On this episode of WPwatercooler titled “Gutenberg It’s Complicated,” the panel discusses the complexities and challenges faced by contributors to the Gutenberg project, focusing on a tweet by Ari, a longtime contributor who expressed his frustration with the increasing complexity of the codebase. Ari’s difficulties, after returning from a break, in understanding the evolved code highlights a broader issue with the accessibility of the project to both new and returning contributors. The discussion touches on the need for better inline documentation, the rapid pace of updates, and the broader implications of these challenges for the WordPress community. Additionally, the episode features insights on how these internal challenges affect the overall usability and developer experience within the WordPress ecosystem.

Show Notes:

https://wpwatercooler.com/wpwatercooler/ep482-gutenberg-its-complicated/

Panel

• Courtney Robertson
• Jason Cosper
• Jason Tucker
• Sé Reed

00:00 Introduction 02:35 Introducing the Panel and Courtney Robertson 05:00 Ari’s Tweet and Its Impact 10:40 The Challenges of Contributing to Gutenberg 15:20 The Necessity of Inline Documentation 20:55 Community Responses and Suggestions 25:30 The Pace of Development and Its Impact 30:45 How Complexity Affects New Contributors 35:10 Discussion on Codebase Management and Documentation 40:00 Personal Experiences with Gutenberg 45:15 Wrapping up and Final Thoughts 50:00 Q&A and Audience Interaction 55:00 Closing Remarks

On this episode of WPwatercooler titled “Lies, Damned Lies, and Analytics,” the discussion revolves around the complexities and alternatives to using web analytics tools for website management. The hosts, Jason Tucker and Jason Cosper, delve into the fallout from changes to Jetpack stats, prompting users to consider paying for previously free services. They explore the importance of understanding web traffic and analytics beyond traditional tools like Google Analytics, emphasizing performance, privacy, and the need for lightweight alternatives. The episode is informative for those looking to navigate the evolving landscape of web analytics with a focus on WordPress platforms.

Snow Notes: https://wpwatercooler.com/wpwatercooler/ep481-lies-damned-lies-and-analytics/

• Koko Analytics
• Umami
• Fathom
• Plausible

• YouTube
• LinkedIn

• Jason Cosper
•  Jason Tucker

On this episode of WPwatercooler, the panel dives into the evolving landscape of web hosting, specifically focusing on the shifts and trends in WordPress hosting. The discussion kicks off with anecdotes about showing up to parties on the wrong day, cleverly seguing into the main topic of different types of web hosting environments. They explore the spectrum from shared hosting to dedicated servers, touching upon VPS, managed hosting, and the nuances of each category in the context of WordPress sites. The conversation also covers the implications of major hosting entities absorbing smaller ones and the impact on the industry. The episode is rich with technical insights, personal experiences, and practical advice for navigating the hosting ecosystem as it continues to evolve.

Show Notes can be found:

• https://wpwatercooler.com/wpwatercooler/ep480-its-giving-server-the-new-era-of-hosting/

Hosts:

• Jason Tucker
• Sé Reed
• Jason Cosper

Chapters:

• 00:00 - Introduction to Web Hosting Trends
• 05:10 - Understanding Shared vs. Dedicated Hosting
• 10:20 - The Rise of Managed WordPress Hosting 
• 15:35 - Consolidation in the Hosting Industry 
• 20:45 - The Technical Side of Hosting Services 
• 25:50 - Pricing Models and What They Mean for Users 
• 30:55 - The Future of Hosting: Customization and User Experience 
• 35:10 - Challenges and Considerations in Choosing Hosting 
• 40:25 - Personal Anecdotes Related to Hosting Experiences 
• 45:30 - Summary of Key Points and Closing Thoughts

What is WPwatercooler?

WPwatercooler is streamed live and recorded as the self titled show on the WPwatercooler Network. Our objective with the show since the beginning has been to help people in this industry have a place to hear people, much like themselves, talk about the technologies and methods we all use on a daily basis. We named WPwatercooler to be that, the watercooler that WordPress folks can gather around and participate in the conversation, or just sit back and learn from the discussion. Our listeners and contributors come from all walks of life and all backgrounds. We strive to make this place as welcoming and accessible as we can. Learn more at https://www.wpwatercooler.com/wpwatercooler

What is Dev Branch?

