WPwatercooler - Weekly WordPress Talk Show

The end of an era. This is the last episode of WPwatercooler.

On this episode, Jason Tucker and Sé Reed discuss the concept of who “owns” the WordPress open-source project and the broader question of who controls WordPress, highlighting the tension between the open-source community’s ideals and the reality of centralized control. The episode concludes with a call for transparency and accountability in the WordPress community, particularly within project leadership. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview 00:11 Hosts Introduction 01:00 Challenges with the Astra Theme 03:00 Astra Theme Customization Issues 06:43 The 80/20 Rule in WordPress 08:00 Who Controls WordPress? 10:21 Entities Influencing WordPress 12:10 Matt Mullenweg’s Role and Influence 15:14 The Bay Bridge Lights Kerfuffle 17:00 Automatic’s Marketing Strategies 19:30 Conflicts Within WordPress Marketing 22:28 Sponsored Contributors and Their Roles 26:29 Transparency and Accountability in WordPress 30:48 The Impact of Centralized Control 33:20 Matt Mullenweg’s Authority 37:09 The Future of WordPress Governance 41:00 The Role of the WordPress Community 44:00 Ethical Concerns and Accountability 48:02 Sé Reed’s Code of Conduct Report 53:18 The Importance of Community Involvement 57:00 Conclusion and Call to Action

On this episode, the WPwatercooler panel, consisting of Jason Tucker, Sé Reed, and Jason Cosper, delves into the impact of AI on website creation and the broader WordPress ecosystem. They discuss the practical uses of AI for automating tedious tasks, such as generating filler content and structuring web pages, while acknowledging the potential downsides, including the commoditization of web development and the proliferation of generic, low-quality websites. The conversation also touches on the evolving role of SEO in an AI-driven landscape, the importance of bespoke, human-crafted websites, and the broader implications for web professionals. Throughout the episode, the panel debates whether AI can enhance creativity or simply lead to more homogeneous web experiences. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Hosts 00:39 Podcast Availability and Discord 01:12 Segue into AI Discussion 01:42 ChatGPT and Website Integration 02:49 AI in Content Creation 04:09 AI vs. Lorem Ipsum Generators 06:27 AI’s Impact on Page Builders 09:05 Onboarding with AI 11:23 Automation in Web Development 13:30 The Role of Freelancers in an AI World 14:41 Quality of AI-generated Websites 16:18 AI’s Limitations in Customization 18:10 AI and Web Design Homogeneity 21:55 Unique Human Touch in Web Design 24:26 AI and the Future of Website Development 27:22 Value of Bespoke Websites 29:25 Fast Food vs. Gourmet Web Design 33:15 Google and SEO in an AI Era 37:35 The Role of AI Assistants 41:19 Small Business Websites and AI 44:13 The Changing Nature of Websites 50:02 The Future of SEO 54:26 Conclusion and Outro

On this episode of WPwatercooler titled “Gutenberg It’s Complicated,” the panel discusses the complexities and challenges faced by contributors to the Gutenberg project, focusing on a tweet by Ari, a longtime contributor who expressed his frustration with the increasing complexity of the codebase. Ari’s difficulties, after returning from a break, in understanding the evolved code highlights a broader issue with the accessibility of the project to both new and returning contributors. The discussion touches on the need for better inline documentation, the rapid pace of updates, and the broader implications of these challenges for the WordPress community. Additionally, the episode features insights on how these internal challenges affect the overall usability and developer experience within the WordPress ecosystem. Show Notes: https://wpwatercooler.com/wpwatercooler/ep482-gutenberg-its-complicated/ Panel Courtney Robertson Jason Cosper Jason Tucker Sé Reed YouTube Chapters 00:00 Introduction 02:35 Introducing the Panel and Courtney Robertson 05:00 Ari’s Tweet and Its Impact 10:40 The Challenges of Contributing to Gutenberg 15:20 The Necessity of Inline Documentation 20:55 Community Responses and Suggestions 25:30 The Pace of Development and Its Impact 30:45 How Complexity Affects New Contributors 35:10 Discussion on Codebase Management and Documentation 40:00 Personal Experiences with Gutenberg 45:15 Wrapping up and Final Thoughts 50:00 Q&A and Audience Interaction 55:00 Closing Remarks

