The WordPress community is alive (and kicking), with many folks expressing “their say” over the decision to remove the active install growth chart. Also, here is another opportunity for “your say” in the WordPress space, as the voting phase for The WP Awards 2022 is now live.
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What’s Buzzing in WordPress 💖
- Got Noticed… the plugin Elementor Blocks for Gutenberg (yep, read it right), which allow the use of Elementor blocks inside Gutenberg, has received an update. While Brain Gardner, known for Genesis Framework (and child themes), has launched Powder, a base WordPress Theme for your personal and client projects.
- Price Changes… there will be a price hike for the Bricks Builder plugin from Nov 11, 2022, Starter Plan from $79 to $99, and Ultimate Plan from $199 to $249. Also, from Oct 10, 2022, iTheme Security Pro and BackupBuddy plugins will have new prices (Basic $80 to $99, Plus $127 to $199, Agency $199 to $299).
- Block Plugins… Both the free(1.6.0) and pro(1.4.0) versions of Generate Blocks have been updated for better support of ACF (Advanced Custom Fields) and FSE (Full Site Editing) usage. While the Stackable addon now promises to be leaner and faster, with the 3.5.0 update focussing on performance improvements.
Extended WordPress Buzz 🔥
- Product Updates… Simple Giveaways plugin added support for WooCommerce Variations, WPForms integration, and the ability to add specific giveaway script fields. Also, WordFence with 7.7.0 update added improvements to scan resume functionality, stand-alone MMDB reader for IP address lookup, and option to disable looking up IP address locations.
- Dev Focus… learn how to extend the Query Loop block in this new developer document. Also, here is a deep dive into improvements to WP_Query performance in WordPress 6.1 because of caching of database queries in WP_Query class.
- WP Perspectives… Eric Karkovack explained why the classic WordPress Themes are not going away anytime soon. While Lana Miro wrote about the best and worst aspects of the recent acquisitions that have happened in the WordPress space.
- Plugin Milestones… FluentCRM is celebrating 2nd anniversary, clocking 150% growth compared to the last year, and the future roadmap to focus on more features for email marketing, cart abandonment, and Pipeline Management. Also, the Slim SEO plugin has crossed an impressive 20,000 active install milestone.
Quick Bits 👍
- The Nexcess website has a new look that is neat and colorful!
- Damanjeet explained why WooFunnels has rebranded to FunnelKit!
- Now you can try all Gravity Kit plugins for free before purchasing.
- WordPress 6.1 Beta 3 download is now available for your testing.
- The last batch of WordCamp Asia 2023 tickets coming in 1-2 weeks!
- Automattic at 31 in America’s 100 Most Loved Workplaces 2022.
Vanishing… active install growth chart!
Mark Zahra’s ticket to bring back the active install growth chart is gathering support from fellow WordPress developers. WP Tavern covered the story with more details, and their post’s comment section is buzzing.
But, many folks wanted clarity with Matt Mullenweg’s response “Even if 10,000 people commented and appeared to agree that would still be a small fraction of the wider WP community. That’s one of the hardest things to navigate in open source, and product and community development generally.”
With all this happening, Jean Galea questioned if WordPress entering a death spiral. Also, WPWatercooler conducted a discussion episode on this topic, featuring John James Jacoby, Matt Cromwell, Jason Tucker, Sé Reed, and Jason Cosper.
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