WordPress 3.2.1 has been released. This quick maintenance release fixes a minor JSON-related server incompatibility that only affected a few users and adds a few finishing touches to the new Dashboard and Twenty Eleven theme. This is the first release to make use of the new update system, which only replaces changes files, so you should notice a much quicker process compared to previous automated updates.

WordPress 3.2 has been released! WordPress is now faster and lighter, with a new Dashboard, new default theme, distraction free writing, admin bar enhancements, and much more. WordPress now requires a minimum of PHP 5.2.4 and MySQL 5.0, so make sure that you’re ready before upgrading. Support for the long-outdated Internet Explorer 6 has been dropped too, but there are many alternatives. To avoid any potential issues, make sure that you temporarily deactivate all of your plugins before upgrading, and refer to the WordPress 3.2 Troubleshooting Master List if you run into any problems.

WordPress 3.1.4 and 3.2 RC3 have been released. WordPress 3.1.4 is primarily a security release which addresses one particular issue and “also incorporates several other security fixes and hardening measures.” WordPress 3.2 RC3 is described as “about all that stood in the way of a final release of WordPress 3.2.” It contains a few minor fixes and the same security improvements from 3.1.4. If you’re still on the 3.1 branch, update now to secure your blog. If you’re curious about 3.2, or you’re a theme or plugin developer, grab the Beta Tester plugin now to try it out. WordPress 3.2 is almost here! Can you feel the excitement in the air?

WordPress 3.2 RC2 has been released. There have been a few changes made since RC1, including a few Twenty Eleven tweaks, a new option to randomize header images, and some RTL fixes. This may be the last release candidate before the final, so now’s the time for developers to test their themes and plugins, if they have not done so already. If you find any bugs, please check the known issues first, then file a bug report. If you need any help, please feel free to contact the WordPress.org Support Forums. Have you tried WordPress 3.2 yet? What do you think so far?

WordPress 3.2 RC1 has been released. The release candidate stage is that special stage after beta which pretty much amounts to, “We think we’re done,” so now is the time for the community to really dig in, find bugs, and share some honest feedback. Over 360 tickets have been closed, so quite a bit has changed since WordPress 3.1, which means that now is definitely the time for plugin and theme developers to test their products before WordPress 3.2 is officially released. If you find any bugs, please check the known issues first, then file a bug report. If you need any help, please feel free to contact the WordPress.org Support Forums. What do you think of WordPress 3.2 so far?