Dev Branch is streamed live and recorded monthly on the first friday of the month as the developer-focused discussions of the WPwatercooler Network. Dev Branch is released on its own podcast feed and made available live and on-demand in video format on Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Twitch. Learn more at https://www.wpwatercooler.com/devbranch

In this episode of WPwatercooler, titled “To Bot or Not to Bot,” hosts Jason Tucker, Sé Reed, and Jason Cosper dive into the implications and ethical considerations of utilizing bots, specifically ChatGPT, in the realm of WordPress development. The discussion kicks off with an anecdote from Sé, who experimented with using ChatGPT to solve a coding problem related to grouping WordPress pages in the admin area. This led to a broader conversation about the reliability, safety, and future role of AI-generated code in production environments. The episode touches on themes such as the balance between automation and manual oversight, the evolving landscape of WordPress plugin development, and the importance of adhering to coding standards. Throughout, the hosts share personal experiences, concerns, and the potential they see in integrating AI tools like ChatGPT into their workflows, all while maintaining a critical eye on the implications for developers and the wider WordPress community.

https://github.com/WordPress/WordPress-Coding-Standards https://fedi.simonwillison.net/@simon/112147026040154264 https://labs.perplexity.ai https://huggingface.co/docs/transformers/model_doc/code_llama https://unmaintained.tech

00:00 Intro 00:16 Introducing the Hosts and Their Quirky Banter 01:03 Inspiration from Discord: Tackling WordPress Page Chaos 06:18 The Quest for Better Page Organization: A Plugin Solution 08:40 ChatGPT to the Rescue: Crafting a Custom Plugin 10:54 Testing and Tweaking: The Plugin’s Journey to GitHub 12:28 The Ethical Dilemma: Using Bots for Code Generation 14:34 Learning to Code with ChatGPT: A Personal Journey 17:59 Ensuring Code Quality: The Role of Large Language Models 20:44 The Future of Plugin Development: Community Collaboration 22:00 The Open Source Dilemma: Plugins, Patches, and the Power of Collaboration 23:00 Navigating the Free vs. Pro Plugin Conundrum 23:47 The No Maintenance Intended Tag: A New Approach to Open Source 24:37 The Challenges of Community Contributions and Code Reviews 25:06 Harnessing AI for Code Generation: A New Frontier 29:49 The Trust Crisis in Plugin Repositories 35:01 AI vs. Traditional Coding: Navigating the New Landscape 39:06 The Ethical Dilemma of Using AI-Generated Code 43:39 Collaborative Coding with AI: The Future of Development?

What is WPwatercooler? WPwatercooler is streamed live and recorded as the self-titled show on the WPwatercooler Network. Our objective with the show since the beginning has been to help people in this industry have a place to hear people, much like themselves, talk about the technologies and methods we all use on a daily basis. We named WPwatercooler to be that, the watercooler that WordPress folks can gather around and participate in the conversation, or just sit back and learn from the discussion. Our listeners and contributors come from all walks of life and all backgrounds. We strive to make this place as welcoming and accessible as we can. Learn more at https://www.wpwatercooler.com/wpwatercooler

What is Dev Branch? Dev Branch is streamed live and recorded monthly on the first friday of the month as the developer-focused discussions of the WPwatercooler Network. Dev Branch is released on its own podcast feed and made available live and on-demand in video format on Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Twitch. Learn more at https://www.wpwatercooler.com/devbranch

On this episode of WPwatercooler, the panel, including Jason Tucker, Sé Reed, Jason Cosper, and guest Courtney Robertson, delve into the much-anticipated WordPress 6.5 release. Courtney, serving as the episode’s expert, outlines the significant changes and features coming with the update, emphasizing the introduction of the font library for block themes, improvements in image handling, and enhancements for developers such as block hooks and the interactivity API. The discussion also covers practical tips for WordPress users and developers to prepare for the update, highlighting the importance of compatibility testing and the benefits of the new features in enhancing site design and functionality.

