18 Jan 07 Wordpress 2.1 RC1

Well this blog is now running on the new version of Wordpress, 2.1 in it’s first release candidate. So far, no problems at all. I made sure to backup my database before, and as far as I can tell all of my plugins just work with this new version (Viper’s Video Quicktags is the only one that doesn’t seem to function).

LOTS of updates, including the first major one I’ve noticed is the speed. IT’S WAAAY FAST. One thing I found disturbing is that my default category was changed to “Blogroll,” a category which didn’t even exist previously. I can’t seem to find where to switch it back.

Here is the list of new user features:

• Much more efficient database code, faster than previous versions
• Autosave
• Tabbed editor
• Lossless XML import and export for moving between WordPress blogs
• WYSIWYG spellchecker
• Search engine blocker for private blogs
• You can set any “page” to be the front page of your site, and put the latest posts somewhere else
• Links can now have sub-categories
• Redesigned login screen
• More AJAX to make custom fields, moderation, deletions, etc all instant
• Pages can now be drafts, or private
• Minor admin redesign
• Upload manager
• Faster dashboard

There is FINALLY a WYSIWYG spell check, granted it doesn’t work for me on Firefox or Safari on the mac. Firefox has a built in spell check that seems to work just fine (as well as OS X having it built right into the OS).

I REALLY don’t like the Visual vs Code tab in the posting screen. If you want to use any of the code features like a hyperlink, block quote, images, etc. you have to switch over to the code side. Switching is fast, but I’d rather insert the hyperlink codes and images right in the WYSIWYG tab. You don’t have the insert options you previously had either like open link in new tab, and align the picture.

Download it here at your own risk.

UPDATE: I’m not on a PC with Firefox, and the Visual WYSIWYG editor is now working. Seems there might be something wrong with the way FF on OS X views the site. The Spell Check also workson FF on the PC.