Wordpress 2.8 Beta
Just when we got used to Wordpress version 2.7.1, along comes the latest version in Beta. Being a fan of all things Wordpress, I downloaded and installed this latest version to see what surprises lay in store. I’m happy to say that some updates that I had hoped and assumed would be included, have been. So let’s get into the top seven reasons why Wordpress 2.8 is better that its predecessor.
1. Upload New Wordpress Themes From Within The Admin Panel
With the introduction of 2.7, you have been able to upload plugins from within the admin panel, so it was only a matter of time before the same was going to apply to themes to. For many users this will eliminate having to use FTP clients, and by the look of a lot of Wordpress Blogs out there, this is a good thing. As well as being able to upload the themes from within the panel, you can also browse themes and search via keywords, and also apply filters too based on width, colours and columns.
2. Theme Management Improvements
In previous versions of Wordpress to change a theme, you had to select the theme you wanted, and then either press activate or close after viewing a preview of the theme. Many times this preview would not work due to various issues such as plugins or bad code. Now you get options to activate immediately if you want, and also to delete the theme if you want as well.
3. Widget Section Overhaul
Finally (again) all your sidebars are now visible on the screen, instead of having to select from the drop down box. When you have multiple sidebars this makes a lot of difference as you don’t have to try and remember what goes where. The layout is much cleaner and is a lot easier to use.
4. Ability To Edit All Plugin Files From Within The Editor
If a plugin has multiple files you can now edit each file individually. Great if a plugin is not working well with the theme that you are using, and if you know a bit of coding, you can tweak it in order to get it to work correctly.
5. Edit Individual Comments From The Edit Post Section
Now there is the option to see any comments that have already been made below the post box at the bottom. You can do the usual things here such as delete, spam, and reply. As you can see I have been left a comment from a Viagra spammer !
6. Manage Tags
Version 2.8 brings a completely new option and you can now manage your tags from under the Posts section called (funnily enough) Post Tags. It gives you the option to create a new tag, a tag slug, and of course a description too.
7. Dashboard Changes Made Easier
By clicking on the Screen Options tab, you can now change the look of your dashboard a whole lot easier, and can set the number of columns that you want to be shown. Anything from one to four columns is allowed.
There are a whole stack of other changes and improvements from the previous version, although for most users of Wordpress, these ones will be the most noticeable by far. Not to sure how far away the full release is, although this Beta version seems pretty stable from what I can tell.
Wordpress is just getting easier to learn, and easier to use, and that means more and more people will be turning to this awesome tool in the near future. A someone who blogs a lot and who only uses Wordpress, this version in my humble opinion is the best yet. Let me know your thoughts on Wordpress 2.8.
Tags: 2.7.1, 2.8, comment, dashboard, plugin, tag, theme, widget, Wordpress
Can’t wait til the public release of 2.8. The 2.7 improvements were already pretty awesome.
After reading your review, I am also of the opinion that Wordpress 2.8 will be the best of its breed. I’m waiting for its final version. Just wondering how much will it be compatible with the older themes and plugins?
Sanix’s last blog post..Hide Files And Folders In Windows Safely
Looks good but also looks like a whole bunch of new stuff I am going to have to learn.
Mike S’s last blog post..Job Website is Google Cash Detective 2 Critical For Status Affiliate Marketing
Good reasons but some of them are present since WordPress 2.7
Carlos Leopoldo’s last blog post..Lingopal un diccionario de frases para el iPhone que debes tener si viajas
If you can edit a PHP file from within the browser then the smallest upload hole can be escalated to a first class nightmare: arbitrary code execution. Are you sure that’s a good idea?
True, it is better. but there arent that many improvements…they seem evolutionary, than revolutionary
SadistiX’s last blog post..H na
Are we going to have to redo all our WordPress templates?
Asian Templates’s last blog post..Anjing, by happinesz.cn
That’s awesome! Nice review by the way
Already working with 2.7, but really want to see what more and new with 2.8 and switch to it, if its already have these features.
Divya’s last blog post..12 Typography Useful Resources
Very interested in 2.8, though I’ll have to wait until my theme publisher announces support for it, and it seems like there are perhaps some significant plugin feature changes, so I might wait to see how fast plugins start testing with it.
[...] Maher muestra 7 razones por las cuales WordPress 2.8 es mejor que nunca. El CMS viene cargado de nuevas características que lo hacen mejor que nunca. Algunas de ellas [...]
Hi Clint
Thanks for the update. You outline the features and updates. Anything that you didn’t like about it so far. Looks like WP is just moving the deckchairs to certain extent. What was the stand out feature on 2.8
Hi,
Nothing that is compelling enough for me to move to 2.8……2.7 was a major upgrade, this looks like they are rearranging the stuff to just come out with a release
Wow this is great. I especially like the idea of being able to change the theme without using FTP. Way cool.