00:00 Intro and Episode Introduction 00:08 Introduction of Panel and Episode Theme 01:07 Guest Introduction: Courtney Robertson 02:30 Discussion on WordPress 6.5 Features and Updates 04:25 Deep Dive into the Font Library for WordPress 6.5 10:00 Enhancements in Image Handling and New Formats 15:45 Introduction of Block Hooks for Developers 20:30 Overview of the Interactivity API 25:00 Plugin Dependencies and the New Rollback Feature 30:00 Enhancements to Custom Fields and Meta Data 35:00 Preparing for WordPress 6.5: Tips and Best Practices 45:00 Final Thoughts and Closing Remarks

https://make.wordpress.org/core/2024/03/15/wordpress-6-5-field-guide/ https://nomad.blog/2024/03/13/wordpress-6-5-source-of-truth/ https://openfontlicense.org/ofl-fonts/ https://caniuse.com/avif https://gutenbergtimes.com/block-bindings-and-custom-fields-an-almost-no-code-example/ https://wpmovies.dev

• YouTube
• Twitch
• LinkedIn
• Facebook

On this episode of WPwatercooler titled “WordPress: What’s The Alternative?”, the hosts Jason Tucker, Sé Reed, and Jason Cosper delve into the diverse landscape of website creation platforms, discussing the strengths and weaknesses of WordPress compared to alternatives like Webflow, Ghost, and traditional site builders like Squarespace and Wix. The conversation pivots around ease of use, customization capabilities, the complexity of WordPress for different levels of users, and the importance of choosing the right tool for specific needs. They explore the notion that while WordPress offers extensive flexibility and power, it may present challenges for users seeking simplicity or specific functionalities out of the box. This episode highlights the evolving needs of website creators and the importance of aligning platform capabilities with project requirements, emphasizing WordPress’s role as a versatile yet complex tool in the web development ecosystem.

Show Notes: https://wpwatercooler.com/wpwatercooler/ep477-wordpress-whats-the-alternative/

• 00:00 Introduction
• 02:47 Discussing Alternatives to WordPress
• 08:07 Transitioning Websites and User Experience
• 14:10 Newsletter Focus and Membership Features in Ghost
• 20:41 Media Management and Image Editing in Ghost vs. WordPress
• 27:07 Plugin Ecosystem and Customizability
• 33:25 Building with Ghost and WordPress Comparison
• 39:29 Client Requirements and Platform Selection
• 45:12 Maintenance and Notifications Across Platforms
• 50:36 Personal Data Management and Site Migration Challenges
• 56:52 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

What is WPwatercooler? WPwatercooler is streamed live and recorded as the self-titled show on the WPwatercooler Network. Our objective with the show since the beginning has been to help people in this industry have a place to hear people, much like themselves, talk about the technologies and methods we all use on a daily basis. We named WPwatercooler to be that, the watercooler that WordPress folks can gather around and participate in the conversation, or just sit back and learn from the discussion. Our listeners and contributors come from all walks of life and all backgrounds. We strive to make this place as welcoming and accessible as we can. Learn more at https://www.wpwatercooler.com/wpwatercooler

What is Dev Branch? Dev Branch is streamed live and recorded monthly on the first friday of the month as the developer-focused discussions of the WPwatercooler Network. Dev Branch is released on its own podcast feed and made available live and on-demand in video format on Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Twitch. Learn more at https://www.wpwatercooler.com/devbranch

On this episode of WPwatercooler Jason Tucker, Sé Reed, Jason Cosper, and guest Mika Epstein delve into the complex world of software piracy within the WordPress ecosystem. The discussion begins with an introduction of the hosts and quickly moves into the nuances of what constitutes software piracy, how it impacts the WordPress community, and the moral and legal implications of using pirated software. The hosts share personal anecdotes and insights on the prevalence of pirated plugins and themes, the risks associated with their use, including security vulnerabilities and legal repercussions, and the broader conversation about open-source ethics and the value of supporting developers and creators within the ecosystem. The episode offers a balanced perspective, highlighting both the temptations and pitfalls of piracy and encourages listeners to consider the long-term health of the WordPress community by supporting legitimate sources and practices.

