My WordPress 3 wishlist
I remember the day I first started WordPress 1.5 (and B2 before that), and since then, WordPress has indeed come a long way. From being a simple blogging engine to a powerful CMS software, each of their updates have yet to fail to impress me. But as they say, there is always room for improvement.
After reading the 9 Features We Most Want in WordPress 3 article, I couldn’t agree with all 9 features, so I’ve decided that I’m going to compose my own list of things I want to see in WordPress 3.
- Better back-End organization
Similar to what the article pointed out, the back-end of WP gets extremely messy and slow once you start piling on the plugins and what not. Though they did do a total revamp of the admin panel for 2.8 (or was it 2.7?), the way things are organized are still inefficient in my opinion. Ex: I don’t like how the plugin settings aren’t on the plugin page. What’s up with that? - Pagination
They have paginated comments, paginated individual posts1, yet somehow it escapes them to have paginations for the main entries. Since 1.5 we have been stuck with the default “previous page – next page” navigation that totally blows if you have 100+ pages. I know there’s a plugin for this, but come on! - Lightbox integration
I know the gallery/media feature for WP has improved a lot since the days, but I really don’t like how when you upload a picture and post the thumbnail version in your post, it links to the full-size image which just opens in the current or a new window. Yes, I know there are plugins for this dilemma as well, but I’d like something more streamlined and integrated please. - Popular plugin integration
Which would basically include #2 and #3. Instead of having every user install the same plugins every time, why not make it a standard feature of WP 3? And to throw in something for the few that don’t use those features, give them the option of turning it off. Everyone is happy! - Rich css/xhtml editor
There’s now an image editor included in 2.9, yet the theme editor still looks like it just crawled out of a hole from the Stone Ages. Though I usually code with Espresso when I first design a theme, I switch to the WP online editor once I start the fine-tuning. Editing the css isn’t too bad, but it would be nice to get an auto-complete function when for the various WP loops and functions available. - Faster, faster, faster!
Though WP can be a mad powerful CMS, it can also be mad bloated, especially once you add on all those plugins and whatnot. I know that this has continued to be a serious issue, which is why people are starting to look for other lightweight alternatives. Hell, even I’m tempted to switch if only I wasn’t so reliant on the SEO plugins for WP.
If you’re a WordPress user, what would you like to see in the next version? If you aren’t, what changes would you like to see WordPress make before you switch?
On a totally random and off-topic note, I has a new layout up!
- You can split up a single post into several pages. ↩
Haley says:
I greatly enjoyed your old layout, but this one is quite cute and stylish at the same time. I really like the little skyline toward the bottom of the page! Ehe.
WP has evolved so much since I started using it, as well, but I honestly don’t know what features I am dying to have integrated into the script itself. I try to avoid using plugins for things where I know I can do them myself (ie: some SEO things here and there), but there aren’t many things I need plugins for on every WP site I own. I do greatly enjoy the StatPress plugin for understanding where my visitors come from, though, so maybe some built in stats would be nice. Lightbox would definitely be cool to have right on hand. Other than those two, though, I am pretty satisfied!
If WP can make the script any lighter and more efficient, that’s fine by me, too!
I’m usually happy with all the releases WP puts out. I have had some issues with some changes in the past, but there are so many people working together on the releases that I’m never sad for long!
Jenny says:
I also try to avoid plugins as much as possible so I can minimize the already bloated WP, but sometimes a plugin is necessary
A stat feature for WP would be nice, though many third party softwares (like Google analytics) already does a great job, so I’m happy using that. But definitely a big yes to lighter and more efficient script.
Mary says:
Ahh! What a gorgeous new layout! ♥ I wish I could code WP layouts like this.
I definitely remember WP back a couple of years ago. To be honest, I wish there was a ‘light’ version of WP since I don’t use a lot of the features (I just use is as a simple blog script) and I feel like having it all installed there is a bit of a waste. However, I would like to see some of the points you’ve listed!
Jenny says:
I was thinking of trying out a lighter blogging script, but it’s just so hard to design themes using their template system since I’m already so used to WP. You’re right, if WP can’t cut down the bloat due to the features, it’d be nice if they could release a “lite” version with just the bare minimums.