On this episode of WPwatercooler titled “Lies, Damned Lies, and Analytics,” the discussion revolves around the complexities and alternatives to using web analytics tools for website management. The hosts, Jason Tucker and Jason Cosper, delve into the fallout from changes to Jetpack stats, prompting users to consider paying for previously free services. They explore the importance of understanding web traffic and analytics beyond traditional tools like Google Analytics, emphasizing performance, privacy, and the need for lightweight alternatives. The episode is informative for those looking to navigate the evolving landscape of web analytics with a focus on WordPress platforms. Snow Notes: https://wpwatercooler.com/wpwatercooler/ep481-lies-damned-lies-and-analytics/ Links Koko Analytics Umami Fathom Plausible Also on: YouTube LinkedIn Panel Jason Cosper  Jason Tucker

On this episode of WPwatercooler, the panel dives into the evolving landscape of web hosting, specifically focusing on the shifts and trends in WordPress hosting. The discussion kicks off with anecdotes about showing up to parties on the wrong day, cleverly seguing into the main topic of different types of web hosting environments. They explore the spectrum from shared hosting to dedicated servers, touching upon VPS, managed hosting, and the nuances of each category in the context of WordPress sites. The conversation also covers the implications of major hosting entities absorbing smaller ones and the impact on the industry. The episode is rich with technical insights, personal experiences, and practical advice for navigating the hosting ecosystem as it continues to evolve. Show Notes can be found: https://wpwatercooler.com/wpwatercooler/ep480-its-giving-server-the-new-era-of-hosting/ Hosts: Jason Tucker Sé Reed Jason Cosper Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction to Web Hosting Trends 05:10 - Understanding Shared vs. Dedicated Hosting 10:20 - The Rise of Managed WordPress Hosting  15:35 - Consolidation in the Hosting Industry  20:45 - The Technical Side of Hosting Services  25:50 - Pricing Models and What They Mean for Users  30:55 - The Future of Hosting: Customization and User Experience  35:10 - Challenges and Considerations in Choosing Hosting  40:25 - Personal Anecdotes Related to Hosting Experiences  45:30 - Summary of Key Points and Closing Thoughts What is WPwatercooler? WPwatercooler is streamed live and recorded as the self titled show on the WPwatercooler Network. Our objective with the show since the beginning has been to help people in this industry have a place to hear people, much like themselves, talk about the technologies and methods we all use on a daily basis. We named WPwatercooler to be that, the watercooler that WordPress folks can gather around and participate in the conversation, or just sit back and learn from the discussion. Our listeners and contributors come from all walks of life and all backgrounds. We strive to make this place as welcoming and accessible as we can. Learn more at https://www.wpwatercooler.com/wpwatercooler What is Dev Branch? Dev Branch is streamed live and recorded monthly on the first friday of the month as the developer-focused discussions of the WPwatercooler Network. Dev Branch is released on its own podcast feed and made available live and on-demand in video format on Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Twitch. Learn more at https://www.wpwatercooler.com/devbranch

