Major Changes Best Done On my Own Computer?

  • Am not sure how to tell the version….but site was created in the last few months with the latest version.

    I spent the day yesterday reading every bit of Word Press documentation on the site, but could not find the answer to this question.

    My web designer sent the files directly to the host. I do not have a copy of Word Press on my computer (at least I never downloaded it). I’ve made a backup copy on my computer. To this point, I have made any changes directly on the hosted version.

    I am ready to endeavor some more extreme types of change experiments. Am I better off downloading a copy of WordPress and working on a backup copy on my computer and uploading the new files when I am satisfied? Or, is is OK (smart, wise) to work on the hosted copy when I am going off into the great unknown?

    Many thanks for any advice on this.

    Suzi

Viewing 10 replies - 1 through 10 (of 10 total)

  • A good starting point is always to know the url or web addres of your site. Without the address its impossible to tell you which version you are using. I assume you log in to the admin area of wordpress, which has your version number everywhere.
    mike.

    I run a local copy on my computer for backup and testing purposes. That way you can play around with themes and core files, without compromising the main database and the online files. It’s a great thing to have.

    Make sure you install exactly the same plugins and activate them, to see if the changes conflict with them. You must have the same environment you have online.

    If for any reason you are not running the latest version online, upgrade!

    Here are the instructions on how to install wordpress on a local computer.

    I also run a testing copy on my computer, however I am always loathe to recommend this to anyone, unless they are prepared to install server software on their computer, PHP,SQL,Apache.
    I didn’t mention this in my original post because it doesn’t seem that
    SazzySuzi, not being used to ftp or file handling would want to go to all that trouble, also a link to a site where someone is not sure of the version they are using is essentialHOwever for anyone who hasn’t gone down the route of installing there own server, its very rewarding, and great fun, so give it a try . Mike.

    Thread Starter sazzysuzi

    (@sazzysuzi)

    Thanks for your time and the kindness of your response.

    ……………………….Without the address its impossible to tell you which version you are using.

    Of course I know the web address (https://www.mylifepurposecoaching.com), but I don’t understand why that should tell me the version?????

    ……………………….I assume you log in to the admin area of wordpress, which has your version number everywhere.

    Yes, I do, but I have searched every single place under admin, starting under “Help” where one usually finds the version number. The only mention of version is this statement, “WordPress 2.6.5 is available! Please update now.”, but none of this tells me which version is installed. Seems that what you are telling me is a completely different reality than I am experiencing….so not sure that that means!

    …………………….Make sure you install exactly the same plugins and activate them, to see if the changes conflict with them. You must have the same environment you have online.

    The problem is that I don’t know if the designer installed any plugins, so that I can do this…..and have been unable to find any way to find out.

    ………………………I also run a testing copy on my computer, however I am always loathe to recommend this to anyone, unless they are prepared to install server software on their computer, PHP,SQL,Apache.

    Hey, I’m not a dummy here. I spent a few years in the Silicon Valley writing and illustrating software manuals. I’m pretty adept at figuring this stuff out….but I am mystified as to why my web site does not seem to have style sheets and where and how I can go in and add style sheets if they don’t exist.

    Supposedly (according to WP doc.) I should be able to go into Admin. and (under “Design”) find things like the sidebar, stylesheet, theme info., etc. There is no such Design function in my admin. I am totally mystified.

    It appears to me that the designer created styles on each page, but did not create an overall stylesheet, and that I cannot go in and fix the stuff wrong myself without contacting and paying the “designer” to fix stuff. I’ve read everything on WP doc. (spent two whole days doing it)….and what the doc. says is not what I find in Admin. Any ideas how I might proceed?

    Suzi

    Suzi,

    Of course I know the web address (https://www.mylifepurposecoaching.com), but I don’t understand why that should tell me the version?????

    knowing the address of your site helps us help you to find out which version of the site you are running, which is 2.5.1.

    It is often found in the footer, in your case it was not there, but I easily saw it from the source code <meta name="generator" content="WordPress 2.5.1" />.

    In admin dashboard, the version you are using is in the “Right Now” section, that also tells you which theme you are using.

    The problem is that I don’t know if the designer installed any plugins, so that I can do this…..and have been unable to find any way to find out.

    Then you can still run a local copy to test and play with, it’s fine. Just be aware that you won’t be replicating the same environment you have online, which is helpful to find out about plugin conflicts.

    but I am mystified as to why my web site does not seem to have style sheets and where and how I can go in and add style sheets if they don’t exist.

    The designer must have done it his way, your style is indicated as a php file in your theme folder. Looking at the source code:

    <link href="https://www.mylifepurposecoaching.com/wp-content/themes/lifepurposecoaching/style.php" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" />

    If you can’t find and edit files under the admin dashboard, and you have access to your server, you can edit the files there, or via ftp.

    Hope this helps.

    Hi again, if you log in to your blog and go to the dashboard, in the centre of the page, it tells you the current version, which theme you are usin etc. and the notice to upgrade to 2.6.5
    Your blog is currently WordPress 2.5.1
    In the top left hand corner you will see a link to dashboard, which will always take you back to this info. Also on the main dashboard above where it says write new page write new post you’ll see 3 links.
    settings, plugins, users. If you click on plugins you’ll be ble to see which are installed.
    At the top of the dashboard, you’ll have links to Write.Manage,Design,Comments etc.If you click on design, this will show you which theme is active, and if any others are available.
    Any style sheets used by your site are within the theme thats currently active. In the design section there is also a theme editor where you can edit any of the theme components.
    Certainly not suggesting you’re a dummy, I hope it goes well for you
    All of the info you’ve mentioned is there in the dashboard. Not sure which browser you use, but the quickest way to find theversion number, is to right click on the front page of the blog and look at th source code.
    Good luck. Mike.

    Thread Starter sazzysuzi

    (@sazzysuzi)

    Hey thanks for the information. I will play with it in a couple of days when I have some free time and see what I can come up with…..but I do not see the “Design…etc. on the admin. I APPRECIATE your taking the time to help me out.

    Suzi

    hope it goes well. mike.

    Thread Starter sazzysuzi

    (@sazzysuzi)

    I was able to make it work….Blue Host helped me upgrade and make the thing function correctly.

    Suzi

    Hi again, glad things worked out well for you, and a smart upgraded site too. good luck.
    mike.

Viewing 10 replies - 1 through 10 (of 10 total)
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