Matt’s Musings

When it comes to implementing SEO, bloggers know that WordPress offers a robust platform with many plug-in options to help their blogs succeed. Through selecting the right theme, by keeping WordPress updated, and choosing good plug-ins, and writing relevant and interesting content, WP bloggers know that their sites can thrive thanks to this open source tool.

WordPress is also updated frequently, with new releases coming out on a regular basis. Of late, many of these updates have been made in order to close security gaps, a problem that seems to be giving some bloggers fits especially if they do not update their sites immediately.

WordPress 2.5

There has been rumblings for several months that a vastly improved version of WordPress would soon be released, version 2.5 which would be the next jump up from the current release, 2.3.3.

I’m just beginning to research what the new version is all about as I know that it will impact the way that I manage my blogs and make updates. My initial look at what is coming down reveals that version 2.5 will parallel the changes felt when WP went from 1.5 to 2.0: you’ll see some stark changes in the way WordPress performs and what you can do with it.

Lorelle Van Fossen Shares

Author, blogger, speaker, and WordPress evangelist Lorelle Van Fossen has outlined many of the pending changes in a February 2007 BlogHerald article. Though she names March 10th as the release date, that has been pushed back. It was to be today, but it has been delayed just a bit longer.

Lorelle and others are noting the following changes:

• A new administrative panel which will show comments, incoming links, customizable dashboard, etc.

• One click updating — yes! If you’ve ever struggled with updating your WP versions, this feature will take away that pain altogether.

• Built-in photo galleries — anyone who uploads photographs on a regular basis understands the importance of making this feature available for administrators.

WordPress Miscellany

There are other changes included which will impact many plug-ins and themes, possibly rendering your current theme and some plug-ins inoperatable. Given that WordPress 2.5 isn’t a security release, I’m sure that many administrators will carefully consider when they’ll make the update, with some possibly putting it off until absolutely necessary.

With ten blogs under my management, I plan on testing the new version when it is officially released on one blog before implementing the update on other blogs.

What are your plans with WordPress 2.5?

Further Reading

Catch a Sneak Peak at WordPress 2.5’s Sexy New Look

Six Apart Takes Aim At Wordpress Users; Wordpress Pissed

WordPress 2.5 Sneak Peek Available

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