Ohmystinkinheck

Welcome to WordPress Wednesdays. I am your hostess and, as the hostess with the mostest, I think it’s only fittin’ to start things off by thanking AngellaD for giving me a name to my tutorials. Such the smart Canadian cookie, that one.

Also, before getting started, the focus of this, and ongoing, tutorial(s) is to confuse you even further help you with your SELF-HOSTED WORDPRESS BLOG. By default, the tutorials may also be applicable to WordPress.com hosted blogs, but that isn’t the choir for which I’m a preachin’.

If you haven’t already ditched your free hosted blog at WordPress.com or elsewhere, Jessica and I created a step-by-step tutorial on how you can ditch your blogging training wheels. Check it out. There are pictures and everything over yonder.

And finally, be sure to read completely through each tutorial before applying any of the actual instruction.

Back up to start.

Now, before we can get started, most of us need to back up just a bit. Back-up you say? Yes, back your little self up.

I’ve had several emails asking about how to properly install plugins, how to work within WordPress’ style.css, how to make graphic bullets, how to do this and that and the other. I’ve filed all of those ideas and will get to them one by one. However, I’ve not had one single person ask the most important question, “How do I organize my files on my hard drive to make my blogging life easier in the long run?” You might not be asking because you don’t know to ask, but then again, you might not be asking because you don’t care. Either way, if you want to smoothly run your self-hosted WordPress blog, organizing your files on your hard drive is the very first, most important thing you can do.

Why have your WordPress files saved on your hard drive?

I’m a person that asks “Why?” so I really don’t mind that you are probably asking the same thing right now. It is important for your hard drive to have a /directory/ that mimics all the WordPress files and directories you have on your server for several reasons.

1. Keeping loss at a minimum. If your server crashes, God forbid it, you do not lose your theme, images, plugins, etc…
2. Less mistakes. It isn’t as easy to upload incorrect files to an incorrect /directory/ if your files and directories on your hard drive match the files and directories on the server.
3. Saving Originals. Whenever you upload a new plugin to your blog, you’ll first download the zipped (.zip) file . Having your WordPress files on your hard drive allows you to download this file to the proper plugins /directory/ and keep the original zipped file easily accessible. Sometimes it is necessary to make modifications to plugin .php files before uploading them. If you retain an original of that file, when you err (and you will from time to time), you have a zipped up original as reference.
4. Time Saver. If your /directory/ and files on your hard drive exactly match your server, you’ll save a ton of time looking for images, a recently changed graphic, or how about the newest version of your modified sidebar file? Save yourself some time and keep it all in one place.
5. Neatness Counts. I’ve heard this from teachers from Kindergarten on up. And you know, as well as I do, that all we every really needed to know we learned in Kindergarten.

/directory/ or File?

I will use the words /directory/, directories, file or files throughout my tutorials. In every case a /directory/ will be a folder in which to store files. I will often refer to it as /directory/ because that is a strong visual reminder that it is a FOLDER rather than an actual file I’ll store inside the folder.

Which brings me to file or files. A file is stored within a /directory/. A file is indicated by a suffix like .doc, .php, .html, .wav, .mp3, etc…

I realize it can be confusing when these words are used interchangeably across the internet. Here, however, they will not be interchangeable. A file is a file. A /directory/ is a /directory/.

Amen.

Organizing your WordPress Files 101

Step 1: Create a home for your blog files.

My blog files are always filed in a /directory/ named for the domain. For instance, my ohmystinkinheck.com files are all in a /directory/ named /ohmystinkinheck/ on my hard drive.

Where you place this /directory/ is up to you. Mine is saved at the following path on my hard drive:

My Documents > My Webs > ohmystinkinheck

Step 2: Have an Original of your version of WordPress.
Whether you followed the Wordpress Famous 5-Minute Installation (which most say works out to more like 15 or 20 minutes for first-timers) OR you purchased web hosting that offers cPanel’s Fantastico Auto-Installer, and installed WordPress automagically using it, you now have WordPress files on your server space.

• For those that did the Famous 5-Minute Install, you should already have a zipped copy of your WordPress /directory/ of files available on your hard drive (unless you deleted them post installation). Good. We’ll get back to you.
• For those that used cPanel’s Fantastic Auto-Installer (through your web host), you still should download the original version of the WordPress files YOU are currently using. If your install is recent enough, then the version available to download at Wordpress.org would probably be the correct version. If you installed WordPress more than a few days back, always check to find out what version you are running as it could already be outdated. To do this, log into your WordPress’ Dashboard and scroll to the footer where the version is given.

This particular example I’m using is running WordPress Version 2.1.2, which is not the most recent version available. To find this version to download, I’d go to the WordPress Release Archive and scroll until I saw 2.1.2 and download the zipped directory of files.

Step 3: Filing your original version of WordPress.
Now that you have downloaded your current original version of WordPress, save it within your domain /directory/ you created on your hard drive. You will save both the zipped original version and your working original version in your domain /directory/.

