[ad_1] This week, I clocked out of my role as a Senior Backend Engineer at WebDevStudios (and it was a great 2.5 years of solid work on some very interesting projects), and began working as a Senior Developer at Awesome Motive. I’m sure I’ll have plenty to share as I settled into the new role but, until then, I here are some of the resources I’ve found over the week: Week of 18 July 2021 Resources Articles WordPress Podcasts Resources That’s all for this week. Remember to check out some of the Reels I have on Instagram (especially if you play guitar) and throw a remix on ’em. Until next week! 👋🏻 [ad_2] Source link
Continue readingMonthly Archives: July 2021
Weekly WordPress News: Introducing WordPress 5.8 “Tatum”
[ad_1] Hey, WordPress fans. We are checking in with your latest dose of weekly WordPress news. This week, WordPress 5.8 is officially released. This is a major release, so there’s no pressure to update right away. But give it a try and update when you feel ready. You can learn more about notable features from WP Tavern’s post here. Beyond that, Gutenberg 11.1 brings several new features and includes nearly three dozen bug fixes. There are also a number of acquisitions in the WordPress space. Let’s get to all of this week’s WordPress news… WORDPRESS NEWS AND ARTICLES TUTORIALS AND HOW-TOS RESOURCES [ad_2] Source link
Continue readingRevisions Extended Plugin Lets Users Schedule Updates to Published Posts – WP Tavern
[ad_1] WordPress has long had the ability to schedule content to be published in the future, but it can only make immediate changes to posts that are already published. If you want to schedule changes to published content, a plugin is necessary. Corey McKrill, a full-time sponsored contributor to the WordPress.org Meta team, has developed a plugin, with the help of contributor Steven Dufresnethat, which is now in use on WordPress.org. Revisions Extended allows users to schedule revisions, or updates, for posts that have already been published. It extends WordPress’ revision system to include a “future” post status as a revision post type. McKrill recorded a gif to demonstrate the UI: https://cloudup.com/cOHLm_77ECk Although there are existing plugins which already perform this functionality, McKrill said they were either inadequate for WordPress.org’s needs or add extra functionality that they don’t need. Revisions Extended supports the following for any post type that supports revisions: From the block editor, make changes to an already-published post and schedule those changes to go live at a later date. In the block editor UI as well as other admin screens, indicate when a post has a scheduled update. View a list of all scheduled updates Delete a scheduled update or trash/unpublish a post with a scheduled update Edit scheduled updates, including the content and the future publish date. Compare scheduled update content to the current published content. The ability to schedule updates is especially useful for ensuring that software documentation is updated when a new release is available or when API changes go into effect. The plugin entered the testing phase in March and is now used on multiple sites across the WordPress.org network. It makes it easier to schedule updates to lesson plans on the Learn WordPress site after a new version of WordPress is released. It also makes updates to HelpHub and DevHub more efficient. “If you need to schedule updates for published WordPress post/page/CPT without changing what’s already published (nor switching to draft), this is something we recently started using at the WordPress Docs Team and it’s a game changer,” contributor Milana Cap said. Revisions Extended is currently being developed on GitHub. McKrill said it may be be submitted to the official plugin directory someday when it is more ready for that level of exposure. “It’s a possibility,” McKrill said. “There’s a bit more functionality I think should be added first, namely the ability to create updates in a ‘draft or ‘pending’ status to go alongside the current ‘future’ status. Adding it to the plugin directory would allow a lot more people to try it out and give feedback, but it might also greatly increase the support and maintenance burden. So that has to be part of the calculation when deciding if/when to add it.” McKrill believes Revisions Extended could be a useful addition to core but there is not currently an active plan to bring it into WordPress. “Something like this might get traction during Gutenberg Phase 3, which will focus on collaboration tools,” McKrill said. For now, those who are interested to use Revisions Extended can download it and/or contribute to its development on GitHub. Like this: Like Loading… [ad_2] Source link
Continue readingGutenberg 11.1 Adds Drag-and-Drop Support for List View and Upgrades Block Borders – WP Tavern
