If you find any usability issues with the TAPACOM site as a result of this change please let me know by contacting me at: http://www.tapacom.net/contact/

http://www.webweaversworkshop.org/2011/09/01/essential-wordpress-plugins/

Backup the MySQL Database

1. In the Dashboard use the wp-dbmanager plugin to make a current backup of the MySQL database.
   Path = Dashboard > Database > BackupDB
2. This will also be a good time to make repairs and optimize the database.
   Path = Dashboard > Database > RepairDB
   Path = Dashboard > Database > OptimizeDB

Download the New Plugin Files

1. See which plugins have new versions.
   Path = Plugins > Updates Available
2. Click on the link “View version xxx details”. On the succeeding page click on the link “WordPress.org Plugin Page” to see the plugin’s page at the WordPress.org plugin directory site.
3. Download the new version at the link “Download Version xxx”

This will initiate a download of the compressed file to your machine. Extract the file compressed file.

Upload the New Plugin Files

1. First, deactivate the plugin if it is active.
   Path = Plugins > Updates Available
   Click the “Deactivate” link.
2. Launch the FTP client application (Fetch or another similar application).Connect to the web server with the FTP client application using the following access information:
   host = ( domain name )username = ( as provided to you by the system administrator )
   password = ( as provided to you by the system administrator )
3. Go to the plugins folder.
   Path = Sites > wp-content > plugins
4. Upload the folder containing the plugin files from your computer to the server.
5. Reactivate the deactivated plugin.
   Path = Plugins > Updates Available
   Click the “Activate” link.

Verify

Test the functions of the updated plug in. Also test other functions of the web site. Look for any non-functioning services and unwanted changes in layout and appearances. Test functions like mail forms, feeds, forums, posts, pages, etc.

If you discover any issues initiate the troubleshooting process.

Here is the link to the contact form: http://www.tapacom.net/contact/

If you experience any technical or visual issues please report them to me. Your input would be greatly appreciated. Use this form to send me a message: http://tapacom.net/contact.

This change only applies to the TAPACOM Announcements list at this time. Over the coming weeks I will convert the mailing lists for clients’ lists to the Mailman server, too. But for now, your lists will continue to operate using the LetterRip server.

If you find any issues with messages from the new list server, please let me know, as it will help me to fine tune the Mailman server.

WordPress automatic updates – automatic updates from the Dashboard fail. Permissions were the original suspected cause of this problem, but research indicates that this might be related to the FTP server application. This will be tested by returning to the more robust Rumpus FTP server.

Advanced Category Excluder – this plugin is apparently not compatible with WordPress 3.1. Incompatibility with PHP 5 is suspected. The plugin author has not updated the code. So alternatives are being investigated to work around the issue.

Theme incompatibilities – some WordPress themes, generally the older ones, do not work well under WordPress 3.1/PHP 5. If these themes cannot be updated  with fixes, then suitable alternatives will be installed.

Some web sites which used old WordPress themes were difficult to move thoroughly. Some themes and plugins were incompatible with the new versions of WordPress, PHP and MySQL. Work will continue on these few sites to restore them to full functionality. Fortunately, the issues did not impair important functions of the web sites.

Additional work will continue to fine tune client web sites as well as to update auxiliary services, such as analytics, WebDAV, FTP and the like.

Early in February it came to my attention that our network access provider was sold to another company. This sudden change provided me with an opportunity to consider alternatives instead of contracting with the new network owner.

I am happy to report that I’ve elected to switch and migrate the TAPACOM equipment onto two new networks. I expect that the migration will be completed by March 15, 2011.

What this will mean:

1. You and the public will not have access to your web sites during this period. When people visit your web site, they will see a Maintenance Mode splash screen.
2. Email accounts have already been migrated. They should be functional. If you find any difficulties with your email please contact me right away. I recommend you contact me by telephone first (call 808-550-8554) and followup afterwards with an email. When you discover issues, please be sure to describe the symptoms with as much detail as possible.
3. Most of you will not be able to update your web sites before I’ve completed the migration. I will let you know when your web sites have been returned to service.
4. When your services have been migrated I will notify you and will ask you to test all functions: email, FTP access, mailing lists, contact forms, WebDAV access, webmail, web file manager access, etc. Please don’t delay and report to me any issues you may find.
   DNS (domain name service) records have already been migrated. Please check to see if your web sites are reachable, and if you find any issues, please report them to me right away.
5. As mentioned above, TAPACOM services will be provided on two separate networks. This will help to strengthen uptime reliability by splitting services and also making them redundant. I’ll be implementing solutions for each gateway service to be a backup if the other network service is interrupted.
6. Your web sites and other Internet services will also be on faster hardware. You may or may not feel any differences in throughput.
   Your web sites will also all be upgraded to current versions of PHP, MySQL and WordPress. These are more secure and provide a number of new web site functions.

The new web server will include many new services, including:

CALENDAR SERVER – Share calendars, schedule meetings, and coordinate events. With push technology, you can notify everyone about changes instantly.

WIKI SERVER – Collaborate and communicate through wiki-powered websites complete with group calendar, blog, and mailing lists.

ADDRESS BOOK SERVER – Access and synchronize contacts across multiple computers and the devices you own.

MOBILE ACCESS SERVER – Provides always-on, always-secure access to firewall-protected services from virtually anywhere in the world.

FILE SHARING COLLABORATION – Share folders and exchange files between Mac and PC systems without the installation of additional software.

These new services may well be worth implementing as a part of your online strategy. I’d be happy to review these with you and answer any questions you might have concerning your web sites and Internet services.