When I closed this site last year, I very much doubted I would ever create another site of any description. However, life does indeed go on and I have had many emails from the visitors to this site and from those of you seeking help with WordPress related issues. So, to those who have come here looking or me, I have actually created several sites since closing down ErraticSouls, but perhaps the best way to get in touch with me now, is to visit me at JamesICT.

It’s just a new version of WordPress. But judging by all the hype and talk, anyone would think the Messiah has just ridden back into town!

So, have I joined in this time? No. I just want to make a few notes to myself about my first impression of this major version change. I am using the Beta RC1 variation and already had several problems [which obviously come with the territory when using betas - yes I do know!]:

1. Unable to upload images due to some kind of crunching error. Seems it is not uncommon either, so not going to spend any length of time trying to resolve it. I have always used FTP anyway.
2. A few posts have gone astray when adding custom fields and new categories. One actually disappeared right off the radar and only a duplicate copy seconds before kept me smiling on this occasion.
3. After using the previous 500 versions with an interface that has changed but not changed, this new admin face is frustrating in some ways, namely because I cannot find things where they have always been. Not so much a complaint but just a factor to consider. I like change though, so it should not present a problem.
4. I see they left the hello.php plugin in place. Consequently, it’s been manually removed like all of those before. If I was a skeptical man I could think there is more to this plugin than meets the eye and that perhaps it does more than it claims, but nah, we all know how squeaky clean WordPress is and this was put in place by the Big M&M himself.
5. Kubrick is still there. Not all dreams come true then it seems.

So, first impression? It looks good. Not sure I like every little change I have come across, but then I have never complained about a product which has given me so much and I have paid so little, so I will not start a new trend now..

Perhaps when it has been officially released and I have read every complaint from those cynics who like to band together and make themselves believe they are the righteous, I might even give a more thorough analysis and look at the positives instead of the downsides.