[ad_1] The Gutenberg plugin continues to march forward. Yesterday’s release, coming merely a day after the launch of WordPress 5.8, brings several new features and nearly three dozen bug fixes. The big-ticket items are drag-and-drop blocks in the list view and a much-needed upgrade for border support. Theme authors should enjoy the ability to control the Columns block’s stacking on mobile and some updated design controls for nav menus. While labeled an “enhancement,” themers should also check their designs against a breaking change to the RSS block’s updated styles. Drag and Drop Blocks in List View Dragging a block around in list view. Drumroll, please. The moment we — or at least many of us — have been waiting for has finally arrived. The editor’s list view has become a powerhouse for managing long documents with many blocks. Over the past dozen or so releases, the development team has continued to tack on necessary feature after necessary feature. In version 11.1, users can drag and drop blocks from within the list view to order and organize content. However, users are not merely limited to moving things around within the list view itself. They can drag blocks from the list over into the content canvas and vice versa. I do not often use emoji, but sometimes I like to dole out a slow clap for a job well done. 👏 👏 Border Support Adding a dashed border to a Group block. I have already been having a bit of fun with the new border options. Lately, I have been in the holiday spirit because I was getting ahead and buying my Christmas tree in July (when you find the good deals). This inspired me to create a coupon code block pattern, and the Group block’s border support was perfect for this. Gutenberg 11.1 refines the user experience for border options. The development team tightened the UI and placed the settings into logical groupings. Only the following core blocks have partial or complete border support: Button Group Image Search Table Users can also define individual corners with the border-radius option in this update. I would love to see the same treatment for the top, right, bottom, and left borders in the future. I also would not mind seeing a double-border style. Columns Block: Stack on Mobile Adding post metadata to an unstacked set of columns. By default, individual Column blocks will stack on top of each other in mobile views. However, users can now disable this via the parent Columns block on a case-by-case basis. This has also been one of the missing pieces for more layout control in block themes. One of the primary use cases for a Columns block that does not break on mobile devices is post metadata sections that should be inline. For example, theme authors often want to align the post author, date, and comments link in a single row below the post title. This toggle switch sort of moves us in that direction. However, it is a stopgap solution that does not afford theme designers the flexibility they are accustomed to with CSS (this is not generally a complicated affair). Before block themes and the site editor are rolled into core WordPress, theme developers will need fine-tuned responsive control over the Columns block and, perhaps, some type of row/inline/flex block to go along with it. Theme authors who need to target the Columns block based on whether mobile stacking is disabled can use the .is-not-stacked-on-mobile class. Post Terms and Tag Clouds Controlling the number of tags output. The development team has crossed one of my months-long pet peeves off the list. In past releases of the plugin, the Post Terms block (variations of Post Tags and Post Categories) has displayed a pipe (|) separator between individual items by default. It now shows a comma, followed by a space. Theme authors can change this in their block templates, and users can customize it from the editor. The setting is located under the “Advanced” tab in the block options sidebar. The Tag Cloud block got a small but much-needed upgrade. Users can now set a limit on the number of tags to display. By default, it is set to show 45 tags. Navigation Submenu Colors The Gutenberg development team added two new color options for the Navigation block. Aside from its existing text and background colors, users can now change the text and background colors for submenu items. The Navigation block, while improved, still seems to be one of the trickiest pieces of the site-editing puzzle. It is trying to be the Jack of all trades, mastering few — if any — solutions. And, there is already a ticket gaining traction that would allow users to stuff a wider range of inner blocks into it. But, we have submenu text and background colors, which is a win. Only, they are named “Overlay Text” and “Overlay Background.” I am unsure whether it works as part of the mobile responsive menu. Gutenberg seems to have once again failed to bundle its front-end navigation JavaScript. Like this: Like Loading… [ad_2] Source link
Continue readingIs It as Good as It Is Popular?
