Review of Wordpress 2.5 [Plus Big News]
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Well, this review would’ve been a little cooler had it been of the RC2 version; the one that was less ubiquitous and still in testing. However, you’ve probably all upgraded to 2.5 by now, so this will really only be a confirmation of what you already know. For those of you who haven’t upgraded yet, read on and see if there’s enough motivation for you to upgrade now (there is!).
I downloaded and installed 2.5 a few days ago and was immediately impressed. The first thing you’ll notice is the improved dashboard look and function. It’s beautiful and much easier to use. Common sense seemed to be lacking in the previous setup, but you can tell that Matt and the Automattic team put more thought into this release. Plus, it feels like it runs faster and is trimmer; meaning less code to accomplish the same tasks.
Of course, my first action was to head to the themes manager and make sure my theme (demo & download here) was working properly with the new version (it was). The next stop was to make sure my plugins were still firing on all cylinders to make this blog almost self-managed (they were). When I saw the plugin manager, I noticed one new feature right away; one-click-upgrade. Oh yeah! Upgrade your plugins with one, solitary click. A geek’s dream.
Next up, one of the big feature additions is the media manager and the ability to upload multiple images and display them all on one post/page with one click. I tested it with a bunch of stock photos on my computer, but I was unimpressed. The upload was easy and obvious, as promised, but the formatting on the page was less than perfect. In fact, it was nearly unusable for my purpose, but i can see how it could be useful for someone putting together a gallery of similarly themed images. So, I can see how it might work nicely for some folks.
The text editor also got some much-needed attention. I haven’t tested it in Safari, but I’ve heard that the Safari bugs have been fixed. The best part, aside from the cleaned-up UI, is the full screen option. With one click, you can expand the editor to take up the entire browser screen. At first, I didn’t care about, but as I write this article with the editor at max size, it’s really nice to have no distractions. You’ll find yourself falling in love with this feature.
That’s pretty much everything. Of course, the biggest improvements are in the improved UI and subsequent user experience. It’s just so darn pretty now!
Announcement
Lately, I’ve been thinking about how God can use my skills to bless church leaders and expand the reach of my personal ministry. God impressed on me something much more simple and less spiritual than I expected that I should do for church leaders around the globe.
It’s simple really. I know how to install Wordpress. Most church leaders don’t know how to install Wordpress and don’t have the time to learn or the money to hire someone to do it for them. Everyone knows that a hosted Wordpress blog is more powerful, flexible, and freeing than any free blogging account (Wordpress.com, Blogger, even Typepad though it’s not free). So, here it is.
I’m offering to do free Wordpress installs for church leaders that want to use blogging as a tool in their ministry. The only thing you have to pay for is the hosting and domain registration (naturally). No strings attached. No fine print. No funny-business. No hassles.
Here’s what I’ll include in the offer:
- Install latest Wordpress release (2.5 right now)
- Recommend a handful of site to find rockin’ themes that are either free or only cost a couple bucks
- Recommend a handful of plugins to make your blog run like a top without you lifting a finger
- Install up to five themes and ten plugins
- Training on how to use Wordpress if you’re new to blogging or Wordpress in particular
Tell every church leader you know. It’ll be first-come, first-served, so get in on this fast.
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That is a great idea!
If you ever need any help, please let me know…
Jermayn Parker’s last blog post..WordPress Plugin needed: Add as home
Great review! You really do a great job writing for this kind of stuff.
The blog-setup thing for church leaders is awesome. What a great way to use your gifts and talents for God as a way to give back. Congrats man.
Brad Ruggles
http://www.bradruggles.com
Brad Ruggles’s last blog post..I love Microsoft Windows!!!
I’ll let you know Jermayn.
Thanks Brad.
[...] Amrit Dangol wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptThe only thing you have to pay for is the hosting and domain registration (naturally). No strings attached. No fine print. No funny-business. No hassles. Here’s what I’ll include in the offer:. Install latest Wordpress release (2.5 … [...]
Scott,
Just found your blog via your follow on Twitter. I’ve just moved from Typepad to WP 2.5, so I don’t need your help with an install, but what about a review and suggestion of what I’ve already got?
[...] Review of Wordpress 2.5 [Plus Big News] by Scott [...]
