Today i was surprised to see that there is a new version of the world’s greatest blog-software WordPress. I didn’t follow the WordPress-News recently, so my first thought was “Oh no, a new WP means work! I have to upgrade all my sites…”

But with the integrated “Upgrade automatically”-Function upgrading can be done with only one mouse-click. Perfect for lazy folks like me.

So i have “Baker” powering my blog and i’m thrilled about its new features once again…

Upgrade now!

Don’t listen to people who tell you that you better should not upgrade. Every serious blogger knows that you must upgrade as fast as possible. Older versions are getting insecure in no time and it’s just uncool to still stick on 2.3.3 ;-)

The argument that many plug-ins aren’t ready for 2.8 is nonsense. Due to Beta-Versions and Release Candidates the cool plug-in authors are ready for the next step. Apart from the fact that many plug-ins still work fine, even when they must go hand in hand with a new WordPress-Version. If you have problems with your plug-ins you may simply use the wrong stuff.

Funny: The default setting for viewable plug-ins per page. Better do not install 999 plugs :)

Before you start, remember: Don’t upgrade in a hurry. First make a database backup to be on the safe side. You can use the “Upgrade automatically”-Button or download the WordPress Package and install it manually the old-fashioned way.

BTW: I even upgraded another site where i forgot to backup the database. I felt bad but upgrading worked well anyway. No probs.

Like i told you above, i prefer to do it automatically and i never had trouble with such automatic functions in the history of WordPress. This time, the upgrade was done in about 1 minute (including time for login and loading the right page).

180 new features and 790 Bug-Fixes!

Here is a list with all the new features but i recommend to watch this clip by wordpress.tv:

Well, the Theme Browser surely is a very good idea – but nothing for me. I always develop my own themes from scratch and hate all other themes because they are all crap :-) (Only kidding)

But the new Syntax Highlighting in the theme editor is a feature i’ve been waiting for since years! Finally, FINALLY!!!

The reason i mentioned WordPress 2.3.3 further way up is the new handling of widgets. With “Baker” one of the be-loved features of 2.3.3 is finally back, you can freely move widgets from one sidebar to another, don’t need to switch and kick anymore. It’s not the most important feature but a pretty much comfortable one.

Also the other features are great, the improved Screen Options for example. I already switched my Dashboard to 3 columns, maybe i even try 4.

Thanks for WordPress 2.8!

There were times when i needed to write “hate-posts” about WordPress, expecially after 2.5 came out – which still was/is the biggest flop in WordPress’ history – in my opinion.

But this time i must thank the WP-Developers for working so hard to create this fucking good piece of software.

Like i already posted on Twitter a few hours ago: WordPress 2.8 “Baker” is hot!

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