WordPress Hosting Now Even Friendlier At Hostmoster
WordPress hosting has become a far more WordPress friendly at Hostmonster with their introduction of WordPress installations using Simple Scripts.
With the introduction of WordPress 3.0, I had some decisions to make in regards to the way the blog at WBOBR.com had been setup. While the upgrade to version 3.0 can be done for most themes without many issues, the theme used here was custom made and to improve this blog’s ability to move forward, it was decided that standardizing the theme used on this and other blogs would be the most time efficient way to go.
In addition, I found that Hostmonster, the website hosting service that we use, had added support for the use of Simple Scripts as a means of installing WordPress. Previously, Fantastico was the method of installation used. While Fantastico does provide an easy means of installation for WordPress, Simple Scripts, in my humble opinion, is far superior.
So what are the differences that make the use of Simple Scripts so much better for WordPress hosting?
1) WordPress Upgrades:
With Fantastico there was no means of updating the version of WordPress being used within the hosting account without using the Fantastico interface. This interface was frequently several versions behind the most current version and did not offer more than one upgrade version.
With the addition of Simple Scripts to Hostmonster’s WordPress hosting, you now have multiple stable versions of WordPress, including the latest release from which to choose, an important factor when testing changes. As well, if you decide to upgrade to another version outside of the Simple Scripts interface, you have the ability to go into this interface and update the version without actually running an upgrade from it. This keeps the interface up to date with your blog’s version.
2) WordPress Security:
One of the biggest problems most bloggers have with Fantastico is that it installs WordPress with a standard database prefix making it easier for hackers to guess. In addition, Fanatastico does the actual database install, which in turn means that when you remove a blog from Fantastico, the database is also removed.
With the Simple Scripts install at Hostmonster the database is created first in cPanel. During the Simple Scripts install the database information is filled in. In addition, the install allows you to define a unique table prefix such as wp5492_ instead of the standard prefix of wp_ used by Fantastico. In addition, because the database creation is a separate process from the installation of WordPress, the database is not lost if WordPress is removed, leaving you the option of reusing an already populated database, making this process very WordPress friendly. While I did not try using Simple Scripts for this purpose, it would be very do-able with a manual install of WordPress.
3) Unique Database Names:
Because the database is automatically created with a Fantastico install of WordPress, the naming of the databases and database user follow a numerical naming convention. I don’t know about you, but I tend to forget which blog goes with which number and time is wasted when searching through databases looking for the one belonging to a particular blog.
As the database creation is a separate step in the installation with Simple Scripts, you are able to give your database and database user id unique names that stand out when you are looking for them as long as you keep these unique names to seven characters in length. As an example, if your blog is about toys, you might name the database servername_toys and the admin database user servername_toysadm. When you have several blogs listed this is a definite time saver, particularly if you are installing a test blog as I did to test out changes before deploying them on the main blog.
And there you have it. Three examples of why Hostmoster’s switch to Simple Scripts has made their WordPress hosting even more WordPress friendly. For more information on Hostmonster and their website hosting service please visit our Hostmonster review.
To Your Success,
SherryD
http://www.wbobr.com
I would love to try 3.0 and Simple Scripts but my system is configured for the 2.0 and the plug-ins that I have amassed all these years. Is there a packaged system that will help me upgrade with the least effort and time?
Hi Conzie, I would suggest you do as I did and install your version of WordPress into a test directory under your domain using Simple Scripts. You will want to set the privacy under settings to not allow that directory to be indexed by the search engines. Then upload your settings, theme and plugins. Once that is done you are able to upgrade the test install to 3.0
Be very careful that it is the test install that is upgraded. The simplest way to do this is using the WordPress Automatic Upgrade plugin.
By doing this in a test environment you will be able to test that everything is working as it should without effecting your main blog. If all works out well, you can then decide if you want to run the same upgrade on your main blog. You will have to decide if you want to remove it from Fantastico if that is what you have used originally to set up the blog. This is a big job and I would suggest you have the test install fully operational with all the relevant settings before doing this so you have a reference.
I don’t think it is mandatory for you to remove your site from Fantastico as I did. I needed to redo my databases so it was the right choice for me. Simple Scripts allows you to add an existing site, so you may want to only do this. What ever you decide, make sure you do a full backup of all of your settings, site files and database before going forward. I used the export feature extensively in my upgrade, and even if you only upgrade to 3.0 without starting from scratch as I did, it is still a good file to have on hand. Export doesn’t grab everything and relies on the blog exported from still existing to pull over images, so once again, it is good to do this in a test install.
By the way Conzie, the URL you entered with your comment is not working and has been removed. Please let me know if you have a working URL to replace it.
Is simple scripts better than fantastico in all aspects, or just where wordpress is concerned?
My experience with Fantastico and Simple Scripts is limited to the installation of WordPress, so I would not be in a position to answer your question Sara. However, possibly another reader will be able to do so.