In this episode of WPwatercooler, titled “To Bot or Not to Bot,” hosts Jason Tucker, Sé Reed, and Jason Cosper dive into the implications and ethical considerations of utilizing bots, specifically ChatGPT, in the realm of WordPress development. The discussion kicks off with an anecdote from Sé, who experimented with using ChatGPT to solve a coding problem related to grouping WordPress pages in the admin area. This led to a broader conversation about the reliability, safety, and future role of AI-generated code in production environments. The episode touches on themes such as the balance between automation and manual oversight, the evolving landscape of WordPress plugin development, and the importance of adhering to coding standards. Throughout, the hosts share personal experiences, concerns, and the potential they see in integrating AI tools like ChatGPT into their workflows, all while maintaining a critical eye on the implications for developers and the wider WordPress community. Links https://github.com/WordPress/WordPress-Coding-Standards https://fedi.simonwillison.net/@simon/112147026040154264 https://labs.perplexity.ai https://huggingface.co/docs/transformers/model_doc/code_llama https://unmaintained.tech Chapters 00:00 Intro 00:16 Introducing the Hosts and Their Quirky Banter 01:03 Inspiration from Discord: Tackling WordPress Page Chaos 06:18 The Quest for Better Page Organization: A Plugin Solution 08:40 ChatGPT to the Rescue: Crafting a Custom Plugin 10:54 Testing and Tweaking: The Plugin’s Journey to GitHub 12:28 The Ethical Dilemma: Using Bots for Code Generation 14:34 Learning to Code with ChatGPT: A Personal Journey 17:59 Ensuring Code Quality: The Role of Large Language Models 20:44 The Future of Plugin Development: Community Collaboration 22:00 The Open Source Dilemma: Plugins, Patches, and the Power of Collaboration 23:00 Navigating the Free vs. Pro Plugin Conundrum 23:47 The No Maintenance Intended Tag: A New Approach to Open Source 24:37 The Challenges of Community Contributions and Code Reviews 25:06 Harnessing AI for Code Generation: A New Frontier 29:49 The Trust Crisis in Plugin Repositories 35:01 AI vs. Traditional Coding: Navigating the New Landscape 39:06 The Ethical Dilemma of Using AI-Generated Code 43:39 Collaborative Coding with AI: The Future of Development? What is WPwatercooler? WPwatercooler is streamed live and recorded as the self-titled show on the WPwatercooler Network. Our objective with the show since the beginning has been to help people in this industry have a place to hear people, much like themselves, talk about the technologies and methods we all use on a daily basis. We named WPwatercooler to be that, the watercooler that WordPress folks can gather around and participate in the conversation, or just sit back and learn from the discussion. Our listeners and contributors come from all walks of life and all backgrounds. We strive to make this place as welcoming and accessible as we can. Learn more at https://www.wpwatercooler.com/wpwatercooler What is Dev Branch? Dev Branch is streamed live and recorded monthly on the first friday of the month as the developer-focused discussions of the WPwatercooler Network. Dev Branch is released on its own podcast feed and made available live and on-demand in video format on Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Twitch. Learn more at https://www.wpwatercooler.com/devbranch

On this episode of WPwatercooler, the panel, including Jason Tucker, Sé Reed, Jason Cosper, and guest Courtney Robertson, delve into the much-anticipated WordPress 6.5 release. Courtney, serving as the episode’s expert, outlines the significant changes and features coming with the update, emphasizing the introduction of the font library for block themes, improvements in image handling, and enhancements for developers such as block hooks and the interactivity API. The discussion also covers practical tips for WordPress users and developers to prepare for the update, highlighting the importance of compatibility testing and the benefits of the new features in enhancing site design and functionality. Chapters 00:00 Intro and Episode Introduction 00:08 Introduction of Panel and Episode Theme 01:07 Guest Introduction: Courtney Robertson 02:30 Discussion on WordPress 6.5 Features and Updates 04:25 Deep Dive into the Font Library for WordPress 6.5 10:00 Enhancements in Image Handling and New Formats 15:45 Introduction of Block Hooks for Developers 20:30 Overview of the Interactivity API 25:00 Plugin Dependencies and the New Rollback Feature 30:00 Enhancements to Custom Fields and Meta Data 35:00 Preparing for WordPress 6.5: Tips and Best Practices 45:00 Final Thoughts and Closing Remarks Links https://make.wordpress.org/core/2024/03/15/wordpress-6-5-field-guide/ https://nomad.blog/2024/03/13/wordpress-6-5-source-of-truth/ https://openfontlicense.org/ofl-fonts/ https://caniuse.com/avif https://gutenbergtimes.com/block-bindings-and-custom-fields-an-almost-no-code-example/ https://wpmovies.dev Also on: YouTube Twitch LinkedIn Facebook

