In my case that means updating 14 web sites running WordPress. Eek!

Fortunately that only involved manually updating three sites (i.e. downloading the updated version, uploading it over the three installations and running the upgrade script).

The other 11 sites are all hosted at DreamHost* which boasts one-click installations and upgrades, so for these sites the upgrades required a theme back-up for each of the sites just in case and then clicking the upgrade link in the DreamHost web control panel, waiting a few minutes and then clicking the link in the confirmation e-mail. Once done, a quick upload of the customised themes and all done.

* Don’t forget to enter the promo code THATWEBMAN to get your $50 discount.

I use DreamHost in the States. Even on their cheapest hosting plans, they allow me to register multiple domain names and host multiple sites. Through my control panel, I simply register the domain(s), set up the site hosting and then to make things even easier, have them install WordPress with a new MySQL database. I did this with this site yesterday: start to finish was less than an hour. I also did this with a client web site a few weeks ago: start to finish including a fancy photo lightbox and site banner image was a few hours.

The ‘problem’ comes with .co.uk domain names that take hours to get registered (and also cannot be registered ‘anonymously’ or by proxy) and even longer to get propagated across the Internet.

So yes, I thoroughly recommend DreamHost and all the features that come with it:

Oh and if you click that image and proceed to set up a new account, you can have $50 off a year’s hosting fee if you quote the promo code “THATWEBMAN”.

Instant web presence for anyone. It’s the future and it’s here now.