What’s New in WordPress 3.0

Eight new features that make me dance like Cinderella

Okay, I promised myself I wouldn’t get excited. But YIPPEE!  IT’S FINALLY HERE!

Could you please stop staring at me while I dance around my computer? What, you’ve never seen a grown man dance like a Disney princess?  Well, you’ve never met a man who spends all day with two toddler girls. I had to explain to my three-year-old yesterday that she couldn’t wear dresses anymore if she traded her legs for a mermaid tale. Such is my life.

Now with triple the hot blog action!

Anyhow, you’re here for information about Thelonius, the latest release of WordPress 3.0.  In addition to being named after my favorite jazz pianist Thelonius Monk (Vince Guaraldi, I still love you too), WordPress 3.0 introduces some impressive enhancements to the previous version.

Yes, everyone is cooing over Twenty-Ten, the new default theme that replaced Kubrick, with its sexy custom header images and backgrounds.  But there’s so much more going on in WordPress 3.0 that makes it great.  Here’s a quick summary:

• Custom Shortlinks. Feel like using your own domain name instead of a URL shortener like wp.me or bit.ly when sharing on Twitter?  No problem.
• Bulk Plugin Upgrades. Now you can check the ticky boxes next to multiple plugins at the same time.
• Author Templates. Running a blog with multiple authors?  Now each can have their own stylesheet and layout, too.
• No more default “admin” user on installation. While overlooked by most other folks writing about WordPress 3.0 today, this is perhaps the single most important update to WordPress 3.0. Guess what folks? If hackers were bees, users named “admin” would be honey. Every time I install WordPress for a client, I immediately login, create a new administrator user account, log out/back in, and delete that dastardly “admin.” Now I can skip that obnoxious step, you can set your administrator’s user name to anything you want, and help avoid your blog getting stung.
• Multiple Sites on One Install of WordPress. Once a feature restricted to users of WP-MU or the plugin WP-Hive (I’m a current user), WordPress 3.0 now offers the ability to run multiple blogs off one install of WordPress. This isn’t an easily unlocked feature, but a powerful one for any blogger who runs many sites—because it eliminates the need to update WordPress and plugins on every single stinking blog.
• Custom Navigation Menus. Instead of hiring someone like me to hide that one page from your navigation menu, you can now use the Monk’s menu manager to handle all these tasks. Am I bitter over lost coin? Not in the slightest—it’s a great feature that will make my clients happy. Power to the people!
• Custom Taxonomies. Still confused about the difference between a Tag and a Category? Forget about it; now you can add your own taxonomic terms instead. Want to write an online book?  Chapter and Index. Want to run a fan blog about Glee?  Sort your posts by characters.
• Custom Post Types. Holy Moses, this is big. Gone are the days of limiting yourself to Posts and Pages.  Want to have Posts, Pages, and Vlogs? Go for it.  Want a separate post type for Photos?  Your wish is the Monk’s command.

So, have you upgraded yet?  Download WordPress 3.0 today!

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