www.ilfilosofo.com/blog/wp-db-backup/
having trouble posting comment? what error does it show??
I don’t get an error, just nothing posts. I assume you have some kind of moderation plug-in?
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oh. i thought somekind of error appeared. Yes, nothing appears because i moderate all posts. No post appears without my consent.
I love BANS too.
I upgraded this week and had a problem with all my permalinks! I had to change my links to a custom workaround fix. I hope yours went smoother.
While I have a workaround, it means all my past thousand links are indexed, but don’t work properly now :\ since I had to add in an extra word… (index.php) in the permalink…ew.
hi haven’t updated my BANS stores yet. but i hope i don’t have any problems… im just waiting for a break in my college life to be able to dedicate some time in developing the BANS stores….
I don’t normally encourage immediate upgrade of software for new release. Reason being that the major upgrade will come with bugs that waiting for users to feedback to developer and eventually rectify in the enhance version.
I would suggest wait for upgrade version like 2.5.1 or 2.5.2 release then only upgrade. Thumb rule for older version users: Never in the hurry to upgrade your wordpress version, unless it is necessary.
By the way, for upgrade process, if you are having cpanel access, you can upgrade from fantastico instead of instant upgrade. I read review on this plugin somewhere saying that there is some control by the plugin that might cause you more problem later on. However, you got to wait for a little longer time for fantastico to update wordpress to the latest version (it is not update immediate).
Hope this little tips can help you.
Regards,
Steven Wong
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i wouldn’t be so “drastic” so to speak. Every software is prone to updates, and as soon as we see that the software is stable enough to work, then we should update, off course this depends on each person judgement. Im a guy that likes to test beta versions, but when it comes to more serious projects i take the necessary precautions before installing a new version. if something goes wrong then i just roll back the instalation. Speaking of WP 2.5, i used the RC-2 and not the RC-1 mainly because i thought it was too fresh, and secondly i was waiting for this theme to be released. I normally wait about a week to install a new version after it is released. Take my example on SMF script it has released the beta version 2 to the general public. I haven’t updated my forum to that version, not because it is still a beta, but because i don’t have time for it, because i know i need some hours for that.
Now, if a blogger is somewhat noob in installing scripts and similar, in that case, i agree with. wait a little more.
But as for the WP 2.5 i recommend that everyone should update from 2.3 to 2.5
as for the instant updgrade, i was not aware of that. thanks for the info. Wher have you read that?
Well, I am just speaking from the feedbacks from my students and readers. Most of them are still consider newbie in wordpress, that’s why I don’t usually recommend them to upgrade unless like you said, you know exactly why upgrade will benefit you.
I can’t remember where I read, it was quite sometimes ago, the plugin will take control of your certain files and you will not able to delete or do something. Just check the plugin page, there is one option that allow you to take control back on your wordpress. If you need to find out, just google “Instant Plugin Review” and you will get some feedbacks.
Thanks,
Steven Wong
Blog Marketing’s last blog post..How To Insert YouTube Video Into Blog Post Easily (Without Using Any Video Plugin)
hum. probably it is something related with the file ownership. the script can somehow change this. but is something i definitely have to read about. thanks
I am so worried about 2.5. Thanks so much for the pre-flight plug-in. Great idea as I am like you and have 20+ plug-ins (now on 2.2.2).
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preflight plugin can be really useful, but just make sure when you use it, it supports wp 2.5. Right now it doesn’t :\