[ad_1] In this HostGator hosting review, we show you how good HostGator really is, who should use it, and what features you can expect to get. HostGator is one of the most popular web hosting companies on the web. They’ve won users over with a couple of things. Their affordable prices are one very good reason to give them a look. But perhaps more significantly, their marketing has always been on point, with ads in all the right places. Maybe they’re one of the reasons you are here today? Here’s what we’re going to cover: 🤔 What is HostGator and what types of hosting it offers? HostGator has been around since 2002, so they certainly do know the hosting game enough to stay above the surface. Though that would be an understatement, to be honest. HostGator has done a lot over the years, and merely staying above the surface doesn’t sound like much of a goal for them. There have been many important milestones in HostGator’s lifespan, but a couple of them stand out: In 2012, HostGator was acquired by EIG, a giant of the hosting industry that holds many hosting brands in their portfolio. In 2015, HostGator launched their tailor-made managed WordPress hosting plans, which were the answer to some of the more expensive boutique WordPress hosts out there. Today, HostGator serves more than 800,000 customers in more than 200 countries. Let’s take a look at what all those customers have been that crazy about. Here’s what you’ll find in HostGator’s offering: Shared hosting This is HostGator’s flagship hosting offering. These plans deliver all the features that most users will find essential, and they do so at very affordable prices. What’s great about these plans is that they come with unmetered storage and bandwidth. This means that, for the most part, you don’t have to worry about your website growing too big. There are also one-click installers available for website engines like WordPress, a free SSL certificate, and a free website transfer for users coming from other hosts. Plus, on top of all this, you get a free domain name for the first year. 👉 Go to HostGator’s shared hosting plans. WordPress hosting This tier of hosting is a variation on the shared hosting plans, but with added optimizations for websites running on WordPress. These plans are similarly affordable, and come with a free domain name, too. The bandwidth is not metered, but these setups will work best when you have up to 100k monthly visitors (on the cheapest plan) and up to 500k (on the far end). So, what makes them optimized for WordPress? Just to name a few things: automatic daily backups, added security features for WordPress, optimizations to improve the speed of your WordPress site, integrated catalog of WordPress themes, integrations with SiteLock and CodeGuard. And, of course, these setups come with WordPress installed from the get-go – for users who are going to be launching a completely new site. Alternatively, you can transfer an existing site. 👉 Go to HostGator’s WordPress hosting plans. Website builder This one is a pretty original offering since it flips the way most users think about hosting and owning a website. Instead of selling you access to a web server and then putting the ball in your half of the field so that you then have to figure out how to use that server, HostGator proposes you start with a site builder tool first. In this model, you get access to the builder, craft your website from top to bottom, and then have it launched to the public with the help of one of HostGator’s servers. The website creation part is made user-friendly – the builder comes with nice templates and it’s fully visual (so, no coding skills are required). 👉 Go to HostGator’s website builder plans. VPS hosting Now, we’re entering the realm of pro-level hosting! VPS hosting is commonly used for web apps rather than standard websites. Creations like that usually need more scalable setups as it’s hard to predict the load that the app can experience every day. Also, the server requirements can be different from what a classic website usually needs. Just so that we’re on the same page, VPS (virtual private server) hosting is a virtual machine that comes configured to match given requirements of the project. 👉 Go to HostGator’s VPS hosting plans. Dedicated hosting It doesn’t get much further in the “pro” direction than dedicated hosting. In simple terms, dedicated hosting is where you get access to an actual physical machine (computer) that runs your server software. It’s the most expensive type of hosting and also the most tailor-configurable to match the user’s exact needs. 👉 Go to HostGator’s dedicated hosting plans. Reseller hosting I have a feeling that this last type of hosting will be really interesting to agencies, developers, and freelancers working on client sites. The idea is simple, you buy a hosting package from HostGator, and then resell it to your clients. You also pocket the difference between the price you bought the hosting for from HostGator and the price you sold it for to your clients. 👉 Go to HostGator’s reseller hosting plans. Which type of HostGator hosting is right for you? This all depends on what your needs are and what type of site you want to build. Generally, if you want to build a WordPress website for any sort of serious purpose – like a business, professional portfolio – then you should go with the WordPress hosting plans. Other new website projects and small experiments will work well on the shared hosting plans. For everything more demanding…well, you’ve probably already done the research and know whether you need VPS or dedicated hosting. In the next part of this HostGator hosting review, let’s now see what’s under the hood: ⚙️💵 Features and Pricing ⚠️ For the purpose of this HostGator hosting review, we’re looking at HostGator’s WordPress hosting plans. This is the type of hosting that’s in
