WordPress 2.5: The Next Generation

Wordpress 2.5 DashboardThe latest release of WordPress has just hit the net, offering some significant design changes and a boatload of new features. As mentioned in my previous post on the site upgrade, I’ve been using WordPress 2.5 RC since its release mid-March. The first release candidate went to RC2 and on to a stable version in just two short weeks – that’s damn impressive. Some of the key new features include:

  • Dashboard Widgets: allowing you to customize the (until now) rather useless first page of the WordPress backend. Improvements include being able to customize which RSS feeds display, the addition of stats, etc.
  • Multi-file Uploads: Now rather than uploading files or images one-by-one, you can upload a multitude of files all at the same time and all with visual indicators of progress.
  • Plugin Upgrades: WP2.3 introduced the feature of WP telling you when there was a new version of your plugins available. WP2.5 takes this a step further and allows you to automatically upgrade the plugin right from within the WordPress backend. *I LOVE this feature!*
  • Built In Galleries: You can now automatically upload loads of images as batches and automatically create galleries. See how WP founder Matt Mullenweg’s done it here.

Be sure to check out this screencast for a visual rundown of the new features:

All-in-all, two HUGE thumbs up from us here at Dao By Design for the work the WordPress crew has put into this awesome release.

Upgrading is as simple as it always has been. Simply download the new version of WordPress and then follow these simple upgrade instructions. If you need to do a fresh install – same download, different (but nearly as simple) install instructions.

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