The latest feature that is finally working in WordPress 2.7's development version is the automatic upgrade feature of the core files. Finally, I don't have to download, extract, and FTP the files to upgrade my WordPress install. Another thing I'm loving so far about this new version is the automated installation of the plugins found in the official WordPress Plugin Repository. So far, I haven't run into any issues with it in the admin UI. Uploading a plugin from the admin UI is still in the works, though. I think they'll be fashioning it after the media uploader. The only issue I have was with this one plugin that is no longer supported by its author: Download Counter. I have resolved to replacing it with another Download Manager and cleaned up my downloads, and got rid of files I no longer support, transferred to the Plugin/Theme repository, or stopped development. I haven't upgraded this blog to the latest nightly, but I'm trying to make it as compatible to 2.7 as much as possible. Automated theme installation from the repository is not yet implemented, nor have I seen any indicators about it being integrated, although if they were able to make the automated plugin installation work, it would only be a matter of time before it gets implemented. My previous post also showed a new admin UI with the menu vertically oriented on the left side. It's still on the same, but they revised it again. I'll let the screenshots speak for itself. [gallery] Did I mention that comment threading functionality will be integrated to core? If I haven't, then I just did. BUT the feature is theme-dependent. It's up to the theme author to put in the support for this new feature. One of the reasons I won't be releasing any more themes. For now. There's a write-up for theme developers on how to make their themes compatible with the new comment feature. It's quite a good read for theme developers. Beware of the amazon ad, though. It almost crashed Firefox. Make sure to read the comments as it gives insightful tips and tricks, too. Utilities are gone, together with the Inbox. I still don't know what it was for, and I'm kinda glad it's gone. It'll only add to the learning curve that is currently becoming steeper and steeper. All in all, the new UI and the new and improved features being added to WordPress 2.7 will hopefully make the blogging experience more enjoyable as it lets you focus more on the blogging part and not the theme development part. WordPress may not be considered a CMS, but it sure is one heck of a blogging platform.