Ever run into those pesky 503 errors on a WordPress installation, that no matter what you tried you could not seem to resolve, until finally it just resolved itself? And returned again at the most inopportune time? And again and again?!

Well, with a shared hosting environment, the problem could be as simple as PHP running out of memory. It does so relatively easily.

Since it does not clear said memory automatically (not on all server configurations at least - usually it seems to do so periodically), nor shut down (unless the server actually crashes - or resource restrictions on your account force a shutdown), it'll then show you that same 503 over and over.

It doesn't need to be a 503 per se, it can be just about anything.
An unresponsive and slow site. Settings not saving. Resources not loading. What have you.

I've been working with a client that runs on a particularly bad host, where updating plugins usually causes this, due to not only low memory allotance with the host but also missing essential PHP extensions for say compressing site images, so running a WP installation becomes all the more resource intensive a process.

With a better host you wouldn't have memory issues in the first place, and if you did you'd be able to at least mitigate some of them by upping the limit with a line in .htaccess, wp-config or php.ini, but that did not work here. Nor was there any way to adjust memory use on the server.

Their support didn't help either. They tried troubleshooting the issue once, then gladly informed us that the issue had solved itself! And that was fine until I started updating plugins again...

In frustration I looked for some miracle fix, as I've done so many times before, and this time I found this!

Simple fix: Rename your site directory. That's it!

In a moment PHP processes that run amok will be terminated, you'll get a 404 instead of a 503 when you try to load your site (but you'll get the 404 fast - so you know the memory's reset!) and you can rename your site directory back to whatever it used to be, and keep doing what you intended to do, and hopefully this time manage it without issue...

There will be a slight downtime, yes, but to me that seems much better than an unresponsive site for a longer period of time.

Just be ready to rename the directory back again ASAP when the site loads, and make sure there's no security issue with your host in temporarily renaming said directory, or that you by changing the directory name allow access to files you shouldn't allow access to.

Usually there's no such issue. The site just isn't found.

Longterm fix: Monitor your memory with something like this, get rid of plugins that use too much, or go haywire, and get a good cache, so not as much RAM is required each time a visitor loads a page. And pages load even when WP itself is under duress; possibly running out of memory.

You may still run into issues in admin, but hopefully visitors won't ever...

And consider moving to a different host if the above doesn't suffice, that can handle whatever memory use you need it to.

Temporarily though, the fix above really is a miracle cure.

BackWPup is the plugin I've been using to make regular, automated backups of this site for maybe the last ~10 years now.

Prior to their version 5.0 update on Feb 4, 2024 (so reads their changelog - they even got the date wrong - it should read 2025), the plugin had almost entirely positive reviews.

A couple of weeks later, the overall score's moved from 4.4 out of 5 stars, with 1,130 reviews total, to 4.1 out of 5 stars, with 103 additional reviews, of which 100 rate it 1/5, two rate it 2/5, and one - generously - 3/5.

The plugin currently runs on 600,000+ active WP installations, and I'm intrigued to see how that number may change when the reviews that currently stream in refer to this as among other things the worst nightmare.

FYI the latest good version is 4.1.7. That's the one I'm running.

I've waited to see if the developers maybe take a step back to this their latest user-approved 'good' version, and develop the plugin further from there, but they seem intent on fixing the newest one instead.

Four additional updates later - all in short succession of each other - as each one fixes a myriad of at times critical new bugs, they still seem to stubbornly not back down from their new approach, which with the 5.0 release seems to be to simplify, move their plugin into the new age - both function and design-wise, and appeal more to the potentially very large group of 'users who don't know what they're doing' with backups, whereas previously the plugin seemed directed at a more tech-savvy clique.

Yet I'm not that tech-savvy.

So far it's seemed the perfect plugin for both amateurs and pros.

It may take some time to dig into settings and configure your backups initially, but once you do it's so easy to manage. The plugin managed that intricate balance between functionality, flexibility, and ease of use perfectly.

If you've been lost on settings the guidance has been good too, turning you into a real power user when it comes to schedules, logs and mirroring.

When I switched to this plugin it was the best backup plugin around in that regard. It had everything, and it was easier. I tried the alternatives.

No longer.

I've given the devs the benefit of the doubt so far, but going on three weeks of no significant plugin improvements, or fallbacks, I'm getting tired of their unwavering dedication to not even apologize, but beyond that not listen to user demand at all, and seemingly just try to keep users on their haphazard and sinking ship with them.

Just like that, one of the best backup plugins in WP history, is gone, and I'm not alone in my verdict. I expect the active installation number to gradually decline as site owners migrate to other alternatives.

There are users out there with thousands of active sites to maintain, so changing a plugin as such is not a simple procedure, and thus the backlash in active installations probably won't be noticed as quickly as it's noticed with reviews. Owners will need to reprogram their entre backup regime. And that's why plugin updates like this are so critical, and in this case so disappointingly thoughtless.

I wonder what forced their hand with this, if anything.

I wonder if they have some new company management looking to streamline and 'improve' things and make that one big change that'll earn them the recognition they need with both colleagues and community.