My Documents > My Webs > ohmystinkinheck > wordpress v2.1.2

Each WordPress download version includes what I call the “middle man” /directory/ within it called /wordpress/. I like to click thru as few directories as possible to get where I’m going, so the first thing I do is click into the “middle man” /wordpress/ and cut all the directories and files out, pasting them DIRECTLY inside the /wordpress v2.1.2/ directory. Then, when it is empty, I can delete the /wordpress/ “middle man” directory and not have to deal with that extra click again.

So, here is what you’ll have within the /wordpress v2.1.2/ directory once you cut out the “middle man”:

That right there is the heart of your WordPress blog directories and files - at least with this version.

Step 4: Filing your current working version of WordPress.

• If you have been using WordPress for a while, your online version is going to differ from your original zipped version that you just filed on your hard drive. The WordPress directories and files found online are called your “working version”. Most likely you’ve made changes, uploaded images, modified the CSS and other files, and you need an exact replica of THAT version on your hard drive. Easy enough. All you need to do is download all the files into your unzipped current wordpress file. In my case, I’d download them all into /wordpress v2.1.2/. Any “like” files will overwrite/update the files currently on my hard drive.
• PLEASE DO NOT download one version of Wordpress files over a different version of WordPress files. The small, eensy changes that are made from one version to the next can really cause quite a burp in your blogging software. Always make sure you are downloading “same” versions to “same” versions.
• If you have never used WordPress, then this is an unnecessary step as your online version of your WordPress version still matches exactly with the version you’ve unzipped on your hard drive. Is anyone else gaining an aversion to “version”? Exactly.

From this point forward everything that we work with will be within the opened (unzipped) file of your current “working” wordpress /directory/.

Just remember:

Until next week!
*wave*

29 Responses to “WordPress Wednesdays: It’s wise to Organize”

1. nancypants

   Sooooo…. can you tell me how much you would charge to do the glorious things you’ve done for Ree? I love her set up (and yours) and would lurve to know how to acquire this kind of arrangement for myself. I’m perpetually annoyed with how slow my blog can be and how persnickity blogger can be at times…

   ??? :^D

2. OMSH

   nancypants - I emailed you my rates. :)

3. Kami

   Um, right. Still not ready to lose the training wheels. That looks like greek to me!

   :-)

   Someday. Someday.

4. Just Beachy

   Oh Good…we can ask questions… I play in dreamweaver, so I just pulled (downloaded, getted) everything - /directories/, files, images - from my server to my hard drive, is that the same? Also, when we make changes to our site do we have to “override” each file that is already on the hard drive or can we just say no to all to not override and only download anything new?

5. OMSH

   Just Beachy - Yes “downloaded” from the server using dreamweaver is he same as downloading from anywhere else.

   Saved on your hard drive is good.

   I would encourage you NOT to manipulate any WordPress files in Dreamweaver. Instead, use a text editor like editplus.com (can be downloaded for free and it actually color-codes making it easier to “see” changes in the html code).

   I might be misunderstanding you. Are you saying that you’re making changes online and then downloading them so your hard drive files match? As in, you’re making changes within the Theme Editor of WordPress’s Dashboard?

6. Ang in TX

   Wow, very good information I will look forward to Wednesdays. I never thought of keeping my changes to a theme in wordpress on my hard drive- duh!

   Would you e-mail me your rates please? I have all these features I want to incorporate from different themes but don’t know how to pull it all together and could you tell me is it better to use gif files over a jpeg.

   Thank you so much for sharing your wisdom!

7. Just Beachy

   Thanks OMSH. I just used Dreamweaver to download them to my hard-drive…. I wouldn’t dare make changes where I shouldnt be messin unless I had directions…..heee

   Yes, as in adding you add additional pages, images, etc, and also using the theme editor online, How do you then get your hard drive “site files” to match without having to “re” download your entire site again?

8. Tina

   Thanks for doing this! So far my hubby is my WordPress Support person (he does it all, I just blog)…I know he’d appreciate it if I learned a bit about what I’m using!

9. Angella

   Thanks for the link love. You’re a pretty smart cookie yourself :)

   I plan on doing this in the next few days! For an accountant, my file organization skills are poor. I can organize my house, but my computer files? Yikes!

   This was the perfect place for you to start :)

10. OMSH

    Ang in TX - I emailed you my rates.

    In response to your query about .gif files and .jpg files…the answer is, it depends. Bwahahaha! If your image has less than 256 colors, use a .gif. So we’re talking graphic buttons and banners … think graphic -v- photo. Photos should be in .jpg because they have millions of colors. If you save a photo as a .gif you’ll see what I mean - it pixelates.

    In some situations graphics do better as .jpg images if they have are heavily layered with photos, gradients, and/or text with drop shadows and the like.

    LOOK at the image. Does it look good as a .gif? Does it pixelate? Would it have more depth as a.jpg?

    You can always use your graphic software to reduce the size of your .jpg file or include it in your .css or use flickr to reduce load time.

