Dangers of not upgrading

[tandlit]

Hi everyone,

 

Looking for some general advice / opinions here.

 

I have a store that runs 1.3.6. I developed my own custom theme, which is preventing me from upgrading to the most current version (1.4.8.3).

 

My question to everyone, do I need to concern myself with upgrading? Is it okay to remain on the current version, or is this not a good idea?

 

Many thanks,

 

Tas

[bellini13]

Its a tough decision. I typically provide the direction "if it is not broke, don't fix it", but on something like this, it is generally wise not to let your software get to old.

 

You are certainly not benefiting from the enhancements made in v1.4, but I do not believe that is critical. Mre importantly it will be increasingly more difficult to find someone that will support you when/if the time comes that you encounter a problem. v1.5 will also be released soon further exaggerating that problem.

 

From time to time there are security patches released on the core functionality/theme, and you are likely not applying those to your current installation.

 

If you created your own theme, then it sounds like you are certainly capable to create a new v1.4 compatible theme. What is holding you back?

[Elliot-VirtIO]

With any website handing money, your main concern should be security.

 

Like Bellini13 stated, occasionally security patches are released. Unfortunately (I'm not sure if this is the case with Prestashop) sometimes they're cryptic with their reasoning for the patches, or simply don't provide them. (So people don't target older websites specifically for those exploits)

 

With that in mind, I recommend you do the following - Start upgrading your theme now.

By all means, keep the website running on the older version at the moment, but it's incredibly important that you upgrade as soon as you can. You're pretty much sitting on a time-bomb waiting to go off.

[MyNawtyToys]

DO NOT upgrade to 1.4.8.3. I made the mistake and my TTFB soared. I am contemplating backing back to 1.4..4.1 when the site actually responded like it should. If you search the forums, Prestashop knows about the TTFB problem with the latest versions, but don't seem to be in too much of a rush to get it fixed.

[tandlit]

Thanks to all the responders.

 

The store which uses the theme doesn't belong to me - it's a client of mine. They are not prepared to pay for the upgrade of the theme, and I doing it for free doesn't make business sense.

 

How do freelancers manage this situation? I can't imagine too many people want to pay for theme upgrades.

 

Tas

[El Patron]

I don't recommend upgrading a theme. It's time intensive thus more expensive than buying a new computable theme that leverages new PS features.

[benjamin utterback]

I agree with ElPatron, upgrading a template could be too costly. That being said, as bellini briefly mentioned, if you let the site get too old. It will end up costing you more. It depends if you are willing to upgrade the software and sacrifice your theme, or risk the software getting to old. Right now, at your version 1.3.6. I would be looking to upgrade the software in the coming months. Especially if you are looking to utilize the features of 1.5.

[bellini13]

agreed with the above. i think you need to have a conversation with the client. perhaps start looking for a theme that is compatible with v1.4 that resembles the current site theme. using the feedback you received today. the client will need to make up their mind and weigh the risk of doing nothing versus spending money on a new theme.