Well this is not the change you should've been making, WP Media, and by the looks of the changelog it was a badly tested and trialed release at that, when it not only came with interface bugs and missing features, but broke backup jobs for a large portion of users. It deleted settings. It did not backup these. It did not provide any point of recovery - which is ironic considering the nature of the plugin itself.

Reminder: Check changelogs before you update your plugins too!

In this case it was relatively easy to reverse update changes - and I made the mistake of updating this plugin only on my main site (this one), but I did lose one of my backup configurations in the process.

One plugin downgrade later (fortunately there are great plugins to manage that type of thing) and: the alternative job's running OK again! And a while later I've re-configured the one the update killed.

The old version had this nifty little feature you could use to clone existing jobs too, carrying with it saved authentication and connection info.

I don't think the new one kept that either...

So, BackWPUp plugin alternatives?

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I played through DOOM 2 again recently, on Ultra-Violence, as usual.

Didn't feel satiated enough with just that, so I headed back to Plutonia after that, and TNT after Plutonia... I don't think I've actually reviewed any of these before, though I've played all three plenty. So, some thoughts:

DOOM 2

I'm just not a fan of the final level!

I'm not a fan of the first few levels either at this point, maybe because I've just played them so many times, though it feels like the game at least goes into lore and story more with the first part, with level designs that actually look like bases, with boss battles and ambushes to match. Then it seems they start creating levels for fun more than to progress the plot.

I'm thinking of levels like Tricks and Traps, and Barrels of Fun.

Levels like that.

Levels like that are coincidentally the type of levels I like most; ones that are genuinely fun to play, with plenty of challenge and carnage along the way, but they also don't really feel like part of the game. Like they're not legit parts on this journey through Hell and Earth you're taking...

I'm also not a fan of some of the city levels.

The level design feels overly blocky compared to others there, and dated, and I get lost on ledges and switches.

I'm overall not a fan of levels without a clear sense of direction, especially open landscape-type ones where you have no idea of where you need to go that you haven't gone already; that you can't progress through incrementally, one part or building at a time.

When there's too much back and forth it gets confusing, and/or repetitive.

Regarding added game elements since the original DOOM the Super Shotgun really becomes an essential part of your gameplay strategy here though, and the new enemies add a lot.

The gameplay overall feels fleshed out and thorough, and requires more strategy, and more creative evasion tactics and approaches to different beasts, or different groupings.

The first DOOM was simpler. Which made it better in a way, but the battle definitely was a bit more monotone there, with regular shotgun action even for hordes a re-occurring part of the gameplay. You just kept your distance, strafed, aimed, and kept on shooting.

You need to attack the new enemies differently here. Neither distance nor line-of-sight works the same.

Overall DOOM 2's a great game still, and extensive. It runs longer than you expect it to, even when you know exactly how many levels long it is.

And it's still fun to play all the way through... until that final level.

Plutonia

Plutonia's different. More exotic. More jungle.

It has a good mix between claustrophobic and more spacey levels too - as the original set of levels does, and many of them have pretty unique design elements and layouts, both clever and visually appealing, with area-type designs, watchtowers, gates and fort-like symmetry.

It's a bit annoying how you can't always get dropped items though, when enemies for example are on a ledge, or behind a fence. It seems there's not always a way to get into those enclosed areas in Plutonia, though it's possible I just haven't found all the secret pathways yet.

I also do not like the final level here!

I'm not a fan of the Icon of Sin type level overall, where you rely on speed and timing more so than co-ordination and caution. Where you have to climb a tower and expose yourself to the constant barrage of projectiles and fire from enemies too, and being able to avoid said projectiles comes down more to luck than strategy where you have less freedom to move.

It's not just frustrating since it's difficult, but since you're left to the whims of random spawns and coordinated enemy attacks, that you have little possibility neither to influence nor to deflect.

Enemy-wise there's a lot of Revenants and Heavy Weapons Dudes in particular with Plutonia, though no shortage of Mancubuses or Arachnotrons either. One particular level's very Arch-Vile heavy too.

Enemies seem mainly of the modern sort, and overall heavier compared to the contemporary sets, though overall they're balanced. Varied too.

The story follows suit with the DOOM universe too, albeit with more aggressive phrasing in the cutscenes. Come to think of it both level-design and script really progress better story-wise than DOOM 2 does overall...

Plutonia's good, and harder than the original game.

The level design's top-notch, though it doesn't feel entirely like a part of the original universe in style and design, even if it has all the trademarks of the original when it comes to ambushes and carnage, tricks and traps and everything.

Ambushes in particular. There's a lot of that.

TNT

Of these three level sets TNT is probably my favorite.

It feels more intricate, classier, with more consistent levels, story and all. And the script's poetic. Like for example just read this bit, first cutscene:

"They might be planning a blood feast, but you feel about as mean as two thousand maniacs packed into a killer."

Ain't that a glorious way to phrase it?!

It's a style of poetry you have to have at least with DOOM! It may be an acquired style, reserved for the seemingly PTSD-resistant DOOMGUY only.

