Posts by David Innes, RealBasics.com
Don’t just update WordPress, update your Zoom apps too
Just a reminder that for desktop users the Zoom app we use for meetings (including meetings to discuss maintaining, fixing, or building WordPress websites) doesn’t update automatically. And at least my Mac desktop version doesn’t even remind me to check for updates. Everyone else may have already known about this so maybe I only need…
Read MoreAre ThemeForest and other paid themes really that bad?
In a private Facebook group about WordPress speed someone asked an excellent question: I have a question about paid templates for WordPress, e.g. Themeforest.Is it true that cool looking templates, with e.g. animated buttons or an interesting mouse cursor, are definitely slower and less optimized than the simpler, more standard-looking ones? It’s true that there…
Read MoreWordPress will be around for a bit longer…
It’s true! In 2020, 80% of websites are still using PHP, 77% use jQuery, and WordPress has 63% of content-management system (CMS) market share. And, “worse,” the numbers are increasing. Only it’s not really “worse” at all. When you’re running a business it’s not necessarily “worse” to use common, standard technology as long as it…
Read MoreNever leave a File Manager plugin on your WordPress website in the first place!
A File Manager plugin can be a very useful tool when you need it, but you can say the same thing about a stick of dynamite! It’s not something you want to leave in the kitchen junk drawer in case you need it later! David Innes, owner of RealBasics.com The ultra-tech website Ars Technica reported…
Read MoreIf you get email from GSuite saying remove links (you’re probably ok)
First things first: if you got a confusing email from GSuite that says something like “[Action Required] Remove internal links to the G Suite Domain Contact page for your organization” don’t panic! Bottom line up top: They’re just recommending that you clean up any old links to an out-of-date service that you probably weren’t aware…
Read MoreHow cheap is “cheap” hosting vs a “cheap” VPN?
In a private Facebook group for WordPress hosting someone who’s trying to save as much money as possible asked a specific question about two hosting plans. They’d initially bought a plan from commodity provider HostGator but had been advised to switch a more premium SiteGround account. It was time for them to renew on SiteGround…
Read MoreTips for converting a Visual Composer or similar website
This post is a little bit “in the weeds” for regular business owners, but this might come in handy for more adventurous do-it-yourselfers and less-experienced WordPress professionals. On a closed Facebook group for WordPress users someone asked I’ve never converted a Visual Composer website to [another page builder.] I imagine it is a total rebuild…
Read MoreGood reasons not to rely (completely) on backup from (even really great) hosting plans
So another participant in a private Facebook group for WordPress users echoed something I’d said about the importance of making your own backups. Similar to David Innes I use [a commercial backup plugin] for Scheduled backups ([cloud-based storage firm] is my choice, but there are many others)…And a lot of people when backups have been discussed…
Read MoreScam: threatening email or contact-form spam from “Melissa”
Our standard maintenance plan includes one hour of consulting a month. In the last couple of days several maintenance clients have contacted me after receiving scary, threatening “copyright infringement” messages coming from their contact forms or other sources. Here’s one example. Note the suspicious elements. And here’s another, note the similar email address? Others I’ve…
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