I’m writing to inform our clients, and any other WordPress users who come across this post, about a plugin called WP Super Cache.

What is it?
From the plugin description on the developers site:

This plugin generates static html files from your dynamic WordPress blog. After a html file is generated your webserver will serve that file instead of processing the comparatively heavier and more expensive WordPress PHP scripts.

As many of you (our clients) know – yesterday (October 16) we had a pretty rough server load day. There was one particular site on our server that was getting a blazing amount of traffic to a post they made on the elections (Political season is just HUGE for us!) – - this site got linked by the media and by large blogs like Instapundit.

Everyone likes that kind of attention to their blog, don’t they? We do! What really isn’t so great is when the HUGE traffic spike caused a very slow loading time on the site; and then on the overall server.

Here’s what we did, once we localized the problem to one site in particular – - it was a very quick and easy solution and it solved the problem immediately! We installed WP Super Cache on that account and while his traffic spike stayed pretty much the same – - the server load went down to ‘uneventful’ – WP Super Cache was handling it all.

So, moral of this story? If you cannot afford a dedicated server (it’s pretty costly) — and you’re running WordPress to power your blog and you tend to get a LOT of traffic spikes… install the WP Super Cache plugin and you will find that those traffic spikes are not as scary as they used to be. They call WP Super Cache “Digg proof” for a reason – - because it handles those traffic spikes (like when you get Dugg) with ease and grace!

If you would like to install the plugin, but feel like you need help – - drop a ticket in our Help Center..we will be MORE than happy to assist you!

WordPress announced the release of the new version 2.1-Ella. This is a major version release and we encourage everyone to read the information about what has changed in this version, as well as the details upgrade instructions for upgrading to WordPress 2.1.

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.

We are very happy, and proud, to annouce that our very own Lisa Sabin-Wilson has been asked to author “WordPress for Dummies” – due to be available in stores in August 2007. The “.. for Dummies” books are a product of Wiley Publishing. Lisa’s experience and knowledge of the WordPress blogging software will make this book a ‘must have’ for anyone with a desire to learn more about working with WordPress. You can read her own announcement on her Design Blog at E.Webscapes. If you’re interested in receiving updates on the progress and release of the book – please visit her Design Blog and subscribe to her RSS Feed

Congratulations, Lisa!!

(update 10/21/08 – sorry for any Twitter followers who got this post in a Twitter broadcast!  This is an old post that we edited today, and it got broadcast to twitter as *new* through the Twitter Tools plugin we are currently using.  No worries on Akismet — there are no current bugs in the system — this is old info!  Sorry to you, and to the Akismet folks!

Over the past 24 hours, WordPress users who utilize the Akismet plugin experienced a mass influx of spam (this blog included). We’ve received just a ton of help tickets in our Support Center about the amount of spam they’ve received.

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!