|
|
|
This week in WordPress
|
|
It’s 2020 already
|
|
|
We hope you’ve had a great start to the new year because as Syed Balkhi says, "It’s 2020 already. Time flies by fast when you’re having fun." Syed, the long-time entrepreneur behind OptinMonster, WP Beginner, WPForms and MonsterInsights, is one of a number of folks who’ve published 2019 recaps. In This happened to me in 2019 – Year in Review he writes about what he did personally (reclaimed more of his time),
|
|
|
|
professionally (launched three products, acquired stakes in a few more companies, and grew existing products), and the lessons he learned ("Saying NO is the ultimate productivity hack").
|
"It's a cracking read Syed. Thanks for sharing. And thanks for giving us an insight into what makes you tick, and the work tock. I'm amazed, in a positive way, how you can stick to what can only be assumed is a very busy schedule," tweets developer Mark McWilliams.
|
|
|
|
|
Pods Framework looking for donors
|
|
|
"Will the beloved Pods framework become another casualty of the #WordPress block editor?" tweets ClassicPress resource site Code Potent, linking to Pods needs your help in 2020. Lead developer Scott Kingsley Clark reveals the project is seeking new donors after primary sponsor Automattic ceased funding the project. The company had been covering around 90% of the project's costs since 2012.
|
As WP Tavern's Justin Tadlock reports in Pods Framework Loses Primary Sponsorship, Seeks Donors To Fund Project, Automattic pulled its sponsorship after deciding to refocus its funding efforts on native Gutenberg projects. The Pods Framework team has set a goal of enlisting at least 200 sponsors. The average recurring monthly donation is about $17. Coupled with the project's existing 40 regular donors, another 160 are needed to cover costs.
|
Clark says the funding is crucial to maintaining a premium product for free. However, the team is exploring the potential for premium add-ons. "We're super thankful Automattic supported us over 7 years, we are also excited to see what that funding can do to help projects further innovate Gutenberg itself," tweets Pods Framework.
|
|
|
Building the community we deserve
|
|
|
WP Tavern's goal for 2020 will be shepherding the news site's community, writes Justin Tadlock in Building the Community We Deserve. Justin, who has revamped the site since joining as a staff writer in September says comments on articles veer between well-thought out views, those that venture into conspiracy theory territory (and those that cross over head-first), and comments that make baseless statements of fact.
|
Justin says he wants to nurture a welcoming environment for everyone, which will involve updating the site’s comment policy and introducing an "Ask the Bartender" advice column. "Some people are timid about commenting publicly. Others feel like they will be attacked or their ideas will be dismissed offhand. Fostering a community they would feel comfortable participating in is the goal," he writes.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
In other news...
|
|
- - WordPress Theme Review Team Announces Alpha Color Picker for the Customizer. The project is a single package that allows theme authors to include an advanced color control in the WordPress Customizer. WP Tavern has all the details.
- - WP Engine's Engine For Good Exceeds 16,500 Volunteer Hours Advancing WordPress and $260,000 in Charitable Contributions in Inaugural Year. The headline says it all.
- - BobWP is Now Do the Woo – WooCommerce News and Community. Bob Dunn, founder and co-host, tells WP Tavern the move was a natural result of where the community he had built was heading in BobWP.com Shifts Focus to WooCommerce, Rebrands as 'Do the Woo'.
- - Automattic product designer Mel Choyce-Dwan shares the first version of the WordPress admin block directory prototype the WordPress Design Team has been working on in Block Directory in WP-Admin: V1. Justin Tadlock reports in Version 1 Prototype of the WordPress Admin Block Directory Announced at WP Tavern that the goal is to bring the block directory to the admin in WordPress 5.5, which is currently set for August 2020.
- - Kinsta's annual PHP performance benchmark report is out: The Definitive PHP 5.6, 7.0, 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, and 7.4 Benchmarks (2020). The hosting company tested the performance of 22 platforms/configurations on six different PHP versions and PHP 7.4 and "knocks the socks off of everything we put it against!" writes chief marketing officer Brian Jackson.
|
|
|
|
|
If you enjoyed reading this newsletter, please forward to someone you know who might enjoy it too! Tell your friends and colleagues to subscribe here.
|
Thank you to our hosting parter, Kinsta.
|
Got feedback? We'd love to hear it! Just hit reply to this email.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|