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The Safe Way to Change your WordPress Database Table Prefix

Damien — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 13:00:08 +0000

Unless you have make an attempt to change the table prefix before installing your WordPress blog, chances are that your WP database is still using the default ‘wp_’ as the table prefix. With this default prefix, hackers can easily perform a SQL injection attacks on your database and wreak havoc to your site. The best way to prevent this from happening is to change the table prefix to another term that is difficult for hackers to guess.

If you are new to blogging and are looking to install your first WordPress blog, then it is easy. Simply change the $table_prefix entry in wp-config.php file, upload the file to the server, then proceed on with the famous 5-mins installation.

For those who have already been blogging for sometime, follow the method below to change your table prefix.

Preparation

Download the following two plugins, install and activate them in your WordPress blog.

WP-DBManager (plugin download page)

Wordpress Table Rename (modified version, original download page)

Note: I have make a slight modification to the WordPress Table Rename plugin to include changes in the later version of WordPress, but credit must be given to SEO Egghead for creating such an useful plugin.

Get started

Before you do anything to your database, first perform a db backup.

On the left pane, go to Database –> Backup DB. Do a backup of your database.

Next, go to Settings –> Table Rename

Enter a new term for the table prefix.

Click the Create New Tables button to generate new tables with the new prefix. If you have a big database, this process will take a long time.

When it is done, you will see the success message.

If you have a big database, the page might issue a timeout and show a blank page.

Verify your new database tables

Now go to Database->database. You should see the new tables in place.

Migrating your blog

While the plugin provides a way to change the table_prefix value in wp-config.php file, it won’t work in most cases unless you have set the wp-config.php file readable/writable (which I strongly advised against). The best way is to change the value manually.

With your favorite FTP program, download your wp-config.php from the root server.

Open it up with any text editor and scroll down to the section where you see

$table_prefix = 'wp_'

Change it to

$table_prefix = 'YourNewPrefix_'

Save it and re-upload this file back to the server.

Almost there

You have just completed the migration from the old table prefix to new table prefix, there are still several things that you need to do

1. Browse through your site and make sure all the pages, images and content are loading correctly. If you see errors, or that the site is not loading, change the $table_prefix back to ‘wp_‘ and re-upload back to the server.

2. Browse through the settings for each individual plugin and make sure that all the configurations are intact. Some of the plugins use the table prefix for their storage and these values were not changed by the plugin. For such plugins, you will see the settings fall back to their default values. What you have to do is to reconfigure it and re-save it. It will now store in the database with the new table prefix.

3. (Optional) Go to the Database –> Empty/Drop Tables, check the Drop button for all the table with the old prefix. Click the Empty/Drop button to remove them from your database.

Important: Do this only if you are sure that the new tables (with the new prefix) are working correctly.

Note that this is purely optional. Leaving your old table in the database will not hurt your blog and it can serve as a backup and allow you to switch back to them quickly in the event your blog got hacked into. However, if you have a big database, the extra tables could add plenty of overhead to your server. So, make your own judgement.

Last part

Once you are happy with everything, backup the new database. If you have previously schedule a daily backup, you have to reschedule it again to include the new tables.

You can also deactivate and uninstall the WordPress Table Rename plugin. There is no use for it now.

That’s it. You have successfully changed your WordPress database table prefix.

Image credit: naokomc

The Safe Way to Change your WordPress Database Table Prefix originally published on Make Tech Easier (RSS)

10 Social Media Plugins for Windows Live Writer

Shevonne — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 12:00:43 +0000

Windows Live Writer is the best desktop-based blog editor for PC users. It allows you to manage different blogs and has rich functionality that makes it easy to create blog posts. Additionally, it provides a way for you to add social media features into your actual blog post, or notify services when you are publishing them. Here are ten plugins that will help your blog be social-media ready:

1. Twitter Notify Plugin

The Twitter Notify Plugin provides a way for you to tweet your blog post to your followers when publishing using your Twitter account. You are able to customize the format of the tweet in the Options area, or when you press the Publish button. In addition, there is a built-in URL shortener in the plugin. If you are a Twitter user, then this is a must-have plugin for your Windows Live Writer.