On this episode of WPwatercooler titled “WordPress: What’s The Alternative?”, the hosts Jason Tucker, Sé Reed, and Jason Cosper delve into the diverse landscape of website creation platforms, discussing the strengths and weaknesses of WordPress compared to alternatives like Webflow, Ghost, and traditional site builders like Squarespace and Wix. The conversation pivots around ease of use, customization capabilities, the complexity of WordPress for different levels of users, and the importance of choosing the right tool for specific needs. They explore the notion that while WordPress offers extensive flexibility and power, it may present challenges for users seeking simplicity or specific functionalities out of the box. This episode highlights the evolving needs of website creators and the importance of aligning platform capabilities with project requirements, emphasizing WordPress’s role as a versatile yet complex tool in the web development ecosystem. Show Notes: https://wpwatercooler.com/wpwatercooler/ep477-wordpress-whats-the-alternative/ Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 02:47 Discussing Alternatives to WordPress 08:07 Transitioning Websites and User Experience 14:10 Newsletter Focus and Membership Features in Ghost 20:41 Media Management and Image Editing in Ghost vs. WordPress 27:07 Plugin Ecosystem and Customizability 33:25 Building with Ghost and WordPress Comparison 39:29 Client Requirements and Platform Selection 45:12 Maintenance and Notifications Across Platforms 50:36 Personal Data Management and Site Migration Challenges 56:52 Conclusion and Final Thoughts What is WPwatercooler? WPwatercooler is streamed live and recorded as the self-titled show on the WPwatercooler Network. Our objective with the show since the beginning has been to help people in this industry have a place to hear people, much like themselves, talk about the technologies and methods we all use on a daily basis. We named WPwatercooler to be that, the watercooler that WordPress folks can gather around and participate in the conversation, or just sit back and learn from the discussion. Our listeners and contributors come from all walks of life and all backgrounds. We strive to make this place as welcoming and accessible as we can. Learn more at https://www.wpwatercooler.com/wpwatercooler What is Dev Branch? Dev Branch is streamed live and recorded monthly on the first friday of the month as the developer-focused discussions of the WPwatercooler Network. Dev Branch is released on its own podcast feed and made available live and on-demand in video format on Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Twitch. Learn more at https://www.wpwatercooler.com/devbranch

On this episode of WPwatercooler Jason Tucker, Sé Reed, Jason Cosper, and guest Mika Epstein delve into the complex world of software piracy within the WordPress ecosystem. The discussion begins with an introduction of the hosts and quickly moves into the nuances of what constitutes software piracy, how it impacts the WordPress community, and the moral and legal implications of using pirated software. The hosts share personal anecdotes and insights on the prevalence of pirated plugins and themes, the risks associated with their use, including security vulnerabilities and legal repercussions, and the broader conversation about open-source ethics and the value of supporting developers and creators within the ecosystem. The episode offers a balanced perspective, highlighting both the temptations and pitfalls of piracy and encourages listeners to consider the long-term health of the WordPress community by supporting legitimate sources and practices.  Panel: Jason Tucker Sé Reed Jason Cosper Mika Epstein Show Notes can be found: https://wpwatercooler.com/wpwatercooler/ep476-free-as-in-piracy/ Chapters 00:00 Introduction 00:17 Meet the Hosts 01:00 The Definition of Software Piracy 05:30 Impacts of Piracy on WordPress 10:45 Personal Insights on Piracy 15:00 The Risks of Using Pirated Software 20:30 Legal and Ethical Considerations 25:45 Supporting the WordPress Community 30:00 Conclusion Want to create live streams like this? Check out StreamYard: https://streamyard.com/pal/d/5756954563575808    

On this episode of WPwatercooler, titled “The Great Escape: WordPress Data Liberation Project,” Jason Tucker and Jason Cosper discuss the significance of data portability in WordPress. They delve into the recent push towards data liberation, enabling content to move freely between different Content Management Systems (CMS), including the import and export of data from WordPress to other platforms and vice versa. The conversation touches on the challenges and technical considerations involved in migrating data, the impact of block editors, and the importance of making data migration user-friendly to support the growth and flexibility of WordPress as a platform. The episode explores the broader implications of data portability for users and the ecosystem, highlighting the need for more intuitive tools to facilitate data movement without compromising content integrity. Links WordPress Data Liberation [Github] Data Liberation in 2024 – wordpress.org https://simian.rodeo/@boogah/111881606693610144 http://textbundle.org Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:41 Discussion on Data Liberation in WordPress 03:33 The Importance of Data Portability 10:13 Challenges with Block Editors and Data Migration 15:20 Exploring Alternatives and Future of Data Formats 20:59 User Experiences and Expectations on Data Migration 25:46 Technical Aspects and Solutions for Data Export/Import 30:00 The Role of Open Source in Data Portability 35:27 Final Thoughts on WordPress and Data Liberation What is WPwatercooler? WPwatercooler is streamed live and recorded as the self-titled show on the WPwatercooler Network. Our objective with the show since the beginning has been to help people in this industry have a place to hear people, much like themselves, talk about the technologies and methods we all use on a daily basis. We named WPwatercooler to be that, the watercooler that WordPress folks can gather around and participate in the conversation, or just sit back and learn from the discussion. Our listeners and contributors come from all walks of life and all backgrounds. We strive to make this place as welcoming and accessible as we can. Learn more at https://www.wpwatercooler.com/wpwatercooler What is Dev Branch? Dev Branch is streamed live and recorded monthly on the first friday of the month as the developer-focused discussions of the WPwatercooler Network. Dev Branch is released on its own podcast feed and made available live and on-demand in video format on Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Twitch. Learn more at https://www.wpwatercooler.com/devbranch Want to create live streams like this? Check out StreamYard: https://streamyard.com/pal/d/5756954563575808

