Downloading and installing wordpress for blogging is free. Right?

32 replies
I am 99 % sure that it is free. But, just to confirm.....
#blogging #downloading #free #installing #wordpress
  • Profile picture of the author celestrist
    yes, it is free. (at least from my experience, I have several websites running wordpress out there...and I don't have to pay a dime for it.)
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  • Profile picture of the author laurencewins
    You are confused because there are 2 versions of Wordpress.
    The free version doesn't give you any control. That is wordpress.com
    The paid version is what you host and have a domain name. This is wordpress.org.
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    • Profile picture of the author rosetrees
      Originally Posted by laurencewins View Post

      You are confused because there are 2 versions of Wordpress.
      The free version doesn't give you any control. That is wordpress.com
      The paid version is what you host and have a domain name. This is wordpress.org.
      Wrong Wordpress is free, whichever version you use. Yes, you have to pay for the domain name and hosting, but not for the Wordpress software - which many web hosts offer as an option in cpanel.
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    • Profile picture of the author Don Schenk
      Originally Posted by laurencewins View Post

      You are confused because there are 2 versions of Wordpress.
      The free version doesn't give you any control. That is wordpress.com
      The paid version is what you host and have a domain name. This is wordpress.org.

      In addition to what Laurence said, Wordpress is a free software you can download at Wordpress (dot) org and install it yourself at your web host.

      However, much easier is many (if not most) hosting companies have automated the install so you won't need to go through setting up Wordpress at your host and setting up a MySQL data base to store the posts you make to your blog. You just click the host's Wordpress install button an it all gets done for you. It only takes a minute.

      Some hosting companies use a software called Fantastico to install Wordpress, in which case Fastatico will be listed in the hosting company's cPanel. Some hosting companies use other software to install Wordpress. For example Bluehost has its own install software, and what you see at their cPanel is just the Wordpress logo. I believe Hostgator uses Fantastico, and that is what will be listed at their cPanel.

      So, the only thing you need to pay for is hosting. The Wordpress software is free.

      Laurence mentioned wordpress(dot)com. That is a free site owned by Wordpress where you can set up non-business blogs. If you try using wordpress(dot)com to sell something or to point to an affiliate site, your blog will be taken down.

      :-Don
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      • Profile picture of the author AnniePot
        Originally Posted by Don Schenk View Post


        However, much easier is many (if not most) hosting companies have automated the install so you won't need to go through setting up Wordpress at your host and setting up a MySQL data base to store the posts you make to your blog. You just click the host's Wordpress install button an it all gets done for you. It only takes a minute.

        Some hosting companies use a software called Fantastico to install Wordpress, in which case Fastatico will be listed in the hosting company's cPanel. Some hosting companies use other software to install Wordpress. For example Bluehost has its own install software, and what you see at their cPanel is just the Wordpress logo. I believe Hostgator uses Fantastico, and that is what will be listed at their cPanel.
        I prefer not to install WordPress using Fantastico! It's unfortunate how, on forums etc., everyone posts saying use Fantastico, while I seldom read anyone explaining why this is actually such a bad foundation for a new WordPress blog.

        Why? It's simple: by default, a Fantastico installation sets "wp_" as the prefix for each WordPress table name. Knowing this, hackers find it especially easy to send malicious code targeting your wp_ based tables. It's as if you've put a 'welcome' mat at the door for them. This knowledge makes it a doodle for them to change the appearance of your site, redirect your url to their site, plus a whole host of other nasty things.
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    • Profile picture of the author Istvan Horvath
      Originally Posted by laurencewins View Post

      You are confused because there are 2 versions of Wordpress.
      The free version doesn't give you any control. That is wordpress.com
      The paid version is what you host and have a domain name. This is wordpress.org.
      I don't know who is more confused: the OP or you... My vote goes for you.

      wordpress.com = free blogs hosted by the company of the main developers, as subdomains: e.g. laurencewins.wordpress.com

      wordpress.org = the site where you download the open source, free blogging script AND get technical support (just a reminder for all those posting WP related questions, LOL)

      Whether you pay for domain and hosting for your site... is irrelevant in the context of the thread-opening question.
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    • Profile picture of the author JeromyS
      Originally Posted by laurencewins View Post

      You are confused because there are 2 versions of Wordpress.
      The free version doesn't give you any control. That is wordpress.com
      The paid version is what you host and have a domain name. This is wordpress.org.
      This about sums it up. Wordpress.org download is free. But of course keep in mind you still need to host it, which is cheap, but not free. Most hosts have Wordpress install built into the CPanel, so you don't even need to go to Wordpress.org to download. That is how I have it installed on all my domains, it is easy and, if your already have hosting, it is free. There are a number of good hosts that are low cost and good service, HostGator being one of the more well known names.
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      • Profile picture of the author Istvan Horvath
        Originally Posted by JeromyS View Post

        This about sums it up.
        No, it doesn't. It's confusing and misleading.

