Unfortunately the latest WordPress version 2.8 is not for me. I upgraded it on one of my working blogs, and I have to say that it appeared to happen quite fast and smoothly. However, I then found that a large chunk of my Dashboard had disappeared and refused to resurface. Normally this can happen if a plugin interferes with the main WordPress core files, and the solution is to either deactivate the offending plugin or find an older version of it.

I then discovered that not only was my upgraded blog missing parts of the Dashboard, but information – or widgets – had vanished without trace from both sidebars of the WordPress theme I’m using….. including the Meta ‘Log In’. I was saddened because I refused to give myself time to delve further into the novelties which this latest version was offering. I just could not spare the time to fiddle about with the files, particularly since it’s taken me a long time to settle on a theme which does what I want it to, and looks good (my personal opinion). I’ve chosen this same theme – with slight variations – for my other blogs too.  I realise that perhaps a solution to my problem with the new WordPress upgrade would be to change my theme to one that would be perhaps more compatible, but, although I am ever curious and not a defeatist by nature,  it’s not an avenue I wish to explore. More so in this scenario because it would affect my other blogs too. Many of you have been through the time-staking ordeal of choosing and changing your blog’s theme time and time again; I hope to keep my current one at least until the end of this year.  :)

So what did I do to fix the problems of the upgrade installation? Very simply: I used my last backup to put the ‘old’ WordPress files back. I did NOT touch the database at all. But, strangely enough that did not put everything right. My Dashboard reappeared, but my two sidebars still had the Meta, Links and coded extra bits missing. I also noticed that when I clicked on any of my Categories I was getting a 404 Error. I went into Categories via my Dashboard and clicked on the first title – and then saved it. It put all the other Categories’ titles back into functioning mode. I went into Widgets via the Dashboard and inserted the missing widgets back into the sidebars. And….. oddly enough all my manual coding parts also reappeared.

I had noticed that WordPress 2.8 has changed the look of the Editor; personally I found it too bright and bold for my eyes, and I didn’t like the fact that I would have to scroll across all the time looking for code, or inserting code. but then again, I only glanced at it for a few mere seconds before deciding to keep my existing ‘old’ WordPress version….. at least for the time being.

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