    Just Beachy - You aren’t going to like my response, because I’m going to draw you away from Dreamweaver for a second to say that using OTHER File Transfer Software will allow you to download JUST THAT ONE FILE and/or upload a change to a SINGLE FILE.

    For instance, if I change ‘Stylesheet’ in the WordPress Theme Editor, I could simply download the style.css to my hard drive to retain that simple change.

    I use Filezilla to transfer files to my server space. I will talk about the ease of doing this using Filezilla and some other basic tools - perhaps next week.

    But if you do choose to use the Theme Editor to alter files, you can also go to your website with many web hosts and download single files through your web hosting File Manager.

    What host do you use for your blog?

11. OMSH

    Tina - You’re welcome. You will be surprised by how mucch a little bit of knowledge can explode into a greater understanding bit by bit.

    Angella - I would have taken you for a highly organized computer file kind of gal.

12. Angella

    My work files? Totally organized. My blog files? UTTER CHAOS.

    I’m on it :)

13. bethany actually

    Yay! I am glad to hear I have been doing something right all these years with my file organization. Uh, back when I *had* a website, that is.

    I know, I know…blog. I’m workin’ on it. :-) Thanks for the info, it will be helpful very soon!

14. Amy

    Does this mean that you don’t recommend editing your theme files via the Dashboard? I know, I’m getting a little bit ahead of things here, but since I usually do this, the files on my hard drive will never match exactly, unless I save the hosted files to my hard drive on occasion.

15. Just Beachy

    Nah, I get you, I can be drawn away. I just use it because that is what I have/know and you do have the ability to “get and put” any one file to and from server to hard drive, hard drive to server, it has a full FTP program within it. I will go and look at your suggestion for that and also editing (which I do through the theme editor as well). I guess, my thought, question, miscommunication, misunderstanding, came from your Step #4. You were speaking about initially and I was thinking about after that, (do you keep a copy of your current site, with entries, photos, etc. on your hard drive), you don’t redownload your whole site each time, just any changes, I missed that you we speaking about initally, I was getting ahead too.
    I am hosted with Dreamhost.

16. Atomic Bombshell

    Excellent advice. This is stuff I learned the hard way through trial and error. Thank you.

17. comfortablycrazy

    I think I love you. I have to get my printer fixed so I can print this and keep it in a folder. It’ll be my own little WP for Dummies book.

    And I love how you always have a different pic for your banner.

18. OMSH

    bethany actually - With all the time and attention you are devoting to “getting started” with your blog I can’t imagine what fabulousness is in store for us. :)

    Amy - I absolutely do not recommend using the DashBoard Theme Editor. I’m sorry to confuse you. However, MANY of my clients use it because they have a fear of learning how to use an independent FTP like Filezilla to upload/download.

    I will go into that more very, very soon.

    I always edit my theme files on my hard drive and then upload them. This way I always have a 100% up-to-date version of everything on my hard drive.

    It “can” be done the other way around (editing within the Theme Editor), but it is time consuming.

    There is also the question of widgets. If you use widgets then you’ll have to work in the DashBoard. I don’t use widgets.

    This sounds so snotty reading over all this. The thing is, the widgets, imo, are the same as WYSIWYG editors - they keep users from actually learning the code behind the scenes.

    Now that everyone is fleeing … heh heh

    comfortablycrazy - my rotating images in my banner are easily done across any blog or website. It isn’t a plugin, but it is an easy code. Perhaps I’ll do a tutorial on it soon too. :)

19. KYouell

    Oh, yes, please, explain the rotating header images! Especially if it can even be done on the dreaded Blogger.

    I have a feeling that I’m going to be asking for a domain name & WP dollars to be added to our budget because I am digging the way you’ve started this out. Me likey your brains!

20. Moose

    Oh man. I am HOPELESS. File save? What? Whenever I start making a little money (PLEASE GOD), I will also be inquiring about your rates. :)

21. Laura

    it’s funny…i read all that and i only use livejournal. :P heh. and i had FUN reading that, even though none of it applies to me. lol. weird.

22. OMSH

    Atomic Bombshell - You’re welcome. :) I learned a lot through trial and error as well.

    KYouell - It can’t be done on Blogspot because you have to have access to server files. Sorry. :(

    WP really isn’t that expensive and well, even when I was JUST blogging - it was worth it. Some people buy scrapbooking supplies - I pay for hosting. :) I bet I spend less annually. heh heh

    Moose - Bring it on. And? You can totally save files. I know this b/c YOU can follow a recipe. Anyone who can follow a recipe can save files.

    Laura - I welcome you. *grin*

23. KYouell

    Well, we have our own domain already (hubby bought his last name) and I’ve already got him looking to see if I can just move it there. So I’m working on it!

24. OMSH

    KYouell - That’s awesome! Good!

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    I keep all of my files on my computer organized but I had never thought of keeping my local copy of all of my blog “stuff” but I see the importance of backing everything up. I’m not sure why I never thought of that. I will be doing that now.

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    oh man I need to book mark this