We’re very excited to announce the immediate availability of BuddyPress 14.0.0 « Da Lucia », named after the excellent pizza restaurant located in the 15th arrondissement of Paris, France. Get it now from the WordPress.org plugin repository, or right from your WordPress Dashboard.

This new major version of your site’s community engine introduces around 80 changes mostly working under the hood to improve documentation, code formatting, consistency and the stability of the plugin. Here are five improvements we would like to highlight:

1. There’s a new “BuddyPress constants” panel added to the WordPress Site Health information tool. Use it to check whether you’re using deprecated constants in your custom code or third party BP Plugins/Add-ons. The information in the “BuddyPress” and “BuddyPress constants” panels is also very useful when you need to ask for support.
2. Most BuddyPress Admin screens now have a help tab in their top right corner which includes a link to an updated documentation resource.
3. Whether BuddyPress is installed on a multisite network or on a single site, signups are now managed the exact same way.
4. Speaking of signups, the BP REST API has been improved so that you can now submit values for any xProfile field registered as part of the Signups profile field group.
5. Last but not least, we again offer native support for overriding BuddyPress’s language with your community vocabulary using custom translations.

Take a few minutes to discover all changes reading this release note.

Compared to our previous major version (12.0.0 – the number right after was too intimidating ), 14.0.0 is a quieter update. After the huge BP Rewrites API revolution, the humans (us the BP Team) who maintain and support your favorite community plugin needed to catch their breath to get ready for the new round of big changes arriving in 15.0.0.

Let’s keep in mind BuddyPress is an open source project maintained by volunteers giving freely of their time and energy to help you build great WordPress community sites. Don’t hesitate to send us some encouraging words and please consider contributing back to the project.

47 contributors freely gave some of their time & energy to build the 14.0.0 release

ahegyes, Boone Gorges (boonebgorges), chairmanbrando, David Cavins (dcavins), Dion Hulse (dd32), Paul Wong-Gibbs (DJPaul), Andrea Tarantini (dontdream), emaralive, Renato Alves (espellcaste), gingerbooch, Ian Dunn (iandunn), Mathieu Viet (imath), IT Path Solutions (itpathsolutions), jnie, johndawson155, John James Jacoby (johnjamesjacoby), Jose Varghese (josevarghese), KaineLabs Team (kainelabsteam), Lena Stergatou (lenasterg), Christian Wach (needle), Nazmul Hasan Robin (nhrrob), Nifty (niftythree), Nitin Patil (nitinp544), pawelhalickiotgs, perchenet, Pooja Sahgal (poojasahgal), r-a-y, respawnsive, Rosso Digital (roberthemsing), Stephen Bernhardt (sabernhardt), Shail Mehta (shailu25), shawfactor, sjregan, Slava Abakumov (Slaffik), Pierre Sylvestre (strategio), testovac,Varun Dubey (vapvarun),Yagnik Sangani (yagniksangani),Dan Caragea (dancaragea), modelaid, Pieterjan Deneys (nekojonez), Mehraz Morshed (mehrazmorshed), 沈唁 (shenyanzhi), 耗子 (haozi), cyrfer, narolainfotech, Benjamin Zekavica (benjamin_zekavica).

Your feedback

How are you using BuddyPress? Receiving your feedback and suggestions for future versions of BuddyPress genuinely motivates and encourages our contributors. Please share your feedback about this version of BuddyPress on our website.

Let’s meet at « Da Lucia’s » !

@vapvarun & @imath met at Da Lucia’s to enjoy 2 delicious & enormous pizzas!

BuddyPress is about people! The BuddyPress team is made up of friendly folks from all around the world. We meet online every week during a release cycle but when we manage to meet IRL during a WordCamp, a BuddyCamp or just because we’re around at the same time we absolutely need to celebrate it with a great . Da Lucia’s will, from now on, be remembered as the great pizza restaurant where @vapvarun & @imath, two members of the BP Team, met IRL for the first time .

Props @dcavins for his review about this announcement post.

Episode Transcript

In today’s episode BobWP leads into the diverse challenge of so many people in the WordPress ecosystem looking for a job.

Which leads into his take on LinkedIn where so many people are asking for work and how connecting is all about opening doors.

Version 5.3.3 of the Akismet plugin for WordPress is now available for download.

There are a number of bug fixes and improvements and we recommend upgrading if you’re using an earlier version of the plugin.

To upgrade, visit the Updates page of your WordPress dashboard and follow the instructions. If you need to download the plugin zip file directly, links to all versions are available in the WordPress plugins directory.

Every Gravatar account comes with a free customizable profile page — the original link-in-bio and your home on the web.

A few months ago, we rolled out the ability to customize your profile URL. Based on the positive feedback and overwhelming interest, we decided to take it a step further by partnering with .link to roll out custom domains.

The best part: act now, and your personalized .link domain is on us (as in free!) for the first year.

How it works

All users have the ability to set a custom “slug” for their profile URLs, which means you can send people to something that looks like this:

gravatar.com/yourusername

While that’s a great start, many users, brands, and businesses like using their own domain. That means that the link you share on your profiles, email signatures, business cards, etc. will look more like this:

yourusername.link

Why you should be excited:

• It puts your brand or identity first
• It’s easy to remember
• Custom domains are more trustworthy and receive almost 30% higher click-through rates than generic links.
• Using a custom domain levels up your professionalism and credibility.
• You can use it to connect your presence across the web.

Step 1: Start by logging in to your profile on Gravatar.com

Step 2: You will land on your profile dashboard. At the very top left corner of the screen, you will see an area with your current URL and a headline that says ”Your profile URL is” with gravatar.com/yourusername. Just to the right, you will see two text links. Click on the one that says “Change”.

Step 3: You should automatically see the .link domain that matches your current username, go ahead and click on the ‘Claim domain’ link.

Step 4: You will be taken to a checkout screen for your domain, but the price will be $0 for the first year of registration. Proceed with the checkout process and we’ll handle the rest. You can search for other available .link domains to use, too.

Then What?

Once you’ve secured your custom .link domain, the magic really begins. Here’s how you can maximize the benefits and make the most out of your new digital identity:

1. Integrate Across Platforms: Update your profiles on social media, professional networks, and other online platforms to include your new .link domain. This ensures a consistent and professional online presence.
2. Enhance Your Email Signature: Replace your current profile link with your new custom .link domain in your email signature. This looks more professional and makes it easier for contacts to remember and visit your profile.
3. Business Cards and Marketing Materials: Include your .link domain on your business cards, brochures, and other marketing materials. This small change can significantly enhance the credibility and professionalism of your brand.
4. Track Engagement: Use URL tracking tools to monitor the performance of your new domain. This will help you understand where your traffic is coming from and how people engage with your profile.

Join the Movement

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to enhance your online identity and stand out in the digital space. By hosting your Gravatar profile on a custom .link domain, you’re not just adopting a new URL; you’re embracing a new era of digital identity.

With more services like Bluesky offering domains as usernames, this space will continue to grow.

Additional domain extensions (like .com, .me, .blog, and more) will become available for a fee in the future.

Why .link?

The .link domain is more than just an address on the web. It’s a declaration of connectivity, a badge of identity in the digital realm, and a key to unlocking a world where your online presence is seen and felt. By reserving your unique .link domain, you’re taking full control of your connected identity on the web while building a more memorable and trustworthy brand.

Feel free to share your experiences and feedback with us. We’re excited to see how you’ll leverage your new .link domain to elevate your digital footprint.

Claim your free .link domain now!

Walking into a networking event can be one of the most daunting experiences for new networkers. Beforehand, you often ask yourself a hundred and one questions about what to say, how to say it, and how to approach people. But don’t worry—we can help. 

Networking is extremely important in the professional world. It allows for knowledge sharing, collaboration, and forming partnerships that are hard to find elsewhere. In this article, we’ll share advice and strategies to boost your confidence, establish meaningful connections, and make the most out of networking events. Whether you are an experienced professional or a first-time attendee, let’s see how you can maximize your impact at conferences. 

Exploring top tips for networking at a conference

Have a clear agenda

Make sure you define your goals upfront. These might include investigating new trends, connecting with specific individuals, or promoting your product/service. Setting these goals lets you focus your efforts and measure your success. Ask yourself: What do you want from this networking event?

Research attendees and participants in advance

Before attending a professional conference, have a close look at the conference agenda and attendee list to pinpoint key speakers, industry leaders, and influencers. Researching speakers and attendees beforehand makes it easy to figure out who you should be speaking to! Research key people on LinkedIn and other relevant social media profiles. A great strategy for this is to see if they have a Gravatar profile, as this will contain all their social media information and other important links and give a solid overview of what they do.

For example, Nigel Cameron’s Gravatar profile provides a snapshot of his engagement in technology and policy discussions, which could be important for meaningful interactions at the conference. Establish clear goals for whom to meet, which sessions to attend, and the outcomes you aim to achieve. This preparation will ensure your event time is productive and impactful. 

Establish connections beforehand and create a meeting schedule

Plan ahead by contacting potential connections via email or social media. Use platforms like LinkedIn to introduce yourself and express interest in meeting. You can also use Google Calendar or conference apps to schedule face-to-face meetings. This means you won’t miss anyone you plan to talk to, nor do you have to awkwardly approach them! 

Strengthen existing connections

While forming new connections is important, don’t forget to nurture existing relationships. Reinforcing pre-existing ties can lead to deeper professional ties and opportunities. 

Pro tip: After an initial meeting, follow up with a personalized message referencing previous interactions, shared interests, and potential for future collaboration. You can take it a step further by scheduling a one-on-one meeting during the conference and using that time to catch up.

Make time for new networking opportunities

A well-structured schedule is great, but allowing room for spontaneous networking opportunities is equally important. These unplanned moments can often lead to the most valuable connections and insights.

Be open to impromptu meetups or casual conversations in common areas like coffee shops, lounges, or hallways. If you overhear a discussion that piques your interest, please join in and contribute your thoughts politely. These organic interactions can generate genuine connections and reveal shared interests or challenges.

Another way to embrace spontaneity is to participate in conference-specific social media hashtags. Many attendees use these hashtags to share insights, ask questions, and arrange informal gatherings to further professional relationships, which brings us to the next point. 

Leverage social media to amplify your conference presence

Identify the official platforms and social profiles used by the conference, and engage with them to maximize your visibility. Share compelling content that resonates with your audience throughout the event, including session takeaways, personal insights, and behind-the-scenes moments. Actively engage with posts from speakers, attendees, and influencers to cultivate meaningful online interactions that can translate into valuable offline connections.

When live-tweeting or providing real-time updates, balance digital engagement and in-person networking. Remember, while social media offers a powerful platform for extending your reach, face-to-face interactions remain essential for building lasting relationships and maximizing the impact of your conference experience. Using social media, you can amplify your presence, create meaningful connections, and leave a lasting impression on virtual and physical audiences.

Prepare conversation starters and ask leading questions

Engaging in meaningful conversations at conferences begins with the right conversation starters. Personalized openers are more impactful than generic ones, as they demonstrate genuine interest and help you stand out. One of the most important things you can do is to make sure you appear curious and knowledgeable by asking informed questions about current industry trends or recent publications.

Before the event, research industry news and trends to develop conversation starters tailored to different professionals you might meet, such as developers, executives, or marketers. Consider asking leading questions that prompt thoughtful discussions and enable you to better understand the other person’s perspective and challenges. Here are some examples:

For developers: “I noticed your recent project on GitHub. Can you tell me more about the technology stack you used and any challenges you faced?”

For executives: “I read about your company’s recent expansion into international markets. What drove that decision, and what are your goals for the future?”

For marketers: “I saw your recent article on social media strategies. How will emerging platforms impact marketing efforts in the coming year?”

Remember, ask questions that show genuine interest in the other person’s work and experiences!

Refine your elevator pitch

Crafting an elevator pitch is a great way to make a memorable first impression at conferences. Start by determining the core message of your professional narrative. Ask yourself what sets you apart and makes you memorable. Focus on your value to potential contacts or employers, highlighting how your skills and expertise can benefit them. 

Keep your pitch concise, aiming for 30 to 60 seconds to respect the listener’s time and maintain their attention. Ensure your pitch is adaptable, allowing you to tailor it to different audiences and situations for maximum impact.

Plan your exit strategy

Having a solid exit plan is not just about escaping a failed conversation; it’s a crucial aspect of professional networking that allows you to gracefully transition between interactions and make the most of your time at a conference. A well-crafted exit strategy enables you to smoothly end conversations, both successful and unsuccessful, while maintaining positive connections and your reputation. Knowing when to politely wrap up an interaction is just as important as starting one, as overextending a conversation can be detrimental. Clear exit strategies and steps can minimize disruptions, help you adapt strategically to new possibilities, and ensure you have the opportunity to connect with a diverse range of people.

Here’s how to do it right:

• Understanding social cues: Read body language and conversational cues to gauge when to exit a conversation.
• Creating natural transition points: Guide conversations toward a courteous conclusion by finding natural pauses or wrapping up current topics.
• Offering a tangible follow-up: Suggest specific ways to reconnect, such as exchanging emails or connecting on LinkedIn, and use tools like Gravatar to streamline the process.
• Excusing yourself politely: Use phrases like “It’s been great chatting, but I don’t want to monopolize your time” to signal departure graciously.
• Timing your departure: Find the right moment to leave, neither lingering too long nor exiting abruptly, to ensure a positive impression.

Use Gravatar as your contact-sharing app

Using Gravatar as your go-to contact-sharing tool can revolutionize your conference experience. Gravatar is a platform that allows you to create a comprehensive professional profile linked to your email address. This profile contains essential information about yourself, including your photo, bio, and contact details, making it an ideal touchpoint for networking.

Here’s why Gravatar stands out and how to make the most of its features:

• Universal profile consistency: Gravatar ensures consistency across multiple platforms with a single, universal profile image and information. This unified presence enhances personal branding, making it easier for new contacts to recognize and recall you amidst the conference crowd.

• Displaying social information and relevant links: Integrate direct links to your relevant social networks (e.g., LinkedIn, X/Twitter) within your Gravatar profile. This allows contacts to explore your online identity and connect with you across various platforms.

• Adding contact details: Enhance accessibility by including essential contact information such as your business email and phone number (if comfortable sharing publicly). Additionally, integrate your online calendar into your Gravatar profile, simplifying the process for contacts to schedule follow-up meetings and engagements.
• Privacy controls: Gravatar empowers users with privacy controls, allowing selective sharing of personal information. You can publicly display only the contact details you’re comfortable sharing, maintaining control over your privacy.

To make it even easier to share your contact details, you can add a QR code that connects to your Gravatar profile on your conference tag or business card. By doing this, you can make it more visible and accessible for potential connections. Check out Gravatar’s step-by-step instructions on creating QR codes for details!

Follow up with your connections

Networking is an ongoing process. Cultivating relationships requires follow-ups to solidify connections and create meaningful engagement. Here’s how you can effectively follow up with your connections:

• Encouraging follow-ups with Gravatar: Include your email, phone number, online calendar, and contact form to increase the chances of people contacting you. Gravatar makes it easy for others to contact you and promotes proactive communication.
• CRM systems: Use Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems to track new connections and manage interactions smoothly. Integrating with email tools allows you to send automated messages and set reminders for follow-up tasks to ensure no missed connections.
• Template messages: Prepare message templates in advance that can be personalized for each new connection. This improves the follow-up process while maintaining a personalized touch that resonates with recipients.
• Workflow automation: Implement workflow automation to trigger a series of actions post-conference. Set up sequences for LinkedIn connection requests, thank-you emails, and reminder tasks for future follow-ups. This ensures consistent engagement and maximizes the potential of your networking efforts.

Transform connections into career milestones with Gravatar

With these tips, you’re ready for any networking event or conference. To be even more prepared, create your Gravatar profile. Maintaining a consistent Gravatar across platforms improves your personal branding, ensuring you’re recognized and respected in your field.

By linking a QR code to your Gravatar profile on your business card or digital conference tag, you can quickly transfer your contact information to new connections, and by adding your contact details, including your calendar link, to your Gravatar profile, it’s easy for new contacts to follow up with you!

Gravatar is the perfect companion tool for making new connections and nurturing existing ones. Build your own Gravatar profile today and start networking like a pro!

Everyone is unique, and our uniqueness is what makes the internet a great (admittedly, sometimes wild!) place. One way users can express individuality on your site is through profile pages, which gives them control over their online information and presentation.

When designing user profiles for your websites or web apps, it’s important to create a clean and user-friendly design. Profile pages are the first point of interaction, setting the tone for the overall experience. A well-designed profile page enhances user satisfaction by providing easy navigation and interaction. It also boosts retention rates by making users feel valued and understood.

Let’s explore the important elements of a well-designed profile page, check out some examples, and see how Gravatar can make things easier!

Essential components of your website’s profile page design

Profile picture or avatar

Allowing users to upload a profile picture is the easiest and most basic way to start a profile page. A profile picture lets someone establish their identity on your website and helps users feel more connected to the platform and each other. 

To maintain consistency, provide guidelines for acceptable image sizes and resolutions. For example, a standard size of 400×400 pixels at 72 DPI is usually sufficient. Ensure content is relevant and follows community standards. A reporting system can create a safe and respectful environment instead of approving profile pictures one by one. This method combines effective moderation with community empowerment.

Name and username

Deciding whether to display the user’s real name, username, or both is an important aspect of profile page design. This decision impacts personal branding and privacy. For instance, using real names can enhance authenticity, which is beneficial for professional networking. On the other hand, usernames might be better for privacy, making them suitable for social or gaming communities.

Implement validation rules to make sure usernames are appropriate, unique, and memorable. Consider constraints like minimum and maximum character limits, prohibition of offensive terms, and the inclusion of alphanumeric characters only.

For example: 

Allow usernames like LucyMcMuppet

Prevent usernames like LucyXoXoMcMup<3

Bio section

A bio section allows users to introduce themselves, share their interests, or provide a brief professional background. This section adds a personal touch and can be a great way to build connections. 

To maintain consistency and readability, consider implementing character limits (e.g., 150-300 characters) and providing basic formatting options like bold or italic text. This ensures bios are concise and informative without overwhelming the reader.

Interests or skills

Including fields for users to list their interests, skills, or expertise enhances the social aspect of your platform by facilitating connections based on common interests. Implement a system that allows users to select from predefined categories or add custom tags to their profiles. This helps users express themselves and makes it easier for others to find and connect with them based on shared interests or skills.

Contact information

Allow users to provide contact information, such as an email address or social media handles, to enable communication and networking opportunities.

For instance, users should be able to choose whether their email is visible to everyone, only to connections, or kept private. This flexibility helps users feel secure and in control of their information.

Other design elements to make your user profile pages stand out

Incorporating various elements can significantly enhance user experience and engagement when designing user profile pages. However, it’s important to note that these features are unnecessary for every profile template. Choosing to incorporate them depends on the specific kind of website you’re building and the level of interaction between users.

Work information

Incorporating sections for users to show their professional experience, skills, and achievements adds depth to user profiles. Features like timelines, bullet points, or multimedia elements make work history engaging and easy to read. 

Timelines help visualize career progression, while bullet points highlight skills and achievements succinctly. Multimedia elements, such as videos or project images, provide a richer context and make profiles more dynamic.

Verified accounts and essential links

Giving users the choice to show badges or indicators for verified accounts boosts credibility and trust. Verification can involve confirming emails or integrating with social media accounts. For instance, users can link their profile to their Facebook, X/Twitter, or LinkedIn accounts, which helps verify their identity through these established platforms. This assures other users of their authenticity and adds an extra level of security.

Create a system for users to include significant links, such as personal websites, portfolios, or relevant external resources. Using icons or logos to represent various types of links or verified accounts ensures they are easily recognizable and visually appealing.

Customization options

Customization options allow users to personalize the look and feel of their profile pages, increasing their sense of ownership and satisfaction. Let users choose color schemes, layouts, or background images while ensuring these options align with your website’s overall branding and design guidelines. 

Multimedia elements

Incorporate features that let users display their work, portfolios, or media files directly on their profile pages. This is particularly valuable for creative professionals who want to display their projects. 

Make sure that these multimedia elements are optimized for fast display and loading times to maintain a smooth user experience. Use responsive design principles to ensure that multimedia content looks good on all devices.

Privacy and security settings

With 85% of adults worldwide eager to take additional steps in protecting their online privacy, it’s important to ensure that settings are in place so users can control the visibility of their contact details. Implement granular privacy settings that enable users to control the visibility of their profile information to different user groups or the public. 

Follow best practices for data security and privacy to protect user information. This includes using secure protocols for data transmission, regularly updating your security measures, and being transparent about data use policies.

Examples of websites with stunning user profile page design

If you’re looking for some inspiration for beautifully designed user profiles, these websites are great examples. Let’s take a look so you can gather ideas to build a standout profile page template on your own platform. 

Gravatar

Gravatar is an online profile management system widely used by platforms like WordPress.com, GitHub, and Slack. It is a central hub for users to manage their online identity, adding essential information such as their name, location, bio, work details, connected accounts, important links, and contact information.

Gravatar profiles form the basis of users’ online identities, enabling integration across various websites. When a user with a Gravatar profile signs up on an integrated site, their profile information is automatically imported, streamlining the registration process. This integration allows websites to design user profiles around Gravatar’s template, customizing it as needed by removing unnecessary elements.

Simplifying profile management, Gravatar allows users to update their profile image and information from a single location, with changes reflected across all integrated platforms. This ensures consistency and saves users the hassle of updating multiple profiles.

As a platform, Gravatar continually redefines user profile design with innovative features like the hovercard feature, available on platforms like WordPress.com and Jetpack. Hovercards provide a quick preview of a user’s profile information when hovering over their Gravatar image, enhancing user interaction and engagement. This feature is one of many that shows how Gravatar pushes the boundaries of profile design, offering a dynamic user experience.

WordPress.com

WordPress.com user profiles are both functional and customizable, catering to the diverse needs of its users. These profiles allow individuals to manage their personal information, profile pictures, and biographical details easily. Effortlessly integrated into the WordPress ecosystem, these profiles enable users to show their blog posts, comments, and other activities cohesively.

The design of WordPress.com profiles is clean and user-friendly, ensuring easy navigation and updates. Users can quickly access and modify their information, making the experience smooth and efficient. WordPress.com also supports the addition of custom fields through plugins or custom code, allowing for further personalization and detailed data collection. This flexibility allows users to create profiles that truly reflect their unique identities and interests, enhancing the overall user experience on the platform.

Dribbble

Dribbble‘s user profiles have been designed to show off the creative work of designers through “shot” thumbnails. These profiles are aesthetically pleasing and highly functional, presenting a designer’s portfolio in an engaging and easily navigable format. Each profile includes statistics, such as the number of likes, views, and comments on their shots, providing insights into the popularity and reach of their work.

Dribbble profiles also highlight a user’s skills and include links to external sites, such as personal portfolios or social media accounts. Dribbble is great for those within the design niche looking to network and get their name out there. 

Behance

Like Dribbble, Behance‘s user profiles are tailored for creative professionals who want to display portfolios and individual projects. These profiles provide a platform for artists, designers, and other creatives to present their work in an aesthetic and organized way. Each profile features a gallery of projects, allowing users to explore an artist’s body of work easily.

Behance profiles include detailed statistics, such as the number of views, appreciations, and comments on each project. This data offers valuable insights into the engagement and popularity of the user’s work. Another standout feature is the customizable cover image, which allows users to add a personal touch to their profile and make it visually distinctive.

GitHub

GitHub‘s user profiles are catered to developers, providing a clear and straightforward layout to show their contributions, repositories, and activity. Each profile offers a view of a developer’s work, highlighting their coding projects, collaborations, and overall engagement within the GitHub community.

Features of GitHub profiles include the ability to display followers and following counts, which creates a sense of community and allows users to connect with peers and industry leaders. Additionally, developers can pin their favorite or most significant repositories to their profile, making it easy for visitors to see their best work at a glance.

This structured and minimalistic approach ensures that the focus remains on the code and contributions, providing a valuable tool for the coding community to share their work, track their progress, and engage with other developers. The simplicity and efficiency of GitHub profiles make them a powerful resource for showing technical skills and building professional connections.

Medium

Medium‘s user profiles are centered around the content created by the user, prioritizing the display of published articles, claps (similar to likes), and followers. The design ethos is minimalist, focusing on readability and content discovery.

Each Medium profile is a curated collection of the user’s writing, providing readers with easy access to their articles and insights. The clean layout and typography enhance readability, ensuring that the focus remains on the content itself.

By prominently featuring metrics such as claps and followers, Medium profiles offer writers a way to gauge the reception and impact of their work within the Medium community. This feedback loop encourages writers to create engaging content while creating a sense of community and interaction among readers.