On this episode of WPwatercooler, the panel, consisting of Jason Tucker, Sé Reed, Jason Cosper, and Nyasha Green, delves into the necessity of building custom WordPress blocks, a task propelled not just by choice but by the evolving needs of WordPress itself. They share personal anecdotes, challenges, and successes in navigating the block-based landscape of WordPress, emphasizing the importance of embracing blocks for future-proofing and enhancing WordPress projects. The discussion also touches on the broader implications of block technology for developers, users, and the WordPress community, highlighting the continuous learning and adaptation required to stay relevant and effective in the WordPress ecosystem. Panel: Jason Tucker, Sé Reed, Nyasha Green, Jason Cosper Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 00:26 Greetings and Lottery Dreams 02:33 The Inevitability of Building Blocks in WordPress 04:17 Nyasha Green’s Journey into Block Development 07:48 The Challenges of Naming and Explaining Blocks 10:25 Discussing User-Friendly Design Tools vs. WordPress 13:00 The Necessity of Custom Blocks and Developer Frustrations 15:09 Nyasha’s Approach to Teaching Block Development 17:23 The Rapid Evolution of WordPress and Its Impact on Users 20:25 Nyasha’s Favorite Custom Block Project 22:39 The Importance of Learning Basics Before Diving into Dynamic Blocks 25:40 Building in Public and the Value of Sharing Mistakes 27:02 Closing Thoughts and Mini Golf Plans What is WPwatercooler? WPwatercooler is streamed live and recorded as the self-titled show on the WPwatercooler Network. Our objective with the show since the beginning has been to help people in this industry have a place to hear people, much like themselves, talk about the technologies and methods we all use on a daily basis. We named WPwatercooler to be that, the watercooler that WordPress folks can gather around and participate in the conversation, or just sit back and learn from the discussion. Our listeners and contributors come from all walks of life and all backgrounds. We strive to make this place as welcoming and accessible as we can. Learn more at https://www.wpwatercooler.com/wpwatercooler What is Dev Branch? Dev Branch is streamed live and recorded monthly on the first friday of the month as the developer-focused discussions of the WPwatercooler Network. Dev Branch is released on its own podcast feed and made available live and on-demand in video format on Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Twitch. Learn more at https://www.wpwatercooler.com/devbranch

On this episode of WPwatercooler the panel, consisting of Jason Tucker, Sé Reed, and Jason Cosper, delves into the evolving nature of blogging and blogging in the WordPress ecosystem. They discuss the shift from traditional blogging to various modern formats, like microblogging on social media platforms. A significant portion of the conversation revolves around the use of WordPress for blogging, the impact of design and development choices on the writing experience, and the potential of the WordPress mobile app for content creation. The discussion also touches on broader topics related to blogging, such as the role of comments, the use of Markdown for writing, and the distinction between blogs and other forms of digital content. The episode explores how WordPress can adapt to changing user preferences in content creation and consumption. Links Perennially Online core.trac.wordpress.org Comparison of features in various Markdown flavors ¬∑ GitHub Mermaid Chart – Create complex, visual diagrams with text. A smarter way of creating diagrams. EP264 – WordPress – Is it the best tool for the job? – WPwatercooler – WPwatercooler Gibberish Is Now Available on TestFlight – And a Dinosaur boogah.gibber.blog Chapters 00:00 Introduction 02:07 The Evolution of Blogging 04:06 Discussing WordPress and Blogging 09:04 Blogging for Fun and Personal Expression 11:27 The Impact of Blogging on Journalism 14:02 The Role of Comments in Blogging 18:27 The Challenge of Keeping WordPress Up-to-Date 23:12 Exploring the Ghost Blogging Platform 28:45 The Complexity of WordPress for Simple Blogging 32:30 The Rise of Managed WordPress Hosting 35:20 Discussing WordPress Mobile App and Blogging 42:36 The Potential of WordPress for Text-Based Blogging 47:26 Conclusion Panel Jason Cosper Jason Tucker Sé Reed

