It’s time to upgrade your blog to version 2.6.1 if you are using Wordpress blog software.  As with most updates, you can upgrade your blog quickly when you follow the instructions.

WP 2.1.6

WP 2.1.6 - Wordpress Version 2.6.1 Blog Update Available. You should also take advantage of the mailing list to stay informed about the Wordpress.org upgrades.

One recommendation we have for your upgrades is to affirm that you must always make sure you have backed up your files and database.  For that one time a year that something goes wrong you will be happy to know you have a full backup.  Just think of it as the periodic backup copy you plan to keep in another location anyway and save it to a DVD.  If you don’t know if you’ve backup up your database or not – well, then you haven’t.  Since some Wordpress upgrades will also upgrade the database, please do this before you need to start over.

We typically unzip the wordpress distribution into a new local folder and then add to that clean folder our config file, theme, plugins, and any other file required.  Once the proper files are moved over (instead of saving per the normal wordpress upgrade instructions and then a server delete) we can delete ALL the files on our server and re-upload just the new set.

Remember the first steps are very important:

Overview of the Upgrade Process

1. Backup your database. Read Backing Up Your Database for a detailed explanation.
2. Backup ALL your WordPress files in your WordPress directory. Don’t forget your .htaccess file.
3. Verify the backups you created are there and usable. This is essential.
4. Deactivate ALL your Plugins.
5. Ensure first four steps are completed. Do not attempt the upgrade unless you have completed the first four steps.
6. Download and extract the WordPress package from http://wordpress.org/download/.
7. Delete the old WordPress files on your site, but DO NOT DELETE
* wp-config.php file;
* wp-content folder; Special Exception: the wp-content/cache and the wp-content/plugins/widgets folders should be deleted.
* wp-images folder;
* wp-includes/languages/ folder–if you are using a language file do not delete that folder;
* .htaccess file–if you have added custom rules to your .htaccess, do not delete it;
* robots.txt file–if your blog lives in the root of your site (ie. the blog is the site) and you have created such a file, do not delete it.
8. Upload the new files from your computer’s hard drive to the appropriate WordPress folder on your site.
9. Run the WordPress upgrade program and follow the instructions on the screen.
10. Update Permalinks and .htaccess. Update your Permalink Structure and merge the custom rules, if necessary, into your .htaccess file.
11. Install updated Plugins and Themes. Please review the list of Plugins that work in Version 2.6.1. Check for Theme Compatibility with 2.6.1 and ask your Theme author for any new version.
12. Reactivate Plugins
13. Review what has changed in WordPress.

Source:  These detailed instructions based on Wordpress 2.6.1 are found at Wordpress.org

Thus we modify step 7 of the details wordpress upgrade instructions:

7) Delete the old WordPress files on your site, but DO NOT DELETE…

Instead, we have already copied all files and have both all old blog files and new blog files in a separate directory on our local drive.

We copy the following files from that backup locally to the new blog folder.  This modification just prevents us from picking folders to delete on the server and also leaves us with a full development version of the software that could be run locally to test plugs or perform design changes to the theme before changing our live blog.

These are the files moved:

* wp-config.php file;
* wp-content folder; Special Exception: the wp-content/cache and the wp-content/plugins/widgets folders should be deleted.
* wp-images folder;
* wp-includes/languages/ folder–if you are using a language file do not delete that folder;
* .htaccess file–if you have added custom rules to your .htaccess, do not delete it;
* robots.txt file–if your blog lives in the root of your site (ie. the blog is the site) and you have

A full copy of the pre-update files exisits in case anything is missing or doesn’t go just right.  If you have command line access you know the upload will be a snap.  Even a standard FTP of all the files will only take about 10 minutes.

Wordpress Upgrade Note:  Step 7 indicates to delete the Wordpress files on your site.  Yes, you are actually deleting all the files EXCEPT those mentioned so that you have a completely fresh install.  Look over the files if you have any questions about what is being replaced and what should not be replaced.  Fortunately, the config file in the new Wordpress version will have the name sample attached to it so even if you accidentally upload that file it should not kill your blog.  Again, our recommendation is you put a full copy to your local computer, touch up the new version with the files your are told not to delete, then delete all files on the server and upload the full blog site replacement.  If you dont’ understand this process, please just follow the normal upgrade routine.

If you are using fantastico or some other automated blog install script on your website, there should be an upgrade button accessible from your hosting control panel.  These upgrades usually are available a few weeks after the actual version upgrade release.  Check back every few days for the upgrade of Wordpress as this is one of the most used auto installer programs. Don’t get too far behind as this may present a security risk.  And if the hosting auto installer / auto upgrade will be used, you still should remember that you absolutely need to backup your files and database on your own beforeselecting the upgrade.

Here’s some features of the new Wordpress 2.6 version:

Download the new version of Wordpress at http://wordpress.org/download/
Overview Video: http://wordpress.org/development/2008/07/wordpress-26-tyner/

Theme preview will allow you to see a theme before it’s pushed live.  For more information on Theme install see: http://www.startingablog.com/starting-a-blog/blog-basics/wordpress-blog-templates—quick-install-help.html

You’ll receive a message in your blog admin panel that your Wordpress version requires and upgrade once you fall behind the latest wordpress version.  You don’t need to leave work early to get the upgrade installed, but I’d recommend you get in done within a week.  Many people have told me that they actually wait one week to make sure the new release is as stable as expected.  If a major security flaw or bug exists in the Wordpress upgrade, there will probably be another version release within a few days.

Once your files are uploaded, you’ll run http://www.yourblogdirectory.com/wp-admin/upgrade.php (putting your domain and directory in place, such as http://baseball.com/blog/wp-admin/upgrade.php and this will initiate the upgrade.  Perform the final steps and you’re all done with the upgrade.