        And obviously, you didn't read the whole thread... otherwise you wouldn't "pimp"
        Wordpress install built into the CPanel
        which is Fantastico - discussed in details above your post.
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  • Profile picture of the author mikeybobikey
    Umm... Wordpress is open source and free to download and install on your own server.

    Of course there are costs associated with having your own server, but the software itself is completely FREE!
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  • Profile picture of the author Ga RedNeck
    Both are free
    The one you just have to have your own domain and hostings
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  • Profile picture of the author rtailor
    Wordpress software is free for all and I have installed on many blogs of my clients.
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  • Profile picture of the author Chri5123
    Wordpress is free to self host. What costs money is the domain and hosting that you will need to use Wordpress.org

    Chris
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  • Profile picture of the author ColinChia
    Thank GOD it's FREE!

    I couldn't imagine having to pay for Wordpress - I'd go broke with the amount of sites I have... LOL!

    Enjoy
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  • Profile picture of the author Dee Odus
    Why? It’s simple: by default, a Fantastico installation sets “wp_” as the prefix for each WordPress table name. Knowing this, hackers find it especially easy to send malicious code targeting your wp_ based tables. It’s as if you’ve put a ‘welcome’ mat at the door for them. This knowledge makes it a doodle for them to change the appearance of your site, redirect your url to their site, plus a whole host of other nasty things
    That's 1 loophole of 100s hackers can use to get to your website, and the wp_ prefix is very easy to change from within the config.php file, so instead of saying don't use Fantastico it'd be better to tell us how to change the prefix. Fantastico makes it SUPER easy for noobs to install WordPress.
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    • Profile picture of the author Istvan Horvath
      Originally Posted by Dee Odus View Post

      That's 1 loophole of 100s hackers can use to get to your website, and the wp_ prefix is very easy to change from within the config.php file, so instead of saying don't use Fantastico it'd be better to tell us how to change the prefix. Fantastico makes it SUPER easy for noobs to install WordPress.
      Except, if you use Fantastico... it creates the config file for you and you don't have access to it until the installation is done. And then it's already too late to change it because the tables have been created.

      If you change the wp-config file AFTER fantastico did its job - it will ask you to run a manual install (to create the new tables with the new prefix). And you could have done the manual installation from the start
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      • Profile picture of the author Dee Odus
        Originally Posted by Istvan Horvath View Post

        Except, if you use Fantastico... it creates the config file for you and you don't have access to it until the installation is done. And then it's already too late to change it because the tables have been created.

        If you change the wp-config file AFTER fantastico did its job - it will ask you to run a manual install (to create the new tables with the new prefix). And you could have done the manual installation from the start
        OK I get it. I have always use Fantastico and then block as many loopholes as I could. Most importantly daily backups. No site is safe from a determined hacker, you can only try. Thanks Istvan.
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        • Profile picture of the author AnniePot
          Originally Posted by Dee Odus View Post

          OK I get it. I have always use Fantastico and then block as many loopholes as I could. Most importantly daily backups. No site is safe from a determined hacker, you can only try. Thanks Istvan.
          On the contrary, both Istvan and I have, I believe, quite clearly advised against using Fantastico; not to use it, then battle to plug the resulting loopholes.

          A manual installation of Wordpress is not rocket science, in fact it's very simple and straightforward, and takes just a few minutes. Don't you have a few minutes to spare if the result is a much more secure blog?

          Here is a link to the Wordpress 5 minute install: http://codex.wordpress.org/Installin...Minute_Install
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  • Profile picture of the author Dee Odus
    On the contrary, both Istvan and I have, I believe, quite clearly advised against using Fantastico; not to use it, then battle to plug the resulting loopholes
    Like I said, u can battle against this 1 loophole, but there are 100 others... security and hacking is always blown out of proportion anyway, You could be Sony, Facebook, Google, Apple, if the hacker is serious he'll bring your website down
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    • Profile picture of the author SteveJohnson
      Originally Posted by Dee Odus View Post

      Like I said, u can battle against this 1 loophole, but there are 100 others... security and hacking is always blown out of proportion anyway, You could be Sony, Facebook, Google, Apple, if the hacker is serious he'll bring your website down
      There is more than ONE problem with Fantastico installs - upgrade issues, core file changes, etc.

