Can I get a dedicated WordPress install?
This is not a service that IST offers currently. A WordPress site must be kept up to date with security patches to prevent any site comprise.
To be able to offer a sustainable WordPress service to our users IST has opted to utilize the Multisite install of WordPress to reduce the number of individual WordPress sites we need to keep secure.
Can I get a VM and manage my own WordPress install?
This is not a service that IST offers currently. Like the dedicated WordPress install question the problem with this offering is that if the WordPress core is not kept secure it can cause issues beyond your web site.
In the past when these servers have been setup the WordPress install could no longer be maintained due to staffing issues, and it came to IST to upgrade and take on continued support of this instance. This is not a sustainable model.
Can I hire someone to design my site?
Yes! However, you will need to:
- Sponsor an individual user account for your external developers (if they are not an active U of M Staff or Student). They will require “Network Access”
- Your developer will not be granted access to the WordPress file system as such any Theme or Plugin customizations need to be bundled as a standard WordPress install item. Please see the WordPress developers guide for assistance
- The Theme and/or Plugins created needs to work in a WordPress Multi-site setup
- The U of M will need to be licensed to use the Theme and/or Plugins on our Multi-Site
- You will need to ensure that your design contract includes updating of the Theme and/or Plugins to keep working with future versions of WordPress. If the Theme and/or Plugins are found to cause issues for a future update of WordPress they will be disabled in both environments until you arrange for an updated version
Can I connect directly to the WordPress Database?
This is not a service that IST offers currently. You can send a request to the “WordPress” team via srvdesk@umanitoba.ca explaining what you are attempting to do to see if there are any alternative options.
Can I connect directly to the WordPress server/file system?
This is not a service that IST offers currently. You can send a request to the “WordPress” team via srvdesk@umanitoba.ca explaining what you are attempting to do to see if there are any alternative options.