Blogging/CMS software WordPress announced the release and immediate availability of of WordPress 3.1 – named Reinhardt. Before you rush off and upgrade to a fresh install, take a moment to review some of the more notable changes.

Perhaps most important to Web marketers using WordPress is that 3.1 features a redesigned linking workflow which makes it easier to link to existing posts and pages. When linking in the visual editor you can now choose to link a word or phrase to existing content by searching through existing posts. Incredibly helpful and a great way to showcase content new readers may not know exists.

WordPress 3.1 also features an administration bar which includes access to frequently used pages, and a streamlined writing interface that enables WP users to hide panels that are not used with any frequency.

Those using WordPress to run multi-site networks also benefit from the upgrades in 3.1. The Super Admin dashboard menu has been replaced by “Network Administration” and all of the options have moved to its own dashboard that can be switched over to when managing the site/network.