The first few times I played this I loved the Wormhole level in particular.

It's trippy, and even the music there is so good - though some of these levels are most appreciated when the element of surprise is new. On frequent playthroughs some levels aren't so extensive after all.

Enemy-wise there are a lot more grunts here compared to Plutonia, Shotgun Guys and Zombiemen. Lots of Barons and Knights in later levels too. There's a lot of the more classic DOOM monsters overall, though again the set is balanced! There's a fair share of everything.

The levels get frustratingly puzzling for a while, but it gets better and better, and I really enjoy the final sets. Even though you get the Icon of Sin here too, with an even shorter slot to shoot through when you do!

I'm not a fan of that final shot. Everything leading up to it: love it.

Pay attention to the lighting, skyboxes, and the soundtrack in particular if you play this one. The level design overall really is spectacular.

If you don't feel it go try building some levels yourself, you'll see. ;)

And there's plenty of secrets.

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I don't recall the context of this Google, but somehow I stumbled upon a 110 year old film producer with an interesting name!

He's still alive! May he live a long time yet.

Here's to you, Gene Wang.

If you want to make good advice,
Then maybe think once or twice,
If the advice you'd like to write,
Is really all that wise...

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I just learned about the HMHS Britannic.

It was a sister ship to the Titanic, and it sunk as well! The captain with it.

It was one of three ships made for the White Star Line's Olympic class that's become so iconic, and they all suffered similar fates, though the first and final was the one and only that actually made it through unscathed. And yet it ran into two ships, rammed a submarine, and was used actively during the first World War! The RMS Olympic. It made it through all those ordeals intact, and was only later scrapped during the great depression.

What a way to end such a glorious adventure.

And I'd never even heard of these sibling ships! Only the Titanic - and it's promised successor Titanic II. Yet every one of these three Olympic ships has a remarkable story.

Speaking of remarkable stories (or not - more so just random videos and tidbits of other irrelevant know-how worth a share), did you hear Harry Mack freestyle for Tony Hawk on his podcast earlier? Have you seen the iconic but somewhat forgotten Solid Potato Salad dance? And did you know how complicated it is to measure music popularity these days?

If you haven't that is OK! None of these items is of utmost importance.

IRL I've been recouping. I've probably mentioned at least a few times at this point that I'm headed to Albania next Friday, for a quick session of weekend sightseeing with buddy Bear, yet I'm still dealing with this friggin' throat thing, and that makes me a wee bit nervous.

Last weekend I was dealing with the worst of it. Both tonsils were red red and clearly inflamed, it hurt to swallow, it was hard to fall asleep, and I think I ran a fever for a while during the second cruise, though didn't have any thermometer to measure.

I got the OK to work at a distance this week instead of heading in to the office, and gradually it's been getting better and better. After a while just my right tonsil was hurting, now it's just my left, and the pain's getting lesser and lesser.

For a while the pain was radiating to my ears though, and that's what made me a tad bit nervous. The last time I flew with an ear infection I lost my hearing in both ears for about a week, I might've popped an ear drum or two, it was an uncomfortable and a little scary experience.

So I'd rather not fly anywhere in a similar state again.

But I'm getting better! Better and better. I stayed indoors for a few days this week, I've been out a bit more this weekend, and tomorrow I'll be back to the actual office again.

Hope I don't pick up any new bacteria on the way there.

Feels like overall this start of the year has been riddled with sickness and issues of health. If I lift weights I get back issues, if I walk I get knee issues, if I'm around people too much I get weird infections in the back of my throat... my immune system hasn't been doing great thus far this brand new 2025. And I'm tired.

I'm getting tired of just complaining; blogging about what bogs me down too, but what do I have a blog for if not to type up on what's relevant to me at any particular time?

Hopefully I need not spend time writing about such things much longer. I hope all inconveniencies clear up soon - when the skies are once again sunny and clear and Spring is truly here for real maybe.

At least enough so that I can get serious about my consistently neglected shape, and get my vocal chords warmed up while I'm at it, I've some dusty ideas that await recording in my metaphorical attic.

We did have a few both sunny and snowy days recently, and it felt almost sacrilegious to just be sitting in then, but I'll be outside soon enough.

I'll be strolling around with a queue of JRE podcasts in my headphones, gaining momentum and insight, gradually improving my being on both the metaphysical and physical plane, spending time only on Meta while I work the company's social media game, spending less time on distractions, getting rid of all types of pain.

Any more positive news? Well I've been playing DOOM again! If that's a positive I don't know, but I'm documenting my gameplay, and some of that should be going up on the site soon, along with a few quick reviews.

I've also been catching up on overdue correspondence, and we're celebrating my dad today (we celebrated on Valentine too - his actual 82nd Birthday - today's the official get-together for it).

I have little otherwise to report, and time is always short, and it moves along here steadily, a momentum we cannot thwart. And problems grow like warts, I can't record with vocal chords sore, my mom had two eye operation too, so I've been taking over some more chores.

And that is all y'all, for sure sure. Speak more later.