ThisnThat

WordPress 5.8.1 Security and Maintenance Release

WordPress 5.8.1 is now available! This security and maintenance release features 60 bug fixes in addition to 3 security fixes. Because this is a security release, it is recommended that you update your sites immediately. All versions since WordPress 5.4 have also been updated. WordPress 5.8.1 is a short-cycle security and maintenance release. The next […]

The Month in WordPress: August 2021

I really believe in WordPress’ mission to democratize publishing. And I, for one, will never stop learning about what gives people more access to the software, and what makes the software more usable, and especially how we can combine usability with accessibility in a way that puts form and function on a level playing field. […]

An Update on the Classic Editor Plugin

Before the release of WordPress 5.0 in 2018, the Classic Editor plugin was published to help ease the transition to the new block editor. At the time, we promised to support the plugin through 2021 and adjust if needed as the deadline got closer. After discussing this with Matt, it’s clear that continuing to support […]

Widgets in WordPress 5.8 and Beyond

Copy and Design by @critterverse WordPress 5.8 brings the power of Gutenberg blocks to widget areas — which means the highly customizable layout and styling options bring you closer to a WYSIWYG editing experience. I made a test site based on the oldie-but-goodie Twenty Sixteen theme, with three separate widget areas. In this post, I’ll highlight […]

The Month in WordPress: July 2021

WordPress is global in reach and open source in nature. And you would assume that what allows the software to be used by anyone would also enable it to be built by anyone. After all, your location doesn’t matter, and who employs you also doesn’t matter. And your relative social standing certainly shouldn’t matter. As […]

WP Briefing: Episode 14: The Art and Science of Accessibility

In this episode, Josepha Haden Chomphosy discusses the nuances of building accessible software, the differences between access, usability, and accessibility, and how this all applies to the WordPress project. Have a question you’d like answered? You can submit them to wpbriefing@wordpress.org, either written or as a voice recording. Credits Editor: Dustin Hartzler Logo: Beatriz Fialho Production: Chloé Bringmann Transcription: […]

Configuring Theme Design with theme.json

Starting in WordPress 5.8, a new tool — “theme.json” — is available to use in your theme. Maybe you’re hearing about it for the first time, or maybe you’re testing and developing themes with it already. Either way, I’m glad you’re here because it’s an exciting time for WordPress themes. This post provides a quick introduction […]

WordPress 5.8 Tatum

Introducing 5.8 “Tatum”, our latest and greatest release, named in honor of the legendary jazz pianist Art Tatum. This release includes an all new widget editor powered by blocks, major technical tools for building block themes, as well as newly streamlined workflow tools.

WP Briefing: Episode 13: Cherishing WordPress Diversity

In this episode, Josepha Haden Chomphosy discusses the importance of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to the fabric of the WordPress project and how we can move from a place of welcoming it to cherishing it. Have a question you’d like answered? You can submit them to wpbriefing@wordpress.org, either written or as a voice recording. Credits […]

WordPress 5.8 Release Candidate 3

The third release candidate for WordPress 5.8 is now available! WordPress 5.8 is slated for release on July 20, 2021, and we need your help to get there—if you have not tried 5.8 yet, now is the time! You can test the WordPress 5.8 release candidate 3 in any of these three ways: Install and […]

WordPress 5.8 Release Candidate 2

The second release candidate for WordPress 5.8 is now available! 🎉 WordPress 5.8 is slated for release on July 20, 2021, and we need your help to get there—if you have not tried 5.8 yet, now is the time! You can test the WordPress 5.8 release candidate 2 in any of these three ways: Install […]

WP Briefing: Episode 12: WordPress – In Person!

In this episode, Josepha Haden Chomphosy talks about WordPress – In Person! The WordPress events that provide the dark matter of connection that helps sustain the open source project. Have a question you’d like answered? You can submit them to wpbriefing@wordpress.org, either written or as a voice recording. Credits Editor: Dustin Hartzler Logo: Beatriz Fialho […]

The Month in WordPress: June 2021

Once you step into contribution time, your main concern is the users of WordPress, or new contributors, or the health of the WordPress ecosystem as a whole or the WordPress project. So you get all this subject matter expertise from competitive forces, collaborating in a very “us versus the problem” way. And when you do […]

WordPress 5.8 Release Candidate

The first release candidate for WordPress 5.8 is now available! 🎉 Please join us in celebrating this very important milestone in the community’s progress towards the final release of WordPress 5.8! “Release Candidate” means the new version is ready for release, but with thousands of plugins and themes and differences in how the millions of […]

WordPress 5.8 Beta 4

WordPress 5.8 Beta 4 is now available for testing! This software is still in development, so it is not recommended to run this version on a production site. Consider setting up a test site to play with it. You can test the WordPress 5.8 Beta 4 in three ways: Install/activate the WordPress Beta Tester plugin (select […]

WordPress 5.8 Beta 3

WordPress 5.8 Beta 3 is now available for testing! This software is still in development, so it is not recommended to run this version on a production site. Consider setting up a test site to play with it. You can test the WordPress 5.8 Beta 3 in three ways: Install/activate the WordPress Beta Tester plugin (select […]

WP Briefing: Episode 11: WordCamp Europe 2021 in Review

In this episode, Josepha Haden Chomphosy does a mini deep dive into WordCamp Europe 2021, specifically the conversation between the project’s co-founder, Matt Mullenweg, and Brian Krogsgard formerly of PostStatus. Tune in to hear her take and for this episode’s small list of big things. Have a question you’d like answered? You can submit them […]

WordPress 5.8 Beta 2

WordPress 5.8 Beta 2 is now available for testing! This software is still in development, so it’s not recommended to run this version on a production site. Consider setting up a test site to play with it. You can test the WordPress 5.8 Beta 2 in two ways: Install/activate the WordPress Beta Tester plugin (select the Bleeding […]