WordPress Security

WordPress is a target for hackers and crackers and they employ a number of methods, including attacking plugins and themes.  However your basic WordPress installation is increasingly a target for botnets and brute force attacks.

100's of compromised machines will hit your WordPress installation's login page to try various username and password combinations.

This can cause issues beyond the obvious one of your site being compromised.  The shear multitude of hits can drive bandwidth use as well as server load issues.

A popular and apparently effective plugin for this is Lockdown WP Admin.  It has a number of settings, one of which I feel is very effective in that you can change the URL for your Login page and admin directories...
http://seanfisher.co/lockdown-wp-admin/
http://wordpress.org/plugins/lockdown-wp-admin/

Other notable security plugins I believe are effective are:
 WP Super cache:  http://wordpress.org/plugins/wp-super-cache/
BruteProtect :  http://wordpress.org/plugins/bruteprotect/

Another often mentioned plugin, and one I consider essential is: 
Limit Login Attempts:  http://devel.kostdoktorn.se/limit-login-attempts

It is also imperative that all WordPress sites be updated routinely with any updates for WordPress itself as well as theme and plugin updates.  You should check your WordPress dashboard at least once a week for any updates...

We would appreciate any other suggestions WordPress users may have.

-Bob

Moving/Migrating WordPress

I have recently found myself developing a number of WordPress sites and usually the process starts with a Development site (a subdirectory of either the web site where the WordPress install is intended for or on another site subdirectory).  Either way WordPress must be moved once development is completed, and that process has been tedious at best...  Until...

I thought I would search for posts relating to moving/migrating a WordPress site, for a better method than I last used, and I stumbled across this site, http://weavertheme.com.  I happen to be using Weaver II as the theme for this site however the method to move WordPress should work with any theme.

The bellow steps are based on this post, the big part of this is a new Plugin WP MIgrate DB
http://weavertheme.com/migrate-your-site-to-new-domain-name-or-new-server/

• Step 1:  Make a backup of your WordPress install and database for your Development site (just in case)

• Step 2: Install WP on new server or final location, make sure the version matches your Development site, in this case 3.6.1 was the current version.

• Step 3: Make sure the new Install works and you can login.

• Step 4: Delete the wp-content directory on the New site

• Step 5: Download the complete wp-content directory from your Development site

• Step 6: Upload the wp-content directory you downloaded from the Dev site to the New site

• Step 7: Install WP MIgrate DB plugin on the Development site. http://wordpress.org/plugins/wp-migrate-db/ 

• Step 8: Run WP MIgrate DB on the Devolpment site and save the sql file it generates on your computer

• Step 9: Using phpMyAdmin Drop all content from New Site Data base. 

Select the database name used for the new site. Select the Structure view of the database, click the Check All option at the bottom, and finally from the “With Selected” dropdown pick “Drop”. Then Press Go

• Step 10: Using phpMyAdmin again use the Import function and Import the sql file created from WP MIgrate DB

• Step 11:  Then Open New Site it should work under the new Domain name and/or location.

When you use  WP MIgrate DB you will enter the New Information and the generated Database SQL file will be all set fir the New Domain and/or Location.

Click on Migrate DB and you will see.

I hope this helps those of you that need to move a WordPress installation...

Thanks to the Weaver II folks and I personally recommend the Weaver II WordPress theme, super modifiable and more choices than i can shake a stick at ;)

-Bob

Handguns

I own a .38 Special Taurus UltraLite revolver that just has to be one of the best options for a Carry piece. I also have a Ruger LC9 9mm semi-automatic that is another great choice for a carry piece however neither is the best suited for range use.

Don't get me wrong I enjoy shooting both guns, the .38 Special will make itself known after 50 rounds or so and the LC9 after about 100 rounds, but just for fun shooting neither would be anyone's first choice.

So with the idea that I wanted to get a gun that would be fun to shoot and also with the idea of a beginners gun for my Daughters to use at the range I started looking at .22s.

The most recommended .22 I saw mentioned was the Browning Buckmark, including a recommendation from a fellow shooter at my local range, Gateway Rifle & Pistol Club, Inc. There was a lot of mentions for the Walther P22 as well however there were as many negative as positive mentions, at least in the reviews I found.

I also saw some mentions of the Ruger SR22, a relatively newcomer to the .22 scene and the majority of reviews were positive. I also liked the form factor for the SR22 which appeared to me to be more similar to a standard self defense semi-automatic and the price was more in line with my budget.

So with that in mind I started searching for a Ruger SR22 and it just so happened that there was a Gun Show in town this past weekend and I found a very friendly group from Jimmy's Jewelry and Pawn that were willing to deal a bit and we reached a very good price, as far as i was concerned and I became the proud new owner of a Ruger SR .22.

As noted in almost every post I found regarding the SR22 it comes in a standard Ruger cardboard box with two magazines, two different mag floor plates, a second grip (larger), pouch carrying case, instruction manual and a Ruger gun lock with 2 keys and a spent shell fired from that particular gun.

I went straight from the Gun Show to the range and loaded up the magazines with .22 LR rounds and was firing in minutes. I used Remington .22LR rounds, that I picked up at the Gun Show from Christine with All in Ammo at an extremely attractive price, and fired a quick 100 rounds without a blip. After the first 1/2 dozen rounds or so i was putting them into the center of the target without any difficulty and I am not the best shot out there.

This gun was just fun to shoot and easy to put on target time and time again, it had a nice feel in the hand and I believe anyone would enjoy shooting this gun.


Some comparison shots of the SR22 with the LC9 and Taurus .38 special.

