More news on the new editor and the 2nd DLC
Well, Valve is announcing more DLC !!!!!! for early next year. However, the new editor has been called "better". Which it isn't. It's easier to use, but has 1/10 of the options that Hammer has. Hammer is also easy to use once you start learning it.
http://www.pcgamer.com/2011/10/22/valve ... 0&ns_fee=0
One of my major concerns is that the maps won't be as customizable, and you won't be able to set up as nice looking maps, or triggers, or indicator lights.
Also, HAO DOES I OPTIMIZES?!!?!?!!
P.S. I AM glad that there is going to be a rating system so that the maps made in hammer that will naturally have the potential to be better will be rated as such and viewed more.
[spoiler][SP] Alternate[/spoiler]
The link has a picture and an article explaining in limited detail how the new system will work.
Having a level editor that anyone can use is great, but I can't help feel a pang of regret as well. After this, making maps isn't going to be quite as special anymore, because anybody will be able to do it. (I hope I'm not sounding too selfish.)
At the same time, it will create a lot more user created maps that will, (hopefully,) be just as innovative and fun to play. Also the new in game map list sounds cool, and hopefully they'll let maps made in Hammer in there too. 
I totally agree, the selfishness is part of it. But that's our entitlement to be selfish about this.
[spoiler][SP] Alternate[/spoiler]
Can I still use Hammer?
I wonder how lighting, and optimization is going to work. Also, I can expect a lot of Portal 2 "mods" are going to flood ModDB, just what we need.
However, Hammer will always be the superior choice, as you need to be talented in a certain degree and you can use custom textures, models and sounds. With this editor, it looks like its all stock items. And I think this is going to work with the instance system. I just hope that Valve does not tug the Authorizing Tools, but rather uses this new system to complement the Authorizing Tools. For example, most people wanna make one or two maps, and never wanna map again, but they don't want to learn all the rules and ways of Hammer. This system would be great for those type of mappers, but it should make people who want to make 'Valve type levels' Beg for more options.
I get "How To" questions all the time on Youtube, and most of it is "HOW DO I DO THIS IN PO2_EDIT?!?!?!", And I'm not looking forward being asked how to do the things I did in this system. 
The more you give, the less appreciated it will be received.
It's like hammer for dummies. The cool part is like those aperture science demonstration cartoons.
You will be able to use hammer.
The portal 2 level editor is more simple, it limits the abilities of the game,
If it releases, I'll just use it as a drawing board, just for ideas,
One question, will there be different themes?
It looks like valve want to attract more customers, though now we have to make more "special maps"
P.S it optimizes the easiness of making a map.
P.P.S check the script folders in the portal 2 dlc directory, a lot of interesting things
I don't think there will be different themes, as there doesn't look like a mode for clipping or adding triggers, projectedtextures, or props of any kind other than the prefabs... I'm also wondering about the lighting and optimization...
[spoiler][SP] Alternate[/spoiler]
Another Picture:
http://cf.shacknews.com/images/20111022/map_editor_02_19826.jpg
Here's another thing I'm a little worried about. With the new in game map list, what will happen to TWP? Since most people will be downloading their maps from the new list, this could be a big blow for us and the other Portal 2 mapping communities.
At the same time, this may benefit us. It would definitely make it easier for us to share maps; providing that we are able to link the in game downloads from here.
Well, I guess we're just going to have to sit back and see what happens. It's still a little too early to jump to conclusions.
You have to remember that this will mostly fill up the game with single element room like putting a cube on a button like the very first room of the game. Alongside other badly made levels I still thing people will come here for maps of excellence. I know I will if the in game one gets filled with crap.
I really think this new DLC will be a good thing, because all of the people who just want to make a Portal 2 map without having to worry about aligning textures, making the puzzles fun, or making more than one map can post theirs in-game, while these forums are alleviated from such maps.
It will basically separate the people who just want to make a Portal map that's theirs, and the people who will bother to learn Hammer to produce actual quality in their levels.
I believe this is win-win.
Aaand, any maps you make in this editor can probably be extracted, so this is the PERFECT tool for making the general layout of a map.
Did you know that American English isn't even my first language? It's actually [spoiler]British English[/spoiler]
Released maps of note:
[spoiler]Versatile Diversity
L-Circuts[/spoiler]
I don't understand what the big deal with this is. Why is it so important to make it difficult to do any good modding? Quality? How do you know it'll be impossible to make this so-called "quality" in the new level editor? For that matter, how do you know for a fact that this level editor won't have as much as Hammer? (Genuine question here.) I haven't heard anything about it other than "it will be simple to use" and some pics that, to me, scream only "concept picture". Not "this is all you're getting in the editor", just "this is an example of how it might look". Also, on that note, I HIGHLY doubt it'll only be able to make extremely simple puzzles. My theory on why the pics so far as simple is simply that perhaps since they're mere concept art, so to speak (let's assume this for the sake of argument), there's no reason to show complex setups yet; they're just meant to show what the editor might look like. A simple room will probably do the job early on. For all we know, we might see more complex setups in the future. Or maybe not. Why ruin the fun of a potential puzzle? 
Now, as for the high standards for entry: why? What is so wrong with having a simple, easy-to-use editor? Is it because of the many people on various sites like YouTube that make stupid projects, then show them off to everyone acting like they're the best ever? I know of a program that has this problem, and I've seen people work on the logic that a better editor should be made that ISN'T user-friendly, just to keep these people out. The problem is: what's the point? It's not going to get rid of the stupid projects. It's not going to help much, in my opinion. It will just drive people away. Yes, easy-to-use programs attract a lot of idiots. But the upside is: you CAN still produce amazing quality with them. In other words, what is more important: the trash, or the gems? 
My point is, I think it's silly to imagine the worst regarding this editor based on the little we've seen so far, and I think it's kinda stupid (apologies for the harsh word) to think that easy-to-use programs should never be made because it'll "ruin" the feel existing mods have (?!) or anything similar. To be honest, it comes off extremely elitist. In a bad way.
(By the way, two things:
1- If you're so worried that this editor might cause an influx of horrible mods to your downloads section, why not have every upload be approved by a moderator before it can be put in the downloads proper, if such a system isn't already around?
2- I'd mention the exact editor and 'projects' I spoke of above, but I'm not sure if actually talking about ROM hacking is against the rules...oh. wait. I just mentioned it.)
EDIT: I apologize in advance if anything I said came off rude or anything. Just trying to state my dissatisfaction with the overall response to this.