Crossword

A lively debate about plugin piracy, GPL redistribution, and how that complicates sustainable business models. A shift to the WordPress project’s bold goals for 2026, including contributor momentum and release planning. A cautious discussion of AI’s role in tooling and whether content-generation belongs in the platform. A provocative idea about evolving WordPress into an operating-system-like platform.

Luke and Jonathan catch up with Jeff Paul, VP of Open Source Solutions at Fueled and an active contributor to the WordPress project for the past decade. They discuss Jeff's contribution journey, their shared agency experiences, and thoughts on the upcoming 7.0 release. Luke introduces the concept of cool and dodgy versions of WordPress and Jeff shares guidance for newcomers to contribution.

Luke kicks off Crossword with a surprise and Jonathan rolls with it. They discuss fresh WordPress drama, the plugin review team’s use (or non-use) of AI, and Luke shares his take on AI in WordPress plugins.

Rae Morey, publisher of The Repository and former newsroom journalist turned WordPress reporter, joins to discuss big 2025 stories and how she built the newsletter. Conversations cover the WP Engine–Automattic lawsuit, why negative news dominates, Campus Connect and WordPress credits, predictions about WordPress 7.0 and collaboration, the impact of AI, and the financial sustainability of an independent newsletter.

Tammie Lister, a designer and product practitioner known for her impactful work on WordPress, joins to discuss innovative concepts like vibe coding and product thinking. She explores how tools like Figma and paper sketching can enhance communication in design. Tammie passionately argues for the ongoing relevance of WordPress and the importance of personal expression in themes. With playful banter about cricket and culture, she also touches on the need for calm products that consider both human and environmental impact.

Luke and Jonathan dive into tech talk, exploring the quirky world of typography and its impact on WordPress. They compare the rigidity of closed platforms like Apple with the freedom of open source. Jonathan emphasizes the need for constructive criticism accompanied by active contribution. Luke shares his frustrations with the Notes feature, discussing its integration with comments and the necessary UI improvements. The duo navigates technical hurdles, reflecting on the challenges of modifying post lists for better user experience.

The hosts dive into the intriguing updates of WordPress 6.9, sharing their initial experiences. Luke critiques the new stretchy blocks while Jonathan highlights the MathML block for algebra posts. They discuss the innovative hide-block feature and its impact on publishing workflows. Performance boosts from WP Engine get a nod, while the debate on comparing WordPress releases to other platforms unfolds. Developer-focused enhancements like the Abilities API also take center stage. It's a lively exploration of what's new and exciting in the world of WordPress!

Jonathan and Luke discuss Matt’s keynote and the reversal in their expectations going into the event. They share their surprise at a particular data point and Luke offers a few highlights from his recent experience at Enqueue in Sydney.

Luke and Jonathan dive into the FAIR project, highlighting its potential to enhance privacy. Luke's newfound enthusiasm is contagious as he describes the benefits of using FAIR's plugin. Jonathan raises vital concerns about data storage and transparency in centralized systems. They also discuss the Internet Archive's collaboration with Automattic, exploring the implications of such partnerships. The conversation uncovers the power dynamics of centralized services and how FAIR offers alternatives with local checks and event sourcing.

The hosts dive into the controversial topic of plugin copying within the WordPress ecosystem. Jonathan shares his ethical concerns about attribution, while Luke highlights the gap between community values and actual practices. They recount personal experiences with copying and discuss the implications of blatant plagiarism. The conversation evolves into the realm of AI browsers, with Jonathan sharing his initial thoughts on AI tools. The episode blends personal reflection with a critical look at community dynamics and technology's impact.