The new WordPress 2.3 will be released in a few short days and it will have loads of new features that will surely make you want to upgrade right away. Some of the new features will include automatic plugin updates as well as the long awaited built-in support for Tags.

Matt, over at the WordPress Development Blog, has just released some ideas that will help you prepare for this major new release of WordPress 2.3. The following is a small list of some of the things you can do to help prepare for the big upgrade on Monday;

• Back up your blog. Check out the Codex page with a few different methods.
• Check for the latest versions of your plugins. Here’s a list of known compatible and incompatible plugins with 2.3, Google Sitemaps seems to be one causing a lot of issues. (Forum thread)
• Enjoy the last time you have to check for plugin updates manually as WordPress 2.3 will do it automagically behind the scenes.
• Read up on how to modify your theme to add tag support.
• Consider switching your install to use Subversion to make updating ultra-easy.
• Make a list of your friends who are less computer literate so you can help them upgrade. Maybe throw an upgrade party?

Have Fun!