WordPress is really getting exciting now ….
The busy beavers at WordPress are currently working on version 3.0. While I thought that the current release (2.9.1) was rather unexciting WordPress 3.0 promises to make up for that by being super exciting.
Here’s the reason why 3.0 is super exciting
Just in case you don’t already know there are three versions of WordPress available for use:
Wordpress.com which is hosted by WordPress where you can sign up and get a free blog
WordPress. org self hosted where you upload WordPress to your own server
WordPressMU. WordPress MU is the same software that WordPress.com runs on and you can also download this software and upload it to your own server. MU stands for Multi User.
Now here’s the exciting thing. In WordPress 3.0 WordPress MU will merge with WordPress.org.
What does this mean for you?
It means the possibilities and opportunities open to webmasters are easy. Using WP MU as an option expands your web presence and having this included in WP self hosted versions means that you save time installing and configuring and getting to know WP MU.
What can you do with MU?
Here’s how MU works. WP MU is the same system that is used by WordPress.com when you sign up to get a free blog. WP MU allows you to run multiple WP installations off the one domain just like wordpress.com does. The front of the site that the visitor sees is the WPMU framework where the administrator can choose a theme and plugins to power the site. The administrator can also choose themes and plugins for all the related installations.
The problem with WP MU at the moment has been that first of all there is not a lot of information on how to install, configure and use WP MU. Add to that the initial front page of the site must use a theme that is compatible with WP MU together with WP MU plugins. There’s not as many of these in the WordPress community as there are for other wordpress sites. Now don’t get me wrong, there is still enough information to get you started but just not as much. Also, what most people don’t realize is that the add on blogs are just like self hosted wordpress meaning that you can install and use any of the plugins and themes already in the community.
How you can use MU
First of all, I just want to make sure that you understand that you can already use WP MU just by downloading it and uploading it to your server. The new merge with WordPress org just makes it easier for you to use and decide what type of site you want on the fly.
Here’s some suggestions for sites that you can build:
a membership site where everyone gets their own blog
an authority site where every category becomes a new blog
a portal site for advertising promotions
a shopping site
a social networking site
and, of course, you can do anything with WP MU that you can do with WordPress. Where MU really makes a difference is when you want to have a site that has multiple authors or multiple types of things. This saves you using domains, directories and allows you to use different themes and plugins for different parts of your site.
Knock Down Excitement To Follow
One of the things that always produces a sigh when I install WP is seeing the default theme staring at me glumly from Appearance/Themes. When the default theme Kubrick was introduced in 2005 it must have been super exciting. I think it’s fair to say that the excitement waned some time ago. The good news is that the default theme is being changed. WordPress haven’t made a call on what the new theme will be but they have said that they are looking at something that is light and easy on the eye. I don’t care, a change is as good as a holiday and I look forward to saying thank you Kubrick and so long 
Generally
Other things that are being beavered away on are the introduction of custom post types, improving the front end menus, and squashing bugs.
Get Ready
The thoughts are that WP 3.0 will be due for release in March 2010. I can’t wait for this new era of WP to start.
Related posts:
- The Low Down On A WordPress MU Blog
- Static Page + Blog + Opt In Form
- Have you created your WordPress site yet Fred?
- Speed Up Your WordPress Blog
- WordPress Default Theme is Finally Getting Sexier (a little bit)
admin: 
enter your name here... Eric Sangerma: 
Mandeep: 
My name is Leanne King and I'm an Australian internet marketer and WordPress fantatic. I share my knowledge of WordPress here on my blog, through my products, private coaching and in private forums. In my spare time I like to develop products for WordPress users that are easy to use.
Readers' Comments
It’s great to see that I’m not alone in getting excited about this. Another great thing that’s come out of this is they are integrating buddypress for WP single installations. This will give essentially give developers the ability to add social networking features to any wordpress blog!
Daniel McClure on January 11th, 2010 at 5:37
Yes because buddypress is part of the add ons for WP MU it will come over as well. You can still do a social network now with WP MU or without WP MU but this merge will just make it easier and open up a lot of possibilities. I can’t wait to play with it
admin on January 11th, 2010 at 5:44
I have been intrigued by the possibilities of WP MU since I first heard about it but I don’t actually know much about it at all.
Perhaps you could give us a bit more info on it and what is involved in installing and running it?
Ted Traffic on January 23rd, 2010 at 20:53
@Ted Traffic – just for you http://www.wpqueen.com/rants/the-low-down-on-a-wordpress-mu-blog/
admin on January 25th, 2010 at 7:15