1. Backs up the files and makes available a link to download it.
2. Backs up the database and makes available a link to download it.
3. Downloads the latest files from http://wordpress.org/latest.zip and unzips it.
4. Puts the site in maintenance mode.
5. De-activates all active plugins and remembers it.
6. Upgrades wordpress files.
7. Gives you a link that will open in a new window to upgrade installation.
8. Re-activates the plugins.

I just tried it on one of my sites and in about 6 minutes (slow reader, I R) the upgrade was done. Not that the actual upgrade process is difficult, this plugin actually does all the dirty work for you. You don’t have to worry about backing up your content or plugins, you don’t even have to worry about backing up your database! No more frantic clicks and hairfall inducing tension-creating minutes! (ok, ok I will stop the sales pitch now!).

Get the plug-in here and do send a big thank you to the creator at: techie-buzz. I sure did.

Here’s what I found:

1. To change your permalinks structure in wordpress is quite easy. Just go to your site’s dashboard, traverse to options>Permalinks and select the custom structure or any other structure that you wish to change to. Click the button and you are done.

What we fail to realize immediately is that all links that were previously indexed by a search engine or were linked to from another site, will now direct the reader/ user to a post that does not exist. Now, now don’t panic. There is hope!

2. Dean Lee, the saviour and source of wordpress hope that he is, has created a plugin that easily does the “301 redirect” or permanent redirect that will allow you to receive traffic and hits normally and you will not lose a thing isn’t that nice?? Do tell Dean how grateful you are for this lifesaver.
Here’s the link to the plugin and the standard instructions that you need to follow: Permalinks migration

As is true for everything else with wordpress, easy as pie and better than ever.