 Panel:

• Jason Tucker
• Sé Reed
• Jason Cosper
• Mika Epstein

Show Notes can be found:

https://wpwatercooler.com/wpwatercooler/ep476-free-as-in-piracy/

• 00:00 Introduction
• 00:17 Meet the Hosts
• 01:00 The Definition of Software Piracy
• 05:30 Impacts of Piracy on WordPress
• 10:45 Personal Insights on Piracy
• 15:00 The Risks of Using Pirated Software
• 20:30 Legal and Ethical Considerations
• 25:45 Supporting the WordPress Community
• 30:00 Conclusion

Want to create live streams like this? Check out StreamYard: https://streamyard.com/pal/d/5756954563575808

On this episode of WPwatercooler, titled “The Great Escape: WordPress Data Liberation Project,” Jason Tucker and Jason Cosper discuss the significance of data portability in WordPress. They delve into the recent push towards data liberation, enabling content to move freely between different Content Management Systems (CMS), including the import and export of data from WordPress to other platforms and vice versa. The conversation touches on the challenges and technical considerations involved in migrating data, the impact of block editors, and the importance of making data migration user-friendly to support the growth and flexibility of WordPress as a platform. The episode explores the broader implications of data portability for users and the ecosystem, highlighting the need for more intuitive tools to facilitate data movement without compromising content integrity.

• WordPress Data Liberation [Github]
• Data Liberation in 2024 – wordpress.org
• https://simian.rodeo/@boogah/111881606693610144
• http://textbundle.org

• 00:00 Introduction
• 01:41 Discussion on Data Liberation in WordPress
• 03:33 The Importance of Data Portability
• 10:13 Challenges with Block Editors and Data Migration
• 15:20 Exploring Alternatives and Future of Data Formats
• 20:59 User Experiences and Expectations on Data Migration
• 25:46 Technical Aspects and Solutions for Data Export/Import
• 30:00 The Role of Open Source in Data Portability
• 35:27 Final Thoughts on WordPress and Data Liberation

What is WPwatercooler? WPwatercooler is streamed live and recorded as the self-titled show on the WPwatercooler Network. Our objective with the show since the beginning has been to help people in this industry have a place to hear people, much like themselves, talk about the technologies and methods we all use on a daily basis. We named WPwatercooler to be that, the watercooler that WordPress folks can gather around and participate in the conversation, or just sit back and learn from the discussion. Our listeners and contributors come from all walks of life and all backgrounds. We strive to make this place as welcoming and accessible as we can. Learn more at https://www.wpwatercooler.com/wpwatercooler

What is Dev Branch? Dev Branch is streamed live and recorded monthly on the first friday of the month as the developer-focused discussions of the WPwatercooler Network. Dev Branch is released on its own podcast feed and made available live and on-demand in video format on Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Twitch. Learn more at https://www.wpwatercooler.com/devbranch

Want to create live streams like this? Check out StreamYard: https://streamyard.com/pal/d/5756954563575808

On this episode of WPwatercooler, the panel, consisting of Jason Tucker, Sé Reed, Jason Cosper, and Nyasha Green, delves into the necessity of building custom WordPress blocks, a task propelled not just by choice but by the evolving needs of WordPress itself. They share personal anecdotes, challenges, and successes in navigating the block-based landscape of WordPress, emphasizing the importance of embracing blocks for future-proofing and enhancing WordPress projects. The discussion also touches on the broader implications of block technology for developers, users, and the WordPress community, highlighting the continuous learning and adaptation required to stay relevant and effective in the WordPress ecosystem.

