It’s official… WordPress 3.0 is here! Code-named, “Thelonious,” this release has been the work of 218 contributors, and adds more than 1,200 bug fixes and new features to the popular content management system.

Included among the new features…

• A new default theme called Twenty Ten, which takes the place of the antiquated Kubrick theme (finally). This theme allows you to easily add custom backgrounds, change the header graphic, utilize shortcodes in your posts, and use custom menu.
• Which bring us to the most significant change in WordPress since version 2.0 — Custom Menus. Originally contributed to the code base by the talented guys at WooThemes, this new functionality has been completely integrated with WordPress, and allows you to create your own custom navigation menus, comprised of pages, categories, drop-down menus, and even redirect links.
• Custom Post Types will enable theme developers to add alternate types of content, in addition to the standard, blog-style posts. One could create a custom post type for real estate listings, event calendars, forums, and more. Justin Tadlock has written a fantastic guide to understanding the new custom post types, but look for much more about this hot new feature in the days and weeks to come!
• Developers and network administrators will appreciate the long-awaited merge of MU and WordPress, enabling multi-site functionality, which makes it possible to run dozens of individual sites from a single WordPress installation.
• The new Updates SubPanel makes it easier to update WordPress and all your plugins at once, with a single click.
• The entire dashboard interface has been give a lighter look and feel.
• More than 1,000 bug fixes, and overall speed improvements that you’ll notice immediately.

There is much more to love about the latest version of WordPress. Check out the video below for a tour of the new features…

And, you’ll be happy to know that our entire WordPress 101 tutorial series has been updated to cover all the new features of WordPress 3.0, so you’ll be ready to take your blog or WordPress-powered website to the next level. Stay tuned for new videos in the coming weeks.

What’s your favorite feature in WordPress 3.0? Let us know in the comments below!

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