I will post more regarding both the SR22 and LC9 as time goes on and more rounds are put through both as to my experiences with these guns.

Until next time, Bob

Just wondering...

How much better the cellular services would be in this country if all those Lobbying dollars were being spent on improving coverage and services...  Just wondering...

The TV Ad - If you don't have an iphone, well you just don't have... 

• To be stuck with one Music store...
• To be using a phone that you have to hold carefully... 
• To have a brick when the battery dies...  

How much would we still have to cut from the Duval County school budget if we sold the Taj Mahal they call a School Board Building on the River...   Just wondering...

Does the Supreme Court live in the same world as the rest of us?   Just wondering...

Do the NFL Players really think that the average Fan supports them over the owners?  Just wondering...

If Lance Armstrong really doped is there anything in sports that is sacred... anything at all?  Just wondering...

Is anyone else as sick of ALL of our Politicians as I am...   Do you trust that they are Representing YOUR interests or just their own...   Just wondering...

When the President says this is what is "Best for the Country" doesn't he really mean...  This is what I think is best for you so get used to it...  Just wondering...

Is there a better deal then Amazon's Daily Free Android App...   Nope ;)

Support a Great Cause, Nascar Day!
Bob

Side Load AT&T Android Phones for Amazon Market Access

My wife and I each have a #DellStreak 5 Phone/Tablet that I lovingly refer to as "The Beast", in case you hadn't noticed it is BIG :)

Anyway my phone I got before AT&T rolled out the Froyo 2.2 update and I used the QDL Tool to update mine but my wife's was purchased after the roll out and I have left it tied to AT&T for comparison purposes.

It has done everything my Wife needs even though it is tied to AT&T with the exception of allowing Apps from the New Amazon Android market.  In searching for a solution to this I discovered this post regarding side loading an AT&T Dell Streak which not only is very simple it doesn't require rooting your phone and I would think could be used on any AT&T Android Phone...

ADW Launcher is an App I discovered a few months ago and had already installed on both phones and is the only thing you need to enable access to the Amazon market as well as other third party app markets...

The instructions are very simple and takes only a couple of minutes and then you can go to the Amazon Market insert your phone number and you will receive a link to install Amazon Market on that phone and have access to all the Amazon Apps as well as the FREE app they provide daily.

If you are like me and want Options then by all means try this solution to gain access to Amazon Apps until such time as A&T starts allowing access directly.  Why wait and miss out on some great FREE apps...

-Bob

NFL Players Playing Fair? In their minds I am sure...

Ok the Owners setup a deal with the networks to receive Payments during 2011 - 2012 if the Players Union went on Strike or Decertified...  Judge says that isn't playing fair and they can't have that money...

Now the Players have been building a "Lockout Fund" which would make payments to players (I assume those that need it and not the Tom Brady's ?) in the event of a Lockout...

Now note that the ONLY way a lockout would occur is IF the Union went on Strike or Decertified, both of which are actions ONLY the Union could take... 

But the Lockout Fund is legal and the Owners TV Fund isn't ?

Well I am no lawyer (thank goodness cause I sure like sleeping at night) but whether this is Legal or not it sure isn't RIGHT or FAIR...

Players = -1 (again)
Owners = Even

Oh and did I mention the players that are starting to get into trouble without the structure of their Team and the NFL trying to help keep them out of trouble...  Hmmmm

Players you are NOT helping yourselves with us Fans....  Not one bit.

-Bob

Great Android Photo APP - Photaf

I just have to post when I see a great APP and here is one I use for the Fountain website and expect i will have a number of other uses for...

Photaf allows you to use your Android Phone Camera to create Panoramic Images.

The created photo's can be shown as a static image and manually scroll horizontally or upload them to their website and create a Flash image viewer.

There is  a Free Version but if you like it you need to get the Pro Version which adds HD capabilites as well as the ability to set your images as Live wallpaper.
https://market.android.com/details?id=obg1.Photaf
https://market.android.com/details?id=obg1.PhotafPro

           
       

Just a Great Android App for anyone that takes pictures of landscapes.  And you Realtors, Construction Project Managers, Foreman, Facilities Managers, just think of the ways you could use this...

Of course, just my inflation adjusted two cents ;)

-Bob

*Sigh* The #NFL...

Ok time to weigh in on the silliness the NFL has brought about on itself...

After a week of trying to figure out WHY...  which I have given up on...

I have struggled to determine who is right and wrong in this and the obvious conclusion is everyone is wrong BUT the Fans...

However I am really really struggling to figure out the players side here..

First the players are just Employees and sure don't act like they are...

As far as I can tell the facts are...

Owners asked for 1 Billion additional off the top of revenue for infrastructure expenses ...
The Owners negotiated downward their extra 1 billion request off the top ... 
Owners Plus 1

The Players demanded 10 years of access to each teams financials
The Owners offered to allow a mutually agreeable Accountant to review the books for five years and present a report... 
Owners Plus 2

The owners wanted 18 games...
The owners agreed no 18 games until at least 2014 and then only with the agreement of the players...
Owners plus 3

So far looks to me like the Owners have tried and the Players haven't...

Not to mention the Players have no expectation of access to the books, no other group of Employees of a Private business would even get a whiff of the books...

Ohhh that reminds me The Players also want to share in any Financial Gains if revenues are over expectation however I have not seen any player indicate they should also share any pain if the revenues fall below expectations...

Bottom line unless the Players start providing some information that I haven't seen so far, other then simply throwing mud and innuendo, then I guess I will have to side with the Owners, who are not blameless here BUT they sure are presenting a better case so far...

Just the way I see it...

Bob