First impressions of WordPress 3.0
As a long-time user (I started off with version 1.2 six years ago) and a big fan of the blog platform WordPress, I try to keep up with new features by testing early betas and release candidates of upcoming versions. While my own public WordPress themes are significantly outdated by now, I have built several custom-designed sites for various projects which have force me to stay updated on what happens with the WordPress core. And for every new release, I get more and more impressed by the contributing developers and their ability to add features which I didn’t know that I needed – but which is incredibly useful once they are included.
A few days ago, version 3.0 was released. I had tested pre-release versions of it for a couple of months but not used it to build any live website, and sure it looked good. But when I moved on from just testing and started building something more serious, I realized that WordPress has gone way past being just a blog engine. The new features in 3.0 includes a new way of managing navigation menus, and it didn’t take long for me to realize that the new menu system is a tool that will cut down the time it takes to build more advanced websites dramatically. It will also make it a lot easier for site owners and bloggers to manage their sites and blogs. Justin Tadlock (creator of the brilliant Hybrid Theme) has written a great article about the new custom menu feature, and it is recommended reading for anyone interested in theme development and good inspiration for me.
Upcoming releases
The plan for the upcoming weekend is to upload two new free website templates. I will do the final fixing and testing of them during the next two days, and if everything works out well I will upload the first of the two on Saturday the 26th. I will also publish an article about the ideas I have for including mobile-friendly (and touch screen optimized) layouts in the templates, and then release the second template on Sunday. Look back in a few days to see new material!
This article was written by Andreas Viklund
Web designer, writer and the creative engine behind this website. Author of most of the free website templates, along with some of the WordPress themes.
24 comments:
Hi Andreas, I am excited to see your 2010 touch to your work. Two templates simultaneously, nice! Hope all is going well with the testing.
So if I get you right, you are not intending to release any new WordPress Themes but pure static templates?
It is true. WordPress 3.0 is really amazing; the new features made it a complete CMS. That may also partially involve templates design, considering for example the new possibilities to build personal functions, to manage widgets etc.
Yes, realy amazing. The new functions and features are great, the usability of 3.0 is much better (drag & drop and more ajax things). I like it and i hunger for your new layouts and templates :)
Waiting weekend.
But, with great power comes great responsibility. WordPress 3.0 is a major change from previous versions. True, it uses the same tables, but a lot of the API has changed. This can cause existing plugins and your theme to go wild.
Well the best thing I liked about 3.0 version is the new default theme – 2010. Its very stable and works with simply any type of niche when just the header image is changed. Secondly, its Streamlined UI is brilliant with the inclusion of multi user connectivity. A must upgrade!
oh you forgot to add something, supercache was a pluging on previous versions, but it comes integrated with 3.0. You can find it under Settings as WP Super Cache Manager on wordpress admin panel. So wordpress 3.0 is much faster than previous versions ;)
when I saw in my dashboard that 3.0 is released, I didn’t hesitate to read the new features. I was really amazed that we can now create a customized menu and that impressed me much. But in the other part of it, we still don’t know what exploits for this version waits ahead.
I can’t wait for the new template tomorrow.
Would be great if you could also brief us on what areas presented problems, if any. That would save many people a lot of time. There were very few bugs in the beta so I have every confidence that the final product is rock solid, but if you’ve had to implement workarounds or hacks your experience would be most appreciated.
Hello,
We are two swedish girls who are using WordPress on our blog. Now it says that there is a new version out to upgrade. We dont have this kind of knowledge. Is it possible to hire you to help us with this?
Of course we pay in money.
I always worry when WordPress releases a new version that a few days later someone discovers a security flaw so WordPress needs to update immediately. Anyways the new version sounds great and I’m guessing your new releases will take advantage of some new features in WordPress 3.0?
It sounds cool hearing a lot of people talk about new features available in WP 3.0. But It always take me a while for the stable version release. I always be afraid of incompatibility some of the plug ins I have. Andreas, I am hoping to use your template but for my previous WP version.
At present I am having a new website running on WordPress 2.9.2. I haven’t yet upgraded the WP. I am bored with my current theme I wanna see the fresh theme that will be released by you Andreas.
They could have skipped the animation of the login window when the passwortd is wrong. It looks a bit cool but completely useless :)
I just upgraded to 3.0 and it works like a charm. I think they could also have included WP Sticky in the core but maybe next time…
I just upgraded to WordPress 3.0 and it works like a charm.
BTW glad to see you back and hope you get to work with what you love doing the most from now on too.
I use a plethora of plugins and custom modifications on my wordpress installations and I am always deadly afraid of updating to a new wordpress version. Though usually it works out fine. Will give 3.0 a shot today.
@Maisstore.se
It’s pretty simple to update to the new version of WP. Simply click “Please Update Now” in the control panel and then “Upgrade Automatically”. Done!
It’s really as simple as that.
I have it running on one live site now, as that site was new and I didn’t want to have to deal with technical issues later as it is a membership site.
I am not currently using a WP3.0 specific theme as at time of 3.0 release Thematic only had full 3.0 support in svn and I got lazy.
I really need to do some fun stuff turning Thematic into a semi-magazine style site for memberships as a child theme.
3.0 version is pretty good or advanced to say the least. WordPress has evolved. All thanks to the hundreds of hours of work put in by developers!
I just started using WordPress a week ago and I am impressed. There are quite a few small bugs here and there but that is to be expected with such an extensible piece of software.
It is now on version 3.2, as I write, but have you noticed WordPress sites slowing down recently?
Is it turning into a victim of its own success?
Pete, I agree. I’ve noticed that it has become slower than before. :(