A Personal Tribute to WordPress: Celebrating the Open Source CMS That Powers the Web
I build websites as a hobby. While I'm not particularly fond of football or pub outings, my true passions are reading, watching movies, walking, and creating websites.
On many a lazy Sunday afternoon, I am most likely to be found immersed in my favorite pastime: making a website.? For the past 15 years, WordPress has been my platform of choice for website creation and this is a tribute to this amazing open-source community platform for non-technical website makers that powers the internet.
I came to website making due to my obsessive-compulsive reader and learner nature. Every other year, I take up a new skill and hobby. Last year, it was the Tango. Before that, I mastered both English and Russian languages and learned film script writing, then I refined my public speaking skills,? then I learned mindfulness and became a meditation instructor. I?learned and then developed my skills in alpine skiing, ocean sailing, golf, piloting single-engine aircraft, and playing chess. I've also acquired various soft and hard skills. I have written 1 book and am about the finish my second ( for the last 3 years, that is ).?
Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of Free India and a renowned thinker, once said,
“Time is not measured by the passing of years but by what one does, what one feels, and what one achieves.”
I firmly believe that time dedicated to learning is the greatest achievement. Therefore, about 25 years ago, when websites were a unique and awesome thing, instead of hiring a programmer to build a website for me, I opted to learn how to do it myself. My interest lay not in coding, but in being an architect – synthesizing the artistic, functional, visual, and interactive elements of a website.
Soon, I found WordPress.
But first, here's a brief history of website builders over the past two decades and the evolution of web building.
My initial efforts included creating a private Wiki during a period when many organizations were Wikipedia-obsessed and similar to the current trend of creating private GPTs, the wiki was seen as the ultimate knowledge-sharing solution.
Then I developed discussion forums - they were the next democratic knowledge-sharing platform.
Later, as a newspaper publisher, I developed a headless Content Management System (CMS) and concurrently utilized two of the most popular website creation platforms - Joomla and Drupal, both integral to the development of the web. Learn more about Drupal's history here and Joomla's beginnings here. When MySpace and then Facebook became popular I created a social media site. The buddyPress plugin of WordPress has now made that easier than ever before. I created elearning projects on Moodle and other learning Management Systems ( LMS). Then I built a half dozen online stores on Zencart, Opencart, Magento, and WooCommerce.
Subsequently, I ventured into the era of Craigslist and marketplaces, developing classified websites. I created loot.ru, which rose to be the largest classified site in the CIS countries, and then? TheLeader, an HR marketplace. Not to be left behind on the dating site gold rush, before Tinder, I developed a dating site similar to Match.com.
With the release of GPT 2.0, my excitement paralleled that of a child receiving his first Lego set. Despite the emergence of new tools, platforms, and evolving programming languages, observing the development and widespread adoption of WordPress has been a genuine pleasure.
Thence Cometh Wordpress
"WordPress began in 2003 when Mike Little and Matt Mullenweg created a fork of b2/cafelog. The need for an elegant, well-architected personal publishing system was evident even then. Today, WordPress is built on PHP and MySQL, and licensed under the GPLv2. It is the preferred platform for over 43% of all sites across the web."
WordPress, like many great internet projects, started as a "Buy me a Coffee" open-source community project by Little and Mullenweg. It was designed for non-coders like me who wished to create websites. Google also adopted Blogger, but it never really gained traction, nor did Google Sites. Both remain in a state of limbo, neither thriving nor relegated to Google's graveyard of over 290 terminated projects. See the list of killed Google projects here. That, in biblical terms, is internet purgatory.
Yet, due to the spirit of collaboration, WordPress has received an unprecedented number of updates and contributions, establishing its position as the premier site-