Continue readingWhat’s Coming in PHP 8.1
[ad_1] What’s Coming in PHP 8.1 → PHP 8.1 is very much in progress, and is slated to come out in November. While WordPress developers often (and reasonably) don’t use many of the features of PHP 7, nevermind PHP-8-only features, some of these things are at least worst knowing about. Seeing where the language is going (even if you can’t write code that way yet) is always worthwhile. In the article, Brent kicks off with enums, a whole new data-type for PHP. I’ve heard many mixed things about enums in a variety of domains (I think people hate them as a type for a database columns… ) but from his little example I’m immediately excited to start using them. And no doubt (as one must with most programming paradigms) eventually figuring out their disadvantages Anyway, if you’re more than passingly-aware of PHP, probably worth giving this article a quick scan. And if you’re regularly writing PHP, I think a read is wiser. [ad_2] Source link
Continue readingStockfish Contributors Sue ChessBase for GPL Violations – WP Tavern
[ad_1] image credit: Sebastian Voortman A legal reckoning is brewing in the world of open source chess engines. Stockfish, a GPL-licensed chess engine widely recognized as one of the strongest in the world, has filed a lawsuit against ChessBase. The German-based company makes and sells chess software that relies heavily on the Stockfish engine, maintains a prominent chess news site, and runs a chess server for online games. Stockfish’s announcement, published this week on International Chess Day, claims that ChessBase has violated the GPL by not releasing the corresponding modifications of its products that are derivative works: We have come to realize that ChessBase concealed from their customers Stockfish as the true origin of key parts of their products. Indeed, few customers know they obtained a modified version of Stockfish when they paid for Fat Fritz 2 or Houdini 6 – both Stockfish derivatives – and they thus have good reason to be upset. ChessBase repeatedly violated central obligations of the GPL, which ensures that the user of the software is informed of their rights. These rights are explicit in the license and include access to the corresponding sources, and the right to reproduce, modify, and distribute GPLed programs royalty-free. In 2020, Stockfish added support for NNUE (Efficiently Updatable Neural Networks). ChessBase’s Fat Fritz 2 product includes a neural network that the company has not released. Stockfish’s previous statement on Fat Fritz 2 identifies these net weights as a derivative: “This chess engine is a Stockfish derivative, with a few lines of code modification (engine name, authors list and a few parameters), and a new set of NNUE net weights considered proprietary,” current Stockfish maintainer Joost VandeVondele said. “ChessBase’s communication on Fat Fritz 2, claiming originality where there is none, has shocked our community. Furthermore, the engine Fat Fritz 2 fails to convince on independent rating lists, casting doubt on the usefulness of those modifications. Indeed, we feel that customers buying Fat Fritz 2 get very little added value for money. Claims to the contrary appear misleading.” The GPLv3 permits ChessBase to sell its chess engine but requires the company to make its modifications available, along with all information needed to build the program. Stockfish informed Albert Silver, author of the neural net in Fat Fritz 2, of the license violation, resulting in ChessBase releasing its C++ sources but not the net weights. “Obviously, we condemn the approach taken,” VandeVondele said. Stockfish contributors have been working with a certified copyright and media law attorney in Germany to enforce their license and were able to force a recall of the Fat Fritz 2 DVD and the termination of the sales of Houdini 6. They are now pursuing the Termination clause of the GPL that would shut down ChessBase’s ability to distribute Stockfish in its products. “Due to Chessbase’s repeated license violations, leading developers of Stockfish have terminated their GPL license with ChessBase permanently,” the Stockfish team said in the most recent statement. “However, ChessBase is ignoring the fact that they no longer have the right to distribute Stockfish, modified or unmodified, as part of their products.” In a post titled, “Fat Fritz 2 is a rip-off,” published earlier this year, the Stockfish, Leela Chess Zero, and Lichess teams called out the product as a Stockfish clone, repackaged with a different neural network and “minimal changes that are neither innovative nor appear to make the engine stronger.” “It is sad to see claims of innovation where there has been none, and claims of improvement in an engine that is weaker than its open-source origins,” the teams wrote. “It is also sad to see people appropriating the open-source work and effort of others and claiming it as their own.” Lichess, a free and open-source Internet chess server run by a non-profit organization that also uses Stockfish as a critical part of its infrastructure, has published multiple posts in support of Stockfish revoking ChessBase’s license to sell derivatives of the popular engine. Lichess also publishes the source code of everything they create using Stockfish so its users can see, modify, and redistribute it. Even if you’re not a connoisseur of chess drama, Lichess’ most recent statement of support for Stockfish identifies why this case is important to the greater open source community: Free open-source software offers essential freedoms that benefit developers and users alike, and those freedoms should have been extended to users of Fat Fritz 1, 2, and Houdini. Failing that, free-software licenses are only meaningful if they are enforced, making this an important case not only for Stockfish, but also for the open source community as a whole. We are happy that the Stockfish developers have the will and means to take action. Stockfish’s lawsuit may become an important landmark case for proving that the GPL can be enforced. It will also be interesting to see whether the courts regard the neural network weights that ChessBase trained as a derivative work that must be released as source code in order to be in compliance with the GPL. Stockfish has gained broad support from the project’s maintainers and developers who have stated they “have the evidence, the financial means, and the determination to bring this lawsuit to a successful end.” The team has promised to update their statement once the case makes progress. Like this: Like Loading… [ad_2] Source link
