Broken Link Checker 2.0.0. – Update? Yes? No?

Hi @djpd

I hope you’re well today and thank you for your question!

I understand your doubts but quite some of those reviews that you mentioned are actually caused by some confusions on how this new version works.

The new version really is like “two in one”. It still includes the very same plugin/engine that you are using so far. It is relocated and renamed so instead of having link to setings and link to links list in two different places, you would now have it under “Link Checker -> Broken Links (Old)” menu. It also has interface slightly “polished”.

This part is exactly the same as you already have it and if you update the plugin, you may still use it if you want.

Then there is a “new engine” bundled (available under “Link Checker -> BLC 2.0 Beta” menu) and that is the part that brings some confusion:

1. it is not true that it’s paid and requires subscription: it is and will always be free. it does, however, require free account with us

2. free account is and will be free and doesn’t require paid subscription at all (and never will) but it does require registration…

3. … and installation of our main (also free) plugin “WPMU DEV Dashboard” – which is a plugin that provides all the API connectivity for all our free and pro plugins (those that need it), direct access to upload and the “authorization” to use API

This part brings the most confusion, I believe, as it may be mistaken with the need for paid subscription – which it isn’t.

Finally, the new engine does all the scan from our cloud (called The Hub) directly.

If you are fine with the “old” plugin – that’s fine too, I’d say you can stay with it at least for a while. It will not be updated/maintained and if there are updates to “old engine” they would be applied to the new plugin only. But for now, the old one should work just fine. Or you can upgrade and just not connect site to the Hub (meaning – not enabling 2.0 engine, not creating account with us and not installing WPMU DEV Dasboard plugin) and just switch to the “Broken Link (Old)” engine – which is the same thing as the “classic” plugin that you are using.

You can, in fact, switch between both at any time back and forth even if you decide to give new one a spin and register/connect it with us.

Kind regards,
Adam

Hi @djpd,

Since we haven’t heard from you for a while. I’ll mark this thread as resolved for now. Please feel free to re-open the thread if you need further assistance.

Kind Regards
Nithin

Hello Nithin,

yes, do that. I wanted an answer, but then I went on vacation and just didn’t think about it anymore. sorry

I found Adam’s answer very helpful and honest. Thanks a lot for this.
I have now updated the plugin to 2.2.1 on several pages. I’m currently using the OLD version because I don’t see why an account might be necessary.
But I only use this plugin to help me with the links and just have a look at which ones might be faulty or no longer work. But I don’t have many links either. Nevertheless, I find the plugin very useful.

But if I understand correctly, the account or the cloud is there to not check the links from my hoster, which might also put a strain on the system. If your cloud is specially designed to check links for changes, it’s certainly easier on the server.
I still have time to think things through carefully.

But yes. This post is closed for now and I would like to thank you again for the detailed and good answer.
Greeting.