As you can see, I did more than just update the server during our brief downtime earlier this evening. I decided that it was as good a time as any to roll out WTC 3.0, which I’ve actually been working on since before the largely cosmetic 2.0 launch not too long ago. My reason for upgrading so quickly after the 2.0 launch is simple: this version is superior.

Here’s a complete list of “what’s new” with the latest iteration of the site.

• Cleaner, Faster Design – Every element of the site has been cleaned up and streamlined to make things easier to find, easier to read, and easier to follow. Things should also load a lot faster on slower connections and we’ve even eliminated some nagging bugs and glitches.
• Post Count Optimization – I decreased the number of posts per page from ten to eight. Dropping 20% of the attempted connections to our content server at any one time significantly improves overall site performance for everyone. However, there will still be at least ten new posts each and every day.
• Similar Posts – Every post now has a “similar posts” component that should make it much easier to find more of the exact type of content you’re looking for. I’m also hoping that this function will give new life to some of our older content.
• Tag Cloud – The tag cloud function on the right-hand side of the site should make it much easier to filter for specific post types. The way it works is simple – the bigger the term is in the cloud, the more posts there are associated with it.
• Dynamic Search – Many of you have complained in the past that the “search” function sucks. Not anymore! The new dynamic search function, also on the right-hand side of the site, performs an intelligent search of the entire site and returns everything it finds.
• VIP Upgrades – The VIP section has received the 3.0 treatment just like the rest of the site. With that change comes several upgrades that we’ll be rolling out in weeks to come. If you don’t already have a VIP account, now would be a good time to think about it. I dropped the cost on lifetime access to $25. Permanently.
• Advertising – We now have an integrated, unobtrusive banner ad system that will help us to cover the bandwidth costs associated with operating the site.

Still to come are the following functions.

• Submit a Link – I’m working on a component that will enable you guys to easily submit links to things that you think we might want to post. (You’ll get credit and we’ll enter you in a regularly held drawing for cool rewards.)
• Image Gallery Upgrade – We’re finishing up the customization on a new embedded image gallery component. Look for that in the near future!
• Featured Posts – I’m testing a “featured posts” component to help showcase some of our more popular content on a longer cycle.