Spotify

Spotify profiles provide a dynamic and interactive platform for users to share their love of music, connect with friends, and discover new artists and songs. Its user profiles offer a preview of users’ music tastes and listening habits, showing their top artists, recently played tracks, and public playlists. The design aesthetic is modern and sleek, with a strong emphasis on music imagery that creates a personalized experience.

The design prioritizes music imagery, with vibrant album artwork and artist photos all over the profile. This visual emphasis creates an immersive user experience, making the profile a reflection of the user’s musical identity.

Take your user profiles to the next level with Gravatar integration

As we’ve seen, user profile design plays a super important role in shaping the overall user experience and creating engagement on your platform. By taking user profile design seriously, you can create a more personalized and immersive experience for your users.

By integrating Gravatar, you can:

• Centralize profile management: Users can manage their profile information in one place, and updates are reflected wherever their Gravatar is used. This ensures consistency and saves time.
• Streamline profile creation: New users can quickly set up their profiles by importing their Gravatar information, reducing the friction often associated with the initial sign-up process.
• Enhance user experience: Consistent and recognizable profile images contribute to a great user experience across different applications and platforms.

Using the Gravatar API for importing profile data helps establish attractive and consistent profile designs. This improves the overall look of your application and guarantees the accuracy of profile information. 

Gravatar’s profile integration is already revolutionizing user profile design for leading websites such as Pocket Casts and WordPress.com. These platforms use Gravatar’s features to enhance user engagement and provide a more dynamic profile experience to users worldwide.

Join the thousands of people customizing their unique profiles today with Gravatar!  

For two decades, Gravatar has been an unsung hero of the internet, quietly powering billions of avatars across websites like Slack, OpenAI, Atlassian, and more. Today, we are excited to introduce the latest addition to the Gravatar suite of tools: our new REST API. We redesigned the new API from the ground up to make it simpler and more efficient for developers to integrate Gravatar’s globally recognized avatars and profile data into their apps and websites.

What Is Profiles-as-a-Service?

We’re moving beyond the humble avatar and aiming to be the open platform of choice for publicly sharing all kinds of profile data — bios, interests, preferences, work history, social connections, and more.

We make it simple for anyone to curate the information they want to share, all tied to an email address. Users can share as little or as much as they want and have multiple profiles using different email addresses.

The API allows businesses and developers to access and manage user profile data, simplifying development and enabling more personalized interactions and engaging user experiences.

Getting Started is Simple

Gravatar is free for both end users and developers. We just ask developers to link back to Gravatar to make it easy for users to update their profile information.

Visit our Developer Dashboard to register an API key and access the interactive console, which will help you get up and running quickly.

We have detailed docs and a reference tutorial, too.

→ Get a free API key

This Is Just The Beginning

The real power of this API will evolve over time as more data points are added, including user-managed interests and social graphs. 

We’ll soon roll out more customization options on public profile pages, including the option to use any domain, with the end goal of a domain being another option for identity on the web.

Plus, we are exploring options for being a Web3 bridge with decentralized profiles and more user control in data storage and access. Stay tuned!

→ Subscribe to be notified of future updates

When it comes to web security and user authentication, OAuth 2.0 is one of the most crucial protocols for managing access permissions without risking user passwords. 

So, if you’re looking to implement OAuth 2.0, this guide will go through its main characteristics and essential components, such as different roles, grant types, and endpoints that create a flexible authorization framework. 

What is Oauth2, and how is it used?

An evolution of the now-obsolete OAuth 1.0, OAuth 2.0 is an industry-standard protocol for authorization, facilitating secure access to user data across the internet. It enables applications to obtain user data from a service provider, all without requiring the user to share their password with the application. This protocol acts as the middle man, granting access rights rather than exchanging sensitive login credentials. Here’s how:

1. An application requests access to resources controlled by the user and hosted by a service provider. 
2. Upon user approval, the application receives an access token from the OAuth 2.0 server. 
3. This token then allows the application to access the user’s data, but only within the scope that the user has approved.

OAuth 2.0 greatly improves security and reduces potential vulnerabilities, as applications do not need to store, manage, or directly handle user passwords. It helps protect user privacy by ensuring that applications can only access specific, user-approved information. This selective access is important in minimizing the risk of over-sharing personal data.

One of the most visible applications of OAuth 2.0 in everyday internet use is the “Log in with…” feature found on many websites. This allows users to access multiple platforms using a single set of credentials, streamlining the login process while maintaining high security and privacy standards. 

Roles in the OAuth 2 framework

Understanding the different roles and their interactions within the OAuth 2.0 framework is necessary for developers and IT professionals aiming to implement OAuth in their applications. Let’s take a look:

Resource owner

The resource owner is the person or entity that has the authority to grant access to their private resources (like personal information or data) stored on a server. This person decides whether an application can access that data and what level of access it can have.

For example, if you are using a service like a social media platform and a third-party application requests permission to access your profile information or post updates on your behalf, you, as the resource owner, have the authority to approve or deny such requests. This approval often comes in the form of an authentication process followed by an authorization step, where you explicitly grant permissions to the application.

Resource server

The resource server safely stores the resource owner’s data and is responsible for validating the access tokens presented by the client, ensuring that only authorized requests are fulfilled. 

Upon receiving a request, the resource server checks the accompanying access token to verify its authenticity and relevance for the requested resources. If the token is valid, the resource server proceeds to serve the requested data, following strict security measures. 

Besides the token validation, the process includes Secure Sockets Layer (SSL)/Transport Layer Security (TLS) encryption, scope restriction, rate limiting and monitoring, and secure token storage. 

Client

The client refers to the application seeking access to the resource owner’s account. It initiates the authorization process by generating an authorization request Uniform Resource Identifier (URI), which redirects the resource owner to a consent page. Here, the resource owner can approve or deny the request for access. 

Upon receiving authorization, the client is issued access tokens by the authorization server. These tokens are critical for accessing protected resources because they prevent unauthorized access and ensure the continued trust of the resource owner. 

This is why the client must manage them with utmost security, including storing them securely and handling token renewal processes efficiently. 

Authorization server

The authorization server checks the resource owner’s login details and gives access tokens to the client. It has two main parts: the authorization endpoint and the token endpoint. The authorization endpoint is where the resource owner says yes to the client’s request for access. The token endpoint is where the client trades a special code for an access token. 

These parts help make sure that the client and the authorization server can talk safely and clearly and that access tokens are given out only after the resource owner’s details are correctly checked and approved.

Diving into OAuth 2.0 grant types

OAuth 2.0 offers several grant types, each designed to cater to specific authorization scenarios. Understanding these grant types, their applications, advantages, and potential drawbacks is vital for implementing secure and effective authorization mechanisms.

Authorization code

Web and mobile applications primarily utilize the authorization code grant type to obtain an access token after the resource owner grants access. This process is simple: 

1. The application redirects the user to the authorization server, where they can log in and approve the access request. 
2. Upon approval, an authorization code is sent back to the application, typically via a callback URL – this is called “redirection.”
3. The application then exchanges this code for an access token at the authorization server. 

This method enhances security by using “verifiers” or “secrets” that prevent the interception of the access token. The redirection mechanism, coupled with the code exchange, forms a secure foundation for granting access while mitigating risks associated with direct token exposure.

Refresh token

Refresh tokens are used to maintain long-term application access without requiring the user to authorize repeatedly. Once an access token expires, the application can use a refresh token to obtain a new one, thus ensuring continuous access. 

This mechanism is particularly beneficial for applications that require prolonged access to a user’s resources. However, it introduces security considerations, such as the potential for refresh token theft, so users have to be extremely careful to protect these tokens and limit unauthorized access.

Client credentials

The client credentials grant type is tailored for scenarios where an application needs to access its own resources rather than acting on behalf of a user. In this flow, the client authenticates itself with the authorization server using its own credentials and receives an access token in return. 

This grant type simplifies the authorization process for accessing the client’s resources, making it suitable for internal applications that require no user interaction.

These include: 

• Application authentication for accessing cloud resources to perform operations like backups, data analysis, or scaling resources based on load.
• Authorization for automated tasks like database cleanup or software updates.
• Application access to public APIs without user data.
• Authentication for applications retrieving metrics, performing health checks, or executing management commands.

However, since it does not involve user authorization, it is not applicable for accessing user-specific data.

Resource owner password

The resource owner password grant type assumes a high level of trust between the user and the client, as it involves sharing sensitive login details. It works like this: 

1. User provides username and password to the client.
2. The client sends these credentials to the authorization server.
3. Authorization server verifies credentials.
4. If valid, the server issues an access token (and optionally a refresh token) to the client.
5. The client uses the access token for authenticated requests on behalf of the user.

Due to its inherent security risks, such as the potential for credential theft, this grant type should be used sparingly and only in contexts where other, more secure methods are impractical. 

Implementing additional security measures, like using this grant type exclusively with confidential clients and adding extra layers of authentication, can help mitigate these risks.

Understanding endpoints in the OAuth2 framework

In the OAuth2 framework, there are two key endpoints – ‘/authorize’ and ‘/oauth/token’. Using an OAuth library or framework can greatly simplify the management of these endpoints, handling much of the complexity behind the scenes.

/authorize endpoint

The ‘/authorize endpoint’ serves as the initial step in the authorization process, where the resource owner authenticates with the service and grants access to the application. This endpoint is crucial for obtaining an authorization code in grant types like the ‘authorization code’ and, historically, the ‘implicit’ grant type. 

However, it’s important to note that the implicit grant type is no longer recommended by OAuth best practices and may be prohibited on some servers due to security concerns.

When a user accesses the ‘/authorize endpoint’, they are presented with a consent screen. The URL for this endpoint typically includes several key parameters:

• Client ID: The public identifier for the application.
• Redirect URI: The location where the authorization server sends the user after granting or denying access.
• Response type: Indicates the authorization processing flow, typically set to “code” for the authorization code flow.
• Scope: Specifies the level of access that the application is requesting.
• State: A Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) token that can be used to mitigate CSRF attacks.

These parameters help ensure the authorization request is explicit about its intentions and secure against potential threats.

/oauth/token endpoint

The ‘/oauth/token endpoint’ is where the application can make a POST request to exchange an authorization code for an access token, renew an access token using a refresh token, or obtain an access token directly through the client credentials grant. This endpoint supports various grant types, including ‘authorization code’, ‘password’, ‘client credentials’, and ‘refresh token’.

When generating tokens, the authorization server must ensure they are created securely and include any optional refresh tokens. This process is essential for maintaining the security and integrity of the access tokens. To prevent CSRF and other attacks, tokens must be handled securely, necessitating the use of HTTPS for all communications with this endpoint.

A POST request to the ‘/oauth/token endpoint’ requires specific parameters depending on the grant type being used:

• Grant type: Specifies the grant type of the request.
• Client ID and client secret: Credentials that authenticate the client to the server.
• Code: The authorization code received from the ‘/authorize endpoint’ (for the authorization code grant type).
• Redirect URI: Must match the URI used in the original authorization request.

Understanding the authorization code flow

The authorization code flow is designed to facilitate secure interactions between the client, the authorization server, and the resource server. 

This flow is particularly important because it ensures that access tokens are not exposed in environments that are not fully secure, such as a user’s browser, thereby significantly reducing the risk of token interception.

Step 1: User authorization request

The process begins when the client directs the user to the authorization server. Here, the user authenticates themselves and consents to the client’s request for access to their resources. 

This step is initiated through a URL that the client constructs, which includes parameters like the client ID, the requested scope, the redirect URI, and a state parameter for CSRF protection. An example URL might look like this:

https://authorization-server.com/authorize?response_type=code&client_id=CLIENT_ID&redirect_uri=CALLBACK_URI&scope=REQUESTED_SCOPE&state=CSRF_TOKEN

Step 2: Redirection and authorization code

Upon successful authentication and authorization by the user, the authorization server redirects the user back to the client using the redirect URI provided in the initial request. This redirection URI includes an important element: the authorization code. It may also contain the state parameter if it was included in the initial request, ensuring that the request has not been tampered with.

Step 3: Exchanging the authorization code for an access token

The client then takes this authorization code and makes a backend request to the authorization server’s ‘/oauth/token’ endpoint to exchange it for an access token. This step is crucial because it occurs server-to-server, far from the potential prying eyes of malicious actors in the user’s browser environment. The request includes the authorization code, the client’s ID and secret (for confidential clients), and the redirect URI to verify the request’s authenticity.

The authorization code flow offers significant security advantages. By obtaining the authorization code through a user-agent redirect and exchanging it for an access token in a server-to-server call, the access token is kept away from the user’s browser history, reducing the risk of exposure. 

This method provides a mechanism that caters to confidential and public clients while upholding the security integrity of the OAuth 2.0 framework.

Pairing Gravatar with your authorization server

The security of your users doesn’t stop with authentication but also extends to the way you manage their data. Gravatar, widely recognized for its globally unique avatars, is a profile management tool suitable for all kinds of websites, applications, and eCommerce stores. 

If your website is integrated with Gravatar, then you’ll be able to import profiles from anyone who signs up with you and has a Gravatar profile. You’ll get access to any data that users have consented to reveal – and this not only streamlines the profile creation process but also ensures you don’t have to directly store user data from your end. 

You can set Gravatar up in minutes and provide your clients with a great user experience while enjoying enhanced privacy and security measures. 

Here is why Gravatar is an essential pairing with your OAuth authorization server:

• Easy integration: Developers can integrate Gravatar’s API into their applications in a matter of minutes. The process is straightforward, allowing for quick setup and minimal configuration.
• Leveraging user data: Gravatar allows client applications to access and utilize users’ Gravatar profiles and functionalities. This capability enables developers to create a more personalized and cohesive user experience by incorporating user avatars and profile information seamlessly within their applications. 
• Security and data management: With Gravatar acting as the digital identity management platform, all user data is securely stored on Gravatar’s servers, relieving client applications of the burden and responsibility of managing sensitive user information. 
• Improved onboarding experience: By leveraging Gravatar’s platform, users can carry their online identities across different sites and applications seamlessly. This continuity promotes a sense of familiarity and personalization, as users can instantly recognize their own Gravatar profiles, facilitating smoother and more welcoming user interactions from the outset.

Take action: Secure your app with OAuth 2.0

With its capability to protect sensitive information and ensure a seamless user experience, OAuth 2.0 stands as one of the best authorization protocols to keep websites and applications safe while facilitating access to user data. Choosing a professional authorization service can significantly streamline the integration of OAuth 2.0, enhancing your app’s security and user experience. 

Furthermore, by integrating your website or web app with Gravatar, you get a reliable way of verifying your users when they sign up, a streamlined way for them to create profiles, and a secure third-party system for storing user information. 

Don’t wait to secure your app with the industry-standard tool in digital identity management and authorization. Explore more about how Gravatar can be used alongside your authentication platform and take the first step towards a more secure, user-friendly application experience.

Single Sign-On (SSO) is an innovative technology designed to simplify your online experience. SSO allows users to log in to multiple applications or platforms using just one set of credentials, eliminating the need to remember numerous passwords. This enhances user experience and boosts security by reducing password fatigue. 

In this article, we’ll be taking a closer look at the best SSO solutions, catering to a wide range of needs – from internal user management within enterprises, businesses, schools, and other organizations to online, user-facing platforms. 

Let’s begin! 

Understanding Single Sign-On (SSO) solutions

SSO is a popular approach to digital identity management, allowing users to access multiple applications with just one set of credentials. This method simplifies the login process, enhances security, and reduces the need for multiple passwords.

Here’s how it works: Upon the initial login, SSO verifies the user’s identity and generates an authentication token to access other connected systems, eliminating repeated login prompts. 

This method brings many benefits, such as increased user convenience, lower IT costs for managing password recovery, and heightened security by minimizing password-related risks. 

However, it’s important to differentiate SSO from cloud identity and access solutions, which offer broader identity management features beyond SSO, such as password vaults, directory services, user provisioning and de-provisioning, authorization, and role-based access control.

SSO is particularly useful in:

• Corporate settings, where employees access numerous platforms.
• Educational institutions, for easy access to learning resources.
• Websites and eCommerce, enhancing user experience with quicker logins.
• Social media for streamlined access across platforms.

If you want to add SSO to your workflow, keep reading as we look into the various options available.

Exploring Top SSO solutions 

OneLogin

OneLogin is a leading SSO provider designed for IT systems and organizations, including enterprises and educational institutions. It simplifies identity and access management, offering a secure and efficient way to manage access across numerous applications.

Key features and benefits:

• Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Adds an extra layer of security by requiring users to provide multiple forms of verification before accessing applications.
• Multiple logins: Allows admins to create any number of logins for the same type of application. 
• User management and reporting: Enables administrators to easily manage user access, monitor login activities, and generate reports for insights into user behavior and system performance.
• Social logins: This feature lets end users log in with their social media credentials from sites like Facebook, LinkedIn, and X (Twitter). 
• User experience: Provides a smooth and intuitive interface, ensuring users can easily navigate and access needed applications.

Cisco Duo 

Cisco Duo is recognized for its comprehensive security solutions tailored for organizations seeking advanced protection and seamless user access. This includes government institutions, educational organizations, healthcare, legal, retail, and financial services. 

Key features and benefits:

• Device security health checks: Before granting access, Cisco Duo assesses the security health of the device, ensuring it meets your organization’s standards. 
• Adaptive authentication: The authentication process is dynamic, adjusting requirements based on the user’s location, device, and network environment. 
• Security compliance and data privacy: The platform supports organizations in meeting security compliance standards and upholding data privacy regulations. It provides tools and features designed to maintain accountability and protect sensitive information.
• Customer support: Cisco Duo is renowned for its exceptional customer support, offering extensive resources, including documentation, tutorials, and a responsive support team, to ensure users can effectively implement and utilize its access management solution.

Microsoft Entra ID 

Microsoft Entra ID, part of the broader Microsoft security ecosystem, is a leading identity and access management solution. It’s designed to work within modern enterprises, providing secure and seamless access to applications on-premises and in the cloud.

Key features and benefits:

• Conditional access and control features: Microsoft Entra ID enables administrators to define and enforce policies that control access to applications and data based on user, location, device state, and behavior. This ensures that access is securely managed and compliant with organizational policies.
• Multifactor authentication: The platform adds an extra layer of security, requiring users to provide two or more verification factors to access applications. These include Microsoft Authenticator, FIDO2 security keys, and certificate-based authentication. 
• Data security and privacy measures: Microsoft Entra ID provides different tools for ensuring data security and privacy, including encryption in transit and at rest. It also offers advanced auditing and reporting features, allowing organizations to monitor and review access logs and activities for compliance and security analysis.
• Integrations: The tool’s integration within the Microsoft ecosystem allows full compatibility with a wide range of Microsoft products and third-party applications. 

JumpCloud

JumpCloud is another comprehensive platform for cloud-based directory services, offering great single-sign-on solutions to businesses that want to improve user management and enhance security. 

Key features and benefits:

• User management and directory services: JumpCloud’s directory services act as a central hub for managing user identities, allowing IT teams to control access to resources across the network. This simplifies user provisioning and de-provisioning and ensures access rights are accurately reflected across all systems.
• Security compliances and system-management capabilities: The platform adheres to strict standards, offering features like end-to-end encryption and regular security assessments. JumpCloud’s system management capabilities provide users with tools for device and app management that enhance overall security posture.
• User experience: JumpCloud is known for its focus on creating a positive user experience, offering a user-friendly interface that simplifies access management for both administrators and end-users. 
• Available support resources: These include a large knowledge base, community forums, and responsive customer support. These resources are designed to help users maximize the platform’s capabilities and address any issues swiftly.

Okta

Okta has established itself as a leader in the SSO space, offering a versatile platform that supports businesses in securely managing and automating user identities and access controls.

Key features and benefits:

• Adaptive Multi-Factor Authentication: Okta’s adaptive MFA requires additional verification based on the context of the access request, such as user location, device, and the application being accessed. 
• Identity providers: There is support for over 40 social login providers and easy configuration of enterprise connections, such as Active Directory, LDAP, ADFS, SAML, and more. 
• User experience: Okta prioritizes a frictionless user experience, providing a straightforward and intuitive interface for administrators and end-users. The ease of navigating its platform and accessing applications contributes to higher productivity and user satisfaction.
• Management capabilities: These include centralized provisioning and de-provisioning of user accounts, support for coarse-grained and fine-grained authorization protocols, and advanced analytics for personalized targeting and user growth. 

The role of Gravatar in web-based SSO

Gravatar, short for “Globally Recognized Avatar,” is a service that allows users to create a profile and avatar that accompany them across various online platforms. It’s designed for anyone looking to maintain a consistent identity online, solving the problem of fragmented digital personas, particularly web applications, customer portals, membership sites, WordPress websites, newsletters, eCommerce sites, and online courses. 

Unlike traditional SSO services that focus solely on login mechanics, Gravatar extends its functionality to manage online identities, enhancing users’ digital presence across different platforms.

What this means is that when users with Gravatar profiles can carry over their profile information across any website or web app that has integrated with the Gravatar API – which streamlines the profile creation and onboarding process for them. 

How Gravatar works

A Gravatar is a unique avatar automatically associated with the user’s email address, following them from site to site. It appears next to their name when they comment on blogs, sign up for websites, or participate in online discussions. This universality means users can maintain a consistent image across the web, enhancing recognition and trust.

User privacy and control

Gravatar places a strong emphasis on user privacy and control. Users can manage their profiles and decide how much information to share, ensuring their online presence aligns with their privacy expectations. This focus makes Gravatar particularly appealing to privacy-conscious users and those who frequent multiple web platforms.

Implementation and online experience

For website, app, and eCommerce store owners, Gravatar simplifies the profile creation and user registration process. Allowing users to bring their Gravatar profiles to new sites can significantly increase registration rates and, consequently, conversion rates. This ease of integration and the enhancement of the online experience make Gravatar an attractive option for both users and developers.

For web developers, Gravatar offers easy integration, enabling personalized and streamlined sign-ups while adhering to user privacy principles. 

Make the smart SSO choice for your needs

Including single sign-on in your organization and websites is a great way to convenience users while paying attention to data security and personal privacy. Throughout this article, we’ve explored a variety of top-tier SSO solutions tailored for internal organizational use in enterprises and educational institutions, each offering its unique set of features, security measures, and integration capabilities.

However, for developers focused on creating user-friendly experiences for websites, stores, or apps, Gravatar is arguably one of the best identity management solutions built around the principles of SSO.

Unlike conventional options, this tool excels in creating a unified online identity, allowing users to carry their profiles and avatars across various platforms effortlessly, fostering a sense of trust and continuity. 

Gravatar’s commitment to privacy, its status as an open-source leader, and its developer-friendly API make it an invaluable tool for those prioritizing user control over personal information. 

So, if you’re intrigued by the unique benefits and potential of Gravatar for web development, find out how Gravatar is revolutionizing SSO for the online space, and subscribe to our newsletter to stay tuned for more information.

The default WordPress user profile options are a bit bare-bones, allowing users to enter only the most basic details when they sign up on your website. This not only leads to a lackluster user experience but also limits the valuable data and insights you can gather as a website owner.

Imagine, instead, a WordPress site where every user profile is a unique, dynamic representation of the individual behind it. By creating custom profile fields on the sign-up page, you can allow users to share their stories, interests, and expertise. 

But the benefits of customized user profiles go beyond just the user experience. By gathering rich, detailed information about your users, you can gain valuable insights into your audience demographics, preferences, and behavior. This data can inform everything from content strategy to product development, helping you tailor your offerings to better serve your community.

So how do you unlock the full potential of user profiles on your WordPress site? In this article, we’ll dive into the world of front-end user profile customization, exploring powerful plugins and tools like Gravatar that make it easy to create a cohesive, engaging brand experience across every user profile.

The limitations of WordPress’ built-in user profile system

WordPress’ native user system is simple and straightforward. However, it might be a little too simple for website owners who want to implement custom frontend profiles for users. Here’s a look at its limitations: 

• Limited information storage: When someone signs up on your website, WordPress only saves the essentials, like username and email address. 
• No frontend editing capabilities: Unless you grant a user backend access, they won’t be able to directly edit their information within WordPress. 
• Lack of personalization: By default, WordPress user profiles don’t have fields for personal details, which means users can’t provide details such as their phone number, location, or address, or personalize their profiles with their bio or links to their social media accounts. 
• Limited customization options for profile fields: Extending profile fields or functionalities requires additional plugins or coding.
• Absence of integrations: The standard WordPress profile lacks integrations with social media and external platforms, limiting user engagement and connectivity across different online channels.
• Unsuitable for advanced sites: While the WordPress profile is great for simple use cases, complex sites, like those focusing on memberships, eCommerce, or community-driven interactions, require advanced profile management solutions.

