Annoyed by WordPress asking for FTP username/password?

In WordPress version 2.7 and 2.8, you’ve probably noticed a new feature built into WordPress…FTP updates of plugins.   It’s a great new feature and does add a layer of security to the whole process.  In the past, you would have to chmod your directories to 777 for this to happen.

Now by providing FTP credentials, you can automatically update your plugins safely and securely.  And there are those that worry about the security of storing your FTP password in the config files.  Well the fact is your database password is already stored in that same file.  In addition, if you think about it, if you had to type your username/password each time into your web-browser, that info is being sent over the net already anyways.

Besides, the FTP method is much more secure on shared servers than using chmod 777 on everything in sight.  FTP updates/updating seems to be the way of the future as opposed to using chmod 777, apps like Joomla have already adopted this method.

There is one catch though, if you don’t have passwords and forms saved in your browser, WordPress will ask you for your FTP login credentials every time.  If you manage alot of WordPress sites, this can get annoying very quickly.

Thankfully, there’s a simple solution which will save the FTP login (username/password/server) so WordPress stops asking you for them.  Here’s how you do it.

1.  Locate your WordPress root diectory and find the “wp-config.php” file.

2.  Edit the file and insert this somewhere in the middle as it’s own block, we normally put it after the mysql username/password block.

/*** FTP login settings ***/
define("FTP_HOST", "localhost");
define("FTP_USER", "yourftpusername");
define("FTP_PASS", "yourftppassword");
Of course you'll want to change "yourftpusername" and "yourftppassword" to the actual FTP usernames/passwords for your site.

Once you’ve made that edit, save the file and voila!  No more punching in your ftp username and password all the time.

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AMD ships 6-core “Istanbul” Processors

As most of you all know, iMountain.com mostly utilizes Opteron processors for their energy efficiency and high performance.

Well we’re psyched up for AMD’s newest offering of 6 core processors code-named “Istanbul”.  Based on their latest 45 nanometer design, these processors promise to be fast and most importantly, energy-efficient.   These new 6 core chips promise to increase performance by 35% per watt consumption compared to previous generation chips.

Another performance enhancing feature will be “HT Assist” which sort of indexes the contents of the various CPU’s so that data can be interchanged quickly and efficiently.

Cray, famous for its supercomputers, has also announced that the Cray XT5m will be using these new Opteron 6 Core chips at the core of its supercomputing platform.

Although we won’t be using any Cray Supercomputers, we can’t wait to get our hands on some of these 6-cores to build a 48 Core server.

Socket F heatsink and fan same as Socket 940?

We’ve been buying the Opteron Quad Core Barcelona 8350′s for quite some time now…they are the foundation for our 32 CPU Core Servers.  These are the AMD 2nd Generation Opteron chips and are based on Socket F (aka Socket 1207).  We recently got in a bunch of Opteron 8350′s in an OEM bulk package without Heatsinks and fans.

We were about to go and purchase specific Socket F/1207 heatsinks and fans when we noticed the AMD Opteron 1st Generation Socket 940 Opteron heatsink mounting patterns looked extremely similar.

We did some precise measurements on the heatsink/backplates and lo and behold, the mounting pitches are exactly identical at “3.5″.   The other consideration is the thermal envelope of the new chips versus the old socket 940 chips and that isn’t an issue.    Socket F also came out with a 4.1″ mounting pitch (which is NOT compatible with Socket 940 heatsinks) but it is pretty rare…only motherboard we know of that uses the odd 4.1″ mounting pitch is the Tyan S2912G2NR.

So, YES, you can use most of the Socket 940 CPU’s with the newer Opteron Socket F/Socket 1207 as their mounting, thermal envelope and pitch are virtually identical.  Just make sure you use a high quality fan, as this is usually the PC component that breaks down first.

By re-using these high quality copper heatsinks instead of throwing them out, we’ll be recycling a ton of copper!

New Dedicated Server Specials

We’re rolling out a whole new line of dedicated servers to fit the economy.   Super reliable, deployed within 24 hours and powerful enough to serve the most demanding web pages.  Dual Core and Quad Core servers are available, just choose the one that’s right for you.

Email sales .@.iMountain.com for more information and pricing.

  • NEBULA CLASS DEDICATED SERVER
  • Dual Opteron 252 2.6 Ghz CPU
  • 2000 GB Bandwith/month – test file: http://www.imountain.com/10meg.zip
  • 160 GB SATA Drive
  • 2 Gigabytes RAM (2048 MB)
  • 3 IP Addresses
  • Servers are un-managed, ask about server management
  • cPanel/DirectAdmin available directly from iMountain or purchase your own licenses
  • Special Discounts for 6 months/1 year/2 Year payment terms
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