On this episode we delve into the concept of digital permanence and the lifespan of websites. They discuss the recent decision by Google to discontinue certain website services, impacting businesses and users who relied on them. This leads to a broader conversation about the impermanence of digital platforms and the risks of relying on third-party services for important digital content. They touch on the closure of APIs by various platforms, including Twitter and Medium, and how these changes can affect users and developers. The panel also explores the concept of personal and business websites, questioning the necessity of their longevity and the importance of regularly updating web content to stay relevant. They discuss the idea of digital legacies, how to manage online presence posthumously, and the responsibility of handling someone’s digital assets. The conversation is both philosophical and practical, addressing the transient nature of the internet and the need for individuals and businesses to adapt to these changes. Links Running your own site is painful. Hosting Nazis is worse LOW←TECH MAGAZINE – This is a solar-powered website, which means it sometimes goes offline Chapters 00:00 Introduction 02:47 Google’s Discontinuation of Services 10:03 Impact of API Closures 16:18 Website Lifespan and Digital Impermanence 22:55 Managing Digital Legacies 29:30 The Future of Online Platforms 35:44 Adapting to Technological Changes 42:58 Conclusion and Outro Panel Jason Cosper Jason Tucker Sé Reed

On this episode of WPwatercooler, titled “EP471 – Reflecting on the State of the Word 2023,” the hosts Jason Tucker, Sé Reed, and Jason Cosper engage in a reflective and critical discussion on various aspects of WordPress and the WordPress community. They discuss the State of the Word 2023, with Sé Reed sharing her thoughts on different recaps and perspectives on the event, including those by Courtney Robertson, Miriam Schwartz, and Joost de Valk. The panel delves into topics like the importance of custom fields in WordPress, the absence of Mastodon in Matt Mullenweg’s social media mentions, and Jason’s issues with integrating Mastodon with WordPress. The conversation then shifts to a critique of the WordPress community’s handling of various issues, highlighting the tension between the community’s ideals and the actions of its leaders. They discuss the push towards using Matrix over Slack for WordPress core community discussions, the implications of Matrix’s licensing changes, and the perceived disconnect between the community’s values and decisions made by project leadership. The hosts also touch upon WordPress’s data liberation efforts, noting the importance of being able to easily move data between platforms. They explore the potential impact of new initiatives like WordPress Playground and data liberation on the WordPress ecosystem, including how these initiatives might affect existing plugins and the broader community. Finally, the episode covers the recent focus on internationalization in WordPress, the creation of Spanish speaking Slack channels, and the need for better integration and communication between global and local WordPress teams. The discussion concludes with an invitation for listeners to join the after-show discussion on WPwatercooler’s platform. Related Episodes from WPwatercooler: State of the Word 2022: WordPress’s Evolving Ecosystem EP439 – State of the Word 2022 Recap EP178 – The state of the state of the word Oh, Word? WPwatercooler vs. The State of the Word 2021 Chapters: 00:00 Intro 02:10 Reflecting on State of the Word Recaps 04:37 Custom Fields and WordPress Evolution 05:30 Mastodon and Social Media in WordPress 08:22 WordPress Community Critique 11:06 Matrix vs Slack for WordPress Discussions 14:28 WordPress Data Liberation and Plugin Ecosystem 17:00 Exploring WordPress Playground 19:52 WordPress Internationalization and Spanish Slack Channels 22:42 Closing Remarks and After-Show Invitation Links: https://www.godaddy.com/resources/news/wordpress-state-of-the-word-2023 https://wordpress.com/blog/2023/12/12/sotw-2023-video-recap/ http://www.merlinmann.com/roderick/ep-14-big-city-apology.html https://wordpress.org/and https://thehustle.co/sherlocking-explained

