Following the footsteps of WP.com (which is owned by Automattic), it looks like WordPress core developers will be releasing version 3.1 which will allow self hosted fans everywhere to create mini tumblr blogs without having to purchase (or download) a custom theme.
The current list of post formats is on the Codex page: http://codex.wordpress.org/Post_Formats.
aside – Typically styled without a title. Similar to a Facebook status update.
chat – A chat transcript.
gallery – A gallery of images.
link – A link to another site.
image – A single image.
quote – A quotation.
status – A short status update, usually limited to 140 characters. Similar to a Twitter status update.
video – A single video.There has been suggestion of an “audio” format, which makes sense given the other multimedia posts. Another one recently suggested to me was a “code” format, which I could get behind. (WordPress Development Updates)
Core developers are scheduled to release version 3.1 of WordPress by December of 2010, although it is probably safe to assume that they will release the latest version before the holidays (as very few people enjoy working over the break).
While this pending change may irritate a few “traditional” bloggers (who prefer people creating long posts instead of reblogging), this change will probably help WordPress thwart Tumblr’s advance, the latter who has secured the bronze away from Typepad.
Combined with long overdue reblogging feature for self hosted fans, we may soon see a future where simple basic posts become the norm for bloggers instead of the wordy essays which seem to dominate the blogosphere.
Despite the fact that many other platforms (i.e. LiveJournal, OnSugar and Say Media’s Typepad) have been mimicking Tumblr recently, thus far only Google’s BlogSpot has refused to embrace the Tumblr layout fad that is currently sweeping the blogosphere.
While WordPress’s pending pivot will perhaps redefine the CMS as the leading blog platform, it could also help to the company dethrone Blogger, who currently retains the crown as the world’s most popular blogging platform.
Update: WordPress core developers are responsible for the upcoming release of WordPress 3.1, which includes developers not employed by Automattic. Article updated to reflect that fact.
Author: Darnell Clayton
Darnell Clayton is a geek who discovered blogging long before he heard of the word “blog” (he called them “web journals” then).
When he is not tweeting, friendfeeding, or blogging about space, he enjoys running, reading and describing himself in third person.
