WordPress Version 2.8 Now Available
If you haven’t seen it in the WordPress dashboard yet version 2.8 has been released and is now available. I strongly suggest keeping your version of WordPress up to date at all times.
If you have the proper setting on your hosting account the automatic upgrade for version 2.7 to 2.8 should be a breeze. The automatic upgrade of this site did have one minor issue with the Google Analytics plugin. You see I don’t really practice what I preach, because I will tell you to deactivate all plugins and backup your files and database before an upgrade. But I didn’t in this case and did the automatic upgrade on the fly with all plugins still active. That is where the issue came from and I needed to delete the offending plugin to access the dashboard. Of course I have a database backup from a few days ago so I wasn’t completely unprotected. And I might have a little more knowledge than most when it comes to troubleshooting a bad upgrade.
So remember to be safe and backup your wp-content folder and database, and you really should deactivate all plugins prior to an upgrade. Then activate all plugins one at a time to make sure they work well with the new version. If a plugin screws things up just delete that plugins file to deactivate it.
Here are the major new improvements in 2.8 as stated from the official WordPress site:
Major New Improvements
First and foremost, 2.8 is way faster to use. We’ve changed the way WordPress does style and scripting.
The core and plugin updaters in previous versions of WordPress have been such a success we decided to bring the same to themes. You can now browse the entire theme directory and install a theme with one click from the comfort of your WordPress dashboard.
If you make edits or tweaks to themes or plugins from your dashboard, you’ll appreciate the new CodePress editor which gives syntax highlighting to the previously-plain editor. Also there is now contextual documentation for the functions in the file you’re editing linked right below the editor.
If you were ever frustrated with widgets before, this release should be your savior. We’ve completely redesigned the widgets interface (which we didn’t have time to in 2.7) to allow you to do things like edit widgets on the fly, have multiple copies of the same widget, drag and drop widgets between sidebars, and save inactive widgets so you don’t lose all their settings. Developers now have access to a much cleaner and robust API for creating widgets as well.
Finally you should explore the new Screen Options on every page. It’s the tab in the top right. Now, for example, if you have a wide monitor you could set up your dashboard to have four columns of widgets instead of the two it has by default. On other pages you can change how many items show per page.
Similar Posts:
- Does The WordPress Automatic Upgrade Feature Work On Your Hosting Account
- WordPress Version 2.7.1 Now Available
- New Sidebar Widgets Interface In WordPress Version 2.8
- WordPress 2.8.1 Already Released
- WordPress Version 2.9 Is Ready Or Is It?
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Comments
Thanks for the info. Gonna update my wordpress soon.
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Thanks for the information! I just finished upgrading my blog and everything seems to be running pretty smoothly. I haven’t really messed around with the new interface yet, but plugins seem to be working fine.
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a very simple question. With apologies, i am trying to upgrade via the dashboard. when it asks for host name, i am unsure what is being asked for. I have tried:
mysite.com
mysite
http://www.mysite.com
http://www.mysite.com
nothing is working. Can anyone help me figure out this ridiculously simple question.
many thanks!
Karen
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Jeff Replied:
June 13th, 2009 at 6:21 pm
Karen, the host name should be the same information used to connect to your hosting account with an FTP client. It may even be the same username and password to login to your hosting account. And please do not ask what an FTP client is.
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Thank you. I realize that i was confusing 2 things. I thought it was asking me for the ftp path, but it was asking for the user name and passwords tot he ftp and not to the wp-admin.
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hey, i put version 2.8 on my site ( http://www.sfca.com )
and it made me some problems with my themes , some parts are missing
do you guys also had it ?
i had a fear of it before i upgrade it…
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I’m not a big fan of some things in 2.8. Particularly the new layout of the Plugins page. I like it when it was all on one page, granted you can still view it like that, but it is not as organized as it was before.
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I’m afraid to upgrade, but I know It has to be done. Just wishing for as little problem as possible. Wordpress has been great to me.
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I don’t like to upgrade either, it scares me.
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This looks like a nice update. Its bringing everything together and tightening things up a bit more.
I have to admit I’m useless at keeping my blogs up to date but I may go out of my way for this one.
What I’d really like to see is an auto-update for plugins that doesn’t require FTP access.
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I know it’s only been a couple of days since the release, but have there been any bugs ? I’m super paranoid about security and I simply won’t upgrade anything unless it’s been tested by others.
Looking forward to your answer, Jeff.
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Jeff Replied:
June 16th, 2009 at 5:49 pm
I found none but there could always be an obscure combination of plugins that may not work well together.