Exploring plugins for frontend user profile management

Frontend user profile plugins make it easy for users to update their WordPress user profile pages without needing backend access. 

As the name suggests, these plugins let users tweak, edit, and manage their profiles right from the site’s front end. By offering various customization and integration options, front-end user profile plugins play an important role in addressing the limitations of the default WordPress profile. 

Let’s explore some of the popular plugins and their essential features: 

User Registration

User Registration is a versatile plugin that allows users to create custom registration forms for their WordPress sites. 

With an intuitive drag-and-drop form builder and unlimited customization options for fields and forms, this plugin is ideal for websites that require flexible and customizable user registration forms, such as membership sites, online communities, and eCommerce platforms.

However, you need to upgrade to a premium version to access advanced features, such as integrations with payment gateways, email marketing platforms, and other third-party services. User Registration’s pricing ranges from $79 per year for a single site to $299 per year for unlimited sites. 

Profile Builder Pro

Profile Builder Pro comes packed with features like social login, customizable forms, and even multi-step forms for a great user experience. While its sleek design and integration with WooCommerce are big pluses, some advanced features might need add-ons.

Although it isn’t the simplest tool for beginners, if you’re running a website that requires advanced profile management capabilities, like an online directory or a job board, this plugin could be the right fit. Profile Builder Pro’s plans range from €69 per year for a single website to €429 one-time payment for unlimited websites. 

ProfilePress

ProfilePress simplifies user registration, login, and profile management on WordPress. It comes with customizable forms, social login, and user verification features. 

ProfilePress is known for its easy-to-use interface, making it a great choice for beginners and those who want to create a basic user-friendly website. 

However, accessing advanced features, like payment gateways and multilingual support, requires purchasing a premium ProfilePress plan and enabling the relevant add-ons. ProfilePress is also the most expensive option on this list, starting at $125 per year for a single website and going up to $499 per year for unlimited websites. 

Toolset

Toolset allows you to create custom post types, taxonomies, and fields on your WordPress site. It’s perfect for building complex websites with unique content structures.

Thanks to its drag-and-drop interface, Toolset is user-friendly and allows for custom views, queries, and layouts. Toolset is ideal for developers and large-scale agencies looking to build custom, data-driven websites with advanced features. 

However, the pricing for Toolset can be steep, especially for those with simpler website requirements. The plugin starts at €69 per year for a single site and goes up to €299 per year for unlimited sites.

Why Gravatar is an even better solution for WordPress profile pages

Though not a plugin, Gravatar by Automattic is a powerful tool that helps users maintain their online identities across the internet with a universal profile. Here’s how it stands out from the rest: 

Simplifies the user experience

Integrating your website with the Gravatar Application Programming Interface (API) can seriously streamline the user sign-up process. When a user signs up with an email address linked to their Gravatar profile, you can automatically pull their profile information, such as avatar, name, and bio, to pre-fill the corresponding fields on your website. This enables the functionality you want and makes the process extremely straightforward for your users!

Symbiotic relationship with WordPress

Gravatar and WordPress share a symbiotic relationship: Automattic, the company behind WordPress.com, also happens to be the brains behind Gravatar. This means site owner profiles on WordPress.com are all pulled from Gravatar. Plus, across the WordPress ecosystem, Gravatar is the go-to for avatars in default user profiles and comments. 

Data and security

At Gravatar, we take a privacy-forward approach. This means users have complete control over their personal data and can decide what’s public or private. They can also manage all their profile information in one centralized location for added security. 

This approach offers several benefits for website owners. You don’t actively store any data, and you can build personalized experiences for your users based on the information they choose to share with you. 

Ease of integration and developer support

Gravatar’s straightforward setup process and compatibility with various platforms make it easy to integrate. And, for developers, Gravatar comes with full API support, meaning you can customize and extend its functionality to suit your needs.

Maximizing Your Website’s Profile Potential with Gravatar

Gravatar offers a suite of powerful customization options that enable you to tailor user profiles to perfectly align with your brand and community. Here are just a few ways Gravatar can help you maximize your website’s profile potential:

• Offer extensive profile customization: With Gravatar, you can give your users the flexibility to tell their stories on their own terms. From adding bios and profile links to adjusting privacy settings, Gravatar’s user-friendly interface makes it easy for your community to create rich, dynamic profiles that showcase their individuality.
• Build user credibility: By integrating Gravatar’s verification features into your website, you can give your users the ability to confirm their identities unify their digital presence by adding social links. With Gravatar, users can add multiple popular platforms, including WordPress, Instagram, X/Twitter, Tumblr, TikTok, GitHub, Twitch, and more.
• Foster creative expression: A picture is worth a thousand words, and Gravatar allows your users to express themselves visually through custom photos and designs. Encourage your community to get creative with their avatars – a makeup artist could showcase their range with multiple looks, while a graphic designer could feature their most eye-catching work.

Optimize your WordPress profiles with Gravatar

Setting up custom frontend profiles isn’t possible by default, but with Gravatar, it is! Here’s how it makes life easier for you and your users: 

• Syncs profile images: Gravatar ensures that your users’ online identity follows them wherever they go. By syncing their profile images across different sites, Gravatar spares them the hassle of setting up profiles time and time again, making it easier for you to maintain a consistent user experience.
• Ease of management: Gravatar allows your users to manage and update their profile information from a single location. This helps ensure that they maintain a consistent online identity without the headache of managing multiple profiles separately.
• Enhanced security: With Gravatar, your users have complete control over their profile information. They can make their profile as public or private as they want, giving them the flexibility to share only the information they feel comfortable with.

By optimizing user profiles with Gravatar, you can enhance user engagement, trust, and site loyalty, which could open doors for monetization opportunities on your WordPress site. Explore all the possibilities that are available with Gravatar and start creating fantastic user experiences today!

Are you feeling lost among all the types of authentication protocols and struggling to understand the difference between them? 

It’s certainly a lot to wrap your head around, which is why we’ve created this in-depth guide. Here, you’ll learn all authentication protocols, their main functionalities, and how they can impact your business. 

By the end, you’ll know how to choose the best protocol for your specific use case.

What are authentication protocols, and why do they matter?

Authentication protocols are network security rules determining how individuals or systems verify their identities during online communications. They are like online bouncers, checking IDs before letting anyone in. 

These protocols are the first defense against unauthorized access, ensuring that sensitive information doesn’t fall into the wrong hands. This can prevent data breaches, substantial financial losses, and reputation damage.

From traditional password-based methods to cutting-edge biometric verification, authentication protocols follow three main steps: 

1. Identification, where the user claims an identity.
2. Authentication, where they prove their identity.
3. Authorization, where they get access to resources.

Encryption and decryption are at the heart of these protocols, maintaining the confidentiality and integrity of the data being exchanged. Even if the data is intercepted, it remains unintelligible without the correct cryptographic key that unlocks its encryption.

Exploring the most popular authentication protocols

WebAuthn

WebAuthn, short for Web Authentication, is a browser-based Application Programming Interface (API) that works with biometric information. This means that it uses data like fingerprints and facial recognition or physical security keys instead of traditional passwords, which can be forgotten or stolen. 

Use cases

WebAuthn is adopted by major web browsers and a growing list of online platforms, allowing them to streamline the login process with a simple fingerprint scan and an extra layer of security through two-factor authentication. These include online banking, social media platforms, and companies that want to secure employee access to internal systems and applications. 

Pros and cons

Pros	Cons
It eradicates the need for passwords, eliminating the risk of phishing and other password-based attacks.	Transitioning to passwordless authentication requires user education and acceptance.
Offers a personalized, secure login via biometrics or secure hardware tokens, adding layers of security.	Ensuring smooth operation across all platforms and browsers demands ongoing vigilance.
Simplifies authentication, making secure access effortless for users across the globe.	The effectiveness of WebAuthn relies on careful integration to keep the device and biometric data safe.

Kerberos

Kerberos is a network authentication protocol developed in the 1980s by MIT as part of Project Athena to secure network communications across an untrusted network. 

With a unique ticketing system, Kerbos enables users to access network services only when they receive tickets from a Kerberos Key Distribution Center (KDC). These tickets prove the user’s identity without sending passwords over the network. 

A vital component is the Ticket-Granting Ticket (TGT), obtained upon initial authentication, which is then used to request other tickets for specific services, streamlining secure access without repeated logins.

Use cases

Kerberos is widely used in corporate environments, schools, and universities to secure access to networked services. Common use cases include accessing file shares, email servers, and database management systems within a secure corporate network and student information systems. 

It’s also the default authentication protocol for Microsoft Active Directory (AD). When a user logs into their Windows domain, AD issues a TGT from its key distribution center. This TGT is then used to obtain service tickets for accessing various network resources within the domain.

Pros and cons

Pros	Cons
Simplifies the user experience by requiring only one set of credentials – Single Sign-On (SSO), to access multiple services.	Implementing and maintaining a Kerberos system can be complex, requiring specialized knowledge.
Using strong encryption and temporary tickets, Kerberos minimizes the risk of password interception and replay attacks.	Kerberos requires precise time synchronization between all the devices in the network, which can be challenging to maintain.
Kerberos is designed to support large, complex networks, making it suitable for organizations of all sizes.	Kerberos is most effective within a controlled network environment, and extending its protection to external services or users can be complicated.

LDAP

How LDAP works

Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) is an open, vendor-neutral, industry-standard application protocol used for querying and modifying items in directory service providers over an Internet Protocol (IP) network. It’s designed to work on a client-server model, where the client makes requests to the directory server, which then responds to those requests.

Use cases 

LDAP is extensively used in Single Sign-On (SSO) systems, where it allows users to access multiple applications or services with a single set of credentials, improving the user experience and administrative efficiency. 

It’s also foundational in creating and managing digital directories, including those for managing user information, such as names, passwords, and email addresses, across an organization.

Pros and cons

Pros	Cons
LDAP is optimized for high performance, making it fast to search and access directory information.	While LDAP supports security mechanisms, its inherent security is considered weaker than some newer protocols, making it more susceptible to attacks like man-in-the-middle (MitM).
It can scale to accommodate many entries and supports a wide range of data formats, making it adaptable to various organizational needs.	Setting up and managing LDAP can be complex, requiring specific expertise, especially in configuring it to use stronger security measures effectively.
LDAP’s support for diverse data formats and structures allows it to integrate with a multitude of applications and systems, enhancing its utility.

OAuth

OAuth is an authorization protocol that enables external applications to request access to private details in a user’s account without needing the user’s password. It acts as an intermediary, granting tokens to third-party services to access specific account information with the user’s consent, thus maintaining security and privacy.

Use cases

OAuth is widely utilized across various social media platforms to allow seamless content sharing and user verification. For instance, when a website or app allows you to log in using your Google or Facebook account, OAuth is at work. 

It simplifies the login process for users across websites and applications, enhancing the user experience by connecting different online services in a secure manner.

Pros and cons

Pros	Cons
Users can grant limited access to their private information without exposing their passwords, maintaining control over what external applications can see and do with their data.	Despite its security benefits, OAuth can be susceptible to phishing attacks, where malicious actors trick users into granting access to their accounts.
OAuth allows for detailed control over the levels of access external apps have, enabling users to specify which data can be accessed and for how long.	Managing the lifetime and refresh of tokens can be challenging, as insecure handling or leaks can lead to unauthorized access.
For developers, OAuth simplifies integrating with third-party services, offering a standardized protocol for authorization.

SAML

Security Assertion Markup Language (SAML) is an open standard for exchanging authentication and authorization credentials between an Identity Provider (IdP) and a Service Provider (SP). It enables secure, cross-domain SSO, allowing users to access multiple services with a single set of credentials to streamline the authentication process across different platforms and applications.

Use cases

SAML is predominantly applied in the enterprise sector, facilitating SSO for various applications. It’s particularly beneficial for organizations with numerous cloud services and internal applications, as it simplifies the login process for employees, reducing the need for multiple passwords and enhancing productivity. 

For instance, SAML is extensively utilized in institutions using Google Workspace or Microsoft 365, enabling users to log in to various applications and services with a single set of credentials.

Pros and cons

Pros	Cons
SAML enables a smooth and secure user experience by allowing access to multiple services with a single authentication process.	Setup can be complex, requiring significant effort in configuration and maintenance, especially when integrating multiple services.
It supports advanced security features and complies with strict regulatory standards, ensuring sensitive data is securely shared across different services.	Since SAML centralizes the authentication process, it can become a single point of failure, where issues with the identity provider can affect access to all connected services.
As an open standard, SAML ensures compatibility and interoperability between different systems and applications, facilitating easy integration and adoption.	Although SAML enhances security, poorly implemented SAML assertions can be exploited, leading to unauthorized access and other security vulnerabilities.

RADIUS

Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service (RADIUS) is a networking protocol that provides centralized Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting (AAA) management for users connecting to and using a network service. 

It centralizes access to various network resources, streamlining the process of managing user credentials and access rights across a wide range of network devices and services.

Use cases

RADIUS is extensively used by Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and enterprises to manage access to network resources such as VPNs, network switches, and wireless access points. It allows for the management of user credentials, permissions, and tracking of user activity, making it essential for organizations that require secure and efficient access control.

Pros and cons

Pros	Cons
RADIUS is supported by a wide variety of network hardware and software vendors, ensuring flexibility and ease of integration in diverse IT environments.	While RADIUS can serve small to medium-sized deployments efficiently, it may face scalability issues in larger, more dynamic environments.
Its well-established protocol makes onboarding straightforward, allowing organizations to quickly set up and manage access controls without extensive customization.	Although user passwords are transmitted in an encrypted form, the lack of hashing or salting can pose a security risk, making passwords more vulnerable to certain types of attacks if the encrypted data is intercepted.

Exploring less common authentication protocols

CHAP

Challenge-Handshake Authentication Protocol (CHAP) is a network security protocol that uses a challenge-handshake mechanism to authenticate a user or network entity. Its primary purpose is to securely establish a connection without transmitting the actual password over the network. 

It operates in three phases: link establishment, authentication, and network connection. This ensures secure data exchange by periodically verifying the identity of the client using a three-way handshake method. 

Commonly used in ISP settings, Point-To-Point (PPP) connections, and remote server access, CHAP provides a layer of security by preventing unauthorized access.

EAP

Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) serves as a versatile framework supporting multiple authentication methods, making it adaptable to various network requirements. It is primarily utilized in wireless networks and point-to-point connections. 

EAP functions by providing a standard mechanism for authentication, offering a range of methods such as EAP-TLS (Transport Layer Security), EAP-TTLS (Tunneled Transport Layer Security), and PEAP (Protected EAP), among others. 

These methods cater to different security needs, showcasing EAP’s flexibility in authenticating network access.

PAP

Password Authentication Protocol (PAP) is one of the simplest forms of network security authentication mechanisms, and it operates by exchanging plain-text passwords across the network.

Because this method is inherently less secure, PAP is generally used as a “last resort”, particularly in environments where other, more secure methods are not available or feasible. When other options are available, PAP is typically bypassed due to its vulnerability to eavesdropping attacks. 

TACACS

Terminal Access Controller Access Control System (TACACS) is used for verifying users on a network, particularly in environments requiring centralized control over authentication and authorization services.

It creates a secure dialogue between a client and an authentication server, employing a more sophisticated authentication mechanism than simpler protocols. It also allows for granular control over user permissions and the flexibility to support various authentication methods. 

Despite its strengths, the TACACS’s complexity and the need for specialized knowledge for implementation are considered drawbacks.

Choosing the right authentication protocol: A use case approach

Selecting the optimal authentication protocol is crucial for enhancing a system’s performance, its security, and a smooth integration process. The decision on which authentication protocol to use can be influenced by several factors:

• System architecture: The structural design of the system determines compatibility with different protocols.
• Resources available: Time, budget, and technical expertise available can significantly narrow down choices.
• Specific security requirements: Different protocols offer varying levels of security, making some more suitable for certain scenarios than others.

Use case examples:

• Small business server: For small businesses with limited resources and technical expertise, a protocol like RADIUS, known for its broad vendor compatibility and ease of deployment, might be the most appropriate choice.
• Cloud-based web application: OAuth shines in scenarios requiring secure third-party app integrations, making it ideal for cloud-based applications that need to support social media logins or access to other online services.
• Enterprise-level network: An organization requiring robust security and SSO across multiple systems might find Kerberos to be the best fit, thanks to its ability to protect against password attacks and support for complex network architectures.

In certain contexts, a lesser-used protocol could be more effective. For instance, CHAP might be chosen over OAuth for its utility in point-to-point connection settings where third-party app integration isn’t a priority, but periodic authentication checks are essential.

Sometimes, you have to use multiple protocols to meet all the security and functionality needs of a system effectively. This flexibility will make sure that as your business grows or technology advances, the authentication mechanisms can grow and evolve with it, maintaining security and performance without compromising on user experience or system integrity.

Pairing your authentication protocol with Gravatar for a complete digital identity management solution

So far, we’ve looked at the various authentication protocols available to help you choose the right one, whether it’s for your website, web app, internal login portal for your business, or any other use case. This plays a huge role in a streamlined and secure digital identity management setup, but there’s more you can do. 

Enter Gravatar, a tool that significantly simplifies the user management process for various digital platforms, including websites, blogs, eCommerce sites, and applications. By offering a universal and unique user identification system, Gravatar allows for effortless integration across multiple platforms, streamlining the validation processes for entities of all kinds.

To break this down, Gravatar lets users create a universal profile linked to their email address. By integrating Gravatar to your website or web app via Gravatar’s API, when a user with a Gravatar profile signs up to your website, you can automatically pull their data for a streamlined profile creation process. 

This not only simplifies profile management but also enriches the user experience, as individuals can carry their digital identity – via a consistent profile image and information – across the web.

Integrating Gravatar offers the added advantage of a secure and personalized signup process. By leveraging Gravatar, developers can eliminate the complexities associated with managing profile image storage and retrieval, ensuring a more streamlined and efficient system. Users benefit from a trustworthy and straightforward identification system that respects their privacy and simplifies online interactions.

Build a digital identity management system your users deserve

There are so many different authentication protocols that it can make anyone’s head hurt. Hopefully, we’ve made it easier for you to see their differences and recognize their unique strengths and weaknesses. 

The great thing about these protocols is that they don’t have to be a one-man army – you can combine them to get the most secure and user-friendly experience possible. 

Whatever approach you take, Gravatar’s approach to identity management makes it a very unique and valuable complementary system for authentication, ideal for all kinds of websites and apps. Its ability to provide a universal identification system simplifies user management and improves the user experience and data privacy. 

So why wait?

Explore Gravatar further to understand how it can meet your digital identity management needs and provide the seamless, secure user experience your users deserve!

Passkeys are leading the charge in transforming how we secure our digital identities. 

This article offers a comprehensive exploration of passkeys – breaking down their mechanics, illustrating their advantages over traditional passwords, and showcasing their role in the next wave of secure online authentication. 

Whether you’re a developer, IT professional, or simply tech-curious, join us as we explore the ins and outs of passkeys, providing practical examples and guidance on how to implement them for a safer, smoother online experience.

What are passkeys?

A passkey is a secure method that distinctly identifies a user through advanced mechanisms that go beyond the traditional “something you know” attribute of passwords. Instead, passkeys encompass facets like “something you are”, like biometrics, or “something you have”, such as a physical security key. 

Example of biometric authentication

Using passkeys for your websites and platforms gives visitors an easy way to verify their identity without typing complex passwords, replacing them with unique and often temporary credentials, enhancing security and user experience.

These tokens often come in the form of unique, time-sensitive codes that protect online spaces against unwanted entries. The most common types include facial and fingerprint recognition, complicated designed patterns, or secure PINs, which are often specially generated for this specific login attempt. 

There are many advantages to integrating passkeys:

• Enhanced security: Passkeys offer a more secure authentication method compared to traditional passwords, significantly reducing the risk of unauthorized access.
• User-friendly: They simplify the login process, making it quicker and more convenient for users by eliminating the need to remember and type passwords.
• Reduced forgetfulness issues: The temporary nature of passkeys means users don’t have to remember a static password, decreasing the chances of lockouts due to forgotten passwords.
• Resistance to brute force attacks: Passkeys’ unique and often temporary nature makes them much harder for attackers to guess through repeated trial and error.
• Decreased dependency on password recovery: Passkeys significantly reduce the reliance on potentially insecure password recovery methods, as users no longer need to reset forgotten passwords frequently.

Passkeys are built on FIDO standards

​​Short for Fast Identity Online, FIDO is a global authentication standard designed to reinforce and simplify the digital authentication process, making it simpler for users and more secure against threats. 

These standards are based on public key cryptography and have played a crucial role in encouraging the adoption of passkeys by ensuring they comply with rigorous security and ease-of-use criteria.

Through the integration of FIDO protocols, such as U2F (Universal 2nd Factor) and WebAuthn, passkeys benefit from an advanced security infrastructure. U2F adds a layer of protection by involving a physical security key in the authentication process, while WebAuthn allows for the registration and verification of users on web applications through biometric data, mobile devices, or FIDO security keys, moving away from password reliance.

This combination of passkeys with FIDO standards has significantly improved digital authentication, making it safer and more user-friendly. 

Understanding the user flow with passkeys

Passkeys are revolutionizing the way we authenticate, making logging in smoother and more secure. Imagine the ease of entering a secure system or website without the hassle of remembering complex passwords. Here’s a simple breakdown of how a typical passkey authentication process works. 

1. Registration: First, a user chooses to create a passkey for a service. This often happens during the initial sign-up or through a settings menu for existing users. The user confirms their identity through a verification method, like an email link or a text message code.
2. Creating a passkey: The system prompts the user to authorize the creation of a passkey. This can be done using a device’s biometric features (like a fingerprint or facial recognition) or a PIN. The passkey is then generated and securely stored on the user’s device, as well as with the service, but in a way that the service can’t see the passkey itself.
3. Authentication: When returning to the service, the user is prompted to unlock their passkey, again using biometrics or a PIN. The device then communicates with the service, confirming the user’s identity without transmitting the passkey. This seamless interaction ensures that the user’s credentials are never exposed to potential theft.

How passkey authentication works

4. Cross-device usage: Passkeys can also be used across different devices, thanks to cloud synchronization, making authentication even more convenient without compromising security.

This flow stands out from traditional passwords by eliminating the need for users to remember anything or enter credentials manually, reducing the risk of phishing or password theft. Besides that, because the authentication is tied to the user’s device and/or biometrics, it significantly enhances security.

Exploring real-world examples of the Passkeys experience

iOS, Android, and desktop recognition 

On mobile platforms like iOS and Android, the experience of using passkeys is designed to be incredibly intuitive. When users attempt to log into a service that supports passkeys, the operating system prompts them to authenticate using a method they are already familiar with, such as a fingerprint, facial recognition, or a PIN. 

A lot of modern laptops, both Apple and Windows, include a fingerprint scanner in the power button, and since 2015, Windows laptops have started including facial recognition, as well. Until a few years ago, this was a function only available for mobile devices. 

For example, this is how the prompt looks on a Mac laptop when trying to access information behind a security wall, such as the Google Password Manager. 

Touch ID option on a Mac computer

In the device’s settings, people can specify where they want to use this type of recognition. For instance, these are the settings for Face ID on an iPhone. 

iPhone Face ID settings

This seamless process eliminates the need to type in usernames and passwords, offering a secure and streamlined login experience directly integrated into the device’s ecosystem.

LastPass

LastPass Passwordless Vault service page

LastPass is a popular password manager that has embraced passkeys, providing a user-friendly interface that simplifies the shift from traditional passwords to passkey authentication. Users can generate and manage their passkeys within the LastPass app, which then facilitates easy and secure access to various services. 

Google Passkey

Google Passkey homepage

Google has been at the forefront of implementing passkey authentication across its services. Users can create a passkey for their Google Account, which then allows for swift access to Gmail, Google Drive, and other Google services. 

Why developers, users, and businesses prefer passkeys over passwords and MFA 

Over the past few years, more and more developers and businesses prefer passkeys over traditional passwords and Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). Let’s see why. 

They’re safer

Traditional systems are very vulnerable. For example, in 2021, the New York City Law Department experienced a significant cyberattack, where attackers accessed sensitive data, including city employees’ personal information, police misconduct evidence, plaintiffs’ medical records, and the identities of minors charged with crimes, through a single employee’s compromised email password. 

Passkeys, on the other hand, are immune to common threats like phishing and keylogging, as they do not transmit sensitive information that can be intercepted or deceitfully obtained. 

This is possible because passkeys use public-private key cryptography, a method far superior to the conventional password system. Unlike passwords, which rely on a shared secret known by both the user and the service, passkeys work by creating a pair of keys: a private one that stays with the user and a public one stored on the server. So, even if a server is compromised, attackers cannot impersonate the user without access to the private key.

