Friendly reminder: backup, backup, backup.

You know you're out there, Mr. I-Just-Install-Plugins-At-Will guy. When you install something, anything, back up your db first!. It's rarely the hack's fault when your tables crash. This morning I installed one of Paul's mods, and my mysql service timed out in the middle of it. This isn't Paul's fault, or the hack - it's just bad luck.

Fortunately, an hour later and a couple of cups of coffee and my site's good to go because I am a total fanatic for backing up. If you have SSH access, it's one command. Make a shell script. Stick this in it:

# Site Backup
mysqldump --opt -Q -u username -ppassword dbname > /path/to/your/backups/db-`date --iso-8601`.sql

Run it, and it'll make a datestamped backup of your DB. Then install your product. If it's a clean install, just remove the file. The process is quick and painless, and will no doubt save you hours of frustrating table repairs, angry vb.org PM's to boofo for no reason*, and grey hairs.

So before you click that Import Product link, do yourself a favor and back your stuff up!.

*that's what I do, anyway

--------------- Added [DATE]1203860745[/DATE] at [TIME]1203860745[/TIME] ---------------

Also, don't post things in the wrong forum like I just did. You'll feel silly.

(Moved now )