Because I always have to review these steps, I decided to post them.

1. Download via FTP all folders and files.
2. Login to admin Dashboard and deactivate plugins.
3. Download latest version of  WordPress.
4. Extract and upload new version’s folders and files … all EXCEPT the WP-CONTENT folder.
5. Regarding the WP-CONTENT folder: leave uploads subfolder on server, leave plugins subfolder on server, leave themes subfolder on server.  Do overide the INDEX.PHP file.
6. Upgrade database by going to http://yourblog.com/wp-admin/upgrade.php.  Follow prompts.
7. Go back into Dashboard and reactivate plugins.

Despite growing up in a household with newspapers and despite the fact that I still enjoy the feel, the layout, and the serendipity of print papers, I do believe the print model is doomed.  This week’s Time magazine reports a 72% decline in the number of media outlets dedicating reporters to Capital Hill.  Ad revenue is down because circulation is down.  It would seem that reporters simply can’t be paid.  The same thing is happening to TV news.  At home and at work, people are increasingly online and getting info throughout their day.  And given that most people don’t even yet know about or use RSS technology, the efficiency of online news gathering will only improve.

I’m afraid that looking toward the past will only leave librarians in the past.  Rather than merely lament the loss of print, it’s perhaps time to embrace the digital and teach about RSS, Bloglines, Google Reader, and the like. It’s time to see sites like the New York Times online as an amazing information tool and not just a poor substitute for the original.  I think that the late NBC reporter Irving R. Levine would have loved it.  He is also mentioned in this week’s Time magazine in a piece written by Tom Brokaw.  Brokaw says that before looking at the daily newspapers, Levine would always don white cotton gloves in order to avoid getting ink on his fingers.  Doubtless there are layout and other disadvantages to digital news publication. Box scores and league standings are, for me, one of the biggest shortcomings.  But a couple of good things are guaranteed with online news:  (1) It’s easily accessed  and  (2)  you’ll never get ink on your hands.

Currently transitioning to this new site. After experimenting with several themes, I’ve decided on hybrid because it’s new, clean, simple, and can be customized.  The About and Web Sites pages contain links to the old site, where, at least for now, most info will remain.  Hope to start posting soon.  Thanks for visiting.