They’re easier to use

Passkeys significantly simplify the user experience. People don’t need to remember complex passwords, manage multiple credentials, and constantly reset passwords. 

Instead, they gain access with just a tap or a biometric check, making the process not only quicker but also more enjoyable. This simplicity and speed appeal to tech-savvy individuals and those less comfortable with technology, expanding the accessibility of secure online services.

They result in more conversions

The frictionless nature of passkey authentication reduces dropout rates during the signup process and encourages higher user retention by removing common login-related frustrations. This ease of use can significantly boost conversion rates, as users are more likely to complete sign-up processes and continue using services that offer an effortless access method. 

Furthermore, by adopting passkeys, companies can distinguish themselves from competitors, offering a modern and secure authentication solution that appeals to privacy and convenience-conscious consumers.

They can be used for single sign-on purposes

Passkeys seamlessly integrate with Single Sign-On (SSO) solutions, enhancing both convenience and security. SSO allows users to access multiple services or applications with a single set of credentials, reducing the burden of remembering numerous passwords. 

By incorporating passkeys into SSO frameworks, users enjoy an even smoother login experience across various platforms, with the added benefit of heightened security. 

This integration not only simplifies user access but also bolsters productivity and security for businesses by minimizing the potential attack surface for cyber threats.

It’s time to enter a passwordless future

By the end of this article, you’ll have understood what passkeys are – and more importantly, you’ll hopefully agree that it’s time for passkeys to trump passwords once and for all. 

At Gravatar, we’re paving the way for a more open, connected, and user-centric internet – and our approach to profile management lets you build a complete digital identity management solution along with your passkeys authentication service. 

With more than 20 years of serving as people’s globally recognized avatar, Gravatar allows users to create profiles that serve as universal identifiers across any website or web application that integrates with Gravatar’s API. This minimizes the need for users to manage data across different platforms and also minimizes the need for you as a developer or website owner to store user data directly. 

So, if you’re looking to enhance your site, app, or online store, discover more about how you can integrate Gravatar and join the movement toward a more secure, efficient online experience for everyone. 

On Instagram, there are two places where you can put permanent and clickable links – your bio and your stories, which can become permanent highlights. Until April 2023, you could only put one link in your bio, but since then, Instagram has increased that number to five. 

However, even with that change, the author bio is still quite restrictive and doesn’t allow you to customize your profile fully or add other elements. 

The solution to that is to put a “transition” link – one that will open a new webpage filled with all the links your heart desires, whether it’s your blog, store, portfolio, or other relevant social media pages. 

Instagram doesn’t come with this feature, so in order to get the multifunctional “link in bio,” you need a specialized tool for the job. In this guide, we’ll introduce you to 10 excellent tools for breaking free from Instagram’s limitations and expanding your online presence effectively.

Let’s start! 

1. Gravatar 

Gravatar homepage

Instagram is just one platform, and if you want to create a permanent space on the internet, you need to think about your online presence beyond social media. 

One way to do that is by creating a universal profile – an online identity that travels with you no matter where you go. Gravatar by Automattic is a free tool that can do that and much more. While not exclusively a “link in bio” tool, Gravatar still brings a lot of useful features that you can use to expand your Instagram bio section. 

Here is what you can do with it! 

Personalize your “About” section

It’s hard to describe yourself in a captivating way with just 150 characters, but that’s all Instagram gives you. With Gravatar, however, you have the opportunity to craft an “About” section brimming with personality. When users click on the Gravatar link, they’ll be redirected to your Gravatar profile which will look more or less like this. 

Gravatar profile bio section

It’s a space where you can tell your story, sharing not just a basic bio but also details, such as your name, pronunciation, and location. 

List your verified accounts

Linking and showing your verified accounts is important as it gives you more brand credibility, whether you’re an influencer, CEO, author, academic speaker, and so on. As a result, people who open your Gravatar profile will be more inclined to follow you on different platforms beyond Instagram, and they’ll know where to go.

With Gravatar, you can add multiple popular platforms, including WordPress, X/Twitter, Tumblr, TikTok, GitHub, Twitch, and more. 

Gravatar’s verified accounts list

Add important links

Confined by Instagram’s solo link policy? Gravatar can help! Accentuate your profile with curated links pointing to your latest blog posts, eCommerce stores, or other important profiles and pages. 

Gravatar links feature

The way you display your links matters! To increase their visibility, put your most important links at the top of your profile. 

Share payment links and cryptocurrency wallet addresses

Besides normal links, with Gravatar you can also create a versatile and personalized wallet, adding payment links and cryptocurrency wallets. This allows you to add another way of monetizing your online presence, as well as gather money for charity and important causes. 

Adding payment links to your Gravatar profile

Connect with websites like PayPal, Patreon, Venmo, Bitcoin, Litecoin, and Dogecoin in seconds! And the best part is that adding wallets will not clutter your “About” section. Instead, a new button will appear called “Pay” that people will be able to click and choose the best payment option. 

The “Pay” button in Gravatar’s “About” section

Add your contact information

With Gravatar, you can centralize your contact information and save users from the hunt and peck of tracking down your email or phone number. 

Gravatar contact information

Include only what you’re comfortable sharing publicly, striking a balance between transparency and privacy. Similar to the payment options section, instead of putting everything in the same profile area, a new “Contact” button appears, containing all your contact information. 

Add photos

Curate a selection of images that enhance your profile’s narrative. For photographers, this is a great place to put some of your work. If you’re a thought-leadership expert, put some pictures from conferences or lectures that you’ve done. 

Gravatar uploading photos to the profile

Customize your profile design

Your Gravatar extends the reach of your Instagram bio, so it’s very important to customize your profile to mirror your brand identity. With control over design elements such as background colors and imagery, you can align your digital profile across all social media platforms, ensuring a consistent brand journey throughout. 

Gravatar custom color background

Gravatar custom background image

2. w.link

w.link homepage

w.link is a WordPress tool for creating a “link in bio” page that allows users to deeply personalize the presentation of their links. It works the same way as a WordPress site, which means that you need a domain to launch it and know how the Gutenberg editor works to get the most out of its features and customization options. 

Its main features include: 

• Customization with CSS. 
• Free themes and patterns. 
• Unlimited pages and users. 
• Built-in newsletter and RSS. 
• Brute force protection. 
• 1 GB of storage (this can be upgraded if you opt for a paid plan).

w.link has a free version, meaning you don’t pay for the tool, but you’ll still have to pay for a custom domain. It also has four pricing tiers, starting at $4/ month paid annually and going up to $45/month, all of which include a free domain for 1 year. 

3. Linktree

Linktree homepage

As one of the pioneers in bio-link tools, Linktree remains a strong contender in the market and comes with a free plan that offers a decent number of options. Still, its most important features, such as enhanced customization, priority links, and advanced analytics, such as click-through rates and audience demographics, are only included in the premium tiers. 

Other features include: 

• Ability to add QR code. 
• Unlimited links. 
• Tip jar and “Buy Me a Gift” option. 
• Button and font styles – only in paid plans. 
• Custom background images – only in paid plans.

There are three pricing options: Starter, $5/ month; Pro, $9/ month; and Premium, $24/month. 

4. Lnk.bio

Lnk.bio homepage

Lnk.bio is a tool specially designed to fit Instagram’s UI, making it easy for everyone to customize their link page and use the tool. 

Other interesting features include: 

• Instagram API. 
• Unlimited links and a personal URL. 
• Option to embed music tracks and videos. 
• Customizable profile pictures and image backgrounds (only available in the highest tier).
• Reports that track link clicks and patterns in audience interactions over time (this is only for the paid plans).

Their pricing structure is slightly different. You can use the free version, subscribe monthly for $0.99/month, or buy a lifetime subscription to the tool for $9.99 or $24.99, depending on the features you want. 

5. Link in Profile

Link in Profile homepage

The unique proposition of Link in Profile lies in its ability to use Instagram posts as direct transactional opportunities for eCommerce businesses. 

Its main features include: 

• Any URL mentioned in the post comments is sent directly to the landing page, transforming your Instagram feed into a marketplace. 
• High levels of automation it provides so that when new posts are created, new links are added without extra effort from the user. 
• Branded landing page with the Instagram profile picture and Instagram name. 
• Easy integration with major websites and shopping platforms like Amazon, Etsy, and Shopify. 

Link in Profile is a tool that mostly targets businesses and individuals who are looking for a good Return on Investment (ROI) and are focused on using Instagram to sell their products and services. 

There is no free version, but there is a free trial to their one plan, which is $9.99/month. 

6. Campsite

Campsite homepage

Campsite is a versatile tool suitable for independent creators, agencies, organizations, and small businesses. Its paid plans come with detailed analytics that go beyond basic tracking to include metrics like bounce rate and visitor behavior, crucial for understanding the efficiency of your online content. 

Other features include: 

• User-friendly interface and easy navigation menus.
• Bulk link editing. 
• Option to add images to links. 
• Pre-made themes and high customization. 
• SEO settings, UTM parameters, Google Analytics, and more marketing features for paid plans. 

You can choose between a personal account or an organization, both with two paid tiers – Pro and Pro+, starting from $7/month for a personal and $14 for organizations with two member profiles. 

7. Beacons.ai

Beacons.ai homepage

Beacons.ai is an all-in-one creator platform with multiple apps and services, such as an Audience Manager, Media Kit, Email Marketing, W-9 Generator, and Link-in Bio. 

Its main features include: 

• Fully customizable landing page. 
• Option to collect contact information from fans. 
• Ability to sell digital products with 1-tap checkout. 
• Traffic analytics. 
• Access to all Beacon tools. 

Beacons.ai is a dynamic social commerce tool that offers a lot, even in its free version. Still, for those wanting to upgrade, there are two options: A marketing bundle for $30/month and a VIP package starting at $100/month. The VIP plan comes with everything in the lower plan, a personal advisor to help you set up everything and a physical NFC business card for US and Canada users. 

8. Milkshake

Milkshake homepage

Milkshake is an interesting tool that allows its users to create an “Insta website” with its card-style layout, which adds a layer of interactivity. Each card represents a different page – an about section, testimonials, or showcase of work – offering a full-fledged website experience. 

Other features include: 

• Easy customization from your smartphone. 
• Analytics similar to the Story Analytics page on Instagram. 
• Option to create multiple Milkshake websites for different Instagram accounts. 
• Integration with other social media platforms. 

Milkshake is a free mobile application. 

9. Shor.by

Shor.by product page

Shor.by is most popular for its dynamic feeds, which can auto-populate with content from blogs or online shops, making it a decent option for content creators and small business owners alike. 

Other features include:

• Messenger links that allow direct communication with followers and customers. 
• Integration with popular services like WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger. 
• Block editor with an option to add images, videos, texts, products, RSS, and songs. 

Shor.by plans start from $15/month up to $99/month for agencies. 

10. Tap Bio

Tap Bio homepage

Tap Bio is another tool that uses card-based profiles to engage audiences. 

Its main features include: 

• Accessible interface with a gradual learning process for those new to digital storyboarding. 
• Option to put additional cards and Instagram accounts. 
• Statistics and analytics. 

There is a free Basic plan and two paid tiers for $5/month and $12/month. You can also opt for an annual payment of $36 and $96, respectively. 

Take the next step: Advance your Instagram bio with Gravatar

Whether you’re an independent creator, an agency, or a business, you don’t have to be confined to the restrictive nature of Instagram bios. Expand into a rich hub that fully represents you, your work, and your services. 

There are many great options for a “link in bio” tool, but Gravatar truly stands out as one of the best options. Not only is it completely free, but it also comes with a lot of important features, such as linking your other verified profiles, adding payment links and images, and customizing your profile to fit your brand fully. 

Ready to transform your Instagram bio into a dynamic portal? Step into a broader digital footprint with Gravatar and define your universal online profile.

Transcript

On the podcast today we have Rian Rietveld.

Rian is a web accessibility specialist from the Netherlands. As a freelance accessibility consultant she works for NL Design System, the WordPress agency Level Level and the form plugin Gravity Forms. She also teaches at the online learning platform The A11Y Collective. She loves to share her knowledge on WordCamps, meetups, workshops and accessibility conferences worldwide.

Today we talk about the accessibility requirements of the European Accessibility Act or EAA, which will be enforced by June 28th, 2025. This legislation mandates that public service websites, products, and services be accessible to all people.

Rian clarifies the key aspects of the EAA, particularly focusing on websites, but we also touch upon other areas such as apps, and PDFs. She emphasises the importance of ensuring accessibility not only because of the legal requirements but also due to the moral obligation to include individuals with disabilities who access the web using a variety of different mechanisms such as screen readers and keyboards.

We discuss practical ways to achieve web accessibility, for example using default accessible themes in vanilla WordPress and writing accessible content. Rian also highlights the need for constant monitoring and training within teams to maintain accessibility standards, especially focusing on keyboard accessibility and colour contrast.

Financial incentives for making websites accessible are another point we talk about, as accessible websites can lead to increased revenue by catering to a broader audience, including the 20% of the population that relies on accessible websites. Additionally, Rian points out that an accessible website can significantly impact SEO and customer engagement.

Towards the end of the podcast, we talk about the importance of having an accessibility statement for websites in Europe, the differences in the requirements between the EU and other parts of the world, and the benefits of hiring a professional to conduct an accessibility audit. She also addresses exemptions for small companies, but notes the overall benefit of compliance for reaching more customers.

If you’re interested in understanding the implications of the European Accessibility Act and how to make your websites more inclusive, this episode is for you.

Useful links

The European Accessibility Act explained on WordPress.tv

NL Design System

Level Level agency

Gravity Forms

WCAG guidelines

Rian’s website

The A11Y Collective

WebAIM

Guidance and tools for digital accessibility from gov.uk

Deque

Episode Transcript

Welcome to this special episode of All Things WordPress and WooCommerce accessibility podcast, recorded live at WordCamp Europe. In this episode, your host Taeke takes you on a journey through the bustling conference, engaging with various experts and enthusiasts in the field of web accessibility.

First, Taeke catches up with Manuela van Prooijen, who has developed a successful training program for virtual assistants in the Netherlands to bridge accessibility gaps between backend developers and marketing teams. Next, he speaks with Steve Jones, the CTO at Equalize Digital, who shares insights about their Accessibility Checker plugin and their notable collaboration with NASA. Then, Taeke interviews Bet Hannon, CEO of AccessiCart, who discusses their work on web accessibility for e-commerce platforms like WordPress, Shopify, and Magento.

The episode also features a conversation with Ash Shaw from Lightspeed WordPress Agency, who shares their journey towards building accessible sites and the tools they use. Additionally, Ingrid from the Accessibility Collective talks about their e-learning platform aimed at making the web fully accessible for everyone. Finally, Taeke has an enlightening discussion with Josepha from Automattic, and Mathias Bolt Lesniak, the project ambassador of TYPO3, who highlight the importance of comprehensive accessibility planning. Join us as we explore these valuable perspectives on creating a more inclusive web.

Hightlights

Training for Accessibility: Manuela van Prooijen highlights the importance of training virtual assistants to bridge accessibility gaps between backend developers and marketing teams, emphasizing the need for hands-on workforce in the Netherlands.

Accessibility Tools: Steve Jones from Equalize Digital discusses their Accessibility Checker plugin, which evaluates website accessibility issues in real-time, and shares their experience working with NASA to ensure the accessibility of their new WordPress website.

Ecommerce Accessibility: Ben Hannon, CEO of AccessiCart, explains their approach to making e-commerce platforms like WordPress, Shopify, and Magento accessible, focusing on consulting, testing, and maintaining accessibility over time.

Building Accessible Foundations: Ash Shaw from Lightspeed WordPress Agency talks about their efforts to build accessible websites from the ground up, using tools like BrowserStack and Figma to address issues like color contrast and font sizes.

Team Effort in Accessibility: Ingrid from the Accessibility Collective emphasizes that creating accessible web content requires collaboration across all disciplines, including designers, developers, and content writers, to ensure a fully inclusive web experience.

Holistic Accessibility Planning: Mathias Bolt Lesniak, the project ambassador of TYPO3, shares a real-world example illustrating the importance of thorough accessibility planning, stressing that skipping any step in the process can ruin the user experience.

Ethical and Legal Motivations: Several participants, including Steve Jones and Ben Hannon, highlight the dual motivations for accessibility—both ethical (making the web usable for everyone) and legal (complying with laws like the European Accessibility Act and the ADA in the US).

Future-proofing: The discussions underscore the importance of building an accessible web not just for current users but also for future generations, as everyone will benefit from accessible design as they age or face temporary or permanent disabilities.

Links

• A11Y Collective
• AccessiCart
• Equalize Digital
• Lightspeed
• TYPO3
• Weblish
• Ash Shaw on LinkedIn
• Bet Hannon on LinkedIn
• Ingrid Lentz on LinkedIn
• Josepha Haden Chomphosy on LinkedIn
• Manuela van Prooijen on LinkedIn
• Mathias Bolt Lesniak on LinkedIn
• Steve Jones on LinkedIn

WordPress 6.6 RC3 is ready for download and testing!

This version of the WordPress software is under development. Please do not install, run, or test this version of WordPress on production or mission-critical websites. Instead, please evaluate RC3 on a test server or a local environment.

Reaching this phase of the release cycle is a worthy achievement. While release candidates are considered ready for release, your testing is still vital to make sure everything in WordPress 6.6 is the best it can be.

You can test WordPress 6.6 RC3 in four ways:

Plugin	Install and activate the WordPress Beta Tester plugin on a WordPress install. (Select the “Bleeding edge” channel and “Beta/RC Only” stream).
Direct Download	Download the RC3 version (zip) and install it on a WordPress website.
Command Line	Use the this WP-CLI command: wp core update --version=6.6-RC3
WordPress Playground	Use the 6.6 RC3 WordPress Playground instance (available within 35 minutes after the release is ready) to test the software directly in your browser without the need for a separate site or setup.

Please test WordPress 6.6 RC3 in one or more of these four ways.

The target for the WordPress 6.6 release is next Tuesday, July 16, 2024. Get an overview of the 6.6 release cycle, and check the Make WordPress Core blog for 6.6-related posts in the next few weeks for further details.

What’s in WordPress 6.6 RC3?

Thanks to your testing (and many other contributors‘ up to now) this release includes eight bug fixes for the Editor and 18 tickets for WordPress Core.

Get a recap of WordPress 6.6’s highlighted features in the Beta 1 announcement. For more technical information related to issues addressed since RC 2, you can browse the following links:

• GitHub commits for 6.6 since July 2
• Closed Trac tickets since July 2

Want to look deeper into the details and technical notes for this release? You might want to make your first stop The WordPress 6.6 Field Guide. Then, check out this list:

• Roster of design tools per block (WordPress 6.6 edition)
• All 6.6-related developer notes

You can contribute. Here’s how

WordPress is the world’s most popular open source web platform, thanks to a passionate community of people who collaborate on its development in a wide variety of ways. You can help—whether or not you have any technical expertise.

Get involved in testing

Testing for issues is critical to keeping WordPress speedy, stable, and secure. It’s also a vital way for anyone to contribute. This detailed guide will walk you through testing features in WordPress 6.6. If you’re new to testing, follow this general testing guide for more details on getting set up.

If you encounter an issue, please report it to the Alpha/Beta area of the support forums. If you are comfortable writing a reproducible bug report, you can also report it on WordPress Trac. Before you do either, you may want to check your issue against a list of known bugs.

Curious about testing releases in general? Follow along with the testing initiatives in Make Core and join the #core-test channel on Making WordPress Slack.

Please update your WordPress product

If you build themes, plugins, blocks, or patterns, your efforts play an integral role in adding new functionality to WordPress and helping bring new people and ideas to the most vibrant (and massive!) open source community in the world. 

Thanks for continuing to test your products with the WordPress 6.6 betas and release candidates. With RC3, you’ll want to make sure everything is working smoothly, and if it’s a plugin, update the “Tested up to” version in its readme file to 6.6.

If you find compatibility issues, please post detailed information to the support forum.

Help translate WordPress

Do you speak a language other than English? ¿Español? Français? Русский? 日本語? हिन्दी? বাংলা? You can help translate WordPress into more than 100 languages.

The RC3 haiku

One week to go. Then:
Open the paintbox! Try the tools!
Play a new jazz tune.

Props to @meher and @audrasjb. for peer review.

Episode Transcript

Welcome to another episode of Woo DevChat and join hosts Zach Stepek and Carl Alexander as they dive into a lively discussion with Beka Rice, a seasoned WooCommerce expert and product architect at Kestrel.

In this episode, Beka shares her journey through the evolving WooCommerce ecosystem, the challenges and opportunities in the world of development, and the exciting future ahead with her new venture, Kestrel. Whether you’re a seasoned developer or just starting out, this episode is packed with insights, reflections, and forward-thinking ideas.

Highlights

The Evolution of WooCommerce: WooCommerce has evolved significantly from its early days, becoming more mature and complex. The community has grown, and the ecosystem now includes a diverse range of plugins and extensions.

Challenges with Blocks: The transition to using blocks in WordPress and WooCommerce has created new challenges, particularly around extensibility and ease of customization. Blocks need to be more flexible and easier to work with for developers.

Developer Experience: There’s a need to improve the developer experience within WordPress, especially for new developers. Ensuring the platform remains accessible and easy to tinker with is crucial for attracting new talent.

Diverse Use Cases: WooCommerce supports a wide range of business models beyond just physical products, including virtual products, event ticketing, bookings, membership sites, and more. This versatility is a significant strength of the platform.

Importance of Community: The open-source nature of WordPress and WooCommerce allows for a collaborative community where developers can contribute, innovate, and influence the future of the platform. This community-driven approach is vital for continued growth and improvement.

Focus on Reducing Friction: Reducing friction in ecommerce transactions is essential. Making it easier for customers to interact with businesses online, whether through booking services or making purchases, can significantly improve conversion rates.

Future Potential: There is excitement about the future of WooCommerce and the potential for new innovations. The community is looking forward to seeing how new tools and approaches, such as those developed by Kestrel, will shape the ecosystem.

Encouragement for New Developers: The conversation emphasizes the importance of welcoming and supporting new developers in the WooCommerce ecosystem. Tinkering and experimenting are encouraged as ways to learn and grow in the field.

Links

• KestrelWP.com
• Beka on X
• Kestrel on X
• Kestrel on LinkedIn

Discover how Learning Pathways can guide you through your WordPress journey with clarity and purpose. In the latest episode of WordPress Briefing, host Josepha Haden Chomphosy welcomes special guest Wes Theron to discuss the newly introduced Learning Pathways. These curated lesson sets are tailored to various experience levels, roles, and use cases, ensuring a personalized learning experience for every WordPress user.

Credits

Host: Josepha Haden Chomphosy
Guest: Wes Theron
Editor: Dustin Hartzler
Logo: Javier Arce
Production: Brett McSherry
Song: Fearless First by Kevin MacLeod

Show Notes

• Learn.WordPress.org
  • Beginner WordPress Developer
  • Beginner WordPress User
• WordPress Playground
• Learn WordPress YouTube Playlist
• Small List of Big Things
  • WordPress 6.5.5 is now available!
  • WordPress Contributor Mentorship Program Q4 2024
  • WordPress 6.6 Official Release
    • What’s new for theme developers in WordPress 6.6
  • Upcoming WordPress Meetings
• Have a question you’d like answered? Submit them to WPBriefing@WordPress.org.

Transcript

[00:00:00] Josepha: Hello, everyone, and welcome to the WordPress Briefing, the podcast where you can catch quick explanations of the ideas behind the WordPress open source project, some insight into the community that supports it, and get a small list of big things coming up in the next two weeks. I’m your host, Josepha Haden Chomphosy. Here we go.

[00:00:28] (Intro music) 

[00:00:39] Josepha: As a steward of the WordPress community, one of the big overarching questions that I grapple with is how to make sure people who have just found out about us know how to get around. Obviously, there’s the contributor path, which is important to me because I am especially concerned with the longevity of our little open source community, but there’s also a path for folks who are learning how to use the software.

[00:01:03] Josepha: And so, joining me today to talk through a project called Learning Pathways is Wes Theron. Wes, welcome to the WordPress Briefing.

[00:01:11] Wes: Good day. Thank you very much for having me. It’s a pleasure.

[00:01:13] Josepha: Before we get into this project that we’re talking about, do you want to just tell me a little bit about who you are and what you do with the WordPress project?

[00:01:22] Wes: Yeah. So, as you know, my name is Wes Theron. I’m based in New Zealand, and I’m an instructional designer. And, I am part of the Training Team. So, most of my life revolves around creating learning content for learn.WordPress.org.

