WordPress 3.0 is an eagerly anticipated upgrade - but every big change causes anxiety. Is it safe to upgrade? This video shows you how to protect your WordPress blog or web site while you upgrade.

WordPress 3.0 has features - like integrated networking (WordPress MU) or the new menu structure - that users have been clamoring for. But such big changes to the WordPress core features can spell disaster with a carelss upgrade.

This video demonstrates 3 different back up mehtods that will keep your posts safe while you upgrade - and make it easy to restore your data if necessary.

So far this week, I have upgraded 5 WordPress blogs to version 3.0 without a hitch. I always follow the same strategy:

1) Take the upgrades one step at a time. Don't leap over versions. In other words, upgrade from WordPress 2.7 to to WordPress 2.8 to WordPress 2.9 if necessary, before upgrading to WordPress 3.0

2) Always install the latest version of all plugins and themes before updating. Then check wordpress.org/extend/ to be sure that the themes and plugins you use actually work with the latest version of WordPress before activating them.

3) Back up! Don't rely on luck. Everyone knows, as long as you have a good backup, you'll never need to use it.

4) Disable all plugins before beginning the upgrade. Don't count on WordPress to put itself into maintenance mode. Disbale the plugins manually to be safe.

5) If you have to enter FTP passwords to upgrade or can't use the auto install features for plugins and themes, do a manual - instead of automatic - upgrade. It only takes a few minutes more to accomplish, but it leaves you in control of every step.

That's it. Good luck - and let us know on the forums how you like this latest version of WordPress. What features are you using?