WordPress Weekly 5m1i1n

On the podcast today we have Felix Arntz who discusses speculative loading, a new WordPress 6.8 feature designed to make websites faster by preloading pages before s navigate to them. Felix explains how it works, why WordPress uses a conservative default setting for broad compatibility, and how more eager configurations are possible with plugins or code. The episode also covers how performance gains, though seemingly small, add up at scale and are carefully measured using large datasets. Felix highlights the balance between speed improvements and environmental considerations, and shares insights into the data-driven work of the WordPress Performance Team. If you’ve ever wondered how large-scale, browser-level improvements make their way into WordPress Core, or simply want to know if there’s a way to make your own WordPress site that much faster, this episode is for you.

On the podcast today we have Chris Reynolds. He's a developer advocate at Pantheon, and we're talking about the similarities and differences between the WordPress and Drupal communities. Chris discusses Pantheon's dual focus on both platforms, their approaches to managed hosting, and community event structures. The conversation covers Drupal’s recent community-driven innovations, like Drupal CMS and “recipes”, and how the Drupal Association’s organisation compares with WordPress' governance. If you’re curious about how open source projects organise themselves, how their communities navigate growth and challenge, and what WordPress can learn from Drupal (and vice versa), this episode is for you.

On the podcast today we have Wes Tatters, and he's here to discuss the evolution of the internet, from early tech days and community-building on platforms like Compve, to the emergence of open-source projects and the rise of WordPress. Wes reflects on the transition from closed platforms to owning content and highlights the importance, and challenges, of online communities. He touches on the impacts of social media, AI, and the self-correcting nature of internet communities, while examining the strengths and growing pains within the WordPress ecosystem. The conversation underscores the enduring value of openness, collaboration, and listening. If you’re interested in how the history of the internet directly shaped WordPress, the open web, and the communities we build today, this episode is for you.

In this episode, I talk with Hari Shanker about the thriving WordPress community in India, and the innovative WordPress Contribution Health Dashboards project. Hari discusses his background, the growth of WordPress among India’s youth, challenges in tracking contributions across teams, and the effort to build visual dashboards to help all contributors understand where help is needed in the project. The episode highlights the need for community , technical , and automation to make contribution data more accessible and impactful for the entire WordPress ecosystem. If you’ve ever wondered how to make your WordPress contributions matter even more, or how the project could be better ed by data-driven insights, this episode is for you.

On the podcast today we have Bud Kraus. He's a WordPress educator, content creator, and host of the “Seriously, BUD?” podcast. Bud shares his journey from web design to WordPress teaching, explaining what inspired his transition toward podcasting and content creation. We discuss Bud’s show format, tech stack, and why he values unexpected, personality-driven conversations over strictly WordPress-focused discussions. We also get into the evolution and accessibility of podcasting, how he approaches guest interviews, and the importance of curiosity and listening skills. Bud also opens up about the joys and challenges of editing, working with guests from diverse backgrounds, and why he keeps his podcast focussed on the WordPress community’s personal stories, rather than purely technical topics. If you’re curious about podcasting, interested in the art of conversation, or are thinking of starting your own show, this episode is for you.

On the podcast today we have Ryan Welcher. This was recorded at WordCamp Asia in Manila, and centres upon his developer relations work with Automattic, and his popular "Block Developer Cookbook" workshop. We discuss some recent new features in WordPress Core, including the Block Bindings API, Plugin Template Registration API, and Data Views, as well as the growing focus on documentation and developer experience in the WordPress community. We also touch on the impact of AI on WordPress development and the importance of interactive, engaging workshops at WordCamps. If you’re interested in what’s new in WordPress development, want to understand where the project is heading, or are curious about the real impact of recent changes and features, this episode is for you.