[00:01:38] Josepha: Oh, that’s quite a life. Teaching people how to use WordPress.

[00:01:42] Wes: Yeah, I teach WordPress. We run online workshops. I create video tutorials, courses, and now, of course, this great project we’re working on, Learning Pathways.

[00:01:52] Josepha: Yeah. So, I’ve talked about Learning Pathways a few times here on the podcast, but for folks who have not heard me talk about it or who just need a more in-depth understanding, why don’t you tell us a little bit about this project as it stands today? 

[00:02:06] Wes: Yeah, so when Learn started out, I think the main goal was to just get learning content on the site. But, in May of last year, we shared an individual learning survey with folks, and we were hoping to basically find out what are the needs of the learners? What are learners after? And from that individual learner survey, we actually learned a few things. We learned that tutorials, courses, and online workshops were the most used content types. We also saw that web-based learning is the most popular learning method. And then there was a clear need for a structured way of consuming learning material. And that’s basically where the Learning Pathways project was born; to create Learning Pathways that basically target various types of learners, but also various skill levels. So July of last year, we started with outlines, creating outlines for these learner pathways.

[00:03:10] Wes: And then, in October of last year, we actually started creating content. So, the first learner pathways we started working on was the User Learning Pathway and the Developer Learning Pathway. And what that entails is of course, creating a Learning Pathway for beginner users, intermediate users, and then advanced users.

So that’s how we kind of broke it up. And last week, the Beginner Developer Pathway was actually published, so that’s very exciting. And a few weeks before that, the Beginner WordPress User Pathway. And yeah, of course, we’ve got many other pathways in the pipeline that we want to work on. For example, a Designer Learning Pathway and even a Contributor Learning Pathway.

[00:03:57] Josepha: Yeah, when we’re talking about pathways, what we mean is, like, we are figuring out what you probably need to know when you first arrive and then helping you to identify what you build on based on what your goals might be.

[00:04:11] Josepha: Like, obviously, the beginner user, the goal is basically just like, learn how to get WordPress doing stuff at all. Like that’s, that’s an easy goal to understand. But when you all were doing the work to figure out what needed to be in the pathway for a beginner developer, and as you’re looking towards doing the work around intermediate and advanced topics, like how are you all able to determine what most likely you need in those various steps in the learning process?

[00:04:42] Wes: So, of course, a lot of research went into that. When we created the outlines for these Learning Pathways. We shared it with the community. We asked for feedback. And yeah, a lot of research was done to make sure we cover all the all the bases. 

[00:04:59] Josepha: I know that there were a couple of different proposals about how to, like do skills assessments, maybe? There was something where like we were talking with companies that employ WordPress folks in the ecosystem, and then we were talking to WordPressers who were currently trying to make sure that their skills were advanced enough to get those jobs. And we were trying to figure out like the distance between those and where we actually have some concerns around like the language choices that they need, like basic developer language choices and jargon that goes in there and stuff like that.

[00:05:34] Josepha: So this, if I recall correctly, the research for this has been going on for like maybe two or three years, right?

[00:05:42] Wes: Yeah, definitely. And we’ve reached out to many stakeholders within the WordPress community. And as you say, even agencies, and businesses, you know, trying to find out what do they want people to know when they employ them. And yeah, then of course, speaking to the community, speaking, speaking to folks at WordCamps reaching out to folks an online workshops.

[00:06:04] Wes: So, yeah, it’s definitely been an ongoing process and also seeing what resources are lacking and what needs to be there. 

[00:06:12] Josepha: Yeah, so, the very first, the very first iteration of any training that the WordPress project was offering on, I think it was on learn.WordPress.org, but I don’t actually know for sure, was a troubleshooting workshop, because when you are trying to figure out WordPress for the first time, when you are trying to figure out any software for the first time, being able to figure out what went wrong is a really important part of that. And so that was like the only workshop that existed over there for quite some time. And so it’s really nice to see how we have really, not only created a bunch of resources in general, if you all have not looked at learn.WordPress.org lately, it has, like, workshop outlines that you can use to do a training by yourself at your meetup group or at a school or whatever it is.

[00:07:08] Josepha: But then also, I want to say it was maybe two, three years ago, that you all, as a team, the Training Team, started doing these online workshops. And so, when you created the Learning Pathways, considering like how much time and research has gone into this project overall, did you all have learnings that came from those workshops that you had already done? Is this like a collection of workshops or is this something where you can do it at home and learn by yourself and then go someplace else and learn more about WordPress? Like how does that function in what we have already?

[00:07:45] Wes: Yeah, so maybe I should first, maybe let’s define a learning pathway. So I, I thought about this, but a learning pathway, I would say, is a route taken by learner through a range of modules, lessons, and even courses to build knowledge progressively. So it’s similar to a course, but of course usually covers like a specific topic or subject where learning pathways usually have a larger goal.

[00:08:11] Wes: So I wouldn’t say that the online workshops form part of the Learning Pathways project. And maybe I can also clarify that the teacher notes or the lesson plans that you refer to is something that’s also changing going forward. 

[00:08:23] Josepha: Oh, good. Because I wrote some of those, and I am not an instructional designer. And so, ha!

[00:08:30] Wes: We’ve actually decided to move away from having two different content types. So, we had tutorials. You know, video tutorials, and we had lesson plans, and as you said, the lesson plans were notes that somebody could use to run an online workshop or to go to a WordCamp or at their local meetup and use that to teach something. But moving forward for Learning Pathways, we are actually just going to have one content type, namely lessons. And then lessons from part of creating a course or lessons from part of creating modules and then Learning Pathways. The other exciting thing, and something we haven’t mentioned, is that at the end of this month, when we launched the Learning Pathways or the first few Learning Pathways, it actually coincides with a website redesign.

[00:09:18] Wes: So, yeah, beyond the lookout, hopefully, learn.WordPress.org is going to have a brand new face at the end, from the end of July or, yeah, or August. So, yeah, that’s very exciting.

[00:09:30] Josepha: Excellent. Excellent. So, you said that these Learning Pathways are part of a larger goal. Is that a goal for your learners or a goal for WordPress? A goal for the team?

[00:09:40] Wes: I would say all of the above.

[00:09:42] Josepha: Goals for everybody. We’re like the Oprah of goals. Don’t come get me, Oprah. That’s all I got to say about it.

[00:09:48] Wes: Yeah, I think for us as a team, at the end of the day, we want folks to be able to use the content and find the content and utilize all the learning material on learn.WordPress.org. And then, of course, at the end of the day, for learners, we want folks to be able to succeed in whatever they are trying to do. Is it to build their own website? Is it to maybe find a job as a developer? And. Yeah, I mean, the list can go on.

[00:10:21] Josepha: Yeah. So, on the subject of wanting to help people succeed, I think that as far as I hear from the majority of contributors that I have worked with over the years, like helping other people figure out how to do this and making sure that they can succeed is always something that is top of mind for contributors to open source probably in general, but definitely to WordPress. Like, we really care about helping other people figure out how to have the same sort of benefits that we’ve had in the project and with the software. So if you have somebody who is familiar with all the bits and pieces of WordPress and really, really want to like show up and help teach some things. Is it the case that they can take part in like running a Learning Pathway? Is it something where we mostly need people to help us build some content? Like if we’ve got people who are just desperate to help other people succeed in WordPress, what kinds of things can they show up and help do on this project?

[00:11:22] Wes: Yes, please come to the Training Team. There are many ways to get involved. If you just want to review content, you can do that. But yeah, we do have a need for content creators, folks, you know, creating a video lesson or putting their hand up and saying, I will actually create an entire module or an entire learning, a Learning Pathway. We do have some awesome contributors that’s part of the Training Team that are already doing that. Some people are writing scripts. Some folks are actually, you know, creating everything from the beginning to the end. So they are writing the script, they recording the video, publishing the video, et cetera. And then we’ve, of course, have people reviewing content. We’ve got folks running online workshops. If maybe creating video content is not their, is not their forte, they can can run online workshops. So yeah, many ways getting involved.

[00:12:16] Wes: But Josepha, I wanted to point something else out that I haven’t done. I think there was a real need for Learning Pathways because, at the moment, if somebody new to WordPress or new to developing with WordPress wants to find learning content. You know, where do they go? What’s the main platform to go to? I think most people probably go to YouTube, right? But a lot of the content there are, are scattered and fragmented.

So a lot of learning material or learning about WordPress is all over the place. It’s not in one place. And as I said, a place where you can actually learn from A to Z, learn progressively learning in a structured way. Yes, we know there are courses available that you can pay for, but the awesome thing about this project is that we are providing these Learning Pathways, these learning resources, for free for folks to be able to work through at their own time. I know that’s something else you asked earlier on. So yes, this is a course in quotation marks; this is a Learning Pathway that somebody can start whenever it suits them, you know, in the comfort of their own home, and they can work through the Learning Pathway from the beginning to the end. Or, if they feel I actually know everything taught in module one and two, I’m going to start at module three, they can do that. They basically come in at their skill level.

[00:13:43] Josepha: Yes. I think it’s really important to try to meet people where they are. And I know that it’s difficult because, like, we don’t take a lot of data from our users. You don’t have to give us basically anything in order to use WordPress. And by basically, I mean you literally don’t have to give us anything to use WordPress.

[00:14:01] Josepha: And so we always have some difficulty in figuring out what is it that our users need the most in order to succeed the quickest. And so I agree that there was a real need for this not only because, like, there’s plenty of content for getting from, like, some knowledge to a good amount of knowledge. There’s almost no content around, like, I didn’t know CMSs existed until yesterday, and now I need to quickly learn how to do it because it’s become a thing I need to do in my job. There’s some really clear, like use cases for being able to onboard quickly and progressively.

And I understand that, like, having a clear, structured way to learn doesn’t always fit with the idea of meeting people where they are. But I do really think that, that like what you were saying, it can be as structured as you need it to be. But also, if you get into it and you think to yourself, you know, I know this information already. I can move on to the next module. I can move on to the module after that. Similar to the way we do that at WordCamps also. If you get into a session and you thought it was going to be useful for you, and you discover that it’s not once you’re there, you don’t have to stay. You can go to a different room where they’re teaching about SEO if it turns out that you don’t need to learn about JavaScript today.

[00:15:23] Josepha: And I think that that’s, it’s kind of the value that this is hoping to bring, like, because it is a little bit built one on top of the other when you discover that you have already learned something, you can easily try out the next step and know that it’s probably a good next step.

[00:15:38] Wes: Exactly. And if you maybe want to teach this to other folks. The plan is to, you know, we had lesson plans. We have a lot of lesson plans on Learn. But the plan is also to, instead of having, as I said, two different content types, is to have lessons but then add a tab where you can click on teacher notes and actually teach something as well if that is your goal. But yes, our lessons and modules also include quizzes and, hopefully, some practical activities. We’ve incorporated WordPress Playground where, where folks can actually, you know, test out what they’ve learned or test their knowledge. So yeah, I agree with you that you can basically join the Learning Pathway wherever you feel the most comfortable.

[00:16:28] Josepha: So we’ve been kind of in the weeds of the project itself, the program itself, and if you want to like do stuff with that and in that. Let’s switch gears a little bit and talk about just what people who are wanting to join those pathways would need to know. Do you have any advice for somebody who is just today learning about these Learning Pathways and they think to themselves, I definitely want to sign up for one of those. Like, for one, how do they get started? And for two, your like top two or three bits of advice for as they get started? 

[00:17:05] Wes: So you can make your way to learn.WordPress.org, and you can basically open the, the pathway, and you can start wherever, wherever you want to. We have made it possible to actually view these pathways or our content without logging in with your dot org profile. The other thing I also wanted to mention is that our content is actually hosted on YouTube now.

So the great thing is we have these pathways within YouTube as well. So, folks can go to the, YouTube channel and see our content. And, of course, that basically reaches a very wide audience. And hopefully some of those videos will also bring people to the dot org site so that they can access the content.

[00:17:57] Josepha: I think it’s great that you don’t have to sign up for a profile. If you are a brand new WordPresser and ran into this in your dashboard and are listening to this podcast now. So dot org profiles are a place where you can kind of log your activity in the WordPress community and the WordPress project. You do not have to have one in order to use WordPress. You don’t have to have one in order to look at these courses or to learn from them. But I always think that it’s kind of nice to get your profile set up so that people kind of know who you are and what you’re doing. And then also your activity shows up. Like, you can see that you enrolled in the course and you get to know for yourself that you made some progress. I know that when you’re getting started, it’s hard to, like, see your progress because you don’t know how far you have to go. And so, like progress when you’re starting out is really difficult to feel is real. And so I like it just so that you have a few reminders to yourself, like, look how far I’ve come as you’re trying to figure out how far you still have to go. And so I like that a lot. 

[00:18:58] Wes: You won’t be able to access all the content on Learn without your dot org profile. But one of the things we’ve made possible is to access these Learning Pathways, the new ones being launched without, you know, removing those blockers. So, of course, when you work through a Learning Pathway, you will be able to track your progress, and you will be able to see which lessons you have completed. So yeah, one of the pieces of advice I would give to somebody starting with the Learning Pathways actually to first go through the modules. And go through the lessons to see which things you know and feel comfortable with so that you don’t waste time maybe going through the first module and say, oh, I know this, and you’ve wasted time. Rather do a bit of research, a bit of reading, and then find the right place for you to start the journey.

[00:19:45] Josepha: That’s excellent. I also, just as a learner, I try to always learn some stuff. And also, as you get older, it’s harder and harder to learn things partially because like you’re in a set path, but also, and here’s my advice to new learners: you worry about looking foolish. Like you, you worry, you’re showing up, and you don’t know anything about anybody else in the classroom. And so there’s this feeling of like, what if I’m the only person who does not know how to make this work? What if I’m the only person who can’t figure out what Wes meant by “Playground” or whatever it is? There’s this real feeling of looking silly when you’re doing something like this.

[00:20:25] Josepha: I can’t control what anybody else says or does to anyone else, unfortunately. But what I can say is that I think that there’s never a bad time to start something you wish you had done, right? Like, the best time to have learned how to use your CMS, your website, make your website work was probably a year ago or something, but the second best time is today. And so, like, why not go ahead and get started and be part of that small group of adults that are learning new things every single day? I think that’s great. And so that’s my tip is to just embrace looking silly sometimes because you’re making some choices about your future, and that’s always a good choice.

[00:21:04] Wes: And I would also say test your knowledge. So you’ve mentioned WordPress Playground. And as I said, we’ve incorporated into the Learning Pathways, but sometimes you watch a video, or you read something, and you feel like, oh yeah, I know this, but you know, the proof is in the pudding. So go and test it out. Use a test website or use WordPress Playground and test yourself to see if you can actually implement this or do something. So yeah, that’s definitely one of the other tips I want to highlight; you know, they also say you, you learn by doing.

[00:21:38] Josepha: Yeah, absolutely. And also, like if you have gotten to a point you’ve done the learning, you’ve done some practicing, you think you’ve got it and want to like try to figure out what other things can be done with it. I recommend this is how I did a lot of my early WordPress learning to organize an event with your local meetup.

Like, I did not know enough about WordPress when I started organizing WordPress meetups. I literally knew nothing. And I basically brought people in and was like, hey, we need people to teach us about this, us being half me. Come in and teach us. And, and that can be a really good thing, partially because, like, you get to know your local folks and see what’s going on and get a sense for, like, what is out there, especially if you’re learning this in order to run a business or to accomplish something for your job that you already have, like knowing what’s out there is super helpful. But then I find that once you embrace the fact that sometimes you will look silly, and that’s the only way that we can know we’re learning something. Like once you’ve embraced it, having some people who are willing to look a little silly with you is kind of, kind of fun, kind of nice. Also, like we’re all going to look at this problem that we definitely don’t understand and hopefully look like, at the end, we know what we’re doing, but between looking at it the first time and at the end of this meetup, we’re all going to look a little bit silly, ask silly questions. And I think that that’s a really helpful thing, too. But yeah, knowing some basic information is a great place to start before you do that, especially if you get anxious about looking silly. And I think these pathways are going to really help to get folks a little bit of a leg up on those big questions that they have as you’re starting to learn how to use WordPress.

[00:23:18] Josepha: So we talked about, like, tips and tricks for learners in general. But if you had something that you wanted to share with us that, like, you’re really excited about for either the Training Team or for the Learning Pathways in general, I think the Learning Pathways are slated to be shipped by, like, end of September or something. So, like, a lot of them are coming quite quickly. 

[00:23:38] Wes: So I am most excited about the website redesign and the new look and feel of the website. And also, you know, one of the goals for us as a Training Team is for learn.WordPress.org to be one of the places people come to and learn about WordPress. And I feel these Learning Pathways and the new website redesign and all the hard work that’s gone into this project is hopefully going to, make that happen. As I said, our content is also available on YouTube. So we’ve really tried to make it easy for folks to find our content and also now to digest our content in a progressive and in a structured way. Because, you know, learning is hard. And hopefully, these Learning Pathways have made it easier for folks to, as you said, to build on your knowledge. You know, a lot of times, there’s knowledge gaps. And I think that’s what makes learning so hard. And hopefully with these pathways, you can build that knowledge one step at a time.

[00:24:44] Josepha: Yeah. And as is the way with open source, like we can only make these pieces of content better if you all show up and help us like try it out, learn some stuff, and tell us what was confusing. Tell us what was too big a step. Cause yeah, you’re right. There are some knowledge gaps and when you’re on the other side of knowing something, it is so hard to tell how big a step is, you know?

[00:25:11] Wes: Exactly.

[00:25:12] Josepha: And so we need y’all to come in here and tell us very plainly as a new learner like that was eventually what I needed, but this part here was especially confusing. This part over here was too like too many little steps like we just we’re trying to make sure that it works for you WordPressers, future WordPressers of the world. And so yeah, come build some learning with us over here on the Training Team.

[00:25:35] Wes: And yes, please, we want feedback because, as you say, as we iterate, we want to improve. So there will be a place where you can provide feedback, and at the end of the pathway where there will also be a satisfaction survey for folks to to complete.

[00:25:50] Josepha: Great. Well, folks, we’re gonna have a bunch of links in the show notes. There’s so much stuff out here to learn with and about WordPress. Wes, thank you so much for joining me today.

[00:26:01] Wes: Thank you for having me. And I will see you all on Learn.

[00:26:05] (Music interlude)

[00:26:12] Josepha: That brings us now to our small list of big things. Although I have to say we have a bunch of links that we’re going to share in the show notes. If you’re listening to this in a place where there are not show notes, you can head over to WordPress.org/news. That’s where we keep all of those. If you are lucky, we also will help you find it on Twitter/X, but I think that it’s hard to find things over there these days. So WordPress.org/news is your best bet. Now, it is time for the small list of big things.

So, first up on my list is that WordPress 6.5.5 is now available. It’s got a few fixes in it, some maintenance things and some security fixes as well. I recommend that you update your sites immediately. You can download it from WordPress.org/download, or you can just visit your WordPress dashboard. If you’re on a managed host, they may have already done this for you, too. But auto-updates, manual updates, CLI updates. However, you want to get it done, get it done. But it is recommended to do this as soon as possible. 6.5.5. 

[00:27:16] Josepha: The second thing on my list is that the WordPress Contributor Mentorship program has a call for interest out. This is a program that we launched about a year ago as well. And we had such a good bit of success at the end of the first round in February that there was significant interest in doing another cohort. So, that program connects seasoned WordPress contribution experts with folks who are new to contributing and offer a fantastic opportunity for mentees to gain hands-on experience contributing to WordPress while their mentors share their expertise and improve their leadership skills. So, most of the time, what you are going to be contributing to is probably a release of WordPress, but there are also a lot of opportunities to contribute to things like the Training Team that we’ve been talking about today and other teams as well. Not everything is focused all around our release cycle. We have things happening in the WordPress project literally all the time. It is a project that never sleeps. 

[00:28:17] Josepha: Speaking of projects that never sleep, our next official release, our second release of the year, is coming out. WordPress 6.6 is coming out just about a week from now. It is the second major release of 2024 and has a lot of things in it that you will want to check out. If you have not yet seen the hallway hangout where we take a look at what was happening in the release, what we intended to get into the release, take a look at it. And if you haven’t tested it yet, if you are one of our plugin developers, if you are building something on top of WordPress core, now is the time to check that out and test it against your products.

And then the final thing is that it’s a new month, my friends. Here we are in July, and we have a ton of things happening in the project. That’s the theme of my small list of big things: the project that never sleeps. But we have a lot of team meetings that are happening. If you haven’t attended one in a while or even if you have never attended one of these meetings and you were trying to figure out when to start, now is as good a time as any. You can join your fellow community members and contribute to the WordPress project. And there are ways that you can do that from home and from your computer and for some parts of the project, like from your phone, if you are taking photos out and about and submitting those. So check out make.WordPress.org/meetings. It’ll give you a sense for everything that’s happening. Do not get overwhelmed by that calendar. You can just choose which team you think is most interesting to you.

[00:29:45] Josepha: And that, my friends, is your small list of big things. Your small list of never-sleeping things. Don’t forget to follow us on your favorite podcast app or subscribe directly on WordPress.org/news. You’ll get a friendly reminder whenever there’s a new episode. If you liked what you heard today, share it with a fellow WordPresser. Or, if you had questions about what you heard, you can share those with me at WPBriefing@WordPress.org. I’m your host, Josepha Haden Chomphosy. Thanks for tuning in today for the WordPress Briefing, and I’ll see you again in a couple of weeks. 

[00:30:15] (Music outro)

Now I’m not talking about the State of the Word’s that we hear from Matt at WordCamps. I am talking about the first one that was a stand-alone event and how I not only was able to attend, but I had quite the experience on the train.

Also, I am moving over some content from my other site Do the Woo to here as we will no longer have text posts over there. Only podcast episodes. So as a result I am going to make this quite the post by adding the original posts from Do the Woo and linking back to some so I have this experience archived somewhere.

So let me take you back to December 2021.

Follow Do the Woo to the State of the Word 2021

published December 6, 2021

Last week on the podcast I announced the cross-country journey I am taking to attend the State of the Word in New York City. As we get closer to the date, the reality of this 8-day adventure is drawing nearer.

Join Me For the Trip

Let’s get one thing straight off. This is not about a train trip where I kick back and enjoy the scenery along the way. Well, okay, I’m sure I’ll enjoy it, but this is more about bringing together the community through my ears and eyes. As much as as wish each one of you were on this train, although that is physically impossible, this is my chance to bring a different perspective on this years State of the Word from Matt Mullenweg.

Sights, Sounds and Experiences

In this podcast I shared how this all came about. And moving forward, it is almost impossible to tell you everything that will take place. But I can promise you podcasts, videos and posts with insights of the State of the Word. Plus pictures of community we meet along the way and in New York City. And I can’t do this without some snippets of the actual journey across the US. The details are not here now, but will transpire over the duration of the trip.

How to Keep Up It All

There are two perfect ways to follow along on this adventure.

1. Bookmark our special landing where you will find it all
2. Follow the hashtag #WooTrainClan on Twitter

If you are subscribed to the Do the Woo podcast, you will at least catch all of the conversations and updates done via our episodes, but trust me, there will be a lot more than that.

However you choose, I am hoping to bring to you the first ever unique event centered around the WordPress State of the Word.

Thanks to These Sponsors for Sending Do the Woo to the State of the Word

published December 7, 2021

The WordPress and WooCommerce community never ceases to amaze me.

When I came up with the idea of this 8-day event wrapped the State of the Word NYC, I knew it could be big. At the same time it was nearing the end of the year and it’s not the best time to approach companies about sponsorships. In fact, when your goal is to get things solidified within a week, that is another thing.

But thanks to four incredible sponsors, Post Status, GoDaddy Pro, Cloudways and Mindsize who stepped up to the plate, the Do the Woo adventure is happening.

So please visit their sites, or give them a shout out on Twitter. Because when it comes to WordPress, and yes, WooCommerce, it’s all about community.

Why Do the Woo is Talking About the State of the Word

published December 10, 2021

Over the next week or so, the content here on Do the Woo will be primarily focused on the large WordPress community and the upcoming State of the Word.  Likely WooCommerce will poke up here and there, but you will notice an obvious wider perspective on all of the content during this time through Dec. 18th.

Woo and WordPress, It’s All Good

The first obvious reason is apparently the fact that I have created this trip/event around State of the Word.

But the second reason should also be obvious and it’s something I talk about a lot here. It’s the simple fact that WooCommerce sits on top of WordPress. Right? Just about everything that happens with WordPress affects WooCommerce builders in one way or another, ultimately affecting the end user or client.

Again, as I have said time and time again, if you build with Woo, you must keep on top of WordPress.