Glad to see so many better options in Wordpress 2.8
Might be this would be the main reason, which helps word press to stand on top always in blogging. I have to upgrade my blog right now.
Thanks
Sankar
Sankar’s last blog post..Awesome Wrist Watches Ever Seen
ha some great stuff in the future for wp.
[...] when we got used to Wordpress version 2.7.1 along comes the latest version in Beta.Source:http://clintmaher.com/wordpress/seven-reasons-why-wordpress-28-is-better-than-ever/ May [...]
I really don’t care so much about these new features they are nice but not essential… I really wish the main new feature would be a quantum leap in PERFORMANCE, that is really needed and long overdue.
I have to agree, WordPress 2.8 really does look like it has some great improvements.
One thing for developers that I am excited about is the new Widget API. I have not had a ton of time to mess around with it yet, but I want to check it out.
[...] Seven Reasons Why Wordpress 2.8 Is Better Than Ever Nekko 28 May 2009 General 2.8, plugins, themes, widgets, Wordpress [...]
Very excited about the theme uploader. I was hoping they’d do something with the media library, but it could be I’m just not used to it yet since I’ve always used Blogger before.
OpinionatedAnt’s last blog post..Rambles: Life Lessons
[...] la nueva versión de el CMS de Automattic. Ella trae muchas mejoras mas que interesantes, en Clintmaher crearon una lista de las 7 mas [...]
[...] http://clintmaher.com/wordpres.....than-ever/ [...]
[...] Just when we got used to Wordpress version 2.7.1 along comes the latest version in Beta.Source:http://clintmaher.com/wordpress/seven-reasons-why-wordpress-28-is-better-than-ever/ Posted by Andy B at [...]
Awesomeness! I am looking forward to these changes. Wordpress has come a long way. I would really some day love to see them implement a better user profile system. I will be hoping for that change in the future.
The next big step of Wordpress will be turning into MVC. Too much work, I guess, but it wouldn’t be impossible.
Anyway, it’s already an awesome tool.
Evandro Myller’s last blog post..Unavailable USB devices on VirtualBox 2
[...] Source [Clint Maher] Filed Under Communities, Design, Hosting, Wordpress [...]
I wonder how much of the new inbuilt tag management will supplant the need for Simple Tags.
Thanks everyone for the feedback. I have tested this version on a private blog with all my usual plugins and it works just great. 2.8 is awesome, and I encourage you all to use it now (at your own risk =)
Clint
[...] for more editing on the road with more tools inbuilt into Wordpress by default. Please Checkout Clint Mahers Blog where I read about the new features in 2.8 and the official Wordpress Code Page Here Tagged as: [...]
[...] Seven Reasons Why Wordpress 2.8 Is Better Than Ever – While investigating whether or not I should upgrade my Wordpress installation, I came across this article. I’m not entirely convinced, yet. [...]
[...] Clint Maher keeps it positive with Seven Reasons Why WordPress 2.8 is Better than Ever [...]
Great review, some great improvements coming
OnlyWP’s last blog post..Compositio
[...] aimed at making the lives of bloggers using the platform easier. Blogger Clint Maher has made a list of some of the changes that he believes makes version 2.8 better than ever and we will give you [...]
[...] per últim, en Chris Maher ha fet una recopilació de 7 millores respecte la versió 2.7 que fan que WordPress 2.8 sigui millor que cap de les [...]
[...] Seven Reasons Why Wordpress 2.8 Is Better Than Ever [...]
I Like about the editing plugin’s file. It’s very helpfull. No need FTP for that anymore.
DOCRAN’s last blog post..Cara mencuci tangan yang efektif
It’s funny how I stumbled upon Wordpress at this incarnation and it looks just like A CMS I made 3 years ago. I’d like to think that I’m ahead of the curve, but the more likely reason is that I’m seeing the future!! Same thing with JQuery too, except, I didn’t abandon that project.
I was planing to update to Wordpress 2.8, but recently few of my clients reported lots of problems like
Internal server Error
Broken Permalinks and broken theme issue..
So for now
I will wait for some more reviews and issues before I will upgrade my blog to wordpress 2.8
Harsh Agrawal’s last blog post..Why commenting is Important for a blogger?
@harsh, I agree. I have it on my testing site although I’ll be leaving my ‘live’ blogs for some time yet.
i don’t know, i knew enough people that have problems with the 2.8
duude’s last blog post..Avia A Desejo – Showing off herself
thanks for the clarification!
I’m a new WP user and I’ve never faced any problems… (I’m using the 2.8 … ) I don’t understand what kind of problems you’re talking about!
I agree with you on this issue that now it’s better than before now bugs are curtailed
and it’s far from it’s aberrant functionality