The long-awaited and updated version of WordPress is finally here and is ready for download. Since it’s release a little more than a year ago, the new WP 2.0 has only undergone a series of minor security and bug fixes. However, 2.1 has a lot to offer in terms of new features.

Auto-Save: Finally, your blog posts won’t be lost by the accident click of a link. The auto-save feature runs on Ajax and does not require a page reload. However, be sure to type in a post title in order for your work to be saved.

Easier Image Uploading: Ever find that annoying little menu slightly confusing? Well you’re not alone. The new system uses simpler radio buttons and allows bloggers to edit the image attributes after it is uploaded.

New Post Editor: With 2.0’s release came the fancy post editor powered by TinyMCE. Although very useful for those unfamiliar with web languages, it was a real hassle for code-savy bloggers. The feature is now significantly improved, and offers two tabs: “Visual” and “Code.”

Privacy Features: If you’re looking to keep your blog away from the prying eyes of popular search engines or curious family members, WP 2.1 offers a feature to support many privacy options.

It is also important to note that there are many back end changes and modifications in WP 2.1. However, the only notice that readers of this blog should take is that many plugins which previously worked in WP 2.0 will not work correctly in WP 2.1 Although many have made the cut, clients should still take note of the approved 2.0/2.1 plugins before upgrading their blogs.

And, just on a side note: the new version was dubbed ”Ella” after the famous jazz vocalist, Ella Fitzgerald.

If you would like these awesome features with an upgrade to 2.1, drop us a line and we’ll add you to our work queue and take over from there!

Thank you to Technosailor’s ”10 Things You should Know About WordPress 2.1” for much of the information included in this post.

The very talented people at Kloobik.org approached me a few weeks ago requesting to interview me and then compare the workings of French design companies versus American studios. I was flattered! They just decided that they’d like to include their whole community in the process, so they asked me to create an account on their message boards: kloobik.org/blabla/ and reply to all the questions on a special post that they created for Christian and I. They even have this spiffy announcement displayed across their forum (excuse the strange characters):

Webdesigners franco-américainsLe premier jumelage graphique franco-américain !Venez discuter et poser vos questions à Lara et Christian de l’agenceblogwhatdesign.com sur le topic dédié à cette première expérience !

Google Translation:

Webdesigners Franco-American The first Franco-American graphic twinning! Come to discuss and put your questions with Lara and Christian of the agency blogwhatdesign.com about the topic dedicated to this first experiment!

The actual post and interview is all in English, but it was quite an experience trying to fill out the registration form! Haha. Anways, go take a look and join if you’d like to make a comment.

I’d like to note that I am by no means a total expert on the subjects they’re interviewing me on, but I was very honored to fulfill such a request! Please add a comment if there’s something you’d like to mention there! It’s been a lot of fun so far. So, go check it out and read my “broken” French!

The tallented Darren Rowse at ProBlogger.net published a post for the New Year showcasing his ’Best of ProBlogger 2006.’ I thought many clients and visitors would find it useful – it offers nearly EVERYTHING you need to know about the basics of blogging. Darren runs many blogs series in which he publishes many posts on a certain area. Here are some highlights:

Blogging for Beginners (GREAT Read, About 40 Posts in Total) which includes:

23 Questions for Prospective Bloggers – Is a Blog Right for You?
How to Choose a Niche Topic for Your Blog
Choosing a Blog Platform
Blog Tools
Useful and Unique Content
Using Titles Effectively on Blogs
Should I blog for Money?
10 Techniques for Finding Blog Readers

Some other great stuff here:

How Often Should a Blogger Post?

Hitting Comment Spammers and Plagiarists where it Hurts

Why Having a Blog is Like Having a Baby

7 Reasons Why Personal Blogs Rock

8 Signs it Might Be Time to Take a Break from Blogging

So check out this great reading. Darren updates his blog daily… plus you always have the option to surf around the archives for some great stuff!

Blog What Design would like to wish you and your family a healthy and happy new year for 2007!

All the best from the BWD family!

Christian & Lara