I just published WordPress 2.5 Plugins Beware: Automatic Plugin Upgrade Problems on the Blog Herald and recommend that you check it out before using the new Automatic Plugin Upgrade feature in the just released Release Candidate 1 for WordPress 2.5 for beta-testers only.
The issue with the new Automatic Plugin Upgrade feature is explained by Darren of Unfolding Neurons in Be Careful Using The Automatic Plugins Upgrades In WordPress 2.5.
WordPress 2.5 is anticipated to be ready by its original Roadmap due date of March 24, give or take. Rumors are flying that it should be released just before WordCamp Dallas March 29-30, 2008.
While the issues with the Plugin Upgrade are not blog-threatening issues, especially if you avoid using the Automatic Plugin Upgrade feature until reassured it has been fixed and all Plugins comply with the new standards, a broken blog due to a poorly installed WordPress Plugin is still broken and not to be taken lightly.
If you are currently using WordPress 2.5, the article offers tips on upgrading Plugins – the old fashioned way.
More News on WordPress 2.5
While, the first beta testing, release candidate for WordPress 2.5 has just been issued for testers only, you can keep up with what’s going on with the upcoming release of WordPress 2.5 and prepare for the upgrade through these articles:
- WordPress Upgrade Preparation Checklist
- Are You Ready for WordPress 2.5?
- WordPress 2.5 Due March 17, Administration Plugins May Break, Tons of Plugins Updated, Add Buttons to Toolbar, WordPress Dallas and Now Milan!
- Codex: WordPress 2.5
- Prepare For WP 2.5
- WordPress 2.5 Plugin Settings Pages Style Guide
- WordPress 2.5 Revealed and Compared to Version 2.3.x
- Mashable – WordPress 2.5 Preview
- Dougal Gunters – WordPress 2.5 RC1
- WordPress 2.5 – Get a Sneak Peek Before Launch
- Weblog Tools Collection – WordPress 2.5 Release Candidate Released
WARNING: Beware announcing to the world which version of WordPress you are using, even the new version. There are hackers aware of version specific security vulnerabilities and they are looking for your blog. Also note that installing WordPress 2.5 prior to the official release is at your own risk. Even those testing WordPress for development and bug fixing purposes test it on test blogs, and rarely risk their main sites during the development stage.
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Copyright Lorelle VanFossen, the author of Blogging Tips, What Bloggers Won't Tell You About Blogging.
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19 Comments
I also did a sample plugin that adds a widget (without control) to the Dashboard for WP2.5.
@ GaMerZ:
With all the different Plugins you’ve written and upgraded for the new version, GaMerZ, have you had any testing problems with the Automatic Plugin Upgrade feature? What tips can you offer?
I did an upgrade on my harddrive WP and my site just had a mental breakdown. So now I have to go through and fix it all. 😦 I officially hate 2.5.
@Lorelle VanFossen:
Hi Lorelle, I have not tested the Automatic Plugin Upgrade feature. I will try it once it prompt me to update some of the plugins I am using.
I think 2.5 did not have much code changes as compared to 2.2 to 2.3. I would say from 2.3 to 2.5 more things are added rather than change. At least that is how I feel. I do not need to make much changes (besides the color/style/alignment) to my plugins from 2.3 to 2.5 as compared to 2.2 to 2.3.
I would say hold off the upgrade to W2.5 till 2.5.1 is out if you are a normal user as bugs will be fixed by then as well as more plugins will be made compatible.
@GaMerZ
Your WP-Sticky, WP-DBManager and WP-Polls plugin work without any problems with 2.5 RC1.
ciao
Well I’m not a tester but I just couldn’t resist to try the new WP 2.5 RC1 out. For that as a safety precaution I created a duplicate install of my working blog and applied the update. A few plug-ins, that are truly essential to my blog and didn’t work already had updates (like Nextgen-Gallery). I’m sure many plug-ins aren’t working but my duplicate blog would be ready to use, I’d say. Am I in luck or what..? And I used the Automatic Plugin Upgrade feature as well. No problems.
Though I am taking GaMerZ advice on holding back in taking the new version into use. Well if I test out the official 2.5 and there’s no problems – sure I’ll use it. The update from 2.3 to 2.5 may be more of a cosmetical kind, but I really-really like it. At first it was a bit strange and unfamiliar, but after going through the admin area to make sure everything important is “ticking” (and it is for me) I felt I don’t want to continue using my real install’s old admin area.. 😛
Just backup all of your plugins on the desktop, into one folder. There’s been alot of testing of this feature and quite a few had their plugins deleted.
Matt even tried doing updates for his plugins, and it deleted alot of his custom plugins. It would go through the updating process ok, but then not complete the updating of NEW plugin file s and etc…
I’ve tested this with only the Akismet plugin and it seemed to work okay for me. Bigger sized plugins didn’t seem to finish updating, certain server configurations and hosts give people issues and etc as well..
Just take the precious few minutes to make a folder on the desktop and download all your plugins into it, because you just never know!
@ Jenny:
And learned something in the process. Always backup backup backup, and don’t touch a hot stove until you are sure it is turned off and cold. 😀
Another reason to wait for a few months before upgrading to 2.5.whatever. 2.3.3 is stable and has no new security issues, so why cause yourself grief?
@SN:
Yeap. I tested most of my plugins and they should work just fine. Just need to tweak the cosmetics part.
I didn’t even think about it, but now that you mention it… I tried automatically upgrading the “Admin Drop Down Menu” plugin, and it disappeared… I figured it renamed it, and I didn’t have time to hunt for it, but now that I look, it’s gone.
Good to know…
There’s also been a good review of the new interface at Astheria.
Jason Santa Maria seems to be keeping his eye on that post too. So it may be a good place to ask questions.
“Also note that installing WordPress 2.5 prior to the official release is at your own risk.”
Installing GPL software is always at your own risk, official release or otherwise.
I’ll continue to do my plugin upgrades the old fashioned way. But I tried it on a live WP 2.5 site today with All-in-One SEO, and it just happened to work.
In fact, I’ve so far found no issues at all with the 2.5 RC. The upgrade was entirely routine, and none of my plugins broke. I’ll need to modify a few CSS classes to fully enjoy the new media manager. Your mileage may vary.
It’s different. But the more I play with it, the more I like it. I won’t rush my production sites to the upgrade once 2.5 is fully released, but it doesn’t look like it will be long before I’ll feel comfortable doing so.
I second Chris. I also prefer to upgrade/update manually, especially because I rarely use a plugin as it comes out of the box. It is also a bit puzzling why you’d want this functionality as a core feature, especially since many (good) plugins aren’t even hosted on WP.org and with the availability of plugins that do one-click updates successfully already.
In fact that’s already (or has been) a discussion on the wp-testers…I wouldn’t mind at all if they’d remove it again.
i didnt upgrade
Help! tagging in wordpress 2.5 is still in infancy mode…
sure, you can write a post, and add a tag… but what about adding existing tags from a dropdown menu or from a list?
Disappointed. Good start, but with six months, you’d think someone would have thought of that.
@ Nick:
That’s what Plugins are for. Try the Simple Tagging WordPress Plugin.
Hey, I also released a plugin style guide that covers a bit more than Joost’s version, you can check it out here:
http://epicalex.com/wordpress-25-plugin-style-guide/
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