Panel: Jason Tucker, Sé Reed, Nyasha Green, Jason Cosper

• 00:00 Introduction
• 00:26 Greetings and Lottery Dreams
• 02:33 The Inevitability of Building Blocks in WordPress
• 04:17 Nyasha Green’s Journey into Block Development
• 07:48 The Challenges of Naming and Explaining Blocks
• 10:25 Discussing User-Friendly Design Tools vs. WordPress
• 13:00 The Necessity of Custom Blocks and Developer Frustrations
• 15:09 Nyasha’s Approach to Teaching Block Development
• 17:23 The Rapid Evolution of WordPress and Its Impact on Users
• 20:25 Nyasha’s Favorite Custom Block Project
• 22:39 The Importance of Learning Basics Before Diving into Dynamic Blocks
• 25:40 Building in Public and the Value of Sharing Mistakes
• 27:02 Closing Thoughts and Mini Golf Plans

What is WPwatercooler? WPwatercooler is streamed live and recorded as the self-titled show on the WPwatercooler Network. Our objective with the show since the beginning has been to help people in this industry have a place to hear people, much like themselves, talk about the technologies and methods we all use on a daily basis. We named WPwatercooler to be that, the watercooler that WordPress folks can gather around and participate in the conversation, or just sit back and learn from the discussion. Our listeners and contributors come from all walks of life and all backgrounds. We strive to make this place as welcoming and accessible as we can. Learn more at https://www.wpwatercooler.com/wpwatercooler

What is Dev Branch? Dev Branch is streamed live and recorded monthly on the first friday of the month as the developer-focused discussions of the WPwatercooler Network. Dev Branch is released on its own podcast feed and made available live and on-demand in video format on Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Twitch. Learn more at https://www.wpwatercooler.com/devbranch

On this episode of WPwatercooler the panel, consisting of Jason Tucker, Sé Reed, and Jason Cosper, delves into the evolving nature of blogging and blogging in the WordPress ecosystem. They discuss the shift from traditional blogging to various modern formats, like microblogging on social media platforms. A significant portion of the conversation revolves around the use of WordPress for blogging, the impact of design and development choices on the writing experience, and the potential of the WordPress mobile app for content creation. The discussion also touches on broader topics related to blogging, such as the role of comments, the use of Markdown for writing, and the distinction between blogs and other forms of digital content. The episode explores how WordPress can adapt to changing user preferences in content creation and consumption.

• Perennially Online
• core.trac.wordpress.org
• Comparison of features in various Markdown flavors ¬∑ GitHub
• Mermaid Chart – Create complex, visual diagrams with text. A smarter way of creating diagrams.
• EP264 – WordPress – Is it the best tool for the job? – WPwatercooler – WPwatercooler
• Gibberish Is Now Available on TestFlight – And a Dinosaur
• boogah.gibber.blog

00:00 Introduction 02:07 The Evolution of Blogging 04:06 Discussing WordPress and Blogging 09:04 Blogging for Fun and Personal Expression 11:27 The Impact of Blogging on Journalism 14:02 The Role of Comments in Blogging 18:27 The Challenge of Keeping WordPress Up-to-Date 23:12 Exploring the Ghost Blogging Platform 28:45 The Complexity of WordPress for Simple Blogging 32:30 The Rise of Managed WordPress Hosting 35:20 Discussing WordPress Mobile App and Blogging 42:36 The Potential of WordPress for Text-Based Blogging 47:26 Conclusion

• Jason Cosper
• Jason Tucker
• Sé Reed

On this episode we delve into the concept of digital permanence and the lifespan of websites. They discuss the recent decision by Google to discontinue certain website services, impacting businesses and users who relied on them. This leads to a broader conversation about the impermanence of digital platforms and the risks of relying on third-party services for important digital content. They touch on the closure of APIs by various platforms, including Twitter and Medium, and how these changes can affect users and developers. The panel also explores the concept of personal and business websites, questioning the necessity of their longevity and the importance of regularly updating web content to stay relevant. They discuss the idea of digital legacies, how to manage online presence posthumously, and the responsibility of handling someone’s digital assets. The conversation is both philosophical and practical, addressing the transient nature of the internet and the need for individuals and businesses to adapt to these changes.

• Running your own site is painful. Hosting Nazis is worse
• LOW←TECH MAGAZINE – This is a solar-powered website, which means it sometimes goes offline

00:00 Introduction 02:47 Google’s Discontinuation of Services 10:03 Impact of API Closures 16:18 Website Lifespan and Digital Impermanence 22:55 Managing Digital Legacies 29:30 The Future of Online Platforms 35:44 Adapting to Technological Changes 42:58 Conclusion and Outro

• Jason Cosper
• Jason Tucker
• Sé Reed