Continue readingThe WordPress.org Block Pattern Directory Is Now Live – WP Tavern
[ad_1] Yesterday, the WordPress pattern directory went live to the world as the development team behind it put the finishing touches on the project. It will work similarly to the theme and plugin directories in time. Along with WordPress 5.8, users can browse and use block patterns directly from the post editor. Officially, the pattern directory shipped as part of the WordPress 5.8 release. The Tavern did not include this in its coverage yesterday because it was still listed as an “in-progress” project until several hours later. The team was still wrapping up several issues yesterday for the initial launch. Pattern directory homepage. The current patterns in the directory are a curated list of designs from over 20 volunteers. The team called upon the community in early June, and it answered. To date, there are over 70 patterns across six categories to choose from: Buttons Columns Gallery Header Images Text Thus far, translations are complete for 12 languages. Others are at varying completion percentages, but there are dozens more that are incomplete. This would be an easy entry point for anyone who wants to give something back to the WordPress project. I had a hand in building the About Me Cards and Team Social Cards patterns, but I cannot take all the credit. Kjell Reigstad and Mel Choyce-Dwan took my initial ideas and ran with them. It was a rewarding experience just peaking a bit into how other designers work. I only wish I could have put in more time during the initial submission window. About Me Columns (left) and Team Social Cards (right) patterns I look forward to submitting more patterns when submissions are open to everyone, the project’s next phase. “Work is now beginning on the next milestone, which will enable patterns to be submitted by anyone, similar to the Theme and Plugin Directories,” wrote Kelly Choyce-Dwan in the announcement. I am excited to see where the overall community can take the directory. Submissions have been limited and held to a specific aesthetic that will not be universally appealing. It may be hard for some users to look beyond centuries-old artwork, flowers, and the current fling with offset columns to see how a specific layout would work for their site. For others, it is perfect. Even I struggle with this. I can see the structure beneath the default images and text, but I am not inspired to use most of the patterns because they simply do not fit my personal style. When selecting one, I want to feel like the designer was building something just for me. I suspect that will play a part in winning over more users and bringing some holdouts over to the block system. Gallery-categorized patterns. One limitation of the pattern directory is the imagery. Now that services like Unsplash, Pexels, and Pixabay have put limitations on their licensing, it can be tough to find photos and artwork that meet the guidelines for submissions to WordPress.org. However, that could open up a bit with the potential integration of Openverse, formerly the Creative Commons search engine. Making it easier for pattern designers to find the perfect images to build out their visions would improve the overall quality. What will eventually make the pattern directory a worthwhile venture is when the best designers from the WordPress ecosystem step up and begin competing. I eagerly await a breadth of authors putting their own stylistic spin on submissions. Like this: Like Loading… [ad_2] Source link
Continue readingMore Than Just Joost’s Wife
[ad_1] Dit essay is ook beschikbaar in het Nederlands. My WordPress story is closely entangled with my Love story. Joost de Valk – my husband- led me to WordPress and the WordPress Community. And, while I love being Joost’s wife, I am much more than just Joost’s wife. My story on how I found my way in WordPress is also a story on how I stepped out of the shadows of Joost, without stepping away from (or on top of the toes of) my husband. It’s a story about my journey and my struggles in growing towards a leadership role. And, it’s a story about the wonderful inviting and inclusive world that WordPress is. But, there’s always room for some improvement! The early days – Marieke before Yoast I am extremely competitive and ambitious. Always have been. I was a highly competitive teenager, wanting to be the best at everything. I was president of the student council, editor of the school newspaper, and participated in debate clubs (that’s where I met Joost). After graduating high school (cum laude), I began studying Sociology and Communication Science. I obtained two bachelors and did a Masters in Sociology (all of it cum laude). And then, I decided to do my PhD in Criminology. I wrote my own research proposal and got funding to do my PhD. I was pretty keen on a scientific career. One year after I started my PhD I got pregnant… Joost and I were shocked by my pregnancy, but almost immediately decided that we wanted to have this baby. Joost quit his job and found a job closer to our home. This was his first job as an SEO consultant, a rather significant