Over the past couple of months, we have obtained an SSL Certificate and converted the site to https protocol. The prime reason for this was because most sites are converting to https and Google may be penalizing sites that aren’t.

Since we are currently not collecting any data on our users other than what Google Analytics collects and since we are not doing any financial transactions on this site, there has been little security risk. But in the current web environment, every little bit helps. It also will provide encryption if we decide to allow comments, or set up a discussion forum or mailing list in the future.

The only difference that you should notice is that page links to the site will be preceded by https:// rather than by http://. If you type in a link to the site that starts with http:// the site will automatically re-direct to the https:// page.

As of November 19, 2015 this site is running on a new optimized WordPress server. This should allow quicker loading of pages, better protection from hacking, automatic updating of WordPress and all of the plug-ins, and daily backups.

WordPress added media management to the program a couple of years ago where all media uploads are handled within WordPress. This site was built long before that feature became available so the media (Audio, Photos and PDF files) were uploaded manually into separate directories. Unfortunately that wasn’t compatible with the system on the new server, so I had to manually re-upload all the media into the WordPress media management system and re-link all of the files.

All the PDF files from the Lowdown archive are tested and working and I think I got all of the photos, but if you find a picture or other media that isn’t loading, send me an email and I will fix it.