Hey man…this is great. I am interested in hearing more about this offer and possibly taking advantage of it. Right now, I have been using the free version of WordPress for our ministry site and personal site. Would love to make it better.
Please drop me a line and let me know what to do from here.
I’m not new to blogging by any means, but I don’t necessarily think that what I’m doing is very effective. I’ve actually got three different blogs going. One on Vox that I drop in on occasionally and post funny cultural bits. (Vox has neat themes) One on Blogger that’s my main ministry blog. (Herding Cats). And then I write devotionals that are hosted with our website but I write using Blogger. I think Wordpress allows multiple pages so I could combine, but as a smaller church pastor, I need another learning curve like a hole in the head. So if your offer would apply to my scattered mess, I’d love to be graced with your help.
Thanks,
David
David Wilson’s last blog post..Falling Forward
Scott - I am REALLY interested in this proposition of yours. Is it too late? How do I go about this? PLEASE let me know.
Chris
Hello,
I have been using wordpress.com, and have my domain name jasondeuman.com registered. I would love to install wordpress. Let me know how to get this started.
jason’s last blog post..Geeked Out
Recently I have been feeling I need to start a blog. I am a worship pastor / youth leader and I’d love to be able to set up a wordpress blog, but I looked at the instructions and just gave up right there and then! I’ve looked at the free options and they all seem so limited.
I would love to take up your offer, please let me know what I have to do?
Thank you!
Lee Houghton’s last blog post..Where Are You Building?
Hi there, I’m like Brandon above, I’ve got a free Wordpress account (2 in fact - also check out http://www.techpastor.wordpress.com) but would desperately like to make it better. If you’re not inundated with requests I’d love some help getting it started on my own server. Cheers, Darren
I’m interested too in taking our student ministry website to a new level. Are you still offering the free download of Wordpress? How do I go about doing this?
I currently use typepad, but am interested in using Wordpress. I would love any help you could provide when you have time. Thanks for following God’s promptings on this. You rock!
Sheila’s last blog post..Victoria Beckham Is A Unique Marketing Tool
Scott, I am interested in your help in getting Wordpress installed. As an assistant pastor, I am always looking for ways to bring us a bit closer to the 21st century. Not easy at times, but possible.
[...] Magdalein of Updatable is offering to do free WordPress installations for church leaders. It’s first come, first serve, but this is a great ministry offer to those interested in [...]
As a pastor, I can use the help integrating a blogging site with my currect website ministry. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Glenn Leatherman’s last blog post..The Playground for Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed
Yeah I am totally interested in your help if you are still offering.
I am using Wordpress.com and feel really comfortable doing this blogging thing. But I’d love to try and upgrade to wordpress.org, I just don’t have the money to get on a server (is there one you could recommend?). Already have my own domain and such.
currently use wordpressdotcom to run 3 ministry sites. we have a host and domain names, just dont know how to set up and use dotorg. help would be appreciated!
I also would love to take advantage of the generous offer.
Kirk Schneemann
Frontline Church, Ann Arbor
http://www.frontlinechurch.org
Kirk Schneemann’s last blog post..A Picture IS worth a thousand words!
[...] Want to get free blogging help? Check out this post [...]
Cool blog
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I would be interested in this if the offer is still out there. Thanks, Jason
cool thanks fot this article
kiyassi.com’s last blog post..Tigopedia Wordpress Themes
Great Scott! What an idea!
I’m with Crossings Christian Church. We launch September 14th in Daleville, VA. Would you be willing to wait for us to get our site up and running to install the blogging site?
Thanks again! Scott
Thank you very much for the article.
Appz-N-Warezs last blog post..East-Tec DisposeSecure 2008 Enterprise
Very interested in this offer. We already use a free WordPress blog with our custom domain name for our website. If you can help me improve on it (it needs help, I know) I would love to get the help with something better. Thanks!
Art Goods last blog post..WELCOME!
I would like some more info on this I’m new to blogging and would love to learn more on how I could use this in my youth ministry
thank-you for any help you can give
Hi Scott
Thanks for the offer. Yes I need your help in setting up wordpress.
Looking forward to hearing from you
Lui
I am getting ready to plant a new church in Eagle, ID, and I decided it’s time to learn to blog! So any help you can provide will be very much appreciated!