WP.Com to WP.org on new host

“Do I download the www.ads-software.com blog to my computer first?”

Yes, then you unzip the files, and upload them to your new web space. Uploading is done using an ftp client. Google “ftp client” if ya dont know what that is.

Your looking to maintain the same structure within your web space that you ought to see once youve unzipped the files that you previously downloaded.

For example, IF your going to install wordpress in the root of your domain, it will _typically_ look like so:

https://www.village-idiot.org/broke/typical.gif

The important thing to realize is that the directory structure that you see in that image must be maintained.

@jimsolt, yep – I’d say you’re on the right track.

For install stuff, have a look at the codex: https://codex.www.ads-software.com/Getting_Started_with_WordPress#Installation

Note this plugin will make transfering your content from the .COM blog to the .ORG blog easier: https://www.technosailor.com/wordpress-to-wordpress-import/

Thanks for prompt replies. It will be a while till I take the recommended steps, so only one more question at the moment.
HandySolo – on your plugin – I assume I’d be uploading to the “new” wordpress AFTER I upload that to the new web space. Correct?
Would you suggest using fantastico to do all this or just doing it manually?

@jimsolt – the plugin comes into play after you have the new blog up and running. It will enable your new blog to import the file that you’ll export from your .COM blog that contains all your content (posts/comments). But yes, you setup and enable the plugin first, then do the import.

If your fantastico is current (WordPress is at 2.0.4) I reckon you could give it a go. When it works, it’s certainly easier.

I’m baaaaack! And of course I have questions. I have chosen the chicken’s way out and used Fantastico to install WP on bluehost.
It has installed and even has “greeting” post.
I now have to import the files from my existing WP.com. There is an option to import “from other than wordpress”, but not from WP.
Should I be using Fantastico for this or the plugin recommended above.
Also the installation record in Fantastico says installed version is 2.03, latest version is /2.04. It suggests I “update now”, but for the life of me I can’t find the way to do that.
Appreciate any help I can get. Thanks.

Should I be using Fantastico for this or the plugin recommended above.
Plugin recommended above.

Can’t help you on the update thingy… I’ve never used fantastico but I’m sure someone else who has will know what button to click.

Thanks again and again and . . .
I just got message that 2.04 is available for download, but since I used fantastico to install 2.03 rather than dl and upload myself, I guess now I’m stuck with fantastico for updates.
I sure hope the “someone else” you mention has the answer:).

OK – Progress???
In navigating around my NEW blog I found references suggesting it MIGHT be 2.04. How can I tell for sure? There’s no HELP>ABOUT to click.

Moving on, I’ve located a means of exporting my old blog to the new blog — sort of. I can download a file called “WordPress/MU” that seems to have the material I’d like to transfer to the new blog, BUT I don’t know how to move this file to the new blog.
If I were to upload it (ftp?), would it find it’s own directory or would I have to select the destination directory?
If so, how?
Thanks.

In navigating around my NEW blog I found references suggesting it MIGHT be 2.04. How can I tell for sure? There’s no HELP>ABOUT to click.

Bottom of every admin page, it’ll say the version.

As for the other.
Login to your .COM blog.
Manage -> Export. *click*
Save file locally.

I’m sure you’ve already installed the plugin I gave you after carefully reading instructions.

So go to your new blog. Import -> WordPress. *click* browse to the file you just downloaded. Turn it loose.

HandySolo — Yes, I did in fact install the plugin and I happily report it worked as advertised. Mission accomplished.
And the suspicion I had about v 2.04 showing up somewhere was in fact at the bottom of the admin pages so I guess the fantastico installed the most current version.
Thanks for your help.