So now Drew3ooo is fueled by Wordpress 2.5. The upgrading process was mostly harmless and well worth the time. For anyone who has actually used their blog for content purposes more than a year or so, the so-called “famous 5 minutes” isn’t really that, but it’s still a fairly quick procedure. Scads of props to the Wordpress folks plus the Happy Cog people who have helped out with this version. Vast improvements in load time, aesthetics and web standards. Interestingly, I think my current design theme actually loads quicker with 2.5.

Time was mostly spent on de-activating plugins that I started using with Wp2.3 because it was causing havoc with embedding video in posts. So here’s my pithy review based on an initial view of what remains my most favorite content management system to date:

Things that make me giddy

New wysiwyg: The old one kept wiping out html and throwing off video embedding. The wysiwyg editor is, of course, third party work, but it was good to see it included so I don’t have to upload a fancier one myself. I deactivated all the plugins that involve posting. The 2.5 default covers everything I do. Buttons are much better displayed as well.

Add media buttons: Quick, easy and convenient. Library options for photos, video, audio and I guess what could best be describe as “other” offers decent organization options that should have been bundled in long ago. I disabled my own library storage system to use this one.

Interface design: Lighter, cleaner and a dashboard that’s more customizable. The color scheme is a little easier on the eyes as well.

Speed: Loads a lot faster.

Post and comment management: I like the addition of the “related” material in the post editing sidebar. Allows you to manage comments, posts and anything else related to the post that’s open.

Post sidebar: It’s improved and the “save” button is moved to the top, as well as publishing options. This is good as takes out the need to scroll every time you want to make a change or publish.

User management: Multiple user blogs benefit from the new post handling, allowing only one person to open  and edit a post at a time.

Things that could be better

More image editing options: There are some decent additions here, but I’l like to see a padding option in there as well. It’s easy enough to accomplish in the wysiwyg, but it’s better to have to click less than more.

Post Editing Sidebar usage: The top half of the sidebar is used really well, but things sort of stop too early and the rest of the posting options are offered below the text editor. They moved the category selection to far down and under the content editing window. That worked well on the side. Options for trackbacks, disableing comments and pings, and adding a password protection option to a post are moved down there at the bottom as well, and it seems could have stayed on the side well enough.

Wordpress gif logo at bottom looks like ass. It’s a small thing, but it’s ugly. Chances are, no one ever gets down that far to see it, but it’s still there, haunting me with its hidious, low-rez scruffy edges. I will mod it to something better because I am that sort of person.

Users: Just seems like user management should go under the management tab.

Overall

Still the best darn CMS I’ve used or designed with and it has just gotten a lot better. I was amazed at how few of the older plugins weren’t compatible considering what an overhaul in design and layout this one is. Compared to the pay and other open source offerings, I’ve not seen something as extendable and reliable that’s also this easy to get started with.

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