On the podcast today we have Aaron D. Campbell, and we're here to talk about the significance of open standards and open source in the digital world. Aaron shares his 18-year journey contributing to WordPress, and expresses excitement about its future as an open, viable counterbalance to closed platforms. We discuss the history and current state of the internet, emphasising the importance of choice and interoperability. The conversation covers the impact of proprietary platforms and highlights efforts to promote open standards, ultimately Aaron argues for a more open, and collaborative, web for innovation and societal benefit. If you're curious about the role of open systems and the future they shape, and why the open web matters now more than ever, this episode is for you.

On the podcast today we have Milana Cap, and she's here to talk about her presentation at WordCamp Asia in Manila, titled "WordPress gems for developers: fresh new features you'll actually want to use." Milana, a WordPress Engineer at XWP from Serbia, discusses the significance of the Interactivity API and HTML API in modern WordPress development. The Interactivity API enables communication between Gutenberg blocks, while the HTML API simplifies server-side DOM manipulation using PHP. These advancements enhance WordPress' interactivity, boost performance, and provide standardised solutions for developers, improving efficiency and moving WordPress into the future. If you're a developer looking to leverage these new WordPress features, this episode is for you.

On the podcast today we have Birgit Pauli-Haack who I spoke to at WordCamp Asia. We explore WordPress Playground, a transformative tool allowing s to launch a WordPress instance directly in their browsers without needing a server, PHP, or a database. s can test plugins, themes, and content seamlessly. We also discuss the potential for Blueprints, pre-configured setups with specific plugins and themes, offering a demo-like experience that could be used for education or plugin demonstrations. We touch on potential future developments, including permanent local storage and integration with hosting providers. If you’re curious about how the WordPress Playground is set to usher in a new era of friction-free web development, this episode is for you.

In this episode recorded at WordCamp Asia, Jo Minney discusses her expertise in usability testing. She highlights the importance of usability for improving experience and conversion rates, differentiating it from acceptance testing. Jo shares insights on conducting cost-effective usability tests, focusing on qualitative data and involving diverse participants. She emphasises the economic benefits of usability improvements and the need for proactive client communication to address usability and accessibility issues. Jo also discusses the role of testing in preventing poor practices like "deceptive design" and enhancing client relations through regular reviews. If you're looking to gain a deeper understanding of usability testing and its benefits, this episode is for you.

On the podcast today we have Robert Jacobi and he's here to talk about his tech journey, and his role at Black Wall, formerly BotGuard. We talk about the OSI model, explaining how computer networks communicate through seven layers, from application to physical. Robert shares insights into Black Wall's focus on preventing bot attacks at a layer far from the website, mitigating risks before they hit the hosting company. There's also a brief discussion of WordPress plugins and the complexity of online security, with a nod to the hope of increasing listeners' understanding of these intricate processes. If you've ever wondered about the unseen layers of internet security and infrastructure, or the strategic moves involved in rebranding a tech company, this episode is for you.

On the podcast today we have Rahul Bansal, CEO of rtCamp. He's here to talk about his journey from a blogger to running a large enterprise WordPress agency. Rahul discusses the nuances of working with enterprise clients, emphasising scalability and security. We get into rtCamp's growth, client acquisition strategies, and their unique training initiative attracting talent from colleges, focused on contributing to WordPress and fostering open-source advocacy. Rahul also highlights WordPress's adaptability, particularly with Gutenberg, in crafting robust, enterprise-level solutions while actively ing the WordPress community. If you've ever considered what it takes to work with WordPress at the enterprise level, this episode is for you.

On the podcast today we have James Kemp, the Core Product Lead for WooCommerce at Automattic. James discusses his role in overseeing the Woo product, emphasising improvements and innovations in WooCommerce. He outlines the platform's significant market share, driving e-commerce strategies for various scales of businesses. The discussion also covers flexibility, backward compatibility challenges, new branding, and the competitive e-commerce landscape, exploring how WooCommerce compares to SaaS competitors. James expresses openness to community suggestions and highlights e-commerce trends like mobile technology, augmented solutions, and the evolving nature of online purchasing. If you are keen to understand the breadth of WooCommerce's impact on e-commerce, or are curious about the direction of online shopping, this episode is for you.

