After careful evaluation and considering the evolving needs of our community, we have decided to shut down the community.wordpress.org Matrix server on January 31, 2025.
With the integration of Single Sign-On (SSO) using WordPress.org accounts on SlackSlackSlack is a Collaborative Group Chat Platform https://slack.com/. The WordPress community has its own Slack Channel at https://make.wordpress.org/chat/., one of the primary advantages of the Matrix solution—simplified onboarding for new contributors—has been effectively addressed. Additionally, with very low usage and no significant demand for Matrix services, maintaining the server is no longer the best use of our resources.
The links to the team chat pages from the Make homepage have already been removed, and we’ll remove the individual chat pages when the server has shut down.
I’m thrilled to share my first post here on Make WordPress! As the new Director of the WordPress Project, I’m excited to contribute to the ongoing work that shapes WordPress for millions worldwide. I also recognize the challenges ahead and the large shoes I’m stepping into.
Over the last two weeks, I’ve had the privilege of engaging in discussions with a variety of folks from across the community, hearing valuable ideas and some concerns. These conversations have provided great insights, and I’m eager to start diving deeper into the work ahead.
To foster continued open dialogue and collaboration, especially as I ramp up, I’ve scheduled office hours with Matt and myself. This will be a space to connect, share thoughts, and ask questions.
This will be an evolving format, especially to allow for different timezones, and of course I’m open to feedback—looking forward to continuing the conversation!
In open sourceOpen SourceOpen Source denotes software for which the original source code is made freely available and may be redistributed and modified. Open Source **must be** delivered via a licensing model, see GPL. projects like WordPress, tracking progress through data is essential for informed decision-making, spotting trends, and improving efficiency. At WordCampWordCampWordCamps are casual, locally-organized conferences covering everything related to WordPress. They're one of the places where the WordPress community comes together to teach one another what they’ve learned throughout the year and share the joy. Learn more. Europe 2023, @matt emphasized the need for ‘project health dashboards,’ sparking the creation of a working group that includes @courane01, @nao, @peiraisotta, @harishanker (myself), and others. Over the past year, we’ve worked to bring this vision to life. Today, @courane01 and I are excited to announce experimental health dashboards for the Make/WordPress CoreCoreCore is the set of software required to run WordPress. The Core Development Team builds WordPress., Community, and Training Teams, along with an overview of WordPress 6.6 release statistics. These dashboards, compiled manually using tools like Bitergia Analytics, offer a snapshot of team performance.
This project, still experimental, seeks community feedback to refine and expand dashboarding efforts across more teams. You can check out the individual dashboards by following these links:
Based on the GutenbergGutenbergThe Gutenberg project is the new Editor Interface for WordPress. The editor improves the process and experience of creating new content, making writing rich content much simpler. It uses ‘blocks’ to add richness rather than shortcodes, custom HTML etc. https://wordpress.org/gutenberg/ and wordpress_develop GitHubGitHubGitHub is a website that offers online implementation of git repositories that can easily be shared, copied and modified by other developers. Public repositories are free to host, private repositories require a paid subscription. GitHub introduced the concept of the ‘pull request’ where code changes done in branches by contributors can be reviewed and discussed before being merged be the repository owner. https://github.com/ repositories. The numbers have mostly skewed in favor of newly attracted developers, but there has been a recent spike in contributors leaving.
While the WordPress project has always had a good balance between new and inactive contributors, there is a clear increase in the number of contributors going inactive in 2024, as shown in our research.
The WordPress 6.6 dashboard shows a steady number of contributors (637), with 38% being new. In comparison, version 6.5 had 703 contributors, one of the largest recent releases.
Core Team contributions happen in spikes around WordPress releases.
Contributions are predominately by companies like Automattic, Yoast, GoDaddy, and 10up, with a reliance on sponsored contributors.
Core GitHub repositories maintain strong close/merge rates, but there’s a downward trend projected for 2024.
Contributor distribution is strong, with sponsored contributors supporting a majority of contributions. The team is currently focused on shipping version 6.7 and launching Gutenberg Phase 3.
Chart showing Learn WordPress Course users and enrollment rate. As of August 2024, almost 60% of users visiting course content have enrolled in courses. Note that course viewers has also gone up.
The Training Team has exceeded its projected goals, by achieving a video retention rate of 50% for their video content. and and a course enrollment rate of almost 60%.
Their Learning Pathways project has met its contribution goals, with high enrollment and course completion rates, as well as 90% learner satisfaction.
The team relies on GitHub for project management, with high engagement among contributors.
A high number of casual contributors indicates a need for more regular and core contributorsCore ContributorsCore contributors are those who have worked on a release of WordPress, by creating the functions or finding and patching bugs. These contributions are done through Trac. https://core.trac.wordpress.org. to ensure long-term team health.
