by Ken Task.
Thanks, Howard. Yep, kinda suspected there would be some strategy involved. Don't care 'not to know'.
So this info has led to the strategic plan of upgrading to Moodle 3.0.highest first, then upgrading PHP to 7+ - if one can find repo for PHP 7 for chosen 'poison'. And just so others know, the item not shared previously has to do with CentOS boxen ... a CentOS 5 box, not worth doing. A CentOS 6 box, worth doing, but it too will soon be 'eligible' for data bit obliteration. A CentOS 7 now the 'smart' initial install and path for moving onwards/upwards with Moodle (if staying with that platform 'poison').
Dust to dust .. but where do data bits go? Obliterated me thinks - cept for WayBack. ;)
'spirit of sharing', Ken