Sponsors
→ Good Morning Gutenberg, your Full Site Editing academy! Learn to build professional websites using the block editor and the new Twenty Twenty-Five theme.
Want to be listed here? Book a sponsored slot.
We Are WordPress
The Community is a BIG part of WordPress. In this issue: a great article by Joost De Valk. WP Engine vs Automattic drama news. New WooCommerce logo. More WordPress UI. Plugins movement, lots of cool news. CommandUI.
Join Live!
Join me live on YouTube to comment together all the latest WordPress news.
Streaming Every Monday
Trending this week in WordPress
We Are WordPress
– The People Behind the Platform: How WordPress’s Community Drives its Success, a post by Joost de Valk (Yoast SEO founder), sharing his thoughts about the importance of the community in WordPress:
The growth of WordPress is a testament to what a passionate community can achieve together. […] Let’s hope that WordPress remains a tool by the people, for the people.
– An post from the WordPress.org X account states:
Since Sept 17th, 2024, when the whole @wpengine thing started, there have been 28,738,111 downloads of WordPress Core (this includes all versions and all languages), 296,991,952 downloads of plugins, and 7,338,623 downloads of themes. But yes, tell us WordPress is in trouble.
– How better communication can benefit WordPress, by Eric Karkovack (The WP Minute), an article published this summer. Interesting reading it now in the middle of the drama.
– Automattic and its CEO, Matt Mullenweg, have asked a U.S. court to dismiss all but two of the 11 claims filed against them in a lawsuit brought by WP Engine last month. The fact is well summarised on The Repository or you can read it on the Automattic blog (October 31).
– Matt posted (November 1) about his participation at the TechCrunch Disrupt event where he was interviewed by Connie Loizos (the editor in chief of TechCrunch), here's the full video (about 30min).
Key takeaways from Matt's TechDisrupt interview
Highlights:
- “WP Engine’s use of the WordPress trademark has led to confusion among users, with many thinking WP Engine is an official part of WordPress, which it is not.”
- “We’re an open-source, open-web company, with platforms like Tumblr, WooCommerce, and others; our priority is always the privacy and empowerment of users.”
- “While Automattic has offered to negotiate trademark licensing with WP Engine, attempts at compromise have failed, leading us to a more ‘scorched-earth' approach.”
- “This trademark battle isn’t about profit; it’s about ensuring companies that benefit from WordPress trademarks contribute back to the ecosystem.”
Summary:
In a recent TechCrunch Disrupt interview, Matt Mullenweg, co-founder of WordPress and CEO of Automattic, addressed the intensifying trademark conflict between Automattic and WP Engine. This dispute has spurred much conversation, with Mullenweg defending WordPress's trademarks and the platform's commitment to open-source principles, while also addressing his recent employee buyouts and ongoing controversies.
During the session, Mullenweg discussed how the trademark issue escalated, expressing frustration with WP Engine’s approach, particularly since its acquisition by private equity firm Silver Lake in 2018. He shared how WP Engine's branding has created confusion, with many customers mistakenly thinking WP Engine is part of WordPress itself. After failed negotiations over fair contributions to WordPress's open-source community, Mullenweg announced a hardline response, leading to legal battles and community debate.
Additionally, Mullenweg touched on Automattic’s unique structure and transparency, noting recent employee buyouts to address internal misalignments. He emphasized that while negative sentiments have emerged within the WordPress community, he remains focused on protecting WordPress's values and ensuring its independence.
Cool stuff
– WooCommerce will have a new logo starting from early 2025, check it out on X.
– Cool prototipe of a possibile future WordPress UI by Saxon Fletcher former designer at Automattic.
– The 2023 Admin Design Kickoff on Make.WordPress.org are we getting closer to this UI with WordPress 6.7? Let's hope so, because it is really cool!
– A new WordPress Fork! It is called puppress.org and it is super powerful! (spoiler: it's a joke).
– Adam Preiser shared on X an early stage of the Presto Player Playlist redesign and integration with the new WordPress Data Views.
– A user shared in the SureCrafted Facebook group his milestone of 2M $ in revenue with his SureCart powered store, congratulations!
WordPress Core
WordPress 6.7 – RC2
– WordPress 6.7 RC 2 is ready for testing.
– Gutenberg 19.6 release might have a first version of the new Block Comments feature, this feature will be part of the next WordPress releases regarding the WordPress Phase 3 (Collaboration). Block comments will allow admins and user roles with backend access to leave comments on blocks to collaborate on content creation.
– Follow the latest Design share (November 1) from the WordPress.org design team to see what is cooking for the WordPress site editor.
– From the WordPress Developers blog: Getting and setting Block Binding values in the Editor.
Review Highlight
CommandUI
CommandUI is a game changer. Video coming soon.
Do you like this plugin?
Plugins News
Plugins movement
– Lifter LMS Black Friday deal has started earlier, coupon BLACKFRIDAY24.
– ACF 6.3.10 is a security update with small enhancements, much appreciated “Close and add field” setting when adding fields to a Field group.
– The Fluent Family (WPManageNinja) is working on a new product called FluentCommunity, you can now join the waitlist.
– SureCart 2.40 now has a new Payable Invoices feature.
– CommandUI has launched and discounted licenses of the plugin are running out fast! This plugin promise to make your everyday WordPress life easier with a centralised powerful command bar.
– Lottie Lite a new plugin to ebed Lottie Files animations in the block editor, developed by Human Made, available for free on GitHub.
– Independent Analytics v 2.9 added to the Pro version the much requested links click tracking feature!
Themes News
Kadence and Twenty Twenty-Five
Classic themes
– New Starter Template for Kadence Theme called CloudSprout showcasing the power of the new Advanced Header and Navigation blocks included in Kadence Blocks Pro.
FSE themes
– Waiting for the new Twenty Twenty-Five theme and WP 6.7! Join the live presentation on WordPress.org YT channel November 5.
Builders News
Quick builders updates
– Breakdance builder is offering an early Black Friday offer.
– Divi 5 alpha version 2 is in active development, aggressively squeezing bugs.
– Keep an eye on the Elementor developer blog for the post about the next 3.26 beta version.
Guteberg spot
– A video by Elliot Richmond showing how to build complex layouts with the Block Editor.
The Hosting spot
Kinsta 1 month free
– Kinsta WordPress hosting launched a new 1 month free promotion to test their hosting services.
WordPress People
All about the Block Editor
– Elliot Richmond has a great YouTube channel to help you get familiar with the block editor.
– Jamie Marsland (head of WordPress YouTube) has a great YouTube channel all about Gutenberg. And he just rebranded it to Jamie WP!
WordPress Deals
👉 Hostinger Black Friday has begun! Use coupon WPROADS to save even more + get 3 months free
👉 SureForms powerful WordPress form builder lifetime deal + early-adopter discount.
👉 Divi Black Friday is coming soon! Participate to the countdown to win great prices!
👉 Tutor LMS lifetime deal is back!
👉 Blocksy PRO best classic theme lifetime deal.
Views: 40
