Archive for July 2008

I finally listened to WordPress and decided to do the upgrade at 7:00pm one evening. Downloaded the .zip file and went to the WordPress three step upgrade guide. Three steps… sure, but not fast ones. First step — backing up. That’ll make even the long-time geek sweat a little. I’ve played with databases a little over the years, but that doesn’t ease the discomfort of backing them up.

Besides, just reading the backup instructions can scare a non-geek. phpMyAdmin alone will freak ‘em out since most of them don’t go near that even in their cPanel (Web site administration application). The backup instructions mention a couple of applications, but they’re not easy either.

Another thing freaked me out. My WordPress database went from 50 megs to 17 megs after the upgrade. The folks at WordPress support forums assured me this was normal of databases and they don’t operate the same way as file systems. All is fine here. Cool that it shrunk that much!

Also, I looked at my SQL file to verify all my entries transferred. The latest post was past 3000, yet the total entries plus draft didn’t come close to that. Turns out the attached files also count in this number. So it’s all good.

I opened FileZilla (file transfer application to move files between my computer and my Web site’s web host). I created a new folder on my computer for my WordPress backup. Then I simply copied everything in the WordPress folder and root folder (one level up from WordPress where wp-config.php and other WordPress files live). The root folder has other files not related to WordPress, but don’t worry about that. Just copy everything — better safe.

Lesson #1: I didn’t realize it until after the upgrade that many WordPress files didn’t transfer. Here I thought I did the right thing only to find I missed a step… I should’ve checked that all files transfered before proceeding with the upgrade.

Lesson #2: Save the wp-config.php file with another name such as wp-config-currentdate.php. The other problem I ran into was the database name and password. Somehow, it got all mixed up and none of the passwords I had worked. Had I saved and known which wp-config.php was the latest one, it would’ve saved me the biggest trouble of all.

The upgrade failed because of the name and password mismatch. Long night — stayed up past my bedtime trying to clean up this mess as this site was down.

Be sure you deactivate all plug-ins, which I did. They all started perfectly… except one. Still trying to figure that out.

Remember you can still win birthday bash prizes.

Diamond Games is helping out Mac gamers save money this summer! Why pay a premium for being a Mac user? Save $5 (25% off) now on Mac Games from Diamond Games. Apply the coupon code MACDIAMOND at checkout to receive the discount. Coupon is valid thru July 31st, 2008 at The Diamond Games.

All the guest bloggers have blogged. All the post-related prizes awarded. That leaves the winners from last week’s entries and the final prizes (announced July 8). But it’s not over yet! You have one more week (July 15) to get a chance to win one of the following remaining prizes:

• One $80 gift certificate to Amazon from Meryl ($10 for every year).
• One $100 gift certificate to Amazon from Mark Wegner of The Diamond Games.
• Full version of Microsoft Expression Studio 2.
• Peter Shankman: copy of his book, Can We Do That?! Outrageous PR Stunts That Work–And Why Your Company Needs Them.
• Lou Rosenfeld: Rosenfeld Media’s Luke Wroblewski’s Web Form Design.
• Lou Rosenfeld: Rosenfeld Media’s Indi Young’s Mental Models.
• Problogger Darren Rowse provides a copy of his book, Problogger: Secrets for Blogging Your Way to a Six-Figure Income.
• AWAI’s Nick Usborne’s Million Dollar Secrets for Online Copywriting.
• Two copies of PowerReuse by Softpowerhouse, a document assembly software designed for boosting productivity for professionals.
• Access to Teaching Sells for two months from Copyblogger Brian Clark.
• How to Make a Living as an SEO Writer from Yuwanda Black.
• Tara Calishain-authored book.
• Ted Demopoulos: One copy of Secrets of a Successful Blogging System digital audiobook with What No One Ever Tells You About Blogging and Podcasting (in which Meryl appears).
• Airport Mania: 3 copies (2 Mac and 1 PC).
• One copy of Business Daffynitions: Humor from the Workplace from Joe Heuer, the Rock and Roll Guru.
• One copy of Wit and Wisdom of a Regular Joe from Joe Heuer, the Rock and Roll Guru.
• One copy of New Idiot-Proof Guide to Customer Loyalty from Joe Heuer, the Rock and Roll Guru.
• One copy of Andy King‘s Website Optimization.
• One full copy of Astraware Classic Collection, which includes Astraware Sudoku, Astraware Solitaire, and Astraware Board games. Astraware is one of Meryl’s favorite — if not the best — developer of handheld software.
• Full copy of First Class Flurry PC game from Chanon Sajjamanochai of Viquagames. Meryl’s First Class Fury review.
• Two copies of Unicorn Castle Game PC games from Oleg Kuznecov of Meridian’93. One copy for a reader and one copy for a guest blogger.
• Full copy of Lex Venture: A Crossword Caper PC game from Mark Kanter of Bang Out Games. Meryl’s Lex Venture: A Crossword Caper review.

How do I win?

You’ll get the following amount of entries based on the following guidelines:

• 10 entries: Become a twitter stalker/follower for MerylKEvans
• 10 entries: Link to:
  • Any meryl.net page
  • CSSCollection.com
  • Bionic Ear Blog
• 10 entries: Subscribe and activate to our RSS feed by email.
  • Subscribe to both meryl’s notes blog and games
  • Subscribe only to meryl’s notes blog
  • Subscribe only to games
  • Subscribe to Bionic Ear Blog
  • Subscribe to meryl’s notes, the newsletter (not the same thing as the above)
  • Subscribe to the games newsletter (contact me with your email address and I’ll add you — doesn’t seem to be a way to add yourself. Crazy.)
• 10 entries: Link to any meryl.net blog entry.
• 5 entries: Link to any of the following pages from a twitter tweet:
  • Any meryl.net page
  • CSSCollection.com
  • Bionic Ear Blog

You can do the above anytime between May 21 (date of birthday bash announcement) and July 15. To guarantee your entries, please email us by 11:59pm on July 15 what you’ve done and include links. Who can keep up with hundreds of entries? Also let me know if you have a Mac — gotta make sure we have winners of Mac prizes!