2. Delicious Notify Plugin

The Delicious Notify Plugin allows you to notify Delicious whenever you publish a blog post. In the Options, you are able to enter your Delicious userid and password, and check if you want to automatically publish your blog posts to the service.

3. TweetMeme Plugin

The TweetMeme Plugin lets you add the TweetMeme button into your blog posts. The Options allows you to add your Twitter name, use an URL shortener, and position the button on the top or bottom. When you publish your blog post, the TweetMeme button will appear. This allows your readers to tweet your blog post, so definitely a plugin to add.

4. DiggThis Plugin

The DiggThis Plugin adds the Digg button to your blog posts, so your readers are able to Digg it, if they want. In the Options, you are allowed to decide on four different types of button styles: badge, compact, button, or the little guy. You are also able to choose the alignment to be either to the right or left. Digg users will love this plugin.

5. WLW Bit.ly Plugin

The WLW Bit.ly Plugin lets you shorten all of the URLs in your blog post using the Bit.ly URL shortener. If you have a Bit.ly user account, you can enter it in the Options area. This allows you to use the Bit.ly statistics to view information like how many people clicked on a certain link.

6. Twitter Inserter Plugin

The Twitter Inserter Plugin provides a way for you to add your tweets into your blog post. You are able to select the number of tweets in the Options area. It’s great to use once in awhile. However, if you use too much, you might alienate your readers.

7. Flickr4Writer Plugin

The Flickr4Writer Plugin lets you add Flickr images from your albums or any image that is allowed to be blogged. You are able to select the image size, spacing, positioning, and alignment. It’s a way to add images to your blog without stealing images. One of my favorite ones, and I use it often. Definitely a must.

8. Zemanta related articles & images Plugin

The Zemanta related articles & images Plugin provides a way for you enter add links, related articles, and images to your blog posts. It is on the side of the Windows Live Writer window, so it provides easy access in allowing you to save time in finding items for your blog posts. Another one of my favorites. It helps you save time and enriches your blog posts.

9. Amazon Book Linker v1.3 Plugin

The Amazon Book Linker v1.3 Plugin lets you add book information to your blog posts. You are able to modify the image size and the template, which is how your readers will view the Amazon item. If you have an Amazon Associates ID, you are able to add that as well, so you can make profit on the books you add. Great for people who reviews books or want to share a great book with their readers.

10. xPollinate – Cross Post Plugin

The xPollinate – Cross Post Plugin allows you to cross-post a blog post, or a snippet, to your other blogs and post to Ping.fm when you are publishing. Ping.fm allows you to post to different social-media networks, such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc., so you are able to notify your followers of your blog post by using this plugin. I am starting to use this plugin more often now. Ping.fm is one of the social media tools that I use often, so this saves me plenty of time.

Which social media plugins do you use for your Windows Live Writer?

10 Social Media Plugins for Windows Live Writer originally published on Make Tech Easier (RSS)

Sing Along To Your Favorite Songs With Lyrics Plugin

Norm — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 13:32:37 +0000

How many times have you been listening to a song and wanted to sing along, but couldn’t because you didn’t know the words? Even better is when you know most of the words but there are two or three that you just can’t get. Those days are about to become history.

There is a powerful little plug-in that you can download for Windows Media Player that will show you the lyrics of the song as it plays. Now don’t get too excited, this has been done before, but not with the incredible simplicity of Lyrics Plugin.

The simplicity of the name alone creates the ultimate summary for this add-on. The completely free Lyrics Plugin holds a stamp of approval with a 4.5 star rating and over 150,000 downloads.

Installation

The installation for this plug-in is, as expected, incredibly easy. Start by visiting the wmplugins.com download site and clicking the lyricsplugin.exe link. Once downloaded, run the installation and follow the onscreen prompts. I chose the default configuration.

Once complete, Lyrics Plugin will prompt you to determine if you want to start Windows Media Player. You probably want to click Yes since you probably want to try the plugin you just installed. :)

Usage

After Windows Media Player finishes loading, select a song from your library. You might need to click on the Now Playing tab to see the lyrics. I tried over a dozen songs and the lyrics for all of them were found. If you happen to find a song that the lyrics can’t be found for, Lyrics Plugin will offer you a Google link to help you with finding the lyrics online.

