WordPress 2.5 was finally released today, after much anticipation. Matt Mullenweg did a comprehensive post on the WordPress Blog about this new update and the changes to 2.5. I won’t go through all the major changes - - just read Matt’s post.. he’s done a nice job of explaining a few things and includes a video on some the enhancements. The WordPress.Org website has undergone a brand new re-design that coordinates with the new design of the WordPress Dashboard, as well. Some very nice improvements in the design you’ll notice when you upgrade to WordPress 2.4 - - it’s a little difficult to get used to, at first, but it’s a lighter interface with, overall, some very nice improvements. I think once users get over the initial shock of everything looking different and being moved around and renamed… the old design will be a distant memory as we all move forward. My only sticky point on the new interface design is that it is all left aligned. On my 1280 monitor - - it’s a little hard to take. But if that’s the worst of it - I’m good.

I ran into a little buggy issue with the image uploader in 2.5 that seems to revolve around the fact that my server runs mod_security. The new image uploader uses a Flash interface and mod_security was rejecting it completely. I could not upload images at all and kept getting errors. (Read my post in the WordPress Support Forum about this issue and the errors).

If you find this to be the case in your situation - disabling mod_security on one file, in particular, has solved the problem for me and I accomplished that by adding the following rules to the .htaccess file in my WordPress installation directory:

<IfModule mod_security.c>
<Files async-upload.php>
SecFilterEngine Off
SecFilterScanPOST Off
</Files>
</IfModule>

For me, that worked like a dream - - now the image uploader works fine and I’m able to take advantage of the gallery features with 2.5. Though, if everyone is shutting off security on that one single file - - it will become a file targeted for foolery and exploit, and it won’t take long, so the hole will need to be closed, eventually. Locking that file down to a particular IP is a solution for someone who has that kind of access.

When this weekend is over, I will have completed a PDF chapter that covers the changes in WordPress 2.5. This chapter will be available as a free, downloadable PDF document on Dummies.com, as well as being available here on my site for free download.

This free PDF chapter update for WordPress For Dummies is being done in tandem to the planning and writing of the second edition of WordPress For Dummies, due to be released a bit later this year. This weekend, I am revising the Table of Contents as I plan the content inclusion for the second edition, which will, of course, include WordPress 2.5 updates. Though, due to much feedback I’ve recieved from readers - - there’s much demand for more information on WordPress theme information: tweaking, modifying existing themes, theme development, CSS information , etc. Themes were covered in the first edition - - but on a pretty basic level. We’ll be looking at more in-depth information on themes, template tags and the like with the second edition, as well as more information on upgrading, using custom fields and plugin information.

I’m thrilled that the fine folks at Wiley Publishing recognize the popularity of the WordPress blogging platform and understand the community and the progressive nature of the software development, so much so that they want to keep the book project moving forward, rather than stagnating on the shelves with only a first edition that covers outdated development. This was one of my main concerns when entering into this book project - and they have answered the call. Good on them, I say!

Cross-posted to Lisa Sabin-Wilson’s blog and WPAssist

We are having issues with our upstream DNS Servers. What you need to do is update your Domain Name Servers (DNS) settings in your domain registration account. You can do this by logging into your account at the place you registered your domain (such as GoDaddy, Network Solutions, etc).

Your domain name servers currently are set as:
ns1.geodns.net
ns2.geodns.net

You need to edit those so that they say:
ns1.blogs-about.com
ns2.blogs-about.com

As soon as you do this, please let us know by leaving us a ticket in our Client Support Center and we will make sure that the domain propagation takes place immediately.

NOTE: you cannot manage your domain name servers via your hosting account CPanel - you must do this at the registrar where you registered your domain. For those of you who registered your domain using our services - you can access and login to your domain registration account here at our domain reseller center. Once there, click the “My Account” link and enter the customer number and password that you were given at the time of your domain registration. If you do not know your customer number and password - you will need to use the “Help me retrieve my password” link on that account page.