We began this project by engaging with the WordPress community and gathering valuable feedback, which revealed the need for an automated dashboard tool. After extensive research, we selected Bitergia Analytics for its open-source nature and potential for self-hosting, ensuring digital sovereignty for the WordPress community. Bitergia offers customizable dashboards, GDPR compliance, and integrates with tools like GitGitGit is a free and open source distributed version control system designed to handle everything from small to very large projects with speed and efficiency. Git is easy to learn and has a tiny footprint with lightning fast performance. Most modern plugin and theme development is being done with this version control system. https://git-scm.com/., GitHub, IRC, SlackSlackSlack is a Collaborative Group Chat Platform https://slack.com/. The WordPress community has its own Slack Channel at https://make.wordpress.org/chat/., Docker Hub, and more. Our Bitergia dashboard, linked to the WordPress GitHub repository, is currently private with access granted to @courane01, @harishanker, @peiraisotta, and @nao. This service operates under a basic plan sponsored by Automattic, costing €1000/month.
Informed by insights from Bitergia Analytics, @courane01, @harishanker, and @peiraisotta hosted project health hangouts in May to gather further feedback from the broader WordPress community. Based on that input, we developed pilot dashboards for WordPress Core, Community, and Training teams, which rely heavily on metrics for their work. However, Bitergia Analytics doesn’t currently support our tools such as HelpScout, Figma, TracTracTrac is the place where contributors create issues for bugs or feature requests much like GitHub.https://core.trac.wordpress.org/., SVNSVNApache Subversion (often abbreviated SVN, after its command name svn) is a software versioning and revision control system. Software developers use Subversion to maintain current and historical versions of files such as source code, web pages, and documentation. Its goal is to be a mostly compatible successor to the widely used Concurrent Versions System (CVS). WordPress core and the wordpress.org released code are all centrally managed through SVN. https://subversion.apache.org/., and GlotPress. To bridge this gap, we used alternative data sources like the WordPress 6.6 props list and contributor team data from the Community and Training teams to prepare these dashboards, alongside Bitergia Analytics.
What’s Next?
These dashboards were created as an experiment to assess their usefulness. Manually compiling the data is time-consuming and may not be sustainable. @courane01 and I invested significant effort into preparing them. If they prove valuable, we hope to encourage other Make/Teams to create their own and explore a project-wide dashboard, though this could be resource-intensive. Positive feedback would support continued development, including building custom tools or upgrading to a premium Bitergia plan for deeper data insights to support contributor teams.
Request for Feedback
Thank you for reviewing this project! Our long-term goal is to build automated, live dashboards for WordPress. We appreciate your feedback on the following questions as we attempt to refine our work:
Are these team metrics useful?
Should we consider additional metrics?
Should we continue creating similar dashboards in the future?
Can we automate this process, and if so, how? (We’re considering Bitergia.)
Are you interested in helping develop this further?
Please share your thoughts in the comments on or before October 7, 2024.
+make.wordpress.orgWordPress.orgThe community site where WordPress code is created and shared by the users. This is where you can download the source code for WordPress core, plugins and themes as well as the central location for community conversations and organization. https://wordpress.org//core +make.wordpress.org/community +make.wordpress.org/training +make.wordpress.org/updates +make.wordpress.org/sustainability
Josepha
7:40 pm on August 19, 2024 Tags: training, tutorials, YouTube
YouTube has become an essential platform for sharing complex ideas with a diverse audience, and our WordPress YouTube channel is no exception. Since 2023, we’ve experienced a 6x increase in monthly views and engagement, driven by the growing availability of WordPress content. Since October 2022, when WPTV content began syncing automatically with YouTube, to the design iterations in 2023 and our participation in the Nonprofit YouTube Partner Program—removing ads from our videos—our channel has become a trusted source of information and inspiration.
In keeping with our commitment to meeting the needs of both current and future users, I’m excited to announce that Jamie Marsland will be taking on the management of the WordPress YouTube channel. Jamie’s extensive experience in the WordPress community and his passion for empowering creators through this medium makes him the ideal person to lead our efforts in expanding and enhancing our YouTube presence.
With over a decade of experience working with WordPress and training others, Jamie brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to this role. He will oversee the creation of high-quality content, ensuring our channel remains a valuable resource and a source of inspiration for WordPress enthusiasts worldwide while inspiring and empowering other open sourceOpen SourceOpen Source denotes software for which the original source code is made freely available and may be redistributed and modified. Open Source **must be** delivered via a licensing model, see GPL. content creators to further the movement.