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I have not upgraded yet as I thought there was no major difference. After reading your post, I now know why I should upgrade.
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These are really great changes and significant improvements to the existing version. In any case I will try, as soon as possible, to get the new version. Thank you for this great information.
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I am eager to do it but I am pretty busy in these days. I need to check compatibility of plugins as well. How is was with your plugins?
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Jeff Replied:
June 17th, 2009 at 6:28 pm
Only had the one plugin issue and I have over 20 currently active plugins.
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Hey i have updated it i gill give you some good wishes from my heart for this wonderful info!i feel very sorry for those who still dont know about the new version2.8!
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Awesome! Now I have to update my blog though and hope the modifications I made carry over.
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I keep telling myself that “this version I will upgrade.” Maybe it’s time I finally get to it. I’ve been concerned about security issues, but I just don’t relish all the problems I will most likely encounter with the plugins and template!
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Hey is this version so good and so easy to download. I am not sure weather it could work very well?
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I did my first upgrade from WP 2.7 to 2.8 and it went without a hitch. I used the “automatic” method and let WP upgrade itself. I had 5 plugins that I also updated and they were all OK so far that is.
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It’s well worth the upgrade, its faster and easier to use. Great application!
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They nice to see this post…i just updated my blog to this new version of word press and lets hope all goes fine and there is noting to worry about.
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The improvements in the coding and scripting to make Wordpress work faster is definitely a wonderful improvement. It makes Wordpress even better than it presently is. Thanks!
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Just upgraded yesterday, it looks the same , but more stable and fixtures. i think
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i hope to see newer features on my dashboard as time goes, wordpress are really trying their best when it comes to improving.
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No problems with themes at my end, all is looking good.
Ste
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I heard that it’s good to keep up to date primarily to protect yourself from vulnerabilities in the previous version. I’ve never deactivated my plugins prior to update, but that could be why I’m having problems now.
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Come on WordPress! Why you are always rushing for an update?! Since 2.2, everytime I upgrade, it will be having some sort of problem. Guess what, I am having problem again for 2.8 and I have to revert back to 2.7 from my backup.
Google say them all
http://www.google.com/#hl=en&safe=off&q=wordpress+2.8+upgrade+problem&aq=f&oq=wodpress+2.8+upgrade+problem&aqi=&aq=f&oq=wordpress+2.8+upgrade+problem&aqi=&fp=zV04OZ1eQCo
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I usually wait for a good bit of time before upgrading so all of the plugins can catch up and fix the potential problems. This time I just jumped right in and of course it blew up on me with the analytics plug-in. I have now learned the importance of having a backup.
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You know I’m also freak out.. I haven’t upgrade my blog into 2.8.. I just don’t want to have some issue later on, anyway i’m also afraid that it will not suitable for my wordpress themes and plugin… I think I will just wait
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Hi,
I am always worried to update. It’s like flipping coin. Once nothing is broken, the other time I have to spend hours…! fixing.
Anyway, thanks for this article.
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I agree with Mike, its better to wait a few months before upgrading. It almost seems like the best way to do it is to always run the second latest release. I always lose a few plugin when I go for the latest, but I use a lot of plugins.
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Recently, I upgraded my wordpress blog to 2.8, I had no problems with the plugins. I used the automatic update that asks for your ftp details and it updates automatically. It took less than 10 mins for it to upgrade, really enjoyed it!
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It is very great to know that the word press 2.8 version is now available, but to tell you more important is that it has many bugs. Let us see what others have to say bout others.
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Jeff Replied:
July 7th, 2009 at 7:47 am
Google it… Not here because if encrypted its for a reason.
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I didn’t know about the new feature to update a theme right from the dashboard. I’ll definitely make use of this capability.
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I upgraded to WP 2.8 the other day and it works great. I love the ease of this plugin and the interface rocks!
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everything ok with the WordPress 2.8 version, but personally I think it should integrate a On/Off setting for the PostRevision features as it really junks our database.
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I think word press 2.8 version is better then its previous version so now i am switching towards this latest and enhanced version you all guys must try that!and thanks for this post again
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From the version 2.7 and now 2.8 I think there should be an option to ON/ OFF the post revision features. It’s really not quite essential and junk the database.
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I haven’t upgraded to version 2.8 yet but some of those improvements look very handy – especially the Screen Options.
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Oh and how is has screwed up all in one seo pack so much. The number of different updates to wordpress and all in one seo recently have been a joke!
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I performed the upgrade and there have been no problems for me so far.Thanks
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I appreciate you for updating with informative and helpful post, keep it up good work. Thanks
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