Automattic is hosting a free, remote conference called Design and Exclusion on April 21. The event will bring together design and technology experts who will discuss solutions for the ways that digital products and services exclude people. Lead organizer Ashleigh Axios, Design Exponent at Automattic, said inspiration for the event came from the exclusion that is everywhere in the industry. …
Yoast Office Hosts “Bring Your Parents to Work Day”
If you’ve ever heard your parents say something like,”My son works for the internet,” or “My daughter owns some kind of computer company,” then you know the struggle. Many parents have a difficult time understanding the professions of their grown children, especially when they are in the tech industry. This can also be compounded by the novelty of remote work, …
Customizer Team Proposes Image Widget for WordPress 4.8
WordPress contributors to the customizer have published a merge proposal for a new JavaScript and REST API-powered core image widget. The new widget interfaces with the WordPress media library to provide a simpler, more intuitive experience for adding images. No new widgets have been added to core since the Custom Menu widget was included in 3.0 nearly seven years ago. …
Advanced WordPress Facebook Group Moves to Curb Low Quality Content with Admin-Approved Posts
The Advanced WordPress Facebook group (AWP) is making a radical change. After three years of allowing members to post freely, the group’s administrators voted to restrict posting to admin-approved content only. The popular WordPress watering hole has amassed more than 28,000 members and plays host to many lively conversations. Over the years some have suggested the group switch to using …
WordPress Editor Experience Survey Shows 75% of Respondents Don’t Use Distraction-Free Writing Mode
The WordPress Editor Experience survey results have been published with data from 2,563 participants, a significantly larger sampling than the 50 who responded to the recent customizer survey. Both the editor and the customizer are included in Matt Mullenweg’s three main focus areas for core development in 2017. The purpose of the surveys is to find out how WordPress users …
Yoast SEO’s PHP Upgrade Nag is Producing a Significant Increase in Sites Upgrading to PHP 7
Less than three weeks ago Yoast SEO version 4.5 was released with an ugly, non-dismissible notice for sites on PHP 5.2. The notice encourages the user to upgrade to PHP 7, explaining that it is faster and more secure. It includes links for getting started and example emails that users can send to their hosting companies. In the 18 days …
Recommended Reading: Resilient Web Design, a Free e-Book from Jeremy Keith
photo credit: Sergey Zolkin UK-based web developer Jeremy Keith published Resilient Web Design as a free e-book in December 2016. Over the past few months, industry leaders have been raving about the book, so I decided to take an evening to find out what all the fuss is about. Keith has been blogging for more than 15 years at adactio.com. …
WPWeekly Episode 270 – Going Camp Press With Mendel Kurland
In this episode, Marcus Couch and I are joined by Mendel Kurland, GoDaddy Evangelist, to discuss the news making headlines. We cover what’s new in WooCommerce 3.0, why WordCamp Netherlands may not happen this year, and the WordPress plugin directory redesign. Marcus announced that he is the new head WordPress editor for Smashing Mag. Last but not least, Kurland provides …
Jetpack 4.8 Introduces Settings Redesign, Adds Global WordPress.com Toolbar
Jetpack 4.8 was released this week with a settings redesign that is a continuation of the React.js-powered admin interface introduced last September. The new settings screen has been completely rearranged under a more simplified menu. “We went through every setting on WordPress.com and Jetpack to make sure it was necessary to keep around, and to find a good, logical home …
Disconnect From Technology at Camp Press September 23-24 in Seminole, OK
Readers may remember in 2015, we highlighted Camp Press, a conference devoted to disconnecting from technology to focus on strengthening bonds that encourage collaboration within the community. Mendel Kurland, who has spent the better part of two years organizing the event, announced that Camp Press will take place September 23-24, at Fry Lake in Seminole, OK. The event is a collaboration between Kurland, Aaron D. …