The Movable Type upgrade procedure sucks

Created , updated 1 minute read

Just upgraded to the latest version of Movable type. It’s one of my least-favorite upgrade procedures.

  • The download archive is broken. Again.
  • The documentation on upgrading is hard to find and inadequate.
  • The procedure effectively amounts to installing all over again (1,300+ files) despite the fact that the documentation glosses over it as "simply" having to upload the new files "over your existing installation".
  • A superior solution for upgrading (via Subversion) could be offered but isn’t. All web applications should offer distribution and upgrading via Subversion, in my opinion; in one easy step it delivers:
    • Easy installations
    • Easy upgrades
    • Automatic merging of local customizations
    • Ultra-fast application of security patches (important in public-facing web applications)

Complaints aside, it’s now done.