And There’s the Community

I have been hanging in the WordPress community for 15 years. During that time I have met incredible people and yes, started doing the Woo. With a history like mine, it’s easy to build event around the bigger ecosystem. Now I will admit that this is not a WordCamp I am going to and I won’t see as many people as I would have. But the times are weird and we are all doing what we can. But it will be able to share this experience with those online as well as those I get to see in person, both on the way to the State of the Word and during it.

The community will also hear reflections of Matt Mullenwegs talk from community members and myself on the return home.

So yes, I do the WordPress and I Do the Woo.

An Eat and Run with Chicago WordPress Peeps on the Way to State of the Word

published December 13, 2021

Best laid plans of mice and men

If you listen to this podcast (link coming soon), you will hear the story of how Mike Demo from Codeable made his plans to jump on the train (not literally) for the leg from St. Paul to Chicago. This transpired into a dinner for some Chicago WordPress peeps. Long story short, plans where made at the Hard Rock Cafe in downtown Chicago and invites were sent out.

Then if you listen to this podcast, you will hear how I ended up running into Susan Ramsey, longtime WordPresser and friend, from Fort Worth, Texas. Yes, and she joined the dinner.

Chicago WordPress Rules

It was so cool for both Mike and I to have dinner with Brian Gardner, Susan Ramsey, Steve Stern, Becky Davis, Keanan Koppenhaver, Zach Stepek and Robert Jacobi.

Even from my perspective it was an interesting group relationship-wise. I have known Becky and Brian from way back at Chicago WordCamp, 2011 or thereabouts. Susan has always been on my radar with her past activities in the Genesis community and, of course, my co-hosts of this podcast, Zach and Robert. But it was also very cool to meet two new faces, Steve and Keanan. Because of the limited time and where I was sitting I got to know Steve a bit better, but hoping I will have the chance with Keanan in the future.

Trains Will Run Late

Yes, we learned how trains, especially at this distance, can and will run late. In fact two hours late. As Mike and I had done a podcast on the train and hung out and just chatted, as we grew closer, Mike would frantically check the updates as minutes were slowly being added to the delay. But, hey are we going to let what came as a 2 hour late arrival spoil the party. No way.

Robert Jacobi made he was there to greet everyone. When we got off the train, Mike took off to grab a cab while Susan and I looked for the place that would hold my bags. She was damn good at helping me find the right place.

Mike did make it, gave the cab drive a $20 bill for a $7 fare, and started the party going. We followed and soon were enjoying appetizers and conversation.

The Best Part

Sure, I arrived around 7 and by 8:00 was in the Hard Rock shop grabbing a gift for Judy. Of course I was behind Mike who was stocking up on his Hard Rock findings. As I made my way back to the train station, looking at the photo of the group, I could do nothing but smile, thinking about how much fun everyone seemed to be having, catching up IRL, laughing, telling stories. Seeing each other for the first time in awhile.

It was a joy to see and made me think about this amazing community we have in WordPress.

So again, thanks to Mike and Codeable for helping bring an amazing highlight to my trip of the #WooTrainClan

The Podcasts on the Trip

podcasts published from November 30, 2021 – December 22, 2021

I ended up doing podcasts before I left, on the train, at the hotel and a few other places. Here are the links to those. One of the train podcasts was completely by luck. So happens a WordPresser I know was on the same train car. Amazing!

Do the Woo is Heading to the WordPress State of the Word 2021

Just a Quick Note on the Do the Woo Trip to NYC

A WordPress Community Chat with Cami MacNamara in Seattle

Thinking of My Sponsors While Traveling Through Montana to State of the Word

WordPress Serendipity: A Chat with Susan Ramsey

Random Thoughts on the Train Traveling to State of the Word in NYC

Mike Demo Riding the Woo Train

Adam Warner Talks About the Upcoming State of the Word

Daniel Schutzsmith Shares Thoughts on the Upcoming State of the Word

Cory Miller from Post Status on Community and State of the Word

Topher and Cate DeRosia Talk HeroPress and the State of the Word

Thoughts on the State of the Word from Mark Westguard

The Beginning of the End, State of the Word and the WooTrainClan

Matt Mullenweg on WooCommerce at the State of the Word 2021

Last Thoughts on the State of the Word from the Community

And before I left NYC and caught that train home, had the time to grab a nice lunch out with Bud Kraus, Robbie Adair and Cate and Topher Derosia

Oh, and Then There Was State of the Word 2022 in NYC

Of course, when it came around the next year, I opted to do this again but plane instead of train and no podcasting.

Do the Woo is Headed to the State of the Word, NYC, Again

It’s that time of the year, or at least for the second year in a row. Matt Mullenweg will be giving the State of the Word again in New York City. And yes, once again I will be making the trek across country to attend.

What is and what was

You may or may not recall that last year, due to a misunderstanding with flying and ID’s required, I ended up taking a roundtrip adventure on a train to NYC. In fact I have several posts here that not only talk about the adventure, but also podcasts that were done along the way as well at in NYC. I don’t need to go into the details again, but let’s just say I have opted for a flight this time.

Time for connection, reflection and optimism

So you may be asking why I used the resources to fly six hours one way for a three hour event. Well, first I feel I need to be there to represent Do the Woo. And I am able to do this because of the support of our Pod Friends.

But it also is perfect timing for the end of the year.

Connection – this goes without saying. Although a small crowd, maximum of 50 people, I always look forward to connecting with my WordPress friends. In fact, sometimes smaller is better.

Reflection – when Matt reviews the year, for some it may seem to be only on the surface. But post-state of the word gives me time to think about what he has said. What it means to the community. And what it means for our efforts here at Do the Woo. For me personally, it has more meaning and goes deeper when I experience it in person. Plus it gives me something to think about on the flight home.

Optimism – I am by nature optimistic. And though there can be skepticism, doubts or even drama for others, each year always brings me optimism in the future of the project.  Which lends to the whole experience that I have before, during and after the State of the Word.

I do admit I am lucky that I can attend. And yes, again I have my sponsors to thank for that. Also, there is a part of me that hopes the SOTW could be worked to be given at all of the flagship WordCamps, as it had been done with WordCampUS before. But knowing that it plays on the end-of-the-year, maybe I am too optimistic there.

If you are one of the few that are able to attend, and we haven’t talked about meeting up yet, let me know. NYC, here we come!

A State of the Word Dinner with Some Woo

As you likely know from earlier posts and podcasts, I was able to attend the State of the Word this year in New York City. All because of our Pod Friends.

When a community comes together

Since I would be there on the night before the event, Michelle Frechette and I started a conversation with others who were attending. “How about getting together for dinner?” Of course, as with any WordPress event, large or small, you will find those interested, both old and new friends. And the fact that the hotel we both were staying at had this very convenient restaurant and bar, well, it was an easy decision.

Except when you call to make a reservation, get a failed call notice, and learn from the hotel that the restaurant is closed.

This led into more conversations with those attended, and those not. Apparently with the size of most restaurants in NYC being small and, to add to that, the holidays, well, finding a reservation for 10-11 people turned into a challenge. The fact that I had left this to only a few days before the dinner didn’t help.

It takes a community

We are a hearty group and don’t give up easy. Along came superhero Nev Harris suggesting he calls the American Express concierge to help and recommend some restaurants was a game saver. And although what we found was an outdoor heated patio, with temperatures in the low 30’s F, we couldn’t be picky. Luck was on the side of this WordPress group and we felt we were treated to a semi-private room where good food, drinks and conversation took the stage.

Of course, once you have had a terrific Italian dinner there is no better place to extend the holiday cheer than for a few of us to visit Rockefeller Center.

State of the Word 2023

Which brings me right back to where we are. Will I be attending SOTW at the end of this year? You just never know, but once I get started….

Well, it was inevitable that I should post a recap of WordPress US. I am writing this after returning to my home and office in Porto on Monday morning, this being Thursday of the same week. And I’ll tell you, I am just starting to get over my exhaustion.

The Trip to WCUS

Flying back to the states, I loved the way over. No overnight experiences for me, and leaving at 7:30 am Porto time, arriving in National Harbor 7:30 pm EDT. Of course, during the flight I started with breakfast, then a drink and lunch and segued into dinner at some point which ended with a snack. Lot’s of food and can’t honestly remember when I ate what.

I did meet a few friends when I landed, but by then I was pretty much half asleep. It was nice seeing my good friend Mark Westguard right off the bat.

The first day in National Harbor

Unlike my other WordPressers who were already there, the next day I was not part of the Community Summit nor did I have the desire to be a tourist in Washington DC. The latter did not tempt me with the heat or the sights.

So I spent the day hanging around the hotel/convention center to make life easy. Now the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center is enormous. And I mean freakin’ huge. It kind of reminded me of those large cruise ships, although I have never been on one. It’s set up quite well. You never really need to leave and everything is overpriced. But hey, that’s America, right?

The morning I spent wandering around the grounds, inside and out.

The other part of the day Mark and myself just did this and that. Lunchtime we went and had some drinks and nachos. After that we just roamed around the hotel and Mark was obviously delighted to find his logo with all the sponsors on the entryway to the conference center.

Then we had Casey join us, Mark’s better half, and dinner time where at even more food.

So after a day of local exploring, drinks and food, we did what any normal WordCamper would do. We went to a party, WP-Includes Summer Fest.

Contributor Day

The next day was Contributor Day. And guess what? It was amazing. So much so that I didn’t take one photo as I was busy listening and interjecting every once in awhile. But I did snag the group photo from that day just to share the all the groovy WordPressers who were part of that day. By the way, photo credit goes to Shusei Toda.

WordCamp US, the Event

As with most WordCamps, I find myself so busy connecting with old and new friends, and just being a happy WordCamper that I never take as many photos as planned. But, I do the best I can do.

Of course, I cannot go without thanking my sponsors, A2 Hosting, Avalara, Hostinger, GoDaddy, Jetpack and Weglot. Oh, and yes, WooCommerce!

Do the Woo, a Pseudo Sponsor

And then this happened. My friends over at Multicolab were not able to use their sponsor booth. Anil Gupta was able to attend, but he had problems with getting his team over to the US. So his table sat unattended and barren.

I had a chat with Anil as he is a good friend of mine, and also a past sponsor of Do the Woo. Long story short, I took over the booth and used it for the DTW hq at WordCamp US. So I had the opportunity to be able to do some podcasting as well as meet many of our listeners.

Here is Anil sharing some thoughts on WordCamp.

Here is my makeshift booth.

And some of our podcast guests.

And a very special podcast. Three WordPressers from the Spain WordPress community did a show, and they did it all in Spanish. What fun!

As it so happened during contributor day, also at the event I didn’t get as many photos as I would have wanted. Was just too busy enjoying IRL conversations. But here are just a few more friends that I caught.

What’s a Flagship WordCamp without Nathan’s head

Now for those of you who know Nathan, you get it. For those that don’t, well I will add a mysterious moment to your life. A good friend and fellow podcaster of mine, Nathan’s head often shows up in the weirdest spots, or simply frightening people here and there. And the second day started out with just that.

The After Social

As with tradition of WordCamp US, the social at the end of the second day was at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. Quite the impressive museum. Now I am not a huge fan of museums. I could also say that it was mostly bones, stuffed or recreated animals, rocks and overpriced jewelry, but nonetheless it was quite breathtaking.

A lot of people had a great time and it was also filled with conversation, laughter and yummy desserts with old and new friends.

And what is a museum visit without posing as a museum exhibit.

Of course my friend Miriam had to catch as I ventured into the fossil display where I discovered an old acquaintance, Joe the Tyrannosaurus. As I gently touch the bones of his neck on display, I pondered our prehistoric life together.

It’s Why I Do What I Do

In a nutshell, I do WordPress because of the community. And events like WordCampUS is like a moment of pure oxygen. So much laughter, conversation, hugs, food and drinks with old and new friends. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

And I leave you with one last photo. As I was flying home, something outside my window reminded me of that museum. Can you guess what that is?

Hope to see you at WordCamp Asia in 2024.

The last time I wrote a post on a WordPress major release on this blog was sometime ago, where I was doing more tutorials and education pieces here. A previous focus of the life of this blog, now archived into oblivion.

But hey, can you imagine how many posts have been published and will still be published about 6.3? I cannot fathom that number.

The release, the people

I don’t have to tell you about the features. Nor do I really need to tell you about what makes this happen, and the incredible people who contribute their time and expertise to each release.

Well, I lied. On the latter, I do have to tell you. Because every time that a major release comes out, and I head over to WordPress.org to see the post. It’s always fun to read about the jazz artist that it was named after, revisit the features, but I always stroll to the bottom to see my heroes first.

The release squad and the contributors. And for each and every one of you, my sincere gratitude and appreciation for making this community what it is. Also, a big virtual hug.

If I could put every experience I had, every conversation, and every laugh or hug here in this post, I would. But it would be a very long post and, of course, I would have discovered something I missed, or several things, thus even a longer post.

This was my second WordCamp Europe, but my first living here in Porto, Portugal. That fact alone, and the love I am getting from the community here, would be worth a post in itself.

The Community

It’s never surprising when I hear from anyone talk their experience at a WordCamp, community and people are always in there, often being what they loved most. And for me there is never an exception. New friends. Connecting with old friends. And so much laughter, and yes, food.

The Sponsors and the Venue

The venue was fantastic. Although I must admit at first it was a bit overwhelming as the sponsors winded around different parts and hallways. Some of the small biz sponsors were concerned being off the beaten path, but that changed quickly, at least for the ones I talked to.

Fact is I started going around to the booths, meeting people, saying hi to others and stopping for so many hugs and conversations, it took me 3 hours just to do that. On the second day, I spent an hour easily just with the Small Biz sponsors.

Now I talk to a lot of WordPress businesses and I know there are always questions about sponsoring WordCamps and the value behind it. So I am going to share a great post from my friend Katie Keith from Barn2 Plugins, where she shares their first experience sponsoring. If you ever had questions about sponsoring, make sure and read it.

If you missed any of the sessions, or were not able to make it, you can find all of them here from the livestream.

As I said, there is a lot more I am still digesting and it will also settle in my brain just in time for WCUS. But I do want to thank the organizing team, the volunteers for their hard work in making it so amazing. And of course, the sponsors who make it possible.

I leave you with this. Some great WordPress peeps. (and a few taken by others, plus my mug occasionally).

In May I was fortunate to speak at WordCamp Lisboa about community. It had been awhile since I’ve spoken at a WordCamp, but I had a lot of fun.

If you are interested in my elaboration of the future of the community, listen to this show here.

For 13 years I have been going to the smaller and local WordCamps and when the first flagship WCUS started, I jumped on the opportunity and have been lucky enough to attend all of them so far.

Last year, I attended my first WCEU which of course was far from their first. It was an amazing event and even pushed us to move to Porto, which we are doing end of March.

Then comes WCAsia

Judy and I were excited that we would be able to attend the very first WCAsia. Neither of us had been to any part of Asia, so Bangkok was soon to be our first. 

Now with all that comes for anyone attending a WordCamp, it can be anything from intimidating, to exciting, or both. I did not know what to expect from this very first flagship event. I knew that it would be good, but I didn’t know I would be blown away.

The event itself

The event was held on the top floor of what’s called Iconsiam. A gigantic mall with a conference center.

And everything about the organization of the event was top notch. The sponsor area was strategically placed. And I personally experienced a volunteer approaching me a few times and asking how I was doing and if they could help with anything. It was amazing.

Contributor day

This was my second contributor day. And it did not disappoint. I spent my time with the Community team and we had several very good discussions. Of course a lot of time was put into the day-long event from both organizers and volunteers. And I had to get a shot of all the team table leads from around the world.

This was just how big contributor day was.

Two days of WordCamp Asia

The minute I walked in that morning and headed straight for the expo area, this is what I saw. It was one of the most busy WordCamps I had ever been to, at least from this perspective. And the vibe in the air is what I believe energized everyone.

The community, the people

There is no single word to describe all the new and old friends that I met with. There were hugs, fist bumps, handshakes, and a lot of conversation. I had the chance to meet people who had literally been reading or listening to my stuff for over a decade. It was incredible humbling.

Although I don’t have these tagged, here is are bunch of selfies and other pics that were taken by others and myself.

Three things really stood out to me

As I mentioned earlier, this was likely the best WordCamp I have been to. If asked, I would have to say that there are three words that come to mind if I was to describe it as a whole.

The energy

I have never been to a WordCamp that had as much energy as I experienced here. I’m sure it was a combination of it finally happening for the Asian community (the first time it was cancelled due to covid), the pride they felt and the fact that so many of the attendees were experiencing their very first WordCamp of any size. 

Everyone seemed hungry for community and education. Even the sponsors who frequent many WordCamps, the teams they brought were energized and kept very busy. There was a vibe of this energy with everyone you met. 

I know that both my brand BobWP and Do the Woo is very popular in that part of the world. But until you are able to talk, shake hands or hug, you just don’t know. I met strangers and people who I have been connected with online for a decade or more. I was in what felt like hundreds of selfies with friends and new friends. The energy there was contagious and even by day two, it did not let up till closer to the end of the day.

The graciousness

This is probably the most powerful word that stuck with us during our entire stay, both at the event and beyond. We felt welcomed wherever we went. The kindness and consideration of each individual we had contact with and I had contact with at the event, was something that added to the energy I previously talked about.

Culturally, between the greeting with a bow and hands held together, and those who held their hands over their hearts as they approached you, other parts of the world could learn from those warm and loving gestures and how they made us feel each and every time.

The empathy

Empathy has always been a huge part of my life, and I wish more people would naturally feel it in all circumstances.

As I mentioned previously, a lot of the attendees where first time WordCampers. Because of the nature of our business, many are introverts and that first event experience can be overwhelming. But it was different. There was a natural born vibe of empathy coming from everyone.

The vendors talking to community members. People meeting each other for the first time. Questions asked and answered. I would often catch pieces of conversation near me, and more times than not there was a tone of empathy. A tone that said we are the community and here to help each other, no matter who you are, what skill level you have or where you come from. The glass was half full, if not brimming over.

Of course all the other stuff

There was so much to the event, but at the same time the entire experience.

Having a little fun and a good laugh

There is nothing better than a good laugh. You may or may not know Nathan Wrigley from WPBuilds. A great friend of mine and a treasure to the WordPress community. Unfortunately Nathan could not make it, so our friend Mark Westguard from WS Form created a “Nathan head”. And it started popping around here and there at WCAsia. Make sure and click on the images so you can easily find “Where’s Nathan?”

Nom nom

The food was incredible. I’m not a foodie as much as many who travel, but the tastes I experienced are really beyond words. I am still deciding my favorites between Thai, Indian and Japanese. Unfortunately, I am terrible when it comes to taking pictures of our food. In fact, I likely got more from the food served on our flights than at the event.

There was this amazing Espresso Martini that we had, in some kind of a chalice at a restaurant in a local marketplace.

And the best experience I had was a cup of Spicy Coconut Soup with Scallops at a restaurant in the Iconsiam. Unfortunately I didn’t think to take a picture until I was half-finished. Trust me, the untouched presentation was pretty impressive. The taste, out of this world.

Bangkok

And then there was the host city. As mentioned, this was the first time Judy and I have been in Asia. The city was interesting and amazing at the same time. The weather was another thing. We spent an extra three days and found we could spend very little time outside because of the heat and humidity. Average days temp while while there were around 94°F / 34°C. We thought we would either melt away or simple pass out. But between the hotel, a boat ride down the river and a few other places, I do have a few shots to share with you.

What have I left out?

Likely a lot. But still recovering from jet lag and a good chunk of this post was written on the flight back.

If we connected at WCAsia, you are now a big part of one of my favorites memories since using WordPress.

And if you were an organizer, volunteer or sponsor this year, a big thanks and hug for one amazing event. You should be proud of what you did and the community that you brought together.

Until WordCamp Europe….

I have purposely chosen to not revisit the actual message delivered at State of the Word. There has been a lot already said and I don’t really need to add to that pile. In fact, I have listed a few posts at the end here that will give you that overview.

I arrived in New York City late Tuesday evening. The SOTW was not beginning till noonish on Thursday. But I was pretty sure Wednesday would be my “hang out with friends and community day”. Of course I was not disappointed.

Community is where community goes

Mid-morning on Wednesday, I ran into Michelle Frechette and her friend Julia in the hotel lobby. Hungry and in need of caffeine, I joined them for a bit of time at Starbucks. Returning to the hotel, we ran into Rich Tabor, and set a time to find a restaurant and have lunch. The four of us ended up at an Italian place, which would be the first of two that day.

Then came a break before I met Robert Jacobi, Rich Tabor at Nancy’s Whiskey Bar across the street. Where eventually we were joined by Robbie Adair and Bud Kraus. Although we didn’t get a group shot then, Robert did grab a shot of Rich and myself.

Thanks to Robert Jacobi for the photo

After that came dinner. I shared a bit of that experience on my podcast over on Do the Woo, which in a nutshell ended up being a fantastic Do the Woo dinnner in a heated patio at yet another Italian restaurant.

Do the Woo Dinner at State of the Word 2023 with Michelle Frechette, Allie Nimmons, Bud Kraus, Nev Harris, Aaron Campbell, Rich Tabor, Timothy Jacobs, BobWP, Robbie Adair, Julie and Ryan Marks. 

Following that feast, a few of us ended up at the Rockefeller Center.

Michelle, Nev, Ryan, Julia, Robbie and BobWP

And that was the day of true community. Friends coming together and just simply having a great time.

State of the Word Day

Of course the day of the State of the Word has it’s fair share of community. From a casual get together at a cafe beforehand, to the event itself and rounding that off with a small dinner with Robert Jacobi, Robbie Adair and Nev Harris.

The entire day, day two, filled with community. Old and new friends.

Conversations at SOTW

I cannot possibly share with you the conversations I had at the event, primarily because I had too many and cannot recall each one. But a couple of instances stick in my mind.

First, I met Zandy Ring, COO at Tumblr. This was not only a fun conversation but also very timely as I dive into the Tumblr world as BobWP. It’s been an interesting platform to sort out. And the insights that Zandy shared with me confirmed I was doing the right thing by taking my time and finding my groove there.

Secondly, I had a chance to chat with Matt Mullenweg a couple of times. The best thing about the SOTW event if Matt is in his element there. The smaller crowd gives it a much more relaxed feeling and I sense that he is truly enjoying himself.

And the cool thing. There would never be the opportunity where I would be able to share with him the new stuff we are doing over at Do the Woo in the new year. But this event gave me that chance. And even better, he loved what we were going to be doing.

Now with both of these conversations, I was fortunately to be given the opportunity to have them. But I did for two simple reasons.

The WordPress community is incredible, no matter who you meet

I am extremely fortunate to have such amazing sponsors for Do the Woo that made it possible for me to represent DTW at the event.

Learn more about the State of the Word

Matt’s SOTW was great and there was some really cool stuff he shared. But I am not into reinventing the wheel, so here are a few options for you to catch up with it if you haven’t already.

Over on WPTavern, State of the Word 2022: Matt Mullenweg Highlights Gutenberg’s Progress, Announces New Community Tools

The WPMinute has an audio version if you are on the go, as well as some key takeaways.

And of course, over on WordPress.org, you can catch the full video.

In this episode, Nadia Maya Ardiani and Birgit Pauli-Haack discuss the create block theme plugin, WordPress 6.6, Gutenberg 18.7, and updates from the training team.

Show Notes / Transcript

• Editor: Sandy Reed
• Logo: Mark Uraine
• Production: Birgit Pauli-Haack

Show Notes

Special Guest: Nadia Maya Ardiani

• LinkedIn
• WordPress profile
• Contributor Spotlight: Nadia Maya Ardiani
• Content Specialist at Hostinger
• Birgit Pauli-Haack: Fostering Community Spirit Through Knowledge Sharing by Nadia Maya Ardiani

Announcements

• Playground, Create-block-theme plugin, and GitHub
• Recap Hallway Hangout: Exploring Grid Layouts
• Developer Hours: What’s new for theme developers in WordPress 6.6
• July 8th, at 16:00 UTC: Hallway Hangout: Section styles and other block style variation updates
• July 9th, 2024, 15:00 UTC – Developer Hours: Editor unification and extensibility in WordPress 6.6.
• July 23, 2024, at 15:00 UTC Developer Hours: Do you really need a custom block? Let’s explore alternatives.