On the podcast today we have John Overall, a veteran podcaster in the WordPress space. We discuss John's journey in podcasting, starting with WP Plugins A to Z. John shares insights on the evolution of podcasting and WordPress, emphasising the importance of audio quality and the community's role in WordPress's growth. He talks about involving his daughter in his podcast, adapting content for a younger audience, and continuing to expand their business's expertise. The episode highlights the enduring value and impact of podcasting in the WordPress community. If you’re ionate about WordPress, podcasting, or just interested in understanding a holistic approach to long-term content creation and audience engagement, this episode is for you.

On the podcast today we have Katie Keith, the founder and CEO of Barn2 Plugins. Katie shares her journey from running a WordPress agency to transitioning into a successful WordPress plugin company specialising in WooCommerce and other plugins. She discusses the challenges and strategies involved in this transition, including the initial successes and later refinements to her business model. Katie also touches on the current state of the WordPress and WooCommerce markets, her future business plans, and the impact of her husband leaving the company. If you’re curious about the intricacies of building a plugin business, or are seeking inspiration from someone who has already navigated the WordPress ecosystem, this episode is for you.

On the podcast today we have Derek Ashauer. Derek, who transitioned from freelancing to creating WordPress plugins like Sunshine Photo Cart and Conversion Bridge, discusses the impact of European privacy laws, the limitations of Google Analytics, and the rise of privacy-focused analytics tools like Fathom and Plausible. He emphasises the ease and necessity of conversion tracking for websites, and how his plugin, Conversion Bridge, simplifies this process for both individual site owners and agencies by integrating with multiple analytics platforms. If you're an agency, developer, or digital marketer, this discussion will help equip you with knowledge and strategies to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of web analytics.

On the podcast today we have Anthony Jackson, a technology enthusiast and entrepreneur. Anthony shares his journey from developing a ion for computers early on, to starting a computer repair business. He discusses his experiences with WordPress, including frustrations with customisation, and his transition to providing WordPress hosting through platforms like Linode and Docker. Anthony is now focused on creating Bash scripts to simplify the deployment of open-source applications. He emphasises embracing technology and the opportunities it provides, despite the challenges he has faced along the way. If you’re keen to hear some inspirational stories about overcoming tech challenges, resilience and learning, this episode is for you.

On the podcast today we have Anna Hurko. Anna is the CEO of Crocoblock, a company with a suite of dynamic plugins designed to help developers build complex websites. With a background in computer science, Anna transitioned from roles to leading Crocoblock, and has been with the company for over 11 years. Anna shares her journey, and discusses the growth of Crocoblock, and also talks about the company's marketing strategies and their active, and growing, participation in the WordPress community through WordCamps and meetups. If you're interested in how a company evolves with the WordPress ecosystem, and the challenges and successes that come with it, this episode is for you.

In this episode Tammie Lister, who has a deep history with WordPress and themes, discusses the evolution of WordPress theming, the concept of Full Site Editing, and its adoption challenges. She highlights the importance of experimentation and adaptability in themes, the underestimated impact of block themes and theme.json, and envisions a future where themes might be simplified into more flexible design systems. Tammie emphasizes the gradual adoption of new technologies and the potential for more intuitive interfaces influenced by AI. If you're curious about the current state of WordPress theming, the impact of emerging technologies on the platform, or how to infuse more creativity into your web projects, this episode is for you.

On the podcast today we have David Darke, co-founder of Atomic Smash, a Bristol-based digital agency specialising in WordPress and WooCommerce optimisation. Since its inception in 2010, the agency has grown from two to twenty employees, overcoming challenges such as skepticism about their youth and the complexities of scaling. Darke talks about the importance of networking, strategic hiring, and business coaching to navigate growth phases. His current focus includes technical oversight and client interactions rather than hands-on coding. The conversation also explores the role of AI and SEO in their future service offerings as they pivot towards becoming strategic partners for client success. Whether you're an aspiring freelancer, an agency owner looking to grow, or simply ionate about WordPress, this episode is for you.