We do apologize for any inconvienece this may have caused during the time of 12:00AM and 12:45AM on 3/29 - we have the problem solved now and do not expect any further difficulty as a result.

Thanks so much!

Within the next 72 hours, you will each receive a personal email from us explaining our services and to set up your billing arrangements with us.

In the meantime, if you have any questions at all about our services, or need technical assistance with your site - please visit our Support Center to file a help ticket with our technicians - the will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have. Our Support Center does require that you register a user account — the username and password you use for your CPanel will NOT work in the Support Center, for security purposes - we do need to keep those two accounts separate. So please register an account there and let us know how we can assist you.

More importantly, we’re thrilled to have you on board!

Also, here is a listing of WP Plugins that are compatible with this newest version - also listed there are plugins that are NOT compatible with WordPress version 2.1 - - make sure you read that information as it applies to plugins you may have installed on your WordPress blog.

We strongly recommend that you follow the threads in the WordPress Support Forums regarding major issues that users are having after upgrading to version 2.1 - - read through these issues before deciding to proceed with the upgrade. Typically, after such a major release - - they will release another version shortly that addresses any major bugs found only after several thousand users have upgraded and reported back with the issues. Please keep that in mind before jumping on the upgrade bandwagon.

As always - - back up your data before you proceed with an upgrade! We cannot stress this strongly enough. Yes, we do keep backups of your account - however, please read our Terms of Service as it pertains to the restoration of your back ups. We will restore the first back up for no charge - - after that, if you continue to experience issues due to failing to back up your own data, there will be a charge for each instance of back up restoration to compensate for time involved and the server resources it utilizes with each occurrance. You are able to create a full back up of your account via your CPanel - login and find the ‘BackUp” icon - - click that and follow the instructions on the creation of a back up file. This way, if the installation goes wrong, you have a full and complete back up that you can restore via your CPanel, as well.

Congratulations, Lisa!!

We offer the installation set up and configuration to our hosted clients, as well as photoblogging clients who do not host with us, but need assistance with the installation and set up of the software. Of course, the installation for Blogs About Hosting clients comes with a community discount. Inquire about PixelPost installation services

While there are a few nice templates available for PixelPost - our design division at E.Webscapes can provide you with a custom designed PixelPost template that would reflect your indiviudality. As an example - here is a photoblog owned by our own Lisa Sabin-Wilson called Snapping Photos - powered by PixelPost and designed, of course, by Lisa at E.Webscapes

This was an Akismet issue and they’ve posted about it on their blog, including a statement that the problem has been resolved: Akismet blog: Downtime

Comment/trackback spam is very frustrating - however, when Akismet experiences a ‘burp’ such as this - there’s not much to be done except ride out the storm. And what a storm it was!

Akismet is an excellent service - especially considering that it doesn’t cost a thing. Keep up the great work Akismet folks!

More stuff. Same cost. Gotta love it!

How much more stuff? WAY MORE bandwidth, disk space, add on domains (ability to run multiple domains on one account), subdomains, MYSQL databases and more!

Why are we doing this? Because we enjoy the heck out of this job - and have a boatload of excellent clients that we want to keep happy. As technology changes - we’ve seen an increase in the need for resources - with the popularity of podcasting, vblogging, etc - the need for resources increases and we want to keep up with the flow. (not too mention the need for extra bandwidth with the 2008 elections just right around the corner - you polibloggers are gonna need it!)

Check out the new packages here. If you’re an existing client - your package will change over the next week . . but your price won’t change! Existing clients can submit any questions by opening a help ticket in our Support Center.

Blogs About Hosting is more than a web host - - we have a focus on bloggers, blog software, tools, resources, etc. Along with your account, our clients receive a free installation of Wordpress. We take it a step further and provide support for the use of Wordpress in our Support Center for clients who host their blogs with us.

Even better - all of our Blogs About Hosting clients receive a 10% discount on all design fees here at E.Webscapes. It’s a nice way to say “Thanks!” - not too mention, keeping all of your blog needs under one roof makes it nice, tidy and easy for you, so you can keep your focus on changing the world - one blog post at a time.