The WordPress dev team released the first Release Candidate (RC1) for WordPress 3.2 a couple days ago. Release Candidates are versions of the software that are released after the beta phase and before the final release.

Some important stuff to tak note for those who are using/testing WordPress 3.2 RC1:

• WordPress plugin and theme authors are encouraged to test their plugins and themes now to make sure that all compatibility issues are discovered and addressed before the final version is released.
• WordPress users are also encouraged to test it and inform plugin or theme authors if you find any compatibility issues with any plugins/themes you use on your blog.
• You can find known issues for WordPress 3.2 RC1 here.

Here’s how/where you can submit bug reports:

• Post it to the Alpha/Beta area in the support forums or wp-testers
• Join the development IRC channel and tell us live at irc.freenode.net #wordpress-dev
• File a bug ticket on the WordPress Trac

Remember that WordPress 3.2 RC1 is meant for testing purposes so make sure you don’t install it on your main/live blog or website but rather install it on your test site.

Download WordPress 3.2 Release Candidate 1

There comes a time in every WordPress release when it’s ready for the world , to come out of its cocoon and feel the light of the world on its wings for the first time.

It’s not quite that time yet, but we’re as close as we’ve ever been, hence the immediate availability of 2.7 Release Candidate 2, or RC2 for short.

Instead of the final version, the development team released WordPress 2.7 RC (Release Candidate) 2 which is pretty much the same as what we’ll see and get in the final version unless they find new bugs that needs to be fixed or make additional tweaks to the system.

If you’re already using or testing WordPress 2.7, you can do the upgrade automatically using the built-in core update via Tools > Upgrade. If not, you can do it the old fashioned way. As always, make sure that you download WordPress 2.7 RC 2 from only reliable sources or from the official WordPress.org site.

Download WordPress 2.7 RC 2
(if you’re not sure, just hover your mouse over the link to see the source)