Changing Hosts? Step by Step How to.. Step 2 of 4

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“Changing Hosts?  Step by Step How to.. Step Two”

This article is part two in a four part series. In part one we discussed choosing a host. Not an easy task. You can get just as many recommendations in favor of a host as you can get warnings against a host.  Really, it turns out to be more of a trial and error experience than a skill in choosing a host.  However, there are some technicalities to consider so make sure you check out the first post.

First and most important is the database backup. These are all your posts that you have poured hours and hours into.

Introducing – phpMyAdmin.

PhpMyAdmin is web based software used for managing MySQL databases.  PHP was at first created as a simple scripting platform called “Personal Home Page”.  It is an open source server-side language, which is used for creating dynamic web pages, which will be embedded in HTML.  PHP is usually used in conjunction with a MySQL database on Linux/UNIX web servers. It is one of the most popular scripting languages among today’s web developers.  MySQL – Structured Query Language (SQL).  SQL is the most popular language for adding, accessing, and processing data in a database, and is most noted for its rapid processing, proven reliability, and ease and flexibility of use.  Not the easiest software to learn but not the hardest. It took me a little bit to figure it out but eventually I got it. I manage my database with phpMyAdmin through cPanel.  I am not that familiar with any other method but it looks like this:

This is part of the menu options in cPanel that comes with my webhost company.

As you can see towards the bottom of the menu, there is a database section where we can choose phpMyAdmin. Once I click on phpMyAdmin, I am taken to the list of files in the database.

You cam see the most important file (to me) – wp_posts.  These are the files that are extremely difficult to replace if not impossible.  At the very bottom of this list is the “check all” option.  You need to click this option to select all the files to get them ready for backup or as the program describes “export”.

After you have selected the files and have chosen the export option, you will be taken to the following screen:

You will notice the database files are highlighted in the top left corner.  There is a scroll bar to the right to verify all files are selected.  The option under the selected files defaults to SQL.  The rest of the options are also default and if you are not sure of the choices, leave the defaults.  The next step was a secret. It was difficult to notice the “save as file” option that has to be clicked before you choose GO!  Once you click “save as file”, then click GO you will be brought to another screen asking you to choose where to save the file, much like any other “save as” request.

The phyMyAdmin database backup process is vital to restoring your post data as well as comment data and other things.

Don’t forget about blog data backup! The very next first rule of any change on any blog or website – backup  – please, just backup.  If you somehow make a mistake or crash or just don’t like the changes you have made you can always restore a good backup.  It is the only plan for disaster recovery.   I have such good advice.  I totally should take listen to me.  I do backup at least every week if not more but when I get into “tweakin” I get to focused on the changes and forget the backup!

So how do you backup your goods?  There are two different types of data to backup. There are two different programs to use to protect your data.

More initials – FTP.  What is it with every industry that they have to have their own language in abbreviations?  FTP – File Transfer Protocol.   This is the software which is the manner you will transfer your files from your host server to your hard drive or from your hard drive to your server.  And guess what the good news is?  The software is free from FileZilla.

Some say you may need the beginners guide to FTP but in all the blogging terms or tasks, the file transfer via FTP is by far the easiest as long as you understand the file and folder structure of a computer.

Please take note of the screen shot below:

1. Host: This is part of your login information – “ftp.blogname.com”
2. Username: Given to you by your host company.
3. Password: Chosen by you when you set up your new host.
4. Local site: This is your hard drive directory.
5. Host site: This is the directory of your host server.
6. Filename – local site: These are the folders under the directory listed on your local site.
7. Filename – host site: These are the folders under the directory listed on your host site.

What ever file or files you want to copy from your local site to your host site (or vice versa) is simply dragged to the directory or folder where you want to place the files.

The bottom “window”  (which I did not number) will show the transfer as it is happening.  It is really so easy.

So there we have it!   Our first step in changing hosts is to actually choose a host. Sounds so simple but oh, not so.  Before you go any further, step number two, you need to safeguard your data.  What is a blog without data?  Next week we will go through getting acquainted with your new host.

Any questions?  Need clarification?  Have something to add?

Toodles – Blog Happy!

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“Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one…”
~ Albert Einstein
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