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The PopularWireless blog was upgraded to WordPress 2.5 today. This version was six months or more in development and released just hours ago on 3/29/08.

Let us know if you encounter any issues.

I thought I was deleting a blog on another domain - honest! A couple of days ago I deleted the PopularWireless Blog. Lucky for me since I have been using WordPress I paid attention to things like data backups.  Last night I was able to import the last backup dated 12/30.  Anything done between 12/30 and 1/2 was lost. So if you wrote a comment during that time that’s where it went.

On another note I had the opportunity to unload my level of dissatisfaction to a Network Solutions rep that called me out of the blue to see how I liked my service.  One of the issues I dealt with was the painfully slow MYSQL server, the frequency of internal server errors, and the frustration it all causes me, the advertisers, and our readers.  Poor guy that called me got an earful but I think he meant well and plans to take my comments back to the powers that be.

I have several things to do to restore missing blogroll links added since the 30th and some plugin related work to do. Most the articles should be there. This time I avoided the Network Solutions blog building interface that caused me to delete the blog in two clicks. That cannot happen built as it is now. This time around I installed WordPress myself after creating a database using the myPHPADMIN interface.  Network Solutions is still installing version 2.1 with its interface requiring upgrades after each install. Last time I checked they have no plans to change their scripts to catch up to 2.3.

I learned volumes recovering from this last foopah of mine.  What will I do different the next time? Before doing ANY work whatsoever on a database I will BACK IT UP.  I will backup all files in all directories associated with WordPress. Any articles I wirte get written locally and if they are not copied to a local file after the article is published. Both parrots will go back in their cages and I will not accept questions on how to use the TV remote from the peanut gallery as I reach over to press a mouse button. Distractions - not good.

I really gained an impression of how cool WordPress is.  Next I want to explore using an interface other than Kubrick.  Probably a three column interface that looks more like a magazine. if you have some WordPress experience make a suggestion!  Sorry for any inconvenience the last few days may have caused.

The WordPress blog software at this site was upgraded today to 2.3.1. Please contact us if you notice any strangeness.

The PopularWireless.com AIS Google Map introduction page was updated with some useful information on tropospheric ducting.

We encourage readers to leave a kind word for Riley regarding his planned retirement from the FCC. See article on the subject below. Thanks to Matthew for starting the thread. (Thanks to the ARRL web site.)

I upgraded to WordPress version 2.3 tonight . A bunch of widgets broke as did other functionality. It is going to take a day or two to put it all back together. Well maybe…It isn’t actually broken - just in between versions.

Most of the modifications I had made were to theme files which were not touched thank goodness.  The widgets I was using just needed to be reactivated or upgraded. WordPress 2.3 now checks widgets for new versions.  The developers added a TAG option form each article so the site now sports a TAG cloud at the bottom of the main blog page.  Widget support is built in. The new WordPress 2.3 is outstanding. What a gem.  Since the beginning, learning and using WordPress has been well FUN.

Let me know if you find any weirdness.