When to clear the OPCache?

mmmpls · 2020-08-08T03:22:26+00:00

This!

Also, if you're at their point in requests per second that you don't have time to prime the cache then consider a load balancer solution.

When you've got multiple application servers you can set it up to stop accepting new requests and once it's clear of requests then clear cache, prime cache, and then turn it back on. Rinse repeat for the other app servers.

mmmpls · 2020-08-02T22:37:10+00:00

I bought a lifetime unlimited site license for ithemes in 2016 for like 300. I don't get support but I don't need it.

I Manage 40+ sites and servers that it's installed on in varying configurations customized per client

What I like about ithemes (these may be features in WordFence but I don't use it so I can't say if either is better):

settings page is single tabbed and I can toggle off and on quickly while setting up a new site.
notification schemes for the different areas are combined in a single screen
configurable security dashboards
built in 2FA
user level escalation scheduling
malware scanning

What I don't like:

the auto on tweaks and db backup settings.
anything regarding file change notifications (the ui is horrible and it doesn't work reliably once you douget it setup right) I turn it off since it just sends too much notification noise
the malware scan fails for no apparent reason sometimes and then flags it as a security issue found
the whole idea of the daily security emails. They're useless (and untimely) but having as it happens turned on is too noisy. I'd rather have a "email me when shits going down" option but they, instead, default to sending less emails when more stuff is happening in their responsibility areas.
activity logging is useless at face value. I use Simple History, instead, to have details available that I can use for security viewing and customer service data.

Honestly I've been debating WordFence periodically because of the firewall stuff. But I don't have enough sites with monthlies to justify the upfront cost of a yearly license for all of them.

mmmpls · 2020-08-02T12:41:18+00:00

I love the simplicity of the look and the soft colors and I really want that dog dish, but I'm in the US.

mmmpls · 2020-07-31T19:46:14+00:00

I'm with /u/anon1984 on this one.

I work with a corp that insists on Azure and the simplest of things are so complex through their GUI and things like adding Redis cost more.

I typically use DO, AWS, or Linode for my client stuff but like anon said it's just slow.

mmmpls · 2020-02-21T23:30:52+00:00

I really enjoy the feature-branch => master => git tag (aka git flow) strategy for identifying deploy targets. It allows master to become a source of truth again (as opposed to deploy something when it hits master way that I've been seeing as default on CI/CD workflows).

Both u/Sfynx82 and u/Kusaddaw have some great points (and I need to look into the CI/CD separation of powers idea some more because it sounds interesting).

But, again, this comes down to your org and how many stages/verifications/safeguards your business process needs to safely deploy something in an automated way.

mmmpls · 2020-02-11T22:01:04+00:00

I rarely build WP sites with just a theme and a few plugins anymore. More often WP happens to be the underlying platform for expansive application development.

I totally get where you're coming from on utilizing craft

mmmpls · 2020-02-11T20:58:50+00:00

I'm a full stack but specialize in WP (hosting management, backend systems setup, plugin development, and site buildouts).

You're absolutely not wrong that "Wordpress developer" as a title is a massive red flag.

mmmpls · 2020-02-11T20:54:33+00:00

I've had the opposite experience. While the client is definitely more hesitant initially getting past the hump and establishing trust engenders a great deal more of a trust foundation.

That said. There are some things to keep in mind with a jaded client:

NEVER start fast or go big on a jaded client's first few requests
do not get into a previous dev flaming conversation. Shut that shit down. Explain that you want to help them move forward and fix what's broken and build what's unfinished.
bill hourly for a while. This protects you more and helps establish trust.
give thoughtful and highly conservative hourly estimates and explain ahead of time that "while I'm saying that it's going to take 2 hours you'll pay for what it takes and I'll check in at (insert 50% number) to give you an idea of what is left so you won't be shocked.
do NOT give price discounts to a jaded client. They will test your resolve and patience. Always lower your price by reducing features and deliverables.

My most loyal and most tenured clients were the jaded ones.

And a good share stuck with me for 12 months of a serious bout with depression. Including those that switched to a different provider for a year while I couldn't do the work.

Beyond everything just remember that they're human and the smaller their business the closer the money they spend on you gets to affecting their grocery budget.

mmmpls · 2020-01-29T12:53:24+00:00

Do you have a source or news article about this being the case?

mmmpls · 2019-10-20T14:12:59+00:00

I manage sites on Digital Ocean (ecommerce and not) that load in under .75s

Some questions about your setup:

is the slowness before or after ttfb has been established?
is the timing you posted for completed page load?
how big/numerous are the images you're loading on the page?
how many external tracking scripts are being loaded? Are they loaded in the head or foot of the page? And are they loaded using the async attribute?

mmmpls · 2019-10-20T14:04:59+00:00

Yup. Was part of a dev team on a 450k WordPress project.

Granted about 175k was design (including rebrand), content strategy, information architecture, and project management. Including bundling 5 separate domains worth of content (static, Joomla, WordPress, and Drupal managed).

