It’s time for the July edition of the MainWP Roundup. In this month’s edition we take a look at an academy at Brainstorm Force, a story of overcoming by a Wolf Bishop, and the journey of sponsoring WordCamp Europe by Barn 2 Plugins.
Buckle up.
Let’s ride.
Brainstorm Force launches SkillJet
The other day I got an email from Brainstorm Force about SkillJet Academy.
I was curious, so I took a look.
I thought, “wow, this is pretty cool.”
Granted, there wasn’t a lot there, but there were some basic courses to get started if you are brand new to running an agency.
So I sent a message to Sujay.
He replied.
It turns out they launched SkillJet in the early 2020.
He explained it really wasn’t marketed well in the early days, so they have recently started promoting the academy.
As he told me,
“We believe that tools and software alone are not enough for success. The right education is also important.”
I applaud anyone trying to help train their user base.
Currently, there are three free courses while the rest are Premium.
To get access to the premium courses, you will need to buy a Growth Bundle plan at WordPress Astra.
If you already have that package, you might see how you can get access.
Sujay also added, “And, there is a 14 days ‘no questions asked’ refund guarantee, too.”
WordPress 6.3 new features and release.
WordPress 6.3 is in beta. The team boasts several new changes.
“This release contains more than 500 new features and enhancements and 400+ bug fixes.”
Source
Two things stood out to me.
Accessibility has been improved.
“WordPress remains steadfast in making the site-building experience accessible to everyone. 6.3 incorporates over 50 accessibility improvements across the platform. Improved labeling, optimized tab and arrow-key navigation, revised heading hierarchy, and new controls in the admin image editor allow those using screen readers, keyboard navigation, and other assistive technology to navigate more easily. The login form, installation steps, and list tables (for sorting and selection) have all been updated. Additional accessibility tickets are viewable in the WordPress Trac.”
Having recently launched a couple of websites, I am trying to be more cognizant of accessibility based on what I’ve learned from both Colleen Gratzer and Amber Hinds.
Accessibility is something that was criticized in earlier versions of the Gutenberg Editor.
It appears that the core team has been addressing this with each passing update.
Also, according to the 6.3 Beta article, along with various usability issues, there will be better margin and padding controls.
Can I get an amen?
Anyone who worked with Gutenberg, especially early on, remembers how hard it was to make adjustments and, sometimes, just plain impossible.
Various themes added the functionality, but adding this to core should be a great improvement for those who use a “bare bones” Gutenberg based theme.
You can currently test if you like.
The live release is scheduled for August 8, 2023.
Wolf Bishop shares how WordPress helped him overcome adversity
Many of us have been working with WordPress for years. It is easy to forget how we started or the impact of moving to WordPress has made for us.
I have read many origin stories over the years and it is always interesting to see how people started in our industry.
For Timothy “Wolf” Bishop, it truly changed his life.
“It saved my life,” Bishop said in an article at WP Tavern. “I am not being over-dramatic when I say that. If it was not for WordPress, I would either still be in prison or dead.”
Bishop used crime to cover a bet he shouldn’t have made, and it landed him in prison.
recommended to him by one of his correctional officers, Bishop turned to WordPress when he began writing about his gambling addiction.
Upon being released from prison, he struggled to find a job. In 2015, while homeless, he was offered a support role.
These days, Bishop gives back by helping train inmates the skills of WordPress so they can have work when they are released.
The story is amazing and worth the read. Check it out.
Barn2 Plugins discusses their journey sponsoring WCEU
When companies decide to fork out money to sponsor a WordCamp, there is often the discussion about ROI.
How do you make that money back? What is the cost of awareness?
Are you sponsoring to give back to the community?
There are so many various reasons a company chooses to sponsor a WordCamp.
Katie Keith of Barn 2 Plugins recently wrote an article documenting the journey that her company took when deciding to sponsor WordCamp Europe.
“This year, I had the amazing opportunity to not only attend this event, but to step into a role I’d never filled before – that of a sponsor, alongside my husband/co-founder Andy and 4 members of the brilliant Barn2 team.”
She talked about the different ways that they took advantage of their sponsorship, including some advice they received from WS Forms’ Mark Westguard.
They created a discount for website visitors, a quiz for those visiting their booth and a video which was shared on the big screen.
She also took part in several interviews from various media at the event.
A bonus was all the team activities they got to enjoy. Of course, there were the parties and everything else that goes with a large WordCamp, and they got to explore Athens after WordCamp.
The article is well thought out and articulated from various angles of why you might sponsor a WordCamp and some advice along the way.
Wrapping it up
From Brainstorm Force’s launch of SkillJet Academy to WordPress 6.3’s accessibility enhancements and improved controls, the community’s dedication to empowering users and refining the platform is evident.
The astonishing story of Timothy “Wolf” Bishop showcases the life-changing impact of WordPress, illustrating its potential to provide transformative opportunities.
Finally, Barn 2 Plugins’ insightful account of their sponsorship journey for WordCamp Europe shed light on the multifaceted motivations and benefits of supporting such events.
We would love to hear your thoughts in the MainWP Users Facebook Group.
