Changing Hosts? Step by Step How to.. Step 3 of 4

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“Changing Hosts?  Step by Step How to.. Step 3 of 4″

Okay, we decided we needed to change hosts.   We had to get prepared and backup both our blog files and our data files.

Now it is time for step three.  Begin to familiarize yourself with the new host server.  You will have access to a file manager or control panel to be able to monitor, change and update your files.  You will also set up your email and user name to access your file transfer protocol software.

You can see from the screen shots below all of the service options to choose from.  You can familiarize yourself with each section before you switch over.  It is important to be confident with the database section as this is your blog data and post files.

Make sure website name is same.  When the new host server sets up your blog address make  sure it is the same as you are currently using.

My first set up of my blog was with another host server and they set up my blog as  www.bloggernewbie.com/blog vs www.bloggernewbie.com which doesn’t sound like a big deal only it is to those feed readers!  You can transfer your subscribers from one RSS feed to another but I am not real confident that it is a smooth transition.

Toodles – Blog Happy!

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“Things should be made as simple as possible, but not any simpler…”

~ Albert Einstein

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

“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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Changing Hosts? Step by Step How to.. Step 1 of 4

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

I changed hosts recently and learned my “how to” the hard way.   I was down for about 5 days.  I couldn’t believe it and with every passing day all I could think was - You’ve gotta be kidding me!

Why is it so difficult to explain in detail, step by step instructions to complete any blog task?  Most “how to” articles are in detail and therefore somewhat lengthy.  This will be valuable information to the novice computer geek at some point so make sure you bookmark on Delicious so you don’t lose it.  If you don’t have an account with Delicious, how do you stay organized?

Okay, lets get started.

Why do you want to change hosts?  Capacity, speed, cost, technical support?

I wasn’t able to use a feature in wordpress for publishing posts at a future date and was told in the help forums that it was my host company that was not compatible. Turns out – not the case.  But changing hosts was oh so much fun!

Their are 4 crucial steps to accomplish a successful host change.  Today, we will discuss Step One.

The first step in changing hosts is to actually choose a new host.  When I was searching for a new host I asked around in the social networks for guidance. For each time or each person that I asked for recommendations, I received as many different answers. So no real help there.

I decided I would have to research the information and make the best informed decision.  I googled the top ten web hosting companies and came up with the following list.   I then compared each plan each company offered. You can click on the following graphic to view each of the top ten.  This list is as of January 3, 2009.

There are a few technical issues you need to consider when changing hosts.   As with all industries there are certain terms you need to be familiar with.  You should understand the following terminology before choosing a host.

Bandwidth or Data Transfer: Many web hosting companies offer unlimited data transfer.  Some have a monthly limit.  A server transfers data (graphics, text, audio/video files) to a user’s web browser.  Web sites that get a lot of page views would need a larger volume for data transfer or bandwidth.  Of the top ten hosting companies, only two have a limit on the bandwidth.  3000 GB being the least amount – still a good amount of page views. Approximatley 40,000 page views = 1 GB of data transfer.

Shared Web hosting: Most common type of web hosting.  Most new bloggers will be looking for shared web hosting. The most reasonable cost as multiple sites are hosted or share space on a single server.  Each site owner has a specific amount of resources  allocated on the one server.

Dedicated Hosting: The opposite of Shared Web hosting.   Each site owner has their own server.  They have a considerable amount of availability of resources for more disk space, more data transfer and are able to host more websites.  Dedicated hosting costs more and is usually for larger sites that have more specific needs.

Storage Space (Disk Space): The amount of storage space you need depends on what type of website you have.  If you have a large amount of images, HTML files – web pages, audio or video files or graphics, you will need a greater amount of storage space.

Now we know the technical issues to look for.  Do you need a dedicated server or can you use the shared hosting plan?  Will the company be able to supply you with the data transfer you desire?  Will your website require a large amount of space? You need to make a decision based on your needs.   Different websites fall into different categories.  Most new bloggers will start out with shared web hosting.

What else do you want to consider? Customer service is critical.  Do they offer 24/7 customer service via email, live chat and a toll free number?

Choosing the Host is Step No. 1 and very important.  Step No. 2 is crucial and we will discuss a few technical issues.  It will be so much fun.  FTP, PHP and backup will be your new best friends.

Any questions or concerns about Step No. 1?  Anything to add?  Any Suggestions?  Speak up!

Make sure to stop back next week for Step No. 2 of 4 in your changing hosts journey.

Toodles – Blog Happy!

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“It is not so important to know everything
as to appreciate what we learn…”

- Hannah More
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Popularity: 32% [?]

You’ve Gotta Be Kidding Me!

“You’ve Gotta Be Kidding Me!”

Where Have You Been? Good question. I have been working on my server! I am in the process of changing web hosts. So easy a caveman an do it! This is totally ridiculous. I had so many different titles for this post, I couldn’t choose. There is no reason this process needs to be so difficult. Read more

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Can Blogging Cause Stress?

“Can Blogging Cause Stress?”

Blogging is challenging enough with all the “must do’s” in our daily schedule without encountering technical difficulties. That is what I have been doing the last few days.

Blogging has a list of daily tasks that are quite time consuming, and don’t forget – you actually have to blog! I don’t know if my expectations are  too high in regards to time or if I am simply not organized or I am not using my time wisely. I have a “to do” list that I try to follow every day.

I try to visit my top 10 favorite blogs. I like to see what they are up to, what is new and interesting to them and perhaps leave a comment or two.

I have several email addresses I need to check, more than once a day. It is probably a good idea to respond to most of those messages.

The social networks! I belong to many social networks, too many. I am definitely stretching myself too thin in that task. I am not able to spend any quality time on the sites to even begin to figure them out! Time to pick the priorities!

Then there is actually the time to write the post! A little high priority here!

And certainly not last or even least, the web design aspect of blogging. I actually enjoy tweakin’ my web design and adding my own touch but it can become a tad annoying and frustrating!

I like to use the MORE html code to split my posts between the front page and the actual blog leaving just a short excerpt on the front page. When I use that code on my blog – all kinds of chaos breaks out. It wasn’t easy figuring out that the code wasn’t causing the problem. It took me awhile but I eventually figured it out! It was a DIV tag in the wrong spot. Gotta love html! My Html is playing tricks on me!

NOW, my RSS feed is giving me error messages! I am lost with this one. Most likely a weekend project. Can Blogging Cause Stress? Yeah, I think so!

What are your biggest challenges in blogging? How do you handle the frustration? Maybe we have a tip to answer your question or whatever task you are struggling with.

Toodles – Blog Happy!
“Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed
is more important than any other one thing….

Abraham Lincoln

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My HTML is playing tricks on me! Every time I think I have it all figured out – I learn that is not true. Just the simple line break code is playing with me. I am obviously doing something wrong… Read more

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My love-hate relationship with HTML!

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