WordPress 2.7 Review by the Rich Sage

For about half a year I was running WordPress 2.5.x with great satisfaction at Rich Sage dot com and several other sites.  However, to keep up with the times and improvements, I just upgraded to WordPress 2.7.1.  In this review I’ll mention a few of the reasons that you too should upgrade.  Especially, IF you skipped a 2.6 upgrade like I did.

The most important benefit I see from the WordPress advancements is the Admin ability to control more of the features.  The visual administration of the content management system is greatly enhanced –with most features just a click or two away.

WordPress 2.7.1 Upgrade

My WordPress 2.7.1 Upgrade Review Continues…

WordPress 2.7.1 Upgrade Major Benefits:

Better Ability to Handle Media

In the past I’ve had problems with picture uploads to display of images in my WordPress blog.  Those errors seem to have vanished.  I am now presented with an intuitive photo/image management system after the initial upload.

After the image is identified, WordPress presents several ways to manage and publish the image.  For example, the optional sizes are presented to allow you to position the image in a pre-determined fashion or display it in the size that it was created in.

Once again, the customization options are much better, and presented in a way that frees our blogs to experiment and innovate in our reporting, versus, spending time publishing.

More Admin Area Customization:

WordPress 2.7.1 Admin Area

Each Element Can Take Up More than One Column

For example, if the “QuickPress” feature at the top right of the screen is more important, it can take up up to three columns of space in the admin area.  The more important the feature to you, the more room you can assign it in the admin.

Keep in mind that this is just an arrangement feature.  Many of the headers contain a “customize” link which you can press to pick and choose from more and more customization options.

Layout more like the best WordPress sites

Personally, I like the new admin area simply because the arrangement is similar to a 3-column WordPress layout.  In the past we’ve needed pugins and customized work to make the “look ‘n feel” the way we wanted.  However, now in the admin, all that can be adjusted with a “click” and a “drag” of the mouse.

Just the improvements in the way that posts are handled is impressive.  Take for example a TAG CLOUD that displays the most used tags for all posts –the feature is very handy, as I can keep using the most frequently used tags in my posts.  No need to jump all around inventing new tags for each post.

Looking to the Future:

The below writing is from WordPress.Org, as the developers look forward…

“this may be the last time you ever have to manually upgrade WordPress again. We heard how tired you were of doing upgrades for yourself and your friends, so now WordPress includes a built-in upgrade that will automatically notify you of new releases, and when you’re ready it will download them, install them, and upgrade your blog with a single click.”

I like that idea.  But, note that the ‘idea’ starts with “may” — I hope this easy upgrade does not turn out to be a pain in the neck!  When I made the current upgrade, I just followed the usual steps — Database backup, turn off plugins, and then upload of ONLY the /wp-admin and /wp-includes folders along with the new installation files that are part of the WordPress core files.  That was it.

However, if there is more to do for your upgrade, my strong suggestion is that you manually handle the few steps that you’ll need to upgrade — even in the future.

The developers of WordPress point out that this is a major upgrade that was needed so that they can better handle media and publishing tasks into the future. If you would prefer to see a video introduction to WordPress 2.7.1, press this link.  Dubbed WordPress “Coltrane”, you’ll have a good idea of what’s new and usable.

If you are a serious blogger I strongly suggest that you upgrade to WordPress 2.7.1, which is EVEN MORE a Bloggers’ best friend! You’ll find the WordPress 2.7.1 files via this link.  Keep in mind the upgrade process will take just 5 minutes when you do it right –I’ve mentioned the steps that I took above.  You’ll find more upgrade help in the download site.

WordPress 2.7.1 adds a lot of functionality to the Blogger’s equipment list to help make money online.  I strongly suggest that you upgrade to this latest release to take advantage of this wonderful and free tool!

Carpe Diem,
Rich Sage