WordPress 2.8.1 was just released as the first minor version after WordPress 2.8 (Baker) was made available last month.

As usual, WordPress development team is always fast to patch and enhance the script. You may expect the same to this latest version as it has got many bugs fixed, tighter security and a lot more fixes.

Upgrading to WordPress is super easy, just use the one-click automatic upgrade feature built-in since WordPress 2.7. The latest WordPress 2.8.1 even improved the automatic upgrade so it won’t accidentally deletes files when cleaning up from a failed upgrade.

I just upgraded this blog to the latest WordPress (WP) 2.8, which was just released a couple hours ago. This latest version is named after the late Chet Baker, a famous trumpeter and vocalist in the 1950s.

There are not many changes in the layout and design in WP2.8 as compared to its predecessor WP2.7.1. However, WP 2.8 fixed over 790 bugs and improved themes, widgets, taxonomies, and its overall speed. This is the main reason I upgraded the blog immediately after it was released.

Below are the major improvements worth mentioning :-

• Browse the entire theme directory and install theme with one click
• CodePress editor – for people who likes to tweaks themes or plugins as it provides syntax highlighting
• Widgets interface redesigned – edit widget on the fly, drag & drop widget, duplicate widgets, etc.
• New Screen Options on every page in Dashboard – better customization by allowing you flexibility to arrange items showing on each page

Visit the link for the all the new features on WordPress 2.8. I’m so impressed with all the hard work the development team has put into this latest version.

For those who are using the older version, it’s time to upgrade your blog. Cheers! :D

I owe a long due review of this copy of ebook titled “WordPress For Business Bloggers” because I received it quite some time ago from Packt. Workload was high in recent months and I just finished 2 smaller projects last week. Now I have some free time so I really hope I can finish the book by next week and post a review of it as soon as I can.

This book is for anybody running or starting a business blog using WordPress. Whether you plan to use your blog for PR and marketing, or want to profit directly from blogging, this book offers you everything you need.

As we want to get into the specifics of business blogging as quickly as possible, we don’t cover the WordPress basics. So it’s best to have some experience with WordPress before you start with this book.

The book mainly focuses on a self-hosted WordPress installation, but most of the advice also applies to blogs hosted on WordPress.com.

You can view the table of content to understand what are the topics covered in this ebook.

While I’m crunching every word in this 365 pages ebook, please feel free to take a look of the detailed information of the ebook. You may choose to order either the physical book, ebook, or a bundle of the two.

I’m now writing in WordPress 2.7 (codenamed Coltrane). Yes, it’s another round of upgrade just 2 weeks after the previous version WordPress 2.6.5 was released.

This version is a major upgrade with various changes and enhancements feature and security wise.
So, it’s recommended to upgrade to the latest WordPress 2.7.
Since it is a major upgrade, you’ll need to do database backup before upgrading because it involves database upgrade as well.

Below are some improvements that I really like :-

• Keyboard shortcuts for comment moderation
• Sticky Posts! (now we don’t need a plugin to make sticky post. Yeay!)
• Dashboard interface rearranging (arrange the Administration Panel as you like)
• One-click plugin installs
• Reply to comments from admin
• WordPress Upgrader!* (download, install, and upgrade all inside the Administration Panel)

*Not all web hosts support this feature.

I’ve checked WordPress Upgrader on our server at IXIY Hosting, it’s running perfectly. So now we can upgrade our blogs with just 1 click! Check out the screen capture I took.

Continue Reading »
WordPress 2.7 Upgrade And Some Updates

Ok, it’s time for WordPress upgrade again but don’t get panic because it’s just a minor upgrade. In fact, there is only 1 file affected in this upgrade, which is wp-includes/class-snoopy.php.

WordPress team is again very impressive in fixing vulnerabilities. After just a few hours a vulnerability in the Snoopy library was announced they’ve come out with a fixed version. Top notch support!

If you are currently using WordPress 2.6.2, there are only 2 files to be replaced :-

• 1. wp-includes/class-snoopy.php
• 2. wp-includes/version.php

Just download from the link I provided, then replace the 2 files on your server.

If you are using other older versions, then you’ll have to download the full WordPress 2.6.3 upgrade package and run the upgrade process.

Happy blogging!

It’s been so long since I last updated my AdsMinded WordPress Theme. My Apologies.

Today, I’m rolling out the widgetized version of AdsMinded for both AdsMinded Original and AdsMinded Wide layouts. With this new version, you are now able to add advertisers’ codes into the ready-made widgets resides in sidebar, centerbar, squarebar & header. There is no need to mess with the template codes anymore! See picture below for better illustration.

Continue Reading »
AdsMinded WordPress Adsense Theme With Widgets!