Tamisa says:
This is a gorgeous layout! I’m still one of the many people still trying to work out the idiosyncrasies of WordPress. Needless to say, it’s proving to be an arduous task, but you give me hope that it’s possible! :p
Jenny says:
Thanks! Yeah, WP’s theme system can be a bit intimidating at first, but once you get the hang of it, you find that it’s very intuitive (or at least for me it was). Good luck, I’m sure you’ll get it soon!
Delia says:
Your layout is so pink! Usually I’m put off by the amount of pinkiness, but this works for me for some reason. Very cute and stylish!
It would be nice if there was an integrated pagination for the main entries. It’s such a pain to go through things page by page. I myself would love to see an integrated gallery included and for it to load faster. (Love plugins, but I agree, totally bogs down WP). Being able to see all the little WP loops and functions would make my life easier too.
Aderyn says:
Pretty layout!
I really like it!
Having never used wordpress, I don’t really know what to say- but I think all the things you want are valid
Krystal says:
I agree with your list of changes and the article too. I definitely agree with popular plugin integration especially for things like “get recent comment, recent post” plugins which should be part of the WP function and shouldn’t really be plugins.
I also want to ability to be able to see a list of all commenters so I can keep track of my commenters and easily visit their site again in the future. There aren’t any plugin for that at the moment either
Oridusartic says:
The lightbox integration idea sounds great. I would like to see that feature too in the upcoming WordPress 3.
I just hope that the new WordPress will have less trouble with autosave drafts like I’m experiencing now.
Jenny says:
Yes, even at 2.9.2, WP can still be a little buggy every once in a while. But I’ve never had any issues with autosave drafts, what kind of problems are you referring to?
Jenny says:
OMG Awesome new layout!! Now do mine!!
hehe
I can’t wait for WP 3. I just wish they’d make the script more compact and lite (like habari). It’s BIG!!
Jenny says:
Yes! I thought about trying out Habari and Chyrp for their lightness, but their template system gives me a headache. -__-
Amanda says:
Hah yeah! We actually had 2 days off, then we had school on Friday, then we are on break for a week ;D Pretty cool
Ahhhh! Lucky! We’ve been getting a lot of snow lately. Like more then usual. Global warming ? Ah, a week is MAD long! Ah so lucky XD
LOLLLL he didn’t really die. There was a rumor that he did and I freaked out. But then I learned that it was fake, and I was like Phewww! LOL you’re not thatt out of it! haah XD Just kidding, but yeah there has been a lot of deaths lately. Sad ):
WordPress has gone such a long way indeeed! I agree with your little wishlist! I would love a better lightbox integration. The plugins, I cannot seem to get to work right. I hope WP 3 will blow us away !
I love the layout by the way ;D
Jenny says:
Oh! That’s what I thought
I mean, if he really died, chances are I would’ve found out through my Facebook newsfeed (that was how I found out about all the other celebrity deaths).
Some of the lightbox plugin work quite well for me, but I’m sure that if they could integrate it into WP itself, everything would be a lot more streamlined and a little less bloated (one less plugin to install!). Either way, I am excited about WP 3
Daniella says:
Cuute!! You always do such an amazing job, makes me so jealous! lol
I agree with most of what you have to say, especially Popular plugin integration. I think that just seems obvious and can’t believe they haven’t done it yet. That and the css/xhtml editor, it would definitely help me out too, so I’m sure others are thinking the same thing.
I’d also love an easier system for looking at all your commenters. Maybe there is one and I’ve overlooked it, but to be able to organize them better to return to their sites would be awesome.
Jenny says:
Haha, thanks!
I’m sure there is a way you can display popular posts without a plugin, but it’d be nice if WP 3 had an actual function for it. The commenter system is a GREAT idea! I’d love to be able to keep track of who comments regularly on my blog, so I can return the favor 
Jesy says:
To be honest, I have never really thought about what changes that I would make to WordPress. But anything that makes it simpler and easier to use is a good idea in my opinion.
As for the new layout, I absolutely adore it…but pink is my favorite color.