On this episode of WPwatercooler, the panel discussed the history and impact of the “Hello Dolly” plugin in WordPress. Sé Reed shared a personal story about finding a first edition of the “Hello Dolly” record, tying it to recent experiences and changes within the WordPress community. The conversation delved into the significance of the plugin, its potential for teaching plugin development, and its role in the WordPress core. There was also a critical examination of the plugin’s lyrics and their cultural implications. The panel proposed ideas for updating Hello Dolly, suggesting it could evolve into a more educational tool or even integrate into the WordPress ecosystem in new ways. Chapters 00:00:00 – Introduction 00:02:30 – Sé Reed’s Personal Story about “Hello Dolly” 00:10:11 – Reflections on WordPress and “Hello Dolly” Plugin 00:15:24 – Discussing the Lyrics and Cultural Implications 00:18:00 – Opinions on Jazz and Music in WordPress 00:24:13 – Potential Changes to “Hello Dolly” Plugin 00:30:10 – Ideas for Educational Use of the Plugin 00:36:16 – Broader Perspectives on Plugin Content 00:38:27 – Closing Thoughts and Future of “Hello Dolly” Links Book Review: The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma Open The Book Store – TikTok

On this episode of WPwatercooler, the panel delved into the theme of “Synching WordPress”. The discussion, led by Jason Tucker, Sé Reed, and Jason Cosper, focused on the complexities and techniques of aligning data from various sources with WordPress. The conversation touched upon the use of tools like Airtable and Salesforce for data management and their integration with WordPress. The panel also explored the challenges of mapping data flows and determining the ‘source of truth’ in data synchronization. Issues related to performance, storage, and the ever-evolving landscape of data management in WordPress were key topics. Additionally, the episode discussed various plugins and methods for effective data sync, as well as philosophical aspects of what constitutes a website and the role of WordPress as a content management system. Links Index WP Mysql for Speed Exquisite Corpse Zapier for WordPress WP Air Sync WP Web Hooks Hookturn Related Episodes EP458 – WordPress Data Management: Understanding the Basics EP462 – Optimizing WordPress Performance: Tips and Tools EP465 – The Evolution of WordPress as a CMS Chapters 00:00 – Introduction to Synching WordPress 04:17 – Challenges in Data Synchronization 08:36 – Tools for Data Management: Airtable and Salesforce 13:54 – Understanding Data Mapping and Sources of Truth 19:27 – Performance and Storage Considerations in WordPress 25:03 – Discussing Various Plugins for Data Sync 30:41 – Philosophical Aspects: What is a Website? 36:00 – Role of WordPress as a CMS 41:58 – Conclusion and Final Thoughts Panel Jason Cosper Jason Tucker Sé Reed

On this episode of WPwatercooler titled EP468 – UncURLing WordPress 6.4, hosts Jason Tucker, Sé Reed, Jason Cosper, and Scott Kingsley Clark discuss the recent release of WordPress 6.4 and its implications. The conversation begins with a light-hearted introduction and quickly dives into the complexities and challenges surrounding the new update. Sé Reed shares her experience as a first-time release lead, highlighting the social, community, leadership, and technological implications of the update. The panel delves into a critical issue that arose with the release, specifically concerning the ‘Requests’ library used by WordPress. A change in this library led to significant performance issues for certain hosting configurations, impacting many sites. The discussion emphasizes the inherent challenges in testing every possible configuration in a diverse ecosystem like WordPress. The episode also touches on the broader issues of open-source funding and maintenance. The panelists highlight the underfunding of critical libraries and tools that form the backbone of WordPress and many other systems. They argue that the lack of attention and funding towards these essential components poses a risk to the stability and security of the wider web infrastructure. The conversation extends to the governance and funding of PHP, the underlying programming language of WordPress, and the broader open-source ecosystem. The hosts discuss the need for more proactive support and funding from companies and individuals who benefit from these open-source resources. The episode concludes with a discussion on the new WPwatercooler community initiative called “Aftercooler,” designed to foster further discussions and interactions within the WPwatercooler community on our Discord. Show Notes: https://wpwatercooler.com/wpwatercooler/ep468-uncurling-wordpress-6-4/ Panel: Jason Tucker, Sé Reed, Scott Kingsley Clark, Jason Cosper Want to create live streams like this? Check out StreamYard: https://streamyard.com/pal/d/5756954563575808 Chapters: 00:00:00 Introduction to Episode 468 00:00:26 Introduction of Panel Members 00:00:34 Introduction of Jason Cosper 00:00:41 Discussion on Discord and Podcasts 00:02:09 WordPress 6.4 Release and Initial Reactions 00:04:12 Impact of WordPress 6.4 on Various Plugins 00:05:39 Issue with the Request Library in WordPress 6.4 00:06:37 Discussing Specifics of the Request Library Issue 00:09:06 Importance of Neglected Components in WordPress 00:11:02 Funding and Support Challenges in Open Source Projects 00:13:37 The PHP Funding Dilemma 00:16:28 The Broader Impact of Underfunding in Open Source 00:20:06 The Responsibility of Companies in Open Source Funding 00:23:14 Discussing Analogies to Other Systems (Healthcare, etc.) 00:26:24 Reflections on the State of WordPress 00:28:35 Discussing Contributions to PHP and Related Libraries 00:30:03 The Challenges of Open Source Governance 00:32:05 Identifying and Addressing Systemic Issues in WordPress 00:34:00 Closing Remarks and Reflections 00:34:40 Announcement of Aftercooler on Discord 00:35:34 Conclusion of the Episode