Remember, you can only win one of the above prizes — so it doesn’t hurt your chances to tell others about it — it increases them!

Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2010 Meryl Evans

The following games will be discounted next week on Game du Jour, the ‘one-deal-a-day’ website dedicated to indie and casual games:

Mon. July 7th: 70% off on Constellations

Tue. July 8th: 60% off on Singularity FPS

Wed. July 9th: 40% off on Mystery PI: The Vegas Heist

Thu. July 10th: 50% off on Crooked Money 1: The Endless War

Fri. July 11th: 50% off on Gaia 3D Puzzle

Sat. July 12th: 50% off on Blackjack Suite

Sun. July 13th: 60% off on Troll Wizard

Quinn returns in all new wedding planning adventures in which she competes against other wedding planners. Wedding Dash 2: Rings around the World sees Quinn planning weddings in five countries. Photographer Joe Wright joins Quinn’s crew and captures memories for the bride and groom.

This one retains much of the original Wedding Dash features including most of the guests, Bridezilla, funky dancing guests, and fires for Quinn to put out. The action remains the same: You seat the guests based on their preferences whether it be at a specific table or with (or NOT) someone. Take their gifts and put them on the bride and groom’s table then serve them a three-course meal.

New in this one is Groom-Kong who comes out when he sees his bride not happy puts an end to the level. We also meet a couple of new guests including two pairs that must always have two seats together. Social butterfly Chloe and her daughter, Kathleen make a pair. Chloe isn’t as popular as she used to be since becoming a mom. We also have twins who don’t have much patience and don’t act very social.

Forgetful Grandpa won’t order anything unless you wait too long to serve him. So you must keep track of what he has eaten and what to serve next. The Conan O’Brien look-alike who might be a hot dog eating champion returns as do Diane, Derek, and Uncle Ernie (the drunk). We have another uncle — a handsome one and everyone wants to sit next to him.

We also have to tell Joe when to snap a picture. At the end of the level, you can view captured snapshots — but it’s really just head shots of the guests. Still, adding Joe works well.

Wedding Dash 2: Rings around the World doesn’t treat us to many new features, which might disappoint some folks. However, those who just want more of Quinn and company will be happy except for one thing: This one is miles harder than the original. It takes me at least 20 tries to finally beat level 4.6.

The planning stage also returns with decorations, food choices, and bride and groom transportation. Sometimes the bride’s request doesn’t provide enough information to make a decision. Nonetheless, we receive more varied options from brides with stomach problems and actors to nature lovers and lovers of ’50s movies. Even when you pick a wrong item, you’ll see your incorrect selection appear in the level. So it’s nice to see we have control over customization — right or wrong.

The top notch graphics and swinging music compel you to keep trying no matter how many times it takes. Plus, the game brings about lots of smiles in watching the comedy while you frantically meet guest requests and stop disasters.

Wedding Dash 2: Rings around the World comes with two modes: story and endless. I never bother with endless as it doesn’t appeal to me. With five locales at 10 levels each, we get 50 fun-filled levels of battling and keeping brides and guests happy.

I have a confession: I prefer Wedding Dash to Diner Dash series. The wedding guests provide more entertainment than the customers in Diner Dash. Boy, oh boy… this one takes a lot of patience as you’ll have to try various approaches to reach the goal score. If you haven’t played the first one, you can skip it and go right to this one as it has more. Considering the new scenarios, locales, and guest types, Wedding Dash fans will be happy to help Quinn again.

Download Wedding Dash 2: Rings around the World.

A mystery is buried deep within the sands of time and it’s waiting to be discovered. Join the adventures of Christine, an Archaeologist, whose fun-filled journey takes her through the ancient modern times in search of invaluable treasures. Unlock the first chapter of the story and continue the epic quest until the mystery is resolved in The Lost Treasures of Alexandria.

Grizelda the witch has shaken things up inside the Etch A Sketch, and Knobby must restore “draw and order” to his world. Help Knobby save his kidnapped friend and stop Grizelda’s evil plan to turn everything in the Land of Aha! to Dullsville! Full of creative art tools, four unique game modes, tons of unlockable hidden items and a cast of hilarious characters, Etch A Sketch is innovative fun for the whole family! Check out this digital upgrade to the World’s Favorite Toy today! (Etch A Sketch for Macs)

Experience the sheen of diamond rings and the bold of solid gold. Build a brilliant career as Elly, a young girl, in the luxury business. She’s her father’s last hope to branch the family business into a mega Jewelry Center. The events of Elly’s life develop as you progress through this Time Management business. Meet an eclectic mix of personalities and even an attractive prince who steals Elly’s heart. Levels in Jewelleria include a Souvenirs Sale, St. Valentine’s Day, and carats full of bliss.

Bulldoze your way through Americas past from the 1950s to the 21st century. Earn cash and Life Rewards for Mark Retro, a young kid with big dreams. Build a construction business from the ground up and create homes for movie starlets, hippies and more. Buy upgrades like observatories and pirate ships throughout six stylized decades. Use your innovative Click Assist feature and become the Craftsman of the Century in Build-in-Time, a Time Management quest.

From buddy Steve Kayser: