#141 – Christy Nyiri and Mike Straw on Automattic’s Special Projects Team

On the podcast today we have Andrew Palmer. Andrew's journey with WordPress started almost two decades ago after transitioning from Joomla. He went on to make significant strides in the community, co-founding Elegant Marketplace and investing in ventures like Atarim and Bertha AI. In this episode, we talk about the intricacies of working within the WordPress ecosystem, comparing the free and commercial sides. Andrew shares his thoughts on the challenges of financially compensating event contributors and the importance of non-financial contributions, such as time. He discusses the absence of a structured regulatory body in the web development industry, and how he thinks this can impact trust and credibility. If you've ever thought about the complexities and commercial dynamics of the WordPress ecosystem, this episode is for you.

On the podcast today we have Corey Maass, and he's here to talk about the role of social media, specifically regarding images you share. He highlights tools like his WordPress plugin OMGIMG, which simplifies the creation of shareable images. We also explore evolving image formats, the WordPress Media Library, and technological innovations, including Google’s in-browser video manipulation. He emphasises the importance of custom social images and compares strategies for YouTube thumbnails. The episode underscores the necessity of efficient image handling for enhancing online engagement and credibility. If you're a WordPress user looking to streamline your workflow and boost your social media game, this episode is for you.

So on the podcast today we have Stephen Dumba, a Ugandan teacher and WordPress community leader. We discuss Uganda's ICT curriculum, which now makes computer education compulsory for 17-18 year olds, and the efforts to equip schools with computer labs. Stephen shares his transition to WordPress, highlighting its ease of use and community support. He discusses his initiatives to train teachers and students, organising Meetups, and his vision for large-scale WordPress events in Uganda, despite financial constraints. Stephen’s dedication aims to empower Ugandan youth with essential web development skills. If you’re curious about how WordPress is shaping communities and education in Uganda, and the broader implications of ICT education in different regions, this episode is for you.

On the podcast today we have Steve Burge. Steve is experienced in building and marketing WordPress plugins and he’s here to share his journey, especially his recent ventures into the SaaS (Software as a Service) landscape with his latest project, Logtivity. We talk about how SaaS development differs from plugin development. Being responsible for the full-stack, having to find your niche and new community, the need to be on hand 24/7 if things go wrong. As someone who's navigated this challenging, yet rewarding, path, Steve offers good advice for anyone looking to make a similar transition. If you’re a WordPress developer eyeing the SaaS space, or simply curious about the differences between plugin and SaaS development, this episode is for you.

On the podcast today we have Fränk Klein. Fränk is a principal engineer at Human Made and brings a wealth of experience from his extensive history with WordPress. Fränk provides a comprehensive breakdown of the Gutenberg project's four phases: content editing, site customization, collaborative editing, and multilingual capabilities. We explore how FSE is transforming WordPress by integrating new editing tools and modernising the admin interface, moving the platform from its classic roots to a more dynamic, block-based editing environment. If you're keen on understanding how full site editing and other WordPress innovations can enhance your projects, and wish to gain insights into the evolving WordPress landscape, this episode is for you.

On the podcast today we have Calvin Alkan. Calvin has been in the WordPress space for the past four to five years, with a focus on security research. His company’s security product, called Fortress, has become a widely used tool for many hosting companies. Recently, Calvin and his team ventured into developing a new product, CommandUI, and it’s this plugin which is the topic under discussion today. We talk about CommandUI's functionalities, including its ability to help quickly navigate around the WordPress admin UI. It executes WordPress tasks using keyboard shortcuts, and Calvin explains how the tool helps manage your website efficiently. If you’re curious about how a new tool changes the way that you work with WordPress, and how a new product can become popular quickly, this episode is for you.

On the podcast today we have Damon Cook and Seth Rubenstein, and we're here to talk about the Interactivity API. We explore its benefits for building seamless interactive websites, how it enhances both the front-end user experience and backend editorial processes, and its integration with WordPress Core. Topics include practical applications, performance improvements, and accessibility considerations. Both Damon and Seth emphasise the importance of the community's contribution to the project's development and encourage more developers to adopt and explore the API. If you're intrigued by improving your WordPress site’s interactivity and performance, this episode is for you.

On the podcast today we have Aaron Reimann & Keith Osburn. Keith is the Chief Information Officer and Deputy Superintendent for Tech Services at the Georgia Department of Education, and Aaron runs Clockwork WP, a WordPress agency, and boasts extensive experience in web development dating back to 1996. Together, they’ve been leveraging WordPress to tackle some of Georgia’s most pressing educational needs. We discuss the financial advantages of using WordPress to achieve cost efficiencies compared to pricier alternatives, as well as their collaboration with other states, advocating for open-source solutions to solve enterprise-level problems. If you’re curious to learn more about how technology can enhance educational systems and promote global collaboration, this episode is for you.

On the podcast today we have Miriam Schwab from Elementor and Oliver Sild from Patchstack. They delve into their partnership focusing on monitoring and quickly addressing WordPress vulnerabilities through a prioritisation system, virtual patches, and a managed vulnerability disclosure program. The conversation highlights the importance of collaboration within the WordPress community to improve security. Elementor's open approach to security and Patchstack's comprehensive threat intelligence help safeguard millions of active installations. If you're curious about the intersection of page builders and security in WordPress, or the value of collaborative partnerships in maintaining the ecosystem, this episode is for you.

On the podcast today we have Christy Nyiri and Mike Straw from Automattic's Special Projects Team. They discuss their design work, contributions to WordPress, and the team's internal, agency-like model. They highlight their passion for quality, non-profit projects, and advocacy for WordPress's capabilities, aiming to demystify their team's role and impact. Whether you're a WordPress developer, a web design enthusiast, or someone interested in the operational intricacies of high-calibre web projects, this episode is for you.