When I first moved to a CMS (Content Management System) from using static web pages I’ll admit that it took a little getting used to. For me getting used to using a CMS was like being given a new pairs of shoes … it takes ages for you to feel comfortable wearing them then you get used to them and don’t want to change them. With this in mind I was feeling a little wary when I saw the screenshots for the new version. Since then I have been testing WordPress 2.5 on a one of my other websites at www.eggnchips.com/blog if you want to see it in action. Having used it for a short while I can reports that WordPress 2.5 definitely breaks the shoe analogy.

WordPress 2.5 has a more structured layout with the primary menu now consisting of just four options: Write, Manage, Design and Comments (WMDC) – things which are the most common functions you may need. The Write menu has been simplified and tidied up – but it has retained its power – gaining an ‘Add media’ section for Video, Images and Audio.

For me, the new colour scheme, typeface changes and layout make the platform feel even friendlier and simpler to use. Many of the changes may be subtle or seem cosmetic and some things that may previously have been plugins appear to have made it into the standard product and combined WordPress 2.5 is a welcome addition. It also feels somewhat faster though that could be my imagination running wild.

The brass tacks “behind the scenes” configuration options are tidied away behind the settings menu which adds a second menu below the WMDC menu. It’s good to see options like uploaded image size settings (width and height) and avatar support included as standard. The theme editor too hasn’t missed out and has split the styling pages from the template pages making it quicker to identify the relevant parts to work on.

The dashboard has a number of panels including recent comments, incoming links, the feed from the WordPress dev blog and a section for plugins. The dashboard certainly lends the feeling that that it might one day become Web 2.0 enabled allowing dragging and dropping of widgets a la iGoogle. The good thing is that you can edit the feed details which, after punching in my own feed address () allowed me a more complete glance of my own blog.

The WordPress team are very busy and some developments are really exciting such as the anticipated theme via a zip utility. If the automatic platform upgrade facility and a more complete backup facility (other than the useful export function) could become incorporated into the standard build too then it would be extremely welcome.

For the future I would love to see a page template facility in the style of the widgets section so copy and media could simply be dropped into predefined template spaces without having to resort to any html – but WordPress 2.5 RC1 certainly indicates great things ahead!

Follow up from: WordPress 2.5 is on the launch pad

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