For those attending WordCamp US, say hello to Jamie in person! And for everyone else, please join me in welcoming him to this new role as we embark on an exciting new chapter for WordPress on YouTube.
Update: We have closed the call for mentors and mentees for the 2024 Q4 Mentorship Program cohort, as of August 26th, 23:59 Pacific Time. Thank you for the overwhelming response! The contributor working group will start evaluating applications from current and early applicants and will aim of finalize a group of mentors and mentees at the earliest. We hope to finalize our cohort by next week and plan to reach out to our selected mentors and mentees at the earliest by the week of September 16. Got questions? Drop a line to: wpcontributors@wordcamp.org or comment on this post with questions.
Following the success of our 2023 Q3 and 2024 Q1 cohorts, I’m thrilled to announce the official launch of the third WordPress Contributor Mentorship Program cohort, set for the final quarter of 2024. This program connects seasoned WordPress experts with newcomers, offering a fantastic opportunity for mentees to gain hands-on experience contributing to WordPress, while mentors share their expertise and improve their leadership skills.
Whether you are new to WordPress or looking to enhance your skills, this program offers a unique opportunity to learn from experienced contributors. Receive personalized guidance, develop your skills, and network within the WordPress community.
New to WordPress? Participating in this program may get you up to full speed as a contributor in a very short time — You’re strongly encouraged to apply!
Criteria for Mentors
If you have experience in WordPress development, design, community engagement, or any other WordPress-related area and wish to guide new contributors, this is your chance to make a significant impact. Through mentoring, give back to the community, enhance your leadership skills, and connect with emerging contributors.
If you have a project in mind and want to guide 4-6 mentees, this program is ideal. Learn more about project-based mentorship.
The formal call for mentors and mentees for the WordPress Contributor Mentorship Program Q4 Cohort has closed as of August 26th, 23:59 PT. We will be reaching out to selected/paired mentors and mentees by the week of September 2 September 16.
Program Goals and Details
Our program connects seasoned WordPress experts with newcomers. Mentees will gain hands-on experience in contributing to WordPress and grow their network of contacts within the global WordPress community, while mentors share their expertise and develop their leadership skills. Over six weeks, mentors and mentees will collaborate, learn, and contribute within a diverse, global community of talented contributors. Mentees will also get opportunities to directly contribute to WordPress 6.7 (the next and latest WordPress release) and also gain an inside view of WordPress contributions.
We are offering early contribution opportunities for those interested and available to spend an extra month. These opportunities include dedicated training and may lead to leadership roles within the project. You can indicate your interest in the application form.
Selection Process
Mentors and mentees will be selected based on various criteria, including mentor availability, participant interest, individual profiles, and adherence to WordPress Community Guidelines. Our goal is to include as many mentees and mentors as possible in this cohort.
Timeline
Application Opens: Thursday, August 16, 2024
Application Deadline: Monday, August 26, 2024
Selected Mentors and Mentees Announced: By September 9, 2024
Program Duration: October 7 to November 15, 2024 (6 weeks)
Benefits
For Mentees: Receive personalized guidance, develop your skills, and expand your network within the WordPress community.
For Mentors: Give back to the community, enhance your leadership skills, and connect with emerging contributors.
Over 55 mentees have graduated, and 35 mentors have participated in this program thus far in two cohorts, with excellent results. Curious to learn more about the mentorship program and its impact? Check out the following blog posts:
In March 2021, Josepha introduced the proposal of a WordPress Project Contributor Handbook. This handbook was intended to be an overarching resource and place for policies, best practices, guides and other foundational content related to open-source and the global WordPress project.
Imagine it as a comprehensive map that will guide every contributor through our beloved WordPress landscape.
As the founder and spearhead of the DEIB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging) working group, I’m excited to update you on an exciting development: we’ve committed ourselves to a revamp of the Contributor Handbook into the next iteration. This handbook – like every other handbook – is a living document and needs to grow alongside the project and its community.
The Value of a Unified Guide
The new Contributor Handbook aims to be the quintessential resource for everyone in our community. It will provide a bird’s-eye view of where to find key information and how different aspects of our community interconnect. From community engagement rules to technical guidelines, this handbook will cover it all, making your journey as a WordPress contributor clearer and more structured.
Scope
The Contributor Handbook currently includes pages on AccessibilityAccessibilityAccessibility (commonly shortened to a11y) refers to the design of products, devices, services, or environments for people with disabilities. The concept of accessible design ensures both “direct access” (i.e. unassisted) and “indirect access” meaning compatibility with a person’s assistive technology (for example, computer screen readers). (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accessibility), Privacy Policy, a DEI Statement, the Community Code of Conduct, and Incident Response Team. Pages or parts of documentation that require legal consideration, like the Privacy Policy, will not be included in the scope of this work. Wherever required, the intention is to collaborate with teams that are most familiar with the page, for example, the Community Code of Conduct with the Incident Response Team.