Here are two samples that I used. If you are wondering why they are blurred, it’s because I don’t have permission from the artists to reproduce their work. I think you can tell from the images though that the content is there.

Try it for yourself, you won’t be disappointed. Do you have any recommendations for lyrics plug-ins for other media players? Let us know in the comments!

Sing Along To Your Favorite Songs With Lyrics Plugin originally published on Make Tech Easier (RSS)

10 useful Plugins To Spice Up Your Pidgin

Damien — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 02:30:06 +0000

Pidgin is a multi-protocol instant messaging client that allows you to connect to several IM networks at one time. Most Linux users will be familiar with Pidgin, as it is the default IM client in most distribution.

Other than its basic functionality, Pidgin also has a plugin system that allows its users to activate plugins to extend its functionality. Today we’re taking a look at 10 of the best plugins to power up your Pidgin.

1) Facebook Chat

The default installation of Pidgin does not support Facebook chat at the moment, but with this Facebookchat plugin, you can now see who has logged in to Facebook, chat with them, and even update your Facebook status, all within your Pidgin.

2) Send/Receive Tweets

Rather than using two clients – one for IM, another for Twitter, now you can integrate them all into one. The pidgin-microblog plugin allows you to connect to Twitter and send/receive tweets on your desktop. There is still some bugs in the plugin that caused Pidgin to crash when you try to reconnect, but when it is working fine, it is an excellent tool.

The latest version 0.1.2 is said to fix the Pidgin crashing bug. It worked fine for Windows version of Pidgin, but for Linux version, it don’t work completely (on my Ubuntu machine). Windows users should get the 0.1.2 version while Linux users please stick to version 0.1.1.

3) Set Twitter/Identi.ca update as Pidgin status

This is actually two different plugins that do the same job. The first plugin grabs your Twitter update and set it as your Pidgin status while the second grabs your Identi.ca update. This is useful if you are using Twitter/Identi.ca more often than Pidgin.

Pidgin-twitterstatus plugin

Pidgin-identica-status plugin

4) Skype on Pidgin

No, you don’t get to make phone call. What this plugin does is to import your Skype contact to your Pidgin so that you can manage all your network in one place. You can chat with your Skype contact (via instant messaging) and update your Skype status inside your Pidgin. A point to note, you still need your Skype to be running to be able to use it.

Skype4Pidgin Plugin

5) Pidgin Plugin Pack

Pidgin plugin pack is a package that contains more than 50 plugins for Pidgin. While some of them are totally useless (like tossing a dice), most of them are actually very useful. This plugin pack is highly recommended to all Pidgin users who want to power up their Pidgin usage.

Pidgin Plugins Pack (Ubuntu users can install guification via Synaptic Package Manager)

6) Guification

Guification is an extension of the Pidgin plugin pack that needs to be installed separately. It is an event notifier that pop up an unobstructive bubble when certain preset events occur (such as when your buddy log in, or leaves the conversation).

Guification (Ubuntu users can install guification via Synaptic Package Manager)

7) Send SMS

gSMS is a libpurple Pidgin plugin that sends sms to your mobile, containing list of users that sent IM to you while you were away. It makes use of Google Calendar SMS service to keep you notified. You will need a Google account in order for this plugin to work.

8) Musictracker

Music lover can now update Pidgin status with the music track currently playing in their favorite music player such as Amarok, Rhythmbox, Audacious, XMMS, MPC/MPD, Exaile, Banshee, Quod Libet, iTunes, and WinAmp.

MusicTracker (Ubuntu users can install guification via Synaptic Package Manager)

9) Theme control

This is the feature that almost every users ask for. With this plugin, you can now theme up your Pidgin and customize it to your liking. You don’t need to be an expert to design your own theme. This plugin provides an easy way to customize the color theme to your liking.

10) Checking Gmail and Yahoo Mail

This is not a plugin, but a trick that you can use in Pidgin. Even if you don’t use Google Talk or Yahoo messenger, you can still set up an account on Pidgin and get it to notify you when new mail arrives in your inbox. This will assure that my task bar is not cluttered with all the mail checking icons.

What’s your favorite Pidgin’s plugins?

10 useful Plugins To Spice Up Your Pidgin originally published on Make Tech Easier (RSS)