Training team updates

Contributor Spotlight series

Gather Press

• GatherPress.org
• Training team testing Gather Press
•  https://wordpress.org/plugins/gatherpress/

New Courses

• Beginner WordPress User
• Intermediate WordPress User
• Beginner WordPress Developer

What’s released

• Create Block Theme plugin 2.3
• What’s new in Gutenberg 18.7? (03 July)

WordPress 6.6

• WordPress 6.6 RC2
• Source of Truth on WordPress 6.6
• WordPress 6.6 – Huge Changes Coming Soon!
• Dev Notes
  • Updates to the Interactivity API in 6.6
  • Miscellaneous Editor changes in WordPress 6.6
  • Section Styles
  • WordPress 6.6 CSS Specificity
  • Roster of design tools per block (WordPress 6.6 edition)
  • Site-wide background images in WordPress 6.
  • Theme.json version 3
• Editing custom fields from connected blocks

What’s in the works

Twenty Twenty-Five

Stay in Touch

Transcript

Birgit Pauli-Haack: Hello, and welcome to our 103rd episode of the Gutenberg Changelog Podcast. In today’s episode we will talk in detail about Create Block Theme Plugin, WordPress 6.6, Gutenberg 18.7, and updates from the training team too. Maybe not in that order.

I’m your host, Birgit Pauli-Haack, curator at the Gutenberg Times and a full-time core contributor for the WordPress Open-Source Project sponsored by Automattic’s Five for the Future Program.

I’m delighted to have again as co-host, my dear friend, Nadia Maya Ardiani from Indonesia, member of the WordPress training team, translating Learn WordPress content. And in her day job, Maya creates content for the Hostinger blog and social media. So glad you can make it this time, Maya. How are you today?

Nadia Maya Ardiani: Hi, Birgit. It’s very nice to be back here. How are you by the way?

Birgit Pauli-Haack: I’m good. I’m good. I’m good. So glad we’re doing this. And it’s summer in Munich.

Nadia Maya Ardiani: It’s always summer here in Indonesia.

Birgit Pauli-Haack: Well, I definitely have to visit sooner or later.

Nadia Maya Ardiani: Yes, please.

Birgit Pauli-Haack: Rather sooner than later because time runs out.

Nadia Maya Ardiani: Yeah. The last time you invited me, I think it was around WordCamp. After I came back from WordCamp US and you were not attending it. And this time it’s the other way around. You’re attending WordCamp Europe and I’m not, and I’m getting so FOMO of everything. So yeah.

Birgit Pauli-Haack: Yeah. FOMO is something that I’m looking at for now. Also for WordCamp Canada. There are some great speakers on there. But I am really looking forward. Are you coming to WordCamp Asia in the Philippines next year? You don’t know?

Nadia Maya Ardiani: Yeah, I plan to. I plan to. So hopefully, we can meet again.

Birgit Pauli-Haack: Yeah, I hope so too, in-person. Well, did you know that the call for speakers is out for WordCamp Asia?

Nadia Maya Ardiani: Oh, not yet.

Birgit Pauli-Haack: Yeah.

Nadia Maya Ardiani: I haven’t checked.

Birgit Pauli-Haack: So dear listeners, if you want to come to WordCamp Asia and be on the speaker roster, now is the time to get your creative juices going on what you want to talk about. All right.

Announcements

Before I forget again, because I did the last time, I want to mention our new music for the intro and the outro. So this is the second episode actually with new music dear listeners, and I hope you like it. A 100 episodes is a great run for Homer Gaines’ music that we started out with and we used for 100 episodes. But I’m also grateful that he allowed me to use his music for free. So big prompts to Homer Gaines. And I’ll share again the link to his music channel on Spotify or what was the other one? SoundCloud.

Nadia Maya Ardiani: SoundCloud.

Birgit Pauli-Haack: Yes. Yeah, thank you. The new jingle, or what you call it, whatever you call it, is actually created by Udio, and that’s an audio AI site. Which I just was trying out. And the prompt was Jango Edwards style intro music, and it’s called Manouche Morning. I share the link also in the show notes, so you can go to the site and try out your music tastes. But let me know what you think about it, dear listeners. And also, of course, Maya.

Nadia Maya Ardiani: Yeah, I really like it, because it sounds like something that you can hear from a gramophone and take you back to another time. And it’s really a nice change of vibe. Because before we have this cool guy, a cool person, who is more very chill and very calm person, and this time it’s more happy-go-lucky. So yeah, I think it’s really great. And it’s like Morning Spirit, like the name.

Birgit Pauli-Haack: You kind of get in a different mindset there. And I learned in between that music actually changes, depending on which music of course, your brainwaves. So your alpha waves and your mood. I find it really interesting. So I read more about it. Well good. So that’s music. Well, either comment on the episode or send me an email or just ping me on Twitter what you think about the music.

So last episode, we talked about the upcoming events and now those events have taken place, and I can share the recordings in the show notes. If you are a theme developer, but you are not so much into code and want to use the Site Editor to create your theme, the Hallway Hangout where Beatrice Fialo demonstrated how she changes a theme and then used to create Block Theme Plugin to save all the changes that are normally in the database to the theme files and then make those theme files part of Version Control and GitHub.

So that process she demonstrated very closely. And on the recap post, I actually also spelled out the steps so you can really follow along. It was really a cool event. And you can actually design a theme and Site Editor and still update the theme files and handle it in Version Control. That was one of the big questions we had on the Outreach channel.

Nadia Maya Ardiani: Yeah. I personally also really love Playground because it really helps for content creation as well. Because I don’t have to keep on tweaking my WordPress site, even though that’s a special site for testing. But it’s very handy to have it. I can just test everything there and then forget about it.

Birgit Pauli-Haack: Yeah.

Nadia Maya Ardiani: I don’t have to reset everything. So, yeah.

Birgit Pauli-Haack: Right. Yeah. You don’t mess up the site that you use for other things. Yeah. Totally get it. And so I use local or used to use local, and I have probably 25 sites in there. Because I spin up a new site for everything. But that also clogs up my computer, although I have a terabyte of hard drive. But it still clogs up my computer. Because every single site has all the WordPress files, and with Playground I have nothing stored there except what I wanted to store in the browser or something like that.

So, yeah. The other event was the exploration of Grid Layouts. It was also a Hallway Hangout. And Isabel Brison, also a regular co-host here on our show, gave a great demonstration on how to handle blocks with Grid Layout or the other way around, how to work with a Grid Block, which is a subset of the Group Block. And she showed off the 6.6 features, but also what she’s working on for 6.7 in an experiment. So that’s also something, if you are keen to learn more about Grid Layout and what you can do with it, definitely watch that recording.

Nadia Maya Ardiani: Yeah. People already starting to work on 6.7. It’s like, wow, so fast.

Birgit Pauli-Haack: Yeah. So once decided when the Beta 1 is of major release, then it was also decided which Gutenberg Plugin version will make it from the new feature point of view. So the week the Beta 1 is released, that’s the week where the Gutenberg Plugin released, and that’s the last release with new features.

So Beta 1 was on June 4th and the release candidate for 18.5 was already out. So those features made it into the major 6.6. And everything else afterwards, 18.6 and 18.7hat we’re going to talk to now, are either bug fixes and they will be ported to the release on WordPress but all the new features that add UI, that are enhancement to existing things, stay in the plugin.

And Isabel Brison, and I think Robert Anderson, they were working on the Grid Layout, they actually started that experiment way earlier, but they were not ready to make it public. So if you want to test out what she showed off in the Hallway Hangout, you need to enable that experiment on the experiment page in Gutenberg before you can actually see that feature.

So there’s multiple levels of how you learn about new things. And if you want to get in early, the experiment page on the Gutenberg Plugin gives you a clue what people are actually working on. Some of them are pushed forward like the data views or the Grid Layout, and some of them are a little bit stale because there hasn’t been enough feedback to move forward with a lot of things.

Going back to the announcements or to the upcoming events, there’s also in the show notes a link to the recording of the developer hours, what’s new for theme developers in WordPress 6.6, where Nick Diego and Justin Tadlock were talking about all the good things that are coming, especially the overrides to sync patterns and also grid, but also most prominently the section styles, that’s it, block styles, and how that works with the reduced specificities for custom CSS.

So you can override. Well, how you can override some custom styles and block style. It’s a little bit highly technical, and if you’re not into that, the last part might be a little bit too technical, but it’s definitely worth checking out. 

And then there’s a set of upcoming events in July on Monday, you might not have listened to that, next week, July 8th there’s a Hallway Hangout where Justin Tadlock and Nick Diego are talking about the section styles and block style variations, want to discuss with the extenders what are the challenges and what are the problems or questions. Bring them all to the Hallway Hangout. That’s on July 8th, 1600 UTC.

Then on July 9th, there’s a Developer Hour, Editor, Unification and Extensibility in WordPress 6.6. That’s with Ryan Welcher and Nick Diego. And they talk about how the slot fields and all the other extensibility works now for post editor, site editor, template editor. They’re all now one interface or almost, in how you can take advantage of it. And the additional ways to add your own interfaces to the sidebar.

Then July 23rd at 1500 UTC is another Developer Hours, and that covers that topic, do you really need a Custom Block? And it explores the alternative, and it was one of the things that early on, but more and more you have already built in ways to modify core blocks without having to create your own blocks. So be based on the core blocks. And with pattern overrides, there’s another feature there where you can say, okay, maybe I don’t need my Custom Block. And the other part is the Block Bindings.

So for custom fields, that you don’t need a block for each custom field, your customer needs. So you could actually use the Block Bindings for that and bind those information or the values to certain core blocks. It’s not available for all the blocks, but it’s 6.6. Block Bindings came with 6.5 and all extended, especially the editing part in the interface for 6.6. All right.

Training Team

Nadia Maya Ardiani: Yeah. And speaking of events, so currently the training team is, we are trying to test GatherPress. So it’s like an event management application and it’s open source. So we are thinking, why not? We’re trying to move through this platform, we are looking for a tool that can help us to improve the flow management of our Learn WordPress online workshops, for the scheduling stuff.

And we hope that by testing it, we can try to meet the diverse needs of even organizers and members of the WordPress community in general. And it’s not just training team members who can test it. Everyone basically can test it. And I will put the invitation to test it in the show notes. And the main areas that we follow will be including its ease of use and then the registering process, and then the editing attendance feature, and basically any other stuff that stands out.

Birgit Pauli-Haack: That’s great. Thank you so much for bringing that to the show. I totally dig it. And I remember having conversations about replacing Meetup as the tool for the local Meetups with multi-site, for all the 700 local Meetups when I was a Meetup organizer in ’16 and ’17, so this is great that it comes together now.

Recently, the GatherPress Plugin is also now available in WordPress Plugin Repo, so you can also test it on one of your other sites. You don’t have to use it for WordPress events. But yeah, I’m going to look at the invite. So that is really cool. When I look at the plugin page, it has blocks for everything and it has for RSVP, add to calendar, the online event, event date, menu and all that. So this is really great. And maybe could even be used for other events, not just WordPress events.

Nadia Maya Ardiani: Yeah. And I myself haven’t tested as well, so sharing this also became a reminder for me to test it. Because it’s really great to have this alternative.

Birgit Pauli-Haack: Absolutely. Oh, and speaking of the training team, there are three courses that came out in the last couple of months. One is the beginner WordPress user. So if you start out as a WordPress content creator and/or site owner, this is definitely a course to go through because it explains some of the WordPressy things that are a little bit harder to know. It’s like your driver’s license course for WordPress. Sometimes we just need a refresher as well. And I just realized that there’s also an Immediate WordPress User course out there. So I think it just went online. And for those who are….

Nadia Maya Ardiani: Yeah, it’s very new.

Birgit Pauli-Haack: Yeah. Have you worked on those?

Nadia Maya Ardiani: Actually, these three stuff like Beginner WordPress User and then Beginner WordPress Developer, and then Intermediate WordPress Developer. WordPress user, sorry, they’re all part of the Learning Pathway Project. So lately we try to create learning pathway. Because sometimes people get into learn.wordpress.org and became like, oh my God, there’s so much stuff to learn. Where do I start?

So we’re thinking maybe it will help if we can have separate learning pathways, for example, for people who don’t have enough technical background, they can start by the Beginner WordPress User. As you already said, it’s like the driving license for WordPress. It’s a really nice way to put it. It’s when you want to really learn from the basics. And then we have Beginner WordPress Developer. It’s for those who want to start developing for WordPress.

And then we have Intermediate WordPress User. So it’s for people who already have basic fundamental knowledge and then they want to level up their use of WordPress. Maybe for content creation, they want to make it more effective, and then they want to explore the advanced features. So this is what everyone can learn from this.

Birgit Pauli-Haack: Yeah. No, really, and I know there’s a lot of work that goes into that, especially because WordPress changes so much in the recent year. What I also like is that the single lessons are actually available separately. You don’t have to go through the course or finish one lesson to go to the next. You can just look at the list of the course and then pick the lessons where you want to expand your knowledge. Or when you say, okay, I need to dive deeper in that topic, and hopefully the lesson covers that.

That’s a really good way also for people who actually build sites for others, to say, okay, if you want to learn that, why don’t you go to that lesson, instead of having to do that training themselves. Although it builds trust, sometimes it can be a bandwidth. You don’t have the bandwidth as a freelance developer or as a small agency to do all the training. And having an official site where you can point people to for certain explanations or for certain tools, on how to use them, is definitely a feature also very well-built for agencies that are out there and working with clients. You are pretty much the first line of support. So that definitely gives you support in supporting. I like that.

Nadia Maya Ardiani: Support in supporting.

Birgit Pauli-Haack: Yeah. So check out the learn.wordpress.org site and the three courses we will have in the show notes for you. And of course, yeah, the Beginner WordPress Developer course covers all the things that you might need to at least get started. Because there’s a lot of tutorials out there that assume a certain knowledge of certain things.

And I know because I work with the writers on the developer blog on the WordPress Developer Blog, and some of it is kind of how can we get to the meat of that particular tutorial without having to explain about everything WordPress.

Nadia Maya Ardiani: Everything.

Birgit Pauli-Haack: So now we can point to the WordPress Developer lessons and say, okay, here you can beef up thinking about this or this and that. So it’s great fundamental work that the training team is doing there.

Nadia Maya Ardiani: Yeah. And we try to facilitate the many ways people might prefer to learn. Some people prefer to learn audio/visually, some people prefer to just read it, because they can do it anytime and anywhere, and also for the accessibility reasons.

Birgit Pauli-Haack: Excellent. Yeah, definitely. That was the section about the training team. Well done on the training team and everybody else out there.

What’s Released – Create Block Theme Plugin        

So that brings us to the section, what’s released. And before we dive into WordPress 6.6 some more, I just wanted to give a shout-out to the latest release of the Create Block Theme Plugin. It has become my most favorite plugin that I actually use. And the team working on has released version 2.3 with a few more capabilities.

And now you can add image credits to the theme modal. So there’s a theme modal where you can put all the information about a theme that you create in there. And there’s now also a section for the image credits if you use somebody else’s images in there that are not commonly licensed or public domain. So you can add this to it.

External links are now translatable. So the translation team, whoever and polyglots wants to translate a theme can do that. There is a new About section in the editor that helps you with what the various pieces are about. And the landing page in the plugin has been majorly improved from the design, and it now looks a little bit more like that plugin is. And then now the font settings. When you clone a theme, the font settings actually persist over the cloning part. So what the original theme is doing you can do. The clone theme is also respecting that.

And then there were quite a few bug fixes and all that. But it’s so great how this plugin actually evolves throughout the times and goes along with the WordPress features. I think that they’re working now on some pattern management, but they need to wait for the core to finish developing. Sometimes the heart of the matter, if you want to create, you can create patterns in the interface, but you need to export them separately and not with the theme. So that’s kind of a major stepping stone.

And then the styles and section styles, they haven’t implemented that yet. But it’s coming along and stay tuned. 

WordPress 6.6

So for WordPress 6.6, release candidate two is now available for testing. Today, we are recording this on July 4th, thinking July 4th to our American listeners. Happy Independence Day. Hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Nadia Maya Ardiani: Yeah.

Birgit Pauli-Haack: And enjoy the summer coming in. But no rest for the wicked. WordPress 6.6 is scheduled to come out July 16th. That’s 12 days away. And there is with the release candidate one, also the Source of Truth came out, a compendium, it’s a book about that, WordPress 6.6. Compiled or composed, edited, authored by and…

Nadia Maya Ardiani: Curated.

Birgit Pauli-Haack: Curated By Anne McCarthy. It’s all you want to ever learn about 6.6 in any detail, about every feature. It might not interest everyone. But you can actually… She tags each feature for the intended user, like this is the theme author, plugin author, end user or enterprise level or for everybody. So you can actually use the browser, find function for the tag theme author, and then go just hop from one occurrence to the next and read it that way. That’s how I do it.

Nadia Maya Ardiani: Yeah.

Birgit Pauli-Haack: If you need a shorter version, Jamie Marsland summarized the most important feature in this video and calls it WordPress 6.6, huge changes coming soon.

Nadia Maya Ardiani: As a content writer, I am so thankful that Anne McCarthy always creates this source of truth every time there’s a major release. So it became our source of truth, literally, to write anything about WordPress.

So it’s also interesting that today’s marketing team, from the make teams shifting to Media Corps. Because it’s expanding the possibilities for the Source of Truth. Now that we are going to have that one place, one central to getting everything about WordPress and being updated on it. So it’ll be really helpful for content creators especially.

Birgit Pauli-Haack: Yeah, it’s actually meant for content creators. It’s not so much for end-users, because that also can be quite technical. So Jamie Marsland, in his video, points out pattern overrides, the grid layout, and we all talked about the negative margins, the custom shadows, and as well as the data views.

And there were actually for the developers additional def notes since the last episode were published, and one was the updates to the interactivity API, miscellaneous editor changes. These are smaller changes, but still don’t overlook them. A definite about section and styles, is definite about the CSS specificity. That’s a very difficult word for me.

Nadia Maya Ardiani: Me, too. It’s a tongue-twister.

Birgit Pauli-Haack: Yeah. And it reflects how hard it is to talk about that as well.

Nadia Maya Ardiani: Yeah, yeah. 6.6 specificity.

Birgit Pauli-Haack: Specificity.

Nadia Maya Ardiani: So many S.

Birgit Pauli-Haack: Yeah. And then there’s a roster of the design tools per block that’s just a table of lists, all the blocks, and then which design tool, line, typography, color, dimensions, background image, gradient, yay, duotone, which block does what. And then there’s another dev notes about the theme JSON version three that also covers the style variations or the section style variations, how you can manage them through theme JSON.

Maya, from all the small and big features, what intrigues you as a content creator the most?

Nadia Maya Ardiani: I actually want to say the zoom out view, but sadly, based on the 6.6 Source of Truth, it’ll be available on a future release. But I was like, if it’s finally available, it’ll be a game changer, because I can… Instead of cut and then move it to somewhere else by scrolling up or down my mouse and put it on the wrong part of the website, being able to zoom it out will be, oh my God, it will be… What is it in English? Sorry. It’ll be really time-saving.

Birgit Pauli-Haack: Yes, absolutely. Yeah. I can definitely see that. Because we are so focused on the block or on the section kind of thing that sometimes you need a full view of a page. And the zoom out view is… We are looking at things sometimes only for the block section and what’s in front of us, but the zoom out view gives you actually a view of the full page and how everything fits together.

That’s very important when you look at template previews or on pattern previews or even on when you go through the categories of patterns and then you see the pattern, how would that fit in into your full page kind of thing? Yeah. But if I understood it correctly, it wasn’t all that seamless to use. It was always a little bit of a surprise when it happened that the team still wanted to… And nothing is hated more than a surprise by an end user. What did I do?

Nadia Maya Ardiani: Did I do something wrong?

Birgit Pauli-Haack: Yeah. That’s the first question I always ask. What did I do? And how did that happen? So they wanted to finesse that a little bit more and make that usage a bit more intuitive. So apart from what’s not in 6.6.

Nadia Maya Ardiani: Yeah.

Birgit Pauli-Haack: What else?

Nadia Maya Ardiani: I think it’s the unified editor experience. It just makes sense to me to have the featured image position way higher than before, because before it’s down there. Now it’s way up there. Because when we create a blog post after finishing the text, the first thing that comes to mind is what feature image we will put there to represent the blog post.

Because having a proper and featured image is also important for the SEO and for branding, especially if we name the featured image with the keyword that we target, it’ll boost the SEO performance as well. And I like how the publish flow looks more compact and less distracting. Because some stuff gets inside when we click something and…

Birgit Pauli-Haack: The three-dot menu.

Nadia Maya Ardiani: Yes. It can be also less intimidating for newbies because there’s not so much stuff right there. And then I’m also interested in the pattern overrides, because it will be so handy and time-saving. And also help create a cohesive design across the site, especially for no-code or no designer, non-designer users, and then also the negative margins because it unlocks the design possibilities for us who don’t really design in our daily lives. So yeah, it will look really cool, I think.

Birgit Pauli-Haack: Yeah, absolutely. And I like the combination between the grid block and the custom shadows. And then now you can have some overlap of images and text, and you don’t have to use a cover block to have that because it’s hard to organize that. Yeah,

Nadia Maya Ardiani: It’ll be so fun to play with.

Birgit Pauli-Haack: Yeah. Great tools in there for designers that are no-coders. Yeah, it’s kind of cool. Yeah. I’m a total fan of the pattern enhancement that comes with 6.6. It’s not only the set pattern overrides that were punted from 6.5, I like the additional time, which really helped with the feature to bring it in. Because now you see it in the sidebar which content you can override and how they’re called.

And to create this, you can actually guide your users, which piece of the pattern you can override. So there’s a sidebar on that, when the pattern comes in you really see it. And there’s also the full pattern management, is made available for sites that use a classic theme. So they get a menu item in the WP admin and also all the pattern management screens. So that’s a big deal for the classic themes because they still dominate the space of course.

Not everybody changes themes every two years, but users can take advantage of the broader template part and pattern management. And theme developers can also make those available for their users. So I’m really happy about that. Yeah, we talked about the grid layouts. I’m absolutely a fan of that. And because you can have so much more design, although I want to do something like a Pied Mondrian kind of style, and I am….

Nadia Maya Ardiani: Oh, yeah.

Birgit Pauli-Haack: Looking forward to doing that. And now you can also create your own drop shadows and you don’t need a theme developer or a developer for it or wait for core. You can create your own drop shadows with the color, how they lean, what’s the angle and what’s the distance from the thing. It’s not available for all blocks. But I think it’s still only for four blocks, but it’s definitely changed for the content creators to make some interesting things.

Nadia Maya Ardiani: Yep, yep.

Birgit Pauli-Haack: Yeah. And one thing I really like is that it’s finally coming to WordPress, and that is, to use….

Nadia Maya Ardiani: What is that?

Birgit Pauli-Haack: The tab button to indent list items?

Nadia Maya Ardiani: Oh, yeah, yeah.

Birgit Pauli-Haack: Every time.

Nadia Maya Ardiani: Yeah, I forget about that too. It’ll be really nice too.

Birgit Pauli-Haack: Yeah. And because it trips me up every time I know I’m going to use it very much. I have not learned to work around it. Why can’t I do this? So I try it every time I use a list that needs to have multiple hierarchies. So I’m really happy about that. Thank you.

Nadia Maya Ardiani: Finally.

Birgit Pauli-Haack: The time that I don’t spend in WordPress, I spend in Google Docs. So some things from Google Docs. What drives me crazy in Google Docs is that I can’t just highlight something and put a link underneath with copy paste. That kind of trips me up in Google. And I was like, Google, get on with it. And GitHub can do it, WordPress can do it, you can do it too. And this was the other way around. Yeah, it’s kind of what Google does nicely and WordPress does.

We talked a little bit on the podcast already about the new screens coming, called the data views. And those are the admin screens, that insight editor to manage pattern pages, styles, navigation and templates. And as they are tested for more admin redesigns to come. And yeah, I’m really excited about that because it kind of gives you a little view into the future, and also lets you already use it and see how that works well for you.

I know for 6.7, they’re looking at making those available for the media library and also for the post because those two things on the content side, they still use the old WP admin for various reasons. Most of it because of the extensibility that needs to be built in, because a lot of plugins kind of tap into these screens right now.

But the 6.7 is probably going to have at least some first versions of that in that. If you’re a plugin developer, you might want to check out theWordPress  component package data views. And there’s also one that contributors are working on, it’s called data forms, maybe to make them work for your plugins or at least test them out, and what it would bring for you later on in a year or so.

And then of course, the last feature that I am really happy about is the extensions of the Block Bindings, they were a big deal in 6.5, but the enhancements that coming in 6.6 is even more useful for site owners and site content creators, because WordPress now offers various ways where you can update the custom fields through the Block Binding screen.

So the meta boxes that are on bottom of your screen are not the best interface. They also don’t have any validation and all that, but you can now change it right in the block. So if you have a typo of inner value for the meta, thinking of a book, if you have a typo in the author. Or you can change the author right there in the block, as well as if that’s in the archive, you can use those Block Bindings also in the archive pages through your templates, but users can then change, oh, this is a wrong date, or this is a wrong location. They can change it right there in the archive pages in the editor.

