WordPress Widgets Version 2.8
Back in version 2.7 WordPress made some major changes in the dashboard, most notable was the placement of the menus on the left side instead of the top navigation menu. Navigating the dashboard changed quite a bit. WordPress sidebar widgets had a major change with version 2.5 and now in version 2.8 there are more changes and additions in sidebar widgets.
The biggest improvement in widgets for version 2.8 is the Inactive Widgets section that has been added. Now you can remove a sidebar widget but keep its settings. This is especially useful for text widgets. This feature was in previous versions, removed for a while and now it’s finally back and rightly so. Another change in version 2.8 is the lack of a whole page Save Changes button. Meaning that once a widget is dragged over to a sidebar location it is automatically showing on the sidebar.
To get to the WordPress Widgets menu click Appearance then Widgets. Adding and moving sidebar widgets around is as simple as drag and drop. Once placed on the sidebar, depending on what kind of widget it is, you should have the ability to edit the widget by clicking the arrow on the right of the widget. Here you will need to click the Save button to keep any changes you make to an individual widget. As in previous versions moving a widget vertically on the sidebar or between different sidebars is the same drag and drop. Simply grab the top of a widget and move it to its new location, an outlined box will appear when the widget is in an area it can be placed.
Text widgets are still one of the most versatile features of WordPress widgets, and there seems to be no limit to how many can be added. Just grab a text widget from the left and drag it over to its location on the sidebar. Text widgets can accept plain text, scripts or HTML, just be sure if adding images or scripts to a text widget that they are not larger than the sidebar container. You should check the look of your WordPress blog in at least two different browsers to make sure it looks right. Bad code or missing code tags can wreak havoc on your blog as well as images too big for the sidebar. Pasting text from an MS Word document into your sidebar, or a post, can create problems as well.
Here are a few older sidebar guides, the WordPress dashboard has changed but for the newbie the basic premise is still covered. Especially useful is the text widget guide, again its an older version of the dashboard and getting to and saving them may be different now but the core use of text widgets hasn’t changed.
WordPress Sidebar Widgets Guide
WordPress 2.5 Sidebar Widgets Video
Add Items To The Sidebar With Text Widgets
WordPress widgets, especially text widgets are one of the best features of WordPress. Letting those with very limited knowledge edit and customize a sidebar with simple copy and past and drag and drop.
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Comments
Wordpress 2.8 is really outstanding. I specially like the look and feel of the dashboard. Moreover the option to search, install and activate plugin from dashboard is great, which was not possible in 2.7.
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I installed the latest wordpress yesterday!.. lov it!
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Why does wp update frequently? Anyway, I will continue to use wp.
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Wordpress has done wonders for the affiliate marketing crowd, comment luv and the like are awesome features tat allow you to really attract some traffic a whole lot easier then before, the new updates do a whole lot in security as well. Thanks for the post.
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Thanks for this post, Jeff. It is interesting how WP is growing their Widgets program. It seems that every software group that is gaining user base like crazy is on board with add-on functionality these days (Firefox, Opera, Wordpress, etc., etc.) -Ben
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The old widget implemetation just didn’t seem very well thought out, and it was pretty hard to use, especially if you wanted multiple instances of your widget. This is going to make things much better for everyone.
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One of the best features of WordPress 2.8 is the update to the widgets section. The current widget management often involves these steps: Your theme has two sidebars/widget areas and you want to move your text widget from first to the second sidebar. First, you remove it from the first sidebar and save changes. Then you select the second sidebar from the drop down menu, click “show” and add the widget to the second sidebar.
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WordPress does the updation quite frequently but it does so just to add some new features so that those who are using WordPress will be able to do things easily.The dashboard is excellent and the search option is also cool.
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I really like about the this version of widgets is actually something that was lost several versions back and that is the ability to save the content on inactive widgets. In WordPress version 2.7 if you remove a text widget the content in it will be lost forever.
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Thanks for this post, Jeff. It is interesting how WP is growing their Widgets program.
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My website is currently running on Wordpress 2.7.
The newer version, 2.8 has just been released and I want to switch…and keep all of my settings, files, plugins, themes, ect.
Is there anyway to do this?
Thanks!
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Jeff Replied:
August 14th, 2009 at 7:41 am
All your settings will remain, but be sure to backup before upgrading.
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I like 2.5 version of WordPress myself.
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Jeff Replied:
August 14th, 2009 at 10:48 am
Oh that’s nice and secure.
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These were some very excellent changes to wordpress… Wordpress is one of the easiest and most robust content management systems I have found, and they still have an eye for making improvements…
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No doubt, wordpress provides high quality of service to their users. Especially when it comes to giving their users effective ways in managing their contents.
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I still have version 2.3. I’m feel safe and comfortable with it. I will have to make the change to 2.7.
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Yesterday I piut version 2.8. It works but were some errors.
I don;t know why..
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“Back in version 2.7 WordPress made some major changes in the dashboard, most notable was the placement of the menus on the left side instead of the top navigation menu”
This is great upgrade. Navigation is made easier. I also like that it’s user-friendly.
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Wordpress continuously comes up with newer versions to keep up with the high demand of the web marketing business. Hopefully its users can keep up with the updates too.
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ok now i want to update
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Thanks for sharing. This is a super useful post as I’ve been trying to explore wp widgets a bit more.
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So WordPress made anoter upgrade? One of the best things about WordPress is that it keeps on making upgrades.
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Great WordPress version. If you remove a text widget the content in it will be lost forever.
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I definitely like where Word Press is going with version 2.8. A much more user friendly dashboard for sure.
If anyone knows of a widget or plug in that will allow me to easily place a link with Anchor text in the header of my Word Press Blog, please let me know.
Many thanks!
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i love wordpress and never thought of using another platform, and with all the things i’m learning on this website it will remain the only platform i’m gonna use…
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I simply love the 2.8+ upgrades! Heres why:
Prior to 2.8 (drag and drop widgets)I had some custom plugins that created some sidebar widget options. For some reason, they would work on some WP themes, and not on others.
When I upgraded to 2.8, voila! It returned the widget control back to me.
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Wordpress 2.8 is really outstanding. Now we can remove a sidebar widget but keep its settings. This is especially useful for text widgets. Thank you.
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wordpress version 2.8 is really wonderful.yes you can add and move sidebar widgets by simple drag and drop.This is especially useful for text widgets.
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Thanks for sharing. This is a super useful post as I’ve been trying to explore wp widgets a bit more.
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Am I correct? After reading this and a bunch of other articles on this site and somewhere else, I think wordpress is comming out with a lot of updates these months..
I know that they need to keep up-to-date, but some of the updates are crappy!
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I really want to try wordpress for my next blog website. However im concerned about security,i keep hearing that people can bring the website down quite easily thru security flaws?!
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