career move :-). He was working 4 days a week, as was I, which allowed us both to spend time and take care of our son Tycho. Joost and I got married. The pregnancy changed me. And it changed how people looked at me. All of a sudden, I wasn’t the high potential anymore. I was the girl that got pregnant during her PhD. I tried my best to prove that I could still do the same amount of work. But with a baby that was hardly sleeping and work piling up, I collapsed. I was diagnosed with burnout and depression. But I got better. I finished my PhD at a slightly slower pace. We decided that I wanted another baby and gave birth to our daughter Wende. I started to work as a teacher and a researcher. We had another son, Ravi. Yes, we really like children ;-). And Joost started his own business- Yoast. Joost was heavily involved in WordPress. His plugins had over one million users. He was speaking at all these conferences in the WordPress world and the SEO world. He was also doing consultancy. I helped him with his planning. I brainstormed with him about new business ideas. As of 2012, Joost started hiring people to work for him. He started working from an office. I helped with hiring. I did some research at Yoast. I liked being at the office. Thinking of ways to get a fun company culture. Finding my place at Yoast In 2013, I decided to join Yoast. I was having more fun at the Yoast offices than in my job as a teacher. It was a good decision, although it meant leaving my scientific career behind. That was hard. I started writing at Yoast. Writing about writing, about content SEO. I wrote an eBook, I launched Yoast Academy and I came up with the idea for a readability analysis within Yoast SEO. We had our fourth child, another son -Borre-, in 2015. At the same time I was doing a lot of work in setting up an inclusive and fun company culture for Yoast, inspired heavily by the WordPress community. At Yoast, I really was Joost’s wife for the first time. I felt that not everyone would take me seriously. People outside of Yoast often assumed that I was Joost’s assistant or his secretary. That never happened to me before. I struggled with those prejudices. My resume clearly showed that I had some brains, but some people did not seem to look beyond my marital status. People working within Yoast sometimes questioned my expertise too. Within Yoast, over time, that really changed. As I worked at Yoast for a longer period of time, people started to judge me on my track record within the company. Taking a leadership role In 2015, I started talking at conferences. At Yoast, I got my own team. I became a manager. A leader. That was new for me, uncomfortable even. Giving feedback, explaining to people what needed improvement or what I wanted different, that is challenging for me. Even today. I have a strong desire for people to like me. And, I was really insecure about my own skills. Who was I to tell people how to do their work? In my first years as a manager, I was super nervous whenever I needed to correct people. And, I often did not do that well. I was afraid of the confrontation, would postpone it and eventually addressed the issue when it had become this whole big thing. For everyone who worked with me and recognizes this: I am so sorry. Over time, I got more comfortable and less insecure. I was more confident that I knew what I was doing. Working hard and studying a lot pays off. I became an SEO expert. I felt comfortable talking about it on stage. As I became an expert in SEO and in marketing, it became more natural to give feedback or to ask coworkers to do something for me. I did a lot of the architecture of our company culture, our benefits and our HR plans.The WordPress community is well known for its diversity, for the openness and the acceptance. These are things that are really important within Yoast as well.
Continue readingBuddyPress 9.0.0 Transforms Legacy Widgets Into Blocks – WP Tavern
[ad_1] BuddyPress 9.0 was released one day before WordPress 5.8. As all major BuddyPress releases are named for pizza joints, this one has been dubbed “Mico” in honor of Pizzéria Chez Mico, a small restaurant on the French riviera, where you just may find capers and anchovies on your pie. This short release cycle was laser focused on getting all of the BP component widgets ready to be used as blocks to ensure that they work with WordPress 5.8’s new block widgets experience. BuddyPress 9.0 introduces 10 new BuddyPress blocks to be used in place of the legacy widgets. New BuddyPress Blocks in 9.0.0 This release also enables users to transform legacy widgets into a block with two clicks, while preserving all of their settings and automatically importing them. The availability of these new blocks is an important milestone that BP contributing developer David Cavins said is “the first step toward the progressive retirement” of BuddyPress widgets. All this functionality that used to only be available in widgetized areas can now easily be used as blocks inside content areas. The blocks vastly expand BuddyPress’ flexibility, enabling site owners to do many things that used to require custom development. Designing unique landing pages for communities is now easier than it has ever been. “My coworkers are pretty excited to have these new BP blocks,” Cavins said during a chat in the BuddyPress development channel on Slack. “For instance, with the login form block, you can pretty well replace login form customization plugins and put the form in your landing page with ease.” The release also includes a new Sitewide Notices endpoint for the BP REST API that will enable site admins to create, edit, or delete notices and let users fetch the active notice. For a full list of the improvements and bug fixes included in 9.0.0, check out the release notes in the codex. Like this: Like Loading… [ad_2] Source link
Continue reading