Jenny says:
Pink is my favorite color too, but it’s always so hard for me to use it in design since too much of it becomes an overkill :/
WP is getting more and more complicated with the features they keep rolling out, but compared to the other CMS, they’ve done a pretty good job of keeping the admin panel easy to use and navigate. So kudos to them on that.
Kaytlin says:
I use WordPress but I am by no means an experienced user. I’ve had a few years experience with it, but I mean I don’t use WP to its complete potential, haha. I know one thing I’d really like is for the Previous and Next links would actually make sense! They’re all backwards and I have to use “complicated” (for me, anyway) php coding to get them the way I want it D: I also agree with Krystal about the “commenters” thing. Having everyone’s name, e-mail, and website URL on one page would be nice — sometimes I forget about people and nice blogs that have commmented in the past and I’d like to get back in touch with visitors from time to time
Jenny says:
I haven’t actually used the previous and next links in ages that I don’t even remember how they work. But I do recall them being strange like you mentioned, which is why pagination is an absolute must in WP 3!
Thao says:
I’ve been blogging since 2002 and FINALLY moved to WordPress last winter. Isn’t that sad? Haha. So I’m still exploring it as my CMS. We shall see – so far so good.
Dayna says:
I definitely agree with the pagination and the popular/related posts. I cannot do without those few plugins.
Regarding Lightbox, some users doesn’t like to use scripts like these because it makes the site loads slower. So I’m all right with using that as a plugin by itself.
WordPress can definitely go faster with a better admin layout. I use a separate plugin to change the layout of the dashboard. It loads faster than the original layout, WP should be working on this. When people need to use a plugin to change how the interface looks like, something is wrong.
I would also like to see an improved uploads feature. Currently, I have enabled the uploading of media files to be sorted via year and month. However, sometimes the files are uploaded into the wrong folder. Files uploaded in 2009 goes into the 2005 folder. -.-
Jenny says:
I’m not sure if I mentioned this in my post, but one main reason I wanted some plugins to be integrated into WP is so everything is more streamlined. But at the same time, WP should then give users the ability to disable the function if they don’t find it necessary. So it’ll be like a plugin, but one that is developed by the WP team and comes prebundled with the script.
I rather like this new admin layout (ever since they rolled it out in 2.7), but the speed thing is an issue.
I used to have problems with uploads too, so yeah, hopefully WP will address and fix that in version 3.
Dayna says:
By the way, I love the new layout. It’s really pink and adorable!
Joyce says:
Easier to customize! :p
Actually as long as WP works the way I want it to then it’s fine — One of the reasons why I switched to WP recently is cause Haloscan stopped working, ha!
Btw, your illustrations are amazing. Lovely work!
Jenny says:
Sorry, but can you elaborate more on “easier to customize”? I actually find the template system for WP to be pretty flexible if that’s what you’re referring to, but then again, it is something that takes time getting used to. But one thing about WP is the number of resources and tutorials out there, so if you’re ever stuck, chances are you’ll find the answer just by googling.
clairessa says:
WP Wishlish?! J’adore hehe.
I don’t even use Lightbox anymore. I use shadowbox and I find it more simple to be honest.
And I COMPLETELY agree with 4. I know a lot of people including myself who had no idea what askimet was when i first started out and having that pre installed would have alerted me to try and understand what a great tool it was vs. just not knowing it existed at all. (Granted my host installed it for me when i was using a subdomain but I didn’t realize what it was for until i looked it up and said… hey, this sounds like it would come in handy lol)
And I think Wp is going as fast as possible. I’m not a serious coder so this is not my field of expertise (so ill leave this comment at this…) but making wp a little more lightweight and faster would not hurt at all as long as it didn’t cause bugs or mess with any other excellent feauture of wp. But wp does have their work cut out for them. I’m excited for wp3.
Jenny says:
I actually don’t use lightbox either, but minibox(?) or something like that. I guess what I meant to say was that it’d be nice to have a built in function for pop-up images to display nicely instead of just in a new window.
For a free CMS, WP is absolutely amazing, and I give props to the hardworking folks behind all this. There is always room for improvement, but wishlist aside, I’m pretty satisfied