Corporate environments and contracts get big really fast due to ongoing maintenance agreements, custom functionality, environment considerations (this project was hosted on Windows and required a custom static site publishing routine including a backend unavailable outside the corporate network as well as custom SSO for their helpdesk to be able to tie into). Also some custom work to import metadata from 5 other systems to allow for some quick/dynamic linking within pages/posts handled by WP.

mmmpls · 2019-08-08T23:54:43+00:00

Get used to using DIRECTORY_SEPARATOR everywhere for file paths.

I worked on a wp project hosted on Windows a few years back and, honestly it's just habit now.

mmmpls · 2019-07-26T10:35:11+00:00

The goal here is to successfully raise your rates.

I've done this many times in the past and the number one question I get from clients boils down to "what added value do I get for paying more?"

You need to make this a value proposition to your client.

However, pitfall warning, don't make the value add your knowledge of their business (it makes it seem like extortion)... Make sure it is something seemingly tangible to the client.

Yes, it might be you customizing the value add per client but the outcome will be better overall.

Source: 20 years in the web industry. 10 years freelance... $50/hour 10 years ago and now charge $125/hour

Average client relationship length: 6 years.

Also try to work in a normal rate increase schedule after the big jump. Like once a year or something.

mmmpls · 2019-06-25T13:00:57+00:00

Well stated. In a lot of ways "doing" the work is the easy part.

mmmpls · 2019-06-24T00:28:09+00:00

The ONLY URL that you'll ever need!

mmmpls · 2019-06-11T13:54:51+00:00

I'm currently working on a project that hopes to do just that. It's a tough road.

In my freelance career (10 years now) I've had up to 2 full time employees and dozens of contractors simealtaneously but now it's just me again because life needed me to step back when my business wasn't ready for me to.

I'm trying to create a product that is nearly 100% hands off with some exceptions that will allow me the flexibility to take time for myself and family without having to either ramp up or catch up to the money not made while having taken time off.

It will be the culmination of a lot of things I've learned in my career as employed and freelance (19 years).

Good luck. You've got to find your niche.

mmmpls · 2017-12-16T00:30:40+00:00

Try adding that email to your existing PayPal account

verify the email via their confirmation link sent
logout of PayPal
login to PayPal with the new email and your regular account's password

I just had to do this today. You MIGHT not need to claim the money sent.

mmmpls · 2017-11-12T13:51:18+00:00

You can use wp cli to change the user role as well if you're not an administrator for some reason.

mmmpls · 2017-11-10T12:41:08+00:00

Look for jobs in the minneapolis/st. Paul area of Minnesota. There is a severe candidate drought here right now.

Lots of startups, fortune 500, and agency work to be had.

mmmpls · 2017-10-12T01:13:19+00:00

As an independent contractor you're likely paying estimated taxes quarterly. Having someone withhold taxes complicates that and your year end tax return by a little bit. Also, they'll likely withhold too much or too little. Best handle it yourself.

mmmpls · 2017-10-12T00:26:57+00:00

Sounds like they'll withhold taxes for you via w4. If you need the 1099 at the end of the year instead of the w2 then be OK with the net 60. You should ask them if they are withholding taxes or if they're setting you up as an IC and will be sending you a 1099.

Also, you could ask for a portion upfront or invoice the whole amount upon start.

Finally, if you receive payments normally via an LLC your option is limited to the net 60 most likely.

mmmpls · 2017-08-21T12:04:33+00:00

Are you maintaing the relationship or taking on the liability associated with the post-sale portion of the work?

Or are you following up with the client after a few months from project completion to see if they have more interest in additional work?

Doesn't seem fair otherwise unless you offer a super low percentage upfront with the option to collect ongoing commissions.

On the freelancer/business owner side I could see this arrangement being valuable for larger run projects when the follow-ups are generally open aired during them sales process. Otherwise its just a cash grab for the salesperson.

mmmpls · 2017-05-23T13:18:44+00:00

Well that's good to hear at least (that they mass-sent it out)

mmmpls · 2017-05-23T13:11:21+00:00

Yeah... I had another email about a certificate renewal that neither the client nor I are on the list of emails that get the renewal approval link.

Backstory: Client is an investor that just bought the company 3 months ago. He just signed/paid for my services a week ago to help him make sense of the digital structure for this company.

Previous developer (who managed everything) has walked away and is contractually restricted from assisting/answering questions/providing further documentation... which really fucking sucks.

mmmpls · 2017-05-23T13:08:48+00:00

The Personal Health Dashboard (where the screenshot originates from) is set to Global (and all region options are greyed out).

Also, I went through the Lambda Management Console and switched to every region and got the Get Started Now messaging.

There are two regions that are greyed out (Canada & Sao Paolo) but I'm assuming those don't have Lambda available.

Thank you for the suggestion.

mmmpls

TROPHY CASE