      And yes, a serious hacker could probably bring your site down no matter what steps you take. But hackers are lazy people and look for the low-hanging fruit. The more difficult you make it for them, the more likely they are to look somewhere else for entertainment.
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      • Profile picture of the author Dee Odus
        Originally Posted by SteveJohnson View Post

        There is more than ONE problem with Fantastico installs - upgrade issues, core file changes, etc.

        And yes, a serious hacker could probably bring your site down no matter what steps you take. But hackers are lazy people and look for the low-hanging fruit. The more difficult you make it for them, the more likely they are to look somewhere else for entertainment.
        Fantastico, it was nice meeting you, I guess we part from here :-)
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  • Profile picture of the author Dee Odus
    Istvan and AnniePot, just read you guys signatures, WordPress experts :-)
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    • Profile picture of the author Istvan Horvath
      Originally Posted by Dee Odus View Post

      Istvan and AnniePot, just read you guys signatures, WordPress experts :-)
      Thank you... but I can assure you when it comes about coding and internal working of scripts - you rather trust Steve! (SteveJohnson)
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  • Profile picture of the author joeyguru
    Let Go Daddy do all the WordPress installs for you. Install of all platforms is free when you use them for your site hosting.
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    • Profile picture of the author AnniePot
      Originally Posted by Dee Odus View Post

      Istvan and AnniePot, just read you guys signatures, WordPress experts :-)
      Thank you - I hasten to point out that I consider myself "an expert", only up to a certain level. I have just taken the time and effort to read, understand and absorb information supplied within the Wordpress Codex and much qualified experts who post both here, and in the Wordpress Forum.

      Originally Posted by joeyguru View Post

      Let Go Daddy do all the WordPress installs for you. Install of all platforms is free when you use them for your site hosting.
      Have you read any of the responses above??? :rolleyes: Besides which, simply at the hosting level, i wouldn't recommend Go Daddy to anyone.
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    • Profile picture of the author Istvan Horvath
      Originally Posted by joeyguru View Post

      Let Go Daddy do all the WordPress installs for you. Install of all platforms is free when you use them for your site hosting.
      You may win the stupidest post of the day award... :rolleyes:
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      • Profile picture of the author AnniePot
        Let Go Daddy do all the WordPress installs for you. Install of all platforms is free when you use them for your site hosting.
        Originally Posted by darrensreviews View Post

        Yes Wp is a free blogging platform. Use your hosting account to do the install. I utilize Fatcow or Godaddy.
        Originally Posted by Istvan Horvath View Post

        You may win the stupidest post of the day award... :rolleyes:
        I think it's a tie. :rolleyes:
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  • Profile picture of the author adbash
    Wordpress is free but some plugins and themes can cost. Offcourse there is a lot of free stuff.
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  • Profile picture of the author darrensreviews
    Originally Posted by sreejish View Post

    I am 99 % sure that it is free. But, just to confirm.....
    Yes Wp is a free blogging platform. Use your hosting account to do the install. I utilize Fatcow or Godaddy.
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  • Profile picture of the author Rush23
    It's free but to use your own domain (.com instead of wordpress.com) you'll need to purchase hosting and a domain name
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  • Profile picture of the author DonMarketer
    If you're talking about wordpress.com It's a free blog paltform hosted by the wordpress developers.

    But if you're talking about wordpress themes, there are free and paid ones. To install either of them you'll need to have a domain name and a hosting account.

    The first option is free but with some limitations but the second requires some investment on your part but will give you more flexibility.
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    • Profile picture of the author AnniePot
      Originally Posted by DonMarketer View Post

      If you're talking about wordpress.com It's a free blog paltform hosted by the wordpress developers.
      Correct

      Originally Posted by DonMarketer View Post

      But if you're talking about wordpress themes, there are free and paid ones. To install either of them you'll need to have a domain name and a hosting account.
      Oh dear, yet more confusion. :rolleyes: Themes are created for the free Worpress.ORG CMS platform. Hundreds, probably thousands are offered by their developers completely free of charge, while other "premium" themes do have a cost attached. Also, in some cases, the only difference between the free and paid versions of exactly the same theme, is a selfserving backlink to the developer in the footer.

      Originally Posted by DonMarketer View Post

      The first option is free but with some limitations but the second requires some investment on your part but will give you more flexibility.
      Just to make it clear, you are referring to a) Wordpress.com WP hosted platform and b) Wordpress.ORG self hosted platform. Both are free, but if you choose option (a) you will be very limited in what you will be allowed to do commercially with your blog. Option (b) will provide you with a blog which is entirely your own, to set up and operate however you please.
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  • Profile picture of the author dannypayton
    Yes it's free...
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