WordPress RC3

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This is a kind of big deal. The next version of WordPress.org, version 3, is nearing release.  In fact, the release candidate 3 (RC3) is ready to be downloaded for people to test out.

This site is still on v2.92, but I will be upgrading when 3 is released. So, what do we blog owners need to do:

• Check out the new features in 3.0 – there are some major changes to the dashboard coming up
• Check that the plugins you use are compatible (or at least won’t break anything major) and look for compatible alternatives where necessary
• Check that your theme is still compatible after the switch
• Warn your readers that the upgrade is nearing and get them to tell you if things break
• Start reading the Alpha/Beta sub-forum of the WordPress.org Support Forum to see if your problems have been found and fixed already
• Be prepared to have to delve deep to fix odd little errors that may crop up
• Contact your host (where applicable) to find out when (or if) they plan to make the upgrade happen
• Write about your experience on your blog!

I recall a lot of people having issues that could have been avoided when the last major release took place, so try not to get caught out.

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• How to Upgrade WPMU 2.9.2 to WordPress 3.0 in 5 Easy Steps (pressography.com)
• Is your WordPress version up to date? (wordpressguru.eu)

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Older WordPress Versions Are Insecure

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I have said this many times before: UPGRADE WORDPRESS WHEN PROMPTED.  This one is in the style of “beating you about the head and body and then caning you across the eyeballs“.  Why?  Because a hack has been discovered that makes your older, more stable, more comfortable WordPress.org install very insecure and really you may as well make the password Pa55w0rd – because your older version can and will be pwned.

Now that I have your attention….  Go to Lorelle‘s site, Robert Scoble‘s site and the WordPress Dev Blog to see details of this new exploit.  If you have version 2.8.4 (like what I do), you are more secure.  As well as upgrading, remove the default admin account and create a new one (reverse order, is good on that one), check for phantom admin accounts and make sure you are using a strong password.  There are other things to do, but that will keep you going for now.

I regularly get comments such as “if I upgrade it breaks all my plugins”, “my theme doesn’t work if I upgrade now” and so on.  You now get to make a value judgment: if you don’t upgrade you could end up no longer owning your blog vs giving up or changing a few plugins or a theme.  Which of these is the worst case scenario for you?

Upgrade now. You know it makes sense.