Collaboration Across Teams
Enhancing the handbook is a collaborative effort involving several key teams:
Community Team: Focusing on integrating community interaction norms and event guidelines.
Documentation Team: Ensuring that the handbook is comprehensive and easy to navigate.
Project Leadership: Offering strategic guidance to align the handbook with broader WordPress objectives.
This cross-team collaboration ensures that the handbook serves as a holistic guide to the WordPress ecosystem, tailored to meet the needs of all contributors, new and seasoned alike.
Also thanks to @milana_cap, @j9magayanes, @TantienHime, and @CoachBirgit for their foundational work moving the needle forward at the CloudFest Hackathon. Their efforts led to the creation of a GitHubGitHubGitHub is a website that offers online implementation of git repositories that can easily be shared, copied and modified by other developers. Public repositories are free to host, private repositories require a paid subscription. GitHub introduced the concept of the ‘pull request’ where code changes done in branches by contributors can be reviewed and discussed before being merged be the repository owner. https://github.com/ repository, which is now officially part of the WordPress organization, thanks to @dd32 and @leogopal. This repository is the new home for our ongoing development and collaboration on the handbook.
Call to Action: We Need Your Voice!
Your involvement is crucial as we refine and enhance the handbook:
Join the Discussion: Comment below to discuss how the handbook can better serve as your go-to resource.
Conclusion
Our goal is to not just create a handbook, but to foster a living document that evolves with our community. Your involvement will help mold it into a dynamic resource that reflects the needs and knowledge of all WordPress contributors. Together, let’s build a resource that not only guides, but also inspires and unites us in our shared mission.
Join the conversation in our upcoming DEIB working group meetings every other week Friday in #DEIB-working-group, where we’ll discuss the handbook’s progress and gather more feedback.
We’re committed to making the Contributor Handbook a fundamental tool for everyone in our community. Let’s work together to create a resource that not only informs, but also empowers.
Props to @angelasjin for reviewing and contributing to this announcement post
The WordPress community has long advocated for diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) training. Over the years, teams have explored various avenues, usually engaging diversity consultants. While this has been a valuable experience, extending such training to our vast and diverse community has been challenging, given our global community and the many timezones we cover.
Today, I am excited to share that Automattic has added 100 licenses to their Paradigm Reach account for WordPress community members. While this isn’t a full solution, I am optimistic that it is a step in the right direction. Paradigm Reach offers a comprehensive suite of online coreCoreCore is the set of software required to run WordPress. The Core Development Team builds WordPress. workshops, microlearnings, and resources created by professional experts from around the world. Their platform allows for customization of learning content for users.
Some recognized limitations and future hopes
In reviewing Paradigm Reach, there are a few limitations I’d like to note. Firstly, only 100 licenses are available. However, the licenses can be reassigned, meaning that when a contributor completes assigned courses, their access can be removed and granted to another contributor. Second, because the usual audience for Paradigm Reach tends to be businesses and employers, some of the examples used are in a more corporate or work setting. However, the content itself is still valuable and principles can be applied to collaboration and engagement in the WordPress community. Lastly, the content is in English, and there are no translations of the material.
While these limitations are very real, I still believe there is a net positive in introducing Paradigm Reach and that it will help the WordPress community get to a more conscientious and equitable future state. My hope is that through this initial online training, enough community members around the world are able to participate in high quality and consistent DEIB training, and begin to build shared language and understanding around DEIB. Then, a working group of members who have participated in this training can leverage what they have learned to create online DEIB training specifically for the WordPress contributor community, which can be translated and made available at any time, to any one.
Some more immediate next steps
For starters, it makes sense to try out two courses, an “Intro to DEIB” and an “Advanced DEIB” course. Because the licenses are limited, I’d like to invite the following contributor groups to try out this async training:
Contributors who mentor or guide other contributors, like mentors for the Contributor Mentorship Program
Contributors who handle sensitive mediation work, like Incident Response Team (IRT) Members (all IRT members are required to complete DEIB training)
Contributors who communicate with large, international audiences, like Flagship event organizers
Contributors who want to provide DEIB training to others, like DEIB working group leaders
Contributors who have never experienced DEIB training previously
While the content should take no more than 3 hours to complete, participants will be given 8 weeks to finish assigned courses. Participants will also be asked to provide feedback on the content and recommendations for improvement. If you are interested in taking online DEIB training through Paradigm Reach, please fill out this form. Have questions or comments? Leave those in the comments below!