So it’s kind of nice to have that now built into the Block Editor, what before you actually needed custom blocks for it or you needed ACF for it or parts or something like that. But now you can just have the custom fields connected with blocks still in the early stages of course, but it’s not complicated fields or complicated connections. But it’s a start and it might make….

Nadia Maya Ardiani: We’re getting there.

Birgit Pauli-Haack: Yeah, it’s getting there. And it might make quite a set of custom blocks redundant if you could use those for that. And you don’t have to maintain the code for that. Yeah, that’s what I think about 6.6. What I like and what… I am really looking forward to it.

Nadia Maya Ardiani: It’s less than two weeks from now, I think.

Birgit Pauli-Haack: 12 days from today.

Nadia Maya Ardiani: 12 days.

Birgit Pauli-Haack: So this comes out on Sunday, and you have only 10 days once you listen to that.

Nadia Maya Ardiani: 10 days.

Birgit Pauli-Haack: Yeah. Or maybe today, Thursday. Well, it comes out on Sunday, so you only have eight days. 

Gutenberg 18.7

But that was not the only thing that was released today or this week. The WordPress 6.6 release candidate two, it was Gutenberg 18.7. Total of 115 PRs were merged in Gutenberg 18.7 with seven first time contributors. Yay.

I was going to look at that and hope they contribute not only their first contribution, but also because now they’ve got the process right that there will be many, many more contributions from those users.

Nadia Maya Ardiani: Of course, of many contributions after this.

Birgit Pauli-Haack: Right, right. Yeah. And with WordPress 6.6 at our doorstep, many contributions are focused on bug fixes. So there’s not a whole lot of new features in there, but what we are talking about, some of them are really… We will find in 6.7, but let’s talk about them.

Enhancements

So there is now a content panel for template parts, and that is good because now developers, and when you create templates in the editor, you can add a description and that shows up in the content area for that template. So you can make your theme a little bit more descriptive. Then the next one is, we talked about the published workflow, right?

Nadia Maya Ardiani: Mm-hmm. Yeah.

Birgit Pauli-Haack: And there is the Sticky Toggle, which is something that means the sticky post.

Nadia Maya Ardiani: Yes.

Birgit Pauli-Haack: That is…

Nadia Maya Ardiani: It’s now under… It will be under… Wait, I forget.

Birgit Pauli-Haack: Those three dots.

Nadia Maya Ardiani: Yeah, it’ll be under the status and visibility. And I think that will be great because it makes it more clear what sticky means, especially for non-English speakers and beginners. Because I remember the first time I learned using WordPress, I was confused what does this sticky mean? Because I was trying to make my first blog post and then I tried this sticky feature and nothing happened. Of course, because my post is only one. So I cannot see what this feature actually does. So by moving it under status and visibility, I think it makes it more intuitive. Because by that we know that, oh, this sticky might be related to the visibility. Oh, it’ll stick to somewhere in the website.

Birgit Pauli-Haack: Yeah, I think you’re right. And it’s also not the first… The first few blog posts you probably wouldn’t need to know about Sticky Post to get that into your feature set that you would need. So why is it there? Yeah, you’re totally right. Yeah. What they also did in 18.7, why am I still two years, in 16?

Nadia Maya Ardiani: Numbers are also hard.

Birgit Pauli-Haack: Yeah, numbers are hard, especially for writers. But I’m actually a number person, so…

Nadia Maya Ardiani: Ahh. Yeah, yeah. Number person and alphabet person.

Birgit Pauli-Haack: I used to say, so it’s a real miracle what word people do with numbers. Because I looked at budgets from word people that didn’t work out. But off my tangents now. So one feature that comes with 18.7 is the alignment of the naming models. So we are renaming and naming quite a few things. One is we renamed the sections in the pattern overrides. We renamed template parts, we renamed posts and pages, titles, and all these models, they looked a little bit differently every time. So they are now aligned and use the same design.

So it makes it less of a friction, because every time you see something different, you think there might be something different, but there isn’t. So that’s really good for quality of life improvement on that. So we haven’t talked a lot about the writing mode support for blogs. What is that? That is… Do you know what that is? Have you ever used it?

Nadia Maya Ardiani: I tried it, but not really applied it to my daily process. But I think it opened more design possibilities. Because we can make any other element to be vertical or there are so many possibilities that we can do with the layout and then with the message that we want to share to the world.

Birgit Pauli-Haack: Yeah, definitely. Yeah, so you could pretty much say in the fonts you see in the three dot menu in your font, typography, things you see, vertical alignment or orientation, is I think what you see. Font orientation.

Nadia Maya Ardiani: Oh, yeah, orientation.

Birgit Pauli-Haack: So you can then say, okay, I want this headline to be vertically aligned with the paragraph that it kind of comes after. So it actually will be on the left-hand side instead of on top of it, but it is vertically aligned. And yeah, as you said, it’s a nice design tool to break up the wall of text, I call it.

So when you use headers and list items and all that, they need to be visually attractive at one point, so you can end this PR or with 18.7, the feature of the vertical alignment comes to other blocks. The writing mode support is now also available for buttons and verse and side tagline blocks and side title blocks. Not just for headings and paragraphs. There’s a theme JSON settings in there, and you can also kind of see it then in your style blocks. So I think that’s a great feature to have, that is added to a few more blocks.

So wonderful. Another tool, it’s not a tool, but what has changed, and you will see it in 6.6, is that with the entity that you’re editing. So what do I mean by that? Is it a pattern or is it a block or is it a template? And now you get a document bar on top of the screen that actually tells you where you are. And that document bar is now also available in 18.7 Gutenberg with the style book and the style revisions. So it’s one more piece of getting the orientation right for a content creator. So what am I actually doing? And I liked it for templates and for pages. So am I in template mode or am I in page editing mode, which is kind of a little different.

Nadia Maya Ardiani: Yeah, I checked the GitHub issue and still cannot really comprehend what we will get from this feature? But then you just explained about it. It makes me, oh, yeah, yeah, I will… looking forward to this. That’s why even though I’m not really a technical person, I’m still keeping notes and updating myself of all these updates. Because, oh, this one, I might need this. And just taking notes of everything.

Birgit Pauli-Haack: Yeah. And the last one, it’s also a very small thing, but it’s really improved the quality of life of these new features. And I’m sad it’s not going to come to 6.6. Not that I… Because it’s the tool top to hover over the color and to typography presets. So if your theme has, or if you’re a theme developer and you create color and typography presets for your theme, then the user can hover and identify that color palette or what typography, what’s the font like or what do you call those fonts. And you can then point people to it in your documentation and say, well look at that. Well look at this. And the Tooltip helps you identify really the things that are on screen. All right. Do you want to add something to the Tooltip?

Nadia Maya Ardiani: Yeah, I just want to say that this will be very handy for working with teams because you don’t have to pick that one that is the third one from the top. You can just say the name of, what is it? The color presets. The color palette. So yeah.

Bug Fixes

Birgit Pauli-Haack: Yeah. No, you’re right. Yeah, it’s really hard to organize it. So we mentioned quite a few bug fixes in there. And there is one in there that we are talking about, that’s the writing flows, split the heading into a default block. You can split a block and then it’s still going to be a heading.

Nadia Maya Ardiani: Yeah. Because sometimes when we enter in the middle of the heading and then it creates another H1, let’s say. It just didn’t make sense to have… Why do we want to have two heading one in a row? So yeah, it just makes sense to have when we enter, it automatically becomes a normal text like that.

Birgit Pauli-Haack: Yeah, a normal paragraph block. Or when you get carried away with writing a headline and say, ah, no, I want to break it and do that as a subheading. Yeah. Yeah. So that’s a very good fix. You can also now, it fixes the custom color palette. Because that was always a little bit hard to use when you wanted to create new ones.

Nadia Maya Ardiani: Yeah. I also found this one really useful because sometimes, especially for brands, some brands have that very specific color and by being able to create the custom color palette, it will help us to have a website in our signature color.

Birgit Pauli-Haack: Right. Yeah. And this fix actually makes that workflow much smoother and you don’t have to fiddle around with it too much. And the next one is that for the grid, we talked about the experiment, about the grid interactivity, and it now allows blocks to be positioned in manual mode using drag and drop.

So the handing of grid and grid cells is going to be much easier. And even in the manual mode you can use drag and drop to place your blocks on the grid. There were two things that I want to… There are quite a few documentation PRs that fix or add to the documentation, which is always appreciated.

Documentation

The interactivity API docs now have an addition of the WP-async directive documented. It’s for the developers when they go out and grab some data from somewhere and how to push that into the website. And then for the Query Loop Block, it clarifies some explanation about the variation examples that are in core, so developers can handle them. And I think that was it, what we have for Gutenberg’s 18.7. Yes, we are almost through.

What’s in Active Development or Discussed

We have one section for the… What’s in active development or discussed, and I just wanted to let you know that the GitHub repo for the next default theme can’t….

Nadia Maya Ardiani: Twenty Twenty Five.

Birgit Pauli-Haack: Very good. We did not plan this.

Nadia Maya Ardiani: Yeah.

Birgit Pauli-Haack: And I connected with Carolina Nymark who created the repo, and she just said that it’s pretty much right now just to put the placeholders in. Because the release team for 6.7 hasn’t been announced yet. And the default theme Co leads, will be part of the release team. So we need to wait for that. But if you have any input or any ideas for Twenty Twenty Five, you can definitely create issues there and start and raise your hand if you want to contribute however you want.

Nadia Maya Ardiani: The Twenty Twenty Five will be part of the last release of this year.

Birgit Pauli-Haack: Which is WordPress 6.7.

Nadia Maya Ardiani: 6.7. Oh, yes.

Birgit Pauli-Haack: Yes. Yeah, it’s the next release and it will come out in November. But I think the release date is before Thanksgiving, so it’s November 12th. So it’s way before Black Friday and all the holidays are going to start. At least in America, between Thanksgiving and New Year, nobody really, everybody shops and not a whole lot of people work.

Nadia Maya Ardiani: Yeah. It’s time for… Have fun.

Birgit Pauli-Haack: Well, it’s time to have fun, but also to keep websites stable so the online shopping spray is not interrupted. And because that’s where most people make the year’s revenue.

Nadia Maya Ardiani: Gift giving time.

Birgit Pauli-Haack: It’s giving time, it’s buying time. It’s Black Friday time, it’s Cyber Monday time. It’s all the discounts that come around for that. Yes. Yeah. So I’m so happy that you were on my show, Maya. Or on our show.

Nadia Maya Ardiani: Me, too.

Birgit Pauli-Haack: And it’s always wonderful to chat with you about WordPress and all the things content creators do with it. So when people want to connect with you, where would they find you?

Nadia Maya Ardiani: So you can find me on wordpress.org, of course. And then I have LinkedIn as well, and Twitter and Instagram. But lately I’ve been taking social media time off.

Birgit Pauli-Haack: Okay.

Nadia Maya Ardiani: So if anyone wants to get in touch with me, I think wordpress.org. And maybe if you want to read anything related to me, so in training team, we recently developed… We have a new initiative, so it’s Contributor Spotlight. So we celebrate the journey of training team contributors. It’s initiated by Courtney Paulo-Kranzke or Courtney PK, we call her. It started this January, I think. And yeah, you can all read it on the training team made WordPress Blog.

Birgit Pauli-Haack: Oh, wonderful, wonderful. I’m going to put a link in the show notes to that profile.

Nadia Maya Ardiani: Thank you.

Birgit Pauli-Haack: Well, thank you for that initiative. It’s always good to read the stories, contributor stories. And I will add your LinkedIn and your WordPress Slack profile or WordPress Slack account as well to the show so you can all follow up with Maya.

Nadia Maya Ardiani: Thank you so much.

Birgit Pauli-Haack: You’re welcome. As long as the show notes ,dear listeners, will be published on gutenbergtimes.com for WordPress Podcast. This is episode 103. And if you have questions or suggestions or news you want us to include, send them to changelog@gutenbergtimes.com, that’s changelog@gutenbergtimes.com. Or just ping me on Twitter like many people do. And if you enjoy the show, please, please leave a review on Apple or Stitcher or whatever your favorite podcast directory is, so other people can find it too. Again, thanks to Maya and thanks for listening, and goodbye.

Nadia Maya Ardiani: Thanks to Birgit as well.

Birgit Pauli-Haack: Well, thank you.

Nadia Maya Ardiani: It’s always an honor.

Birgit Pauli-Haack: Thank you. And a great pleasure for me. All right, this is the outro. Listen to it and I’ll see you in two weeks or talk to you in two weeks. Bye-Bye.

Nadia Maya Ardiani: Bye.

Hi there,

It was a fairly normal WordPress week, apart from the general password reset for all plugin committers on the repository. That was highly unusual.

The release of WordPress 6.6 is moving along right on schedule. Release candidate 2 is out. The video Watch the Build: How WordPress Release Pages are Created in the Site Editor allows you a look behind the scene of this part of the release process.

Gutenberg 18.7 was also released. Together with my friend Maya, I recorded a Gutenberg changelog episode again, number 103. I just can’t get my head around that we already recorded over 100 shows. We also added new music.

This Weekend Edition has quite a few videos linked on what’s coming in WordPress 6.6, on Grid layouts, and Interactivity API. Something for everyone. To learn about new features and grasp their impact, it’s much easier to see them demo’ed in a video setting or screen share than just learn about it via a blog post or a podcast.

Wishing you a fabulous weekend!

Yours, 💕
Birgit

Developing Gutenberg and WordPress

First time release lead, Kai Hao, published Gutenberg plugin version 18.7 and highlighted in his release post What’s new in Gutenberg 18.7? (03 July), the feature of moving grid items around via drag and drop in manual mode, and new content panels for template parts, allowing developers and users to add descriptions to those sections.

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Nadia Maya Ardiani and I reviewed the latest Gutenberg version for our Gutenberg Changelog episode 103. We also discussed the latest learning path courses by the training team, upcoming events and WordPress 6.6. The episode will be published over the weekend and arrive shortly after at your favorite podcast app. It was lovely to chat with my friend, Maya from Indonesia again.

🎙️ Latest episode: Gutenberg Changelog #103 – Create Block Theme Plugin, WordPress 6.6, Gutenberg 18.7, and Updates from the Training Team  with Nadia Maya Ardiani

Tammie Lister wrote on X (former Twitter): “Being sponsored to work on the WordPress default theme task force has been one of the most rewarding contribution areas for me in a while. I wrote a post about what has gone on so far. Thank you to everyone who supported me and collaborated.” You can read more about the project on her Update on default theme focus.

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The work on the default theme Twenty Twenty-Five has begun with a fresh GitHub Repo. There isn’t much information available yet. After checking in with Caroline Nymark, who created the repo, I learned that the release squad for WordPress 6.7 hasn’t been announced; the repo is more a placeholder until the new theme leads are picked.

Upcoming events

July 8th, 2024 at 16:00 UTC  Hallway Hangout: Section styles and other block style variation updates with Justin Tadlock and others: “At a technical level, the expanded tool set does not add too many new concepts to learn. However, in practice, working with these updates can present challenges and may even have you rethinking your approach to theme design.” says the description.

As already mentioned in Weekend Edition 297

July 9th, 2024, 15:00 UTC – Developer Hours: Editor unification and extensibility in WordPress 6.6.

July 23, 2024, at 15:00 UTC Developer Hours: Do you really need a custom block? Let’s explore alternatives. 

Plugins, Themes, and Tools for #nocode site builders and owners

Isabel Brison showed us in a Hallway Hangout how to work with the Grid block and what will be in WordPress 6.6. After answering questions, Brison also showed us what she is working on in a Gutenberg Experiment. Learn more via the post Recap Hallway Hangout: Exploring Grid Layouts.

You can also try things out via this Playground instance. The experiment is already enabled.

Find summary, transcript shared resources via the Recap post

Anne McCarthy published videos on YouTube around WordPress 6.6. for content creators and site builders.

• Negative Margins, Grid Block, & Custom Shadows
• The power of a shared publishing flow & unified extensibility APIs
• Bringing a Modern Patterns Experience to Classic Themes

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Bud Kraus selected for you the 6 Hot Changes Coming to WordPress 6.6 on the Hostinger Blog. He highlights Pattern overrides, the Grid block, Sections Styles, Data views, Pattern management for classic themes and negative margins. Kraus provides screenshots and instructions on how to use the features.

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You might have waited for the video of WordCamp Europe’s edition of the Speed Build Challenge live on stage. Jamie Marsland published the actual Speed Build challenge and cut in from the Matt’s Summer Update and the Q & A after. Epic Showdown: Who will win WordCamp Europe’s First-Ever WordPress Speed Build? with Jessica Lyschik and Rich Tabor.

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Stephanie Pi just announced WooCommerce 9.0: Our most accessible checkout and much more. It comes with an improved check-out experience, the next iteration of Product blocks, new REST-API endpoints for the refunds and much more. Actually, WooCommerce 9.0.1 came out a few days later, fixing what caused a fatal error on installations.

Carlo Daniele, blogger at Kinsta, has all the pertinent information about WordPress 6.6 in his post What’s new in WordPress 6.6: Pattern overrides, Block Bindings API, Data Views, new design tools, and much more! You’ll find short explanations, screenshots, and code examples on how to implement some new features into your projects.

Theme Development for Full Site Editing and Blocks

One of my favorite plugins lately is the Create Block Theme plugin. The team working on it just released version 2.3 

• Add image credits edit capabilities to the edit theme modal by @matiasbenedetto in #662
• Make external links translatable by @t-hamano in #663
• Add an about section in the editor by @matiasbenedetto in #667
• Landing Page: Improve design by @t-hamano in #673
• Persist font settings when cloning a theme by @mikachan in #678

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 “Keeping up with Gutenberg – Index 2024” 
A chronological list of the WordPress Make Blog posts from various teams involved in Gutenberg development: Design, Theme Review Team, Core Editor, Core JS, Core CSS, Test, and Meta team from Jan. 2024 on. Updated by yours truly. The previous years are also available: 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023

Nick Diego collected 15 ways to curate the WordPress editing experience and explained each of them in his latest post for the WordPress Developer Blog. Diego covered all possible ways from disabling parts of the design tools, Block directory or Pattern directory to Openverse. Also, how to unregister core block styles and variations or formatting options for RichText blocks. If you build bespoke themes for client projects, some of this might be quite useful to make the block editor a streamlined experience for the client’s content creators, and stay true to branding and design requirements.

Building Blocks and Tools for the Block editor.

Armando J. Perez-Carreno had a two-part conversation with Seth Rubenstein from the Pew Research Center, on how he and his team use the Interactivity API for their website. Rubenstein demonstrated the use of facets and the Interactivity API in creating dynamic and interactive blocks, as well as the concept of ‘atomic’ blocks.

• The Interactivity API in Action, a conversation with Seth Rubenstein
• Interactivity API: Getting Creative with Atomic Blocks

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Joel Olawanle, technical writer at Kinsta, set out to help developers Preparing for React 19: a guide for WordPress 6.6 users.

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Magdalena Paciorek gave a talk on Building custom post types with blocks at WordCamp Europe. The recording made it to WordPress TV for your perusal. In this session, she took a look at how to create bespoke WordPress websites that make use of custom post types directly in the site editor. Paciorek also explored how to build templates with blocks and examined different ways to extend the editor, including the use of block filters, block formats, custom block styles, block patterns, inner blocks, block locking, interactivity API, building our own blocks, and more.

Need a plugin .zip from Gutenberg’s master branch?
Gutenberg Times provides daily build for testing and review.

Now also available via WordPress Playground. There is no need for a test site locally or on a server. Have you been using it? Email me with your experience

Questions? Suggestions? Ideas?
Don’t hesitate to send them via email or
send me a message on WordPress Slack or Twitter @bph.

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For questions to be answered on the Gutenberg Changelog,
send them to changelog@gutenbergtimes.com

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Featured Image: Hong Kong Harbor photo by Chris Clarke, found in the WordPress Photos space.

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Don’t want to miss the next Weekend Edition?

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The banner at the top of this post is a CC0 licensed photo by Ericka Barboza from the WordPress Photo Directory.

That’s it for this week! If you’d like to get this post in your email every week, make sure you sign up!

The post An Essay From Japan, Interviews From Italy, Photos From Romania! appeared first on HeroPress.

The first release candidate for BuddyPress 14.0.0 is now available!

“Release Candidate” means that we think the new version is ready for release, but with the many possible specific WordPress configurations, hundreds of BuddyPress plugins and Thousands of WordPress themes, it’s possible something was missed.

BuddyPress 14.0.0 is slated for release on July 12, 2024, and your help is needed to get there — if you haven’t tried 14.0.0 yet, doing it now is a great idea!

You can test the 14.0.0-RC pre-release in 5 ways :

• Try the BP Beta Tester plugin.
• Download the release candidate here (zip file).
• Check out our SVN repository: svn co https://buddypress.svn.wordpress.org/trunk/
• Clone our read-only Git repository: git clone git://buddypress.git.wordpress.org/
• Preview it into WP Playground

A detailed changelog will be part of our official release note, but you can get a quick overview by reading the post about the 14.0.0 Beta1 release.

Plugin and Theme Developers

Please test your plugins and themes against BuddyPress 14.0.0. If you find compatibility problems, please be sure to post to this specific support topic so we can figure those out before the final release. We strongly advise you to have a look at the 14.0.0 developer notes to figure out what to focus on during your testing.

How you can help

Do you speak a language other than English? Help us translate BuddyPress into as many languages as possible! This release also marks the string freeze point of the 14.0.0 release schedule.

If you think you’ve found a bug, you can share it with us replying to this support topic or if you’re comfortable writing a reproducible bug report, file one on BuddyPress Trac.

A bit of fun today, or maybe not. I asked ChatGPT to Give me a shorter script of a podcast where I mention WooCommerce or Woo, short for WooCommerce as many times as I can. Well, if you know me, and my personality, I am a basically a mellow guy. So I took this one step further seeing that ChatGPT obviously doesn’t know me well and will deliver a monotone version of the results.

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[Intro Music]

Host: Welcome, Woo enthusiasts, to another exciting episode of WooWonderland, where we dive deep into the magical world of WooCommerce. I’m your host, [Your Name], and today’s episode is going to be an exhilarating journey through the enchanting landscape of Woo-commerce. Yes, we love saying Woo!

[Transition Music]

Host: Woo, woo, woo! Before we jump into the heart of today’s discussion, let’s take a moment to appreciate the incredible community that surrounds WooCommerce. Woo, you guys are amazing! Whether you’re a seasoned Woo expert or just starting your Woo journey, there’s always something new and exciting happening in the world of Woo.

[Woo Chanting]

Host: Now, let’s talk about the latest Woo updates because, you know, staying current with Woo-commerce is crucial for all you Woo enthusiasts out there. The Woo team has been working tirelessly to enhance the Woo experience, and guess what? The latest Woo update is nothing short of spectacular. Woo!

[Applause]

Host: Speaking of updates, have you ever wondered how other businesses are utilizing Woo-commerce to elevate their online presence? Well, wonder no more because we have some incredible Woo-commerce success stories lined up for you today. These stories showcase the versatility and power of Woo. Woo-hoo!

[Background Cheers]

Host: Now, let’s Woo our way into the realm of e-commerce trends. Woo-commerce is not just a platform; it’s a trendsetter! From headless commerce to mobile commerce, Woo-commerce is at the forefront of shaping the future of online businesses. Woo, it’s like the trendiest kid on the e-commerce block.

[Transition Music]

Host: And here’s a pro tip for all you Woo enthusiasts out there: if you want to optimize your Woo-commerce store for success, pay close attention. Speed up your Woo site, master the art of SEO, enhance the user experience — because a well-optimized Woo store is a happy Woo store. Woo-hoo!

[Background Cheers]

Host: Now, let’s take a moment to celebrate the Woo experts in our community. Being a Woo expert is like having a VIP pass to the coolest e-commerce party in town. If you’re not part of the Woo expert program, what are you waiting for? Join the Woo party and let the Woo-magic unfold!

[Transition Music]

Host: As we near the end of this Woo-tastic episode, I want to thank all our Woo fans for tuning in. Remember, whether you’re a Woo novice or a seasoned Woo master, there’s always something Woo-nderful to discover in the world of Woo-commerce.

[Closing Music]

Host: That’s a wrap for today’s WooWonderland episode. Until next time, keep woo-ing and stay enchanted by the magic of Woo-commerce. Woo you later!

[Music Fades Out]

Well, now you can see the reason why I shared this in text vs. audio. LOL