WordPress 2.5 Release Candidate 2

After trying out the initial release of WordPress 2.5 RC1 on some smaller blogs, I was excited to try them here as well. The timing was good since WP RC2 just got out and I must say the newer features are very impressive.

Two of the most important feature upgrades for me are Automated Plugin Updates via FTP and the introduction of an integrated Media Gallery.

Automated Plugin Updates allows you to view which installed plugins are obsolete and needs to be updated with newer versions. The system will give you the link to the plugin repository if you want to download it or you can automatically update the installed plugin from within WP Admin. All you need to do is supply the FTP access codes for your hosting account.

This is a landmark development, IMO, as it helps resolve the problem of unsecured and buggy plugins. See my previous entry on why “WordPress Plugins should be Regulated“.

The Media Gallery is another new feature that was lacking with WP before. Now, you don’t need a 3rd party plugin to manage your photos in your blog. There’s a screencast flash video demo on how to use this feature.

Here’s a gallery demo I’ve just uploaded. This was during our recent visit to Lago de Oro at Calatagan, Batangas.

Yes, the Lightbox plugin is still way cooler but this one’s much better in photo management.

Update: Problem though is that there’s a bug in the attachment permalinks so that browsing thru the gallery images results in a 404 error. This happens when you’re using ‘category’ in your permalink structure. The WP Bug Tracker has logged this and said to have been fixed. Not on this blog.