This week on WPwatercooler WCUS 2023 organizer Tom Finley joins us to delve deep into the current state and future of the WordPress community, focusing particularly on its governance, inclusivity, and ethical stances. Topics ranged from the role of Automattic and Matt Mullenweg in shaping the community, to the challenges faced by volunteer contributors feeling burnt out or marginalized. The panelists discussed the implications of hosting companies like Pantheon, which had been embroiled in a controversy over their stance on hosting hate group sites. They also talked about the need for transparency in decision-making processes, the power dynamics within the community, and the complexities of making ethical and philosophical choices as community members. The sentiment throughout the episode was one of existential crisis: a struggle to balance personal ethics with community ideals, weighed down by issues like control, contribution, and the potential for organizing independently of existing structures. The panel ended on an introspective note, questioning the efficacy of their own discussions in either contributing to or alleviating the ongoing crisis within the WordPress world. More about Tom – Web, Biz, Mastodon Links Interlude: Gutenberg Moves Fast Cost of Spam Withdrawing my workshop from HighEdWeb 2023 Open Letter on Elevating Our Standards Discussion about the WordPress Annual Survey with Josepha Haden Chomphosy

This episode of the panel dives into the complexities and shortcomings of WordPress' media library. William Bay leads the conversation by suggesting features like the ability to view all used images and the option to toggle between infinite scroll and pagination for enhanced user experience. Alongside him, Sé Reed and Jason Cosper emphasize the need for advanced search functionalities and better documentation. They also bring up the vital issue of data-driven decision-making in WordPress development. Sé Reed takes particular issue with Otto's comment suggesting that people prefer creating new things to iterating on existing features, arguing that decisions impacting a CMS that powers a large chunk of the web should be based on solid data rather than assumptions. Throughout the episode, despite tackling weighty topics, the panelists maintain a sense of humor and camaraderie, joking about using the podcast as a form of "WordPress therapy" and poking fun at the episode's length. Overall, the discussion uncovers several user pain points and poses important questions about the platform's ongoing development. Links: https://flauntyoursite.com/ https://wpwatercooler.com/wpwatercooler/ep130-building-a-photography-site-using-wordpress/ https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/53788 Site editor: 🥝 Media library proof of concept 🥝 https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/53788 Phase 3: Collaboration - Media Library #55238 https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/issues/55238 Improving Media #53486 https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/discussions/53486 RUINED BY DESIGN – A design ethics and activism book by Mike Monteiro https://www.ruinedby.design/ Ruined by Design: How Designers Destroyed the World, and What We Can Do to Fix It https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/44432844 Just Enough Research – Erika Hall https://abookapart.com/products/just-enough-research Panel: Jason Tucker Sé Reed Jason Cosper William Bay Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 00:15 Welcome & Panelist Introductions 02:10 The Need for Media Library Improvements 08:25 Documentation and Communication Gaps 16:45 The Philosophy Behind WordPress Development 24:10 Data-Driven Decision Making in WordPress 35:00 User Experience & Feature Requests 42:30 The Importance of Iteration vs New Features 50:20 The Lighter Side: WordPress as Therapy 59:10 Final Thoughts and Wrap-Up 01:03:00 Outro & Where to Find Us #WordPress #MediaLibrary #FSE #WordPressMediaLibrary Want to create live streams like this? Check out StreamYard: https://streamyard.com/pal/d/5756954563575808