WordPress 2.9 RC released: Now with in-line image editing

Popular blogging platform WordPress moved closer to version 2.9 this week with the launch of a new release candidate. WordPress 2.9 will include a number of new features including the ability to perform some basic edits to uploaded images from within the blogging client. That includes the ability to crop, rotate, and scale images.

Other updates include:

1. New Trash bin allows you to retrieve deleted posts up to a certain period of time
2. Batch plugin updating
3. Community-based plugin compatibility checking
4. Ability to post image thumbnails
5. Exclude or include images from a gallery

One thing that's a little frustrating is that in order to edit images, you need to click visit the media library section of Wordpress. I was kind of hoping to be able to edit an image as soon as it was uploaded into a post.

There are also a bunch of minor updates. For example, when you save a draft, WordPress will now say "draft updated" instead of "post updated," and when you start a blog, the default first post will say "Welcome" instead of the usual "Hello World."

Unless some major bugs are discovered, WordPress 2.9 final will be ready by the end of the week.