Jan
13
Earlier last month (December), the latest release of WordPress (version 2.7) became available for download. If you have downloaded it already, you have have noticed some interesting cosmetic changes to the admin panel as shown in the image below.
Below are a few insights of the new version, and would be a good read for those who have not yet made the switch:
Dashboard
The sections from previous Dashboards are still there, but now in a columnized arrangement. You may even click/drag elements around on the Dashboard to an interface that better suits you. If you do not utilize a certain element and want it turned off, you can toggle it on or off by hovering your mouse over the far-right where you will see a drop-down to select it’s visibility setting.
A new feature that you may see is “QuickPress.” This allows you to make a post if you do not require any of the additional features that are found on the “Add New” posting page. The only functions of the QuickPress element are: Title, Upload/Insert (image, video, audio, media), Content, Tags, and Publish. If you are working writing a post that you will refer back to later, you may always save it as a draft from the QuickPress element as well. This is a great feature if you’re a blogger on the go!
Add New Post
The interface for the Add New Post section will look very similar to WordPress 2.6.x. Thus, giving the user/writer continuity for the most frequented section of the WordPress admin panel, and also keeping it simple and clean.
Turbo
You will notice on the top-right-hand side of the admin panel a “Turbo” link (right next to “Log Out”). This link will prompt you if you would like to install Google Gears and integrate them with your WordPress interface. However, this not recommend if you are blogging from a publicly used computer since it copies various design elements of the WordPress themes to your computer. More on Gears for Wordpress can be found on the WordPress Blog.
Prior to performing the upgrade on a live blog, I would highly recommend creating a test site (or subfolder/domain) of your blog to test the new version’s functionality. This is extremely crucial, especially if your blog contains and utilizes various plugins as some may not fully work in this new version.
Please feel free to leave any feedback that you may have on 2.7, and how it has either improved or disproved your blog.
Popularity: 10% [?]
I’ll upgrade right now. Wow, I’m totally sold.
Wordpress seems to be maintaining being the number 1 CMS for blogging.
I absolutely love wordpress, but always get super nervous with stuff like this…. like you find a good groove and then have to worry about things not working when you upgrade. i use a lot of plug-ins with my blogs, so i’m not sure if i should just leave well enough alone. suggestions?
I recommend setting up a test site (even just locally) for your blog with 2.7.
A good way to test WP content with plugins is to (if your blog does not load), disable them one by one to see which plugin is not responding to 2.7. You might also want to google the specific plugin to see if there are any patches/fixes/alternatives.
I 100% agree. I was afraid to upgrade and I’m glad I waited. I think the kinks will be worked out shortly.
When I tried to upgrade, I lost my data as it did not transfer properly. With great difficulty, I reverted to the old version and am now scared to upgrade. I think that I shall wait a while, let it settle down and then upgrade.
I like the new dashboard interface
I just tried to install this and it screwed up my whole Wordpress. None of the features worked, and it didn’t recognize my host name!
I am yet to go the 2.7 way as I do not see any major benefit of the same… Perhaps I should wait another six months before moving to 3.0
Talking about benefits, probably the new automatic upgrade feature could put an end to most of the upgrade woes in the future.
The dashboard interface is a lot nicer. However, installing it proved a little bit of trouble on my host. I’m not amazingly technical like that, and had to call in a friend to help me out. Luckily I created a backup, and managed to keep all my posts and comments.
I was not going to upgrade as I was comfortable. I did and it was well worth it. Works so much more easier. If you want to play with it sign up on Wordpress.com under a made up name and you can use it there.
Wordpress updates went very well for me. I love automatic upgrades. It’s so easy now.
I can’t wait for 3.0 WP versions. I wonder what else can be changed.