Keeping Your Old Scripts Up-To-Date Is Important!
It goes without saying that ANY script out there is going to be upgraded over time, and while some might have minor changes, there will be others that have massive updates. After all, the internet is changing almost every single day!
Now if you know me, and why shouldn’t you, then you’ll know that I really am a big fan of WordPress and talk about it were I can. Well I bet you’re never going to guess what they released last night while I was tucked up in my bed? 
…Yip, you guessed that one alright!
Last night was the night were Version 2.7 was released, and at 9:30 this morning, I upgraded Mark-McWilliams.com so that we were running the latest version. (And this is one version that I couldn’t wait to start using here!)
There are many reasons as to why people don’t upgrade old scripts. The main reason I’ve seen, and heard, is that they can’t be bothered and it’s too time consuming! Because of the new features in WordPress 2.7 I had to edit a few styles in the stylesheet, and change a .php file that incorporated the new coding. Now I do appreciate the fact that not everyone can do things as quick as I possibly can, but even if it took you 20 minutes to upgrade your blog, then is it not time well spent?
Out of all the script’s I’ve ever upgraded, they are either for bug fixes of because the owner has introduced some new features. It doesn’t matter if the script is free or not, why wouldn’t you want to make sure that the version you are using is functioning as it should, but also take advantage of anything new?
I keep saying it over and over again, but it really is important these upgrades get done, as soon as you possibly can. Why would the developer release a new version of the script, if it wasn’t fixing something of better? 
It was only a few days ago that Sam (From DLGuard) sent me an email to say that there was a new version in the members area ready for me to download. A new payment processor had been added, and also a few bugs sorted out too.
Moving back to something I mentioned earlier about not being bothered, well why not see if you have a friend that wouldn’t mind doing the upgrade for you, or even asking the script owner?! But if neither of them sound right, you could always hire a freelancer from a site like ScriptLance.
So have you got a WordPress blog of your own?… (Well is it running on 2.7 yet?)
What kind of person are you when it comes to upgrading? Let me know in the comments below, and as a little challenge, see if you can spot one of the new 2.7 features!
Hey Mark,
Great post! Spot on about upgrading matey! I did my internet marketing blog just an hour ago, love the new admin panel
don’t you?
Keep up the good work,
Danny
I just fished your comment out of Akismet, as it was obviously flagged as SPAM!… This comment almost ended up being deleted, so I maybe better check that I’ve not changed any of them settings I shouldn’t have!
And you’re right, the admin panel does have a nice look to it, but have you explored everything else there is to explore? LOL – I must get my Gravatar sorted out too!
Thanks
Mark
Hay mark
I’m a fan of wordpress to, ill be upgrading soon is there any bugs that we need to worry about before we upgrade…
Keep up the good work
Dannny
Thanks for stopping by Daniel!
WordPress 2.7 was in beta for about a month were they worked on any bugs that were found/reports. As of writing this, I’ve had no problems, and don’t believe there are any bugs about!
Just remember to backup your database, incase anything strange happened, but I’ve never had any such problems upgrading WP since I started using it!
Thanks
Mark
Hi Mark,I totally agree with everything you say in your post!
I upgraded my blog this morning and I’m very impressed
so far!
Colin
Thanks for your comments Colin, and nice to see you around! It’s quite hard to imagine what WordPress was like when I first created this blog? – If I’m right in thinking, it was 2.3 back then!
Thanks
Mark
I try to keep up to date Mark. I have WP on about 20 sites, so when it’s upgrade time, it’s a job, but it needs to be done. I haven’t upgraded my DL Guard yet, but that’s also on the list. Great post!
This IS the perfect opportunity for you to spend the time upgrading all your WordPress blogs to 2.7 as it has a one-click upgrade button inside meaning no more FTPing!
Spending the time now, could save you loads of hastle in the future. At least, that’s the way I’d be looking at it!
But thanks for commenting, and the part about DLG was added to help get my point across, which I think worked out quite well.
Thanks
Mark
Hi Mark,
Thanks for the comments on my blog, still getting over a bout of man flu ….
I hear you about Wordpress 2.7
Cheers
Tommy
Hope you get better soon Tommy, and it seems to be exactly what I’m suffering from too! (I thought I’d got rid of it, but guess I was wrong!) LOL
Just wait until you dig deeper into WordPress 2.7, I could well see many more videos from you on the subject!…
Thanks
Mark
Hi Mark,
I totally agree with everything you say about updating scrpts etc. Ofcourse, when it comes to updating, scripts are not the only thing that need to be kept updated. Other things are software you use, products you sell, trading on eBay and their policy changes etc etc.
I also use wordpress on my blog http://www.marcsampson.com but I have not updated it yet. You asked for a reason!!! Well, my reason is lack of technical knowledge and that I am scared I will do something wtong and loose my blog and all of the posts.
I only just found your blog today from the planetsms forum, and will be checking in from time to time.
Marc.
Mark,
I done it. I mean I have upgraded my wordpress. Your blog post inspired me to do it, so thank you. Oh, and it seems to work, but as you say, it is a completley different admin panel. Just something new to get used to I guess.
Marc.
Hi Marc! You’re spot on about it not just being scripts that you need to keep updated. A prime example was when eBay stopped the selling of digital products.
John Thornhill had to update one of his best selling products, of which doing so has many benefits in itself anyway. Effectively it gives you the opportunity to relaunch the product, giving previous customers a copy for free.
Fantastic news, and I’m glad that I could have been part of it. That’s the kind of comment you love to hear, so from the bottom of my heart, THANKS!
While it’ll take a couple of days to get used to the new admin area, I actually like it better than the old one. It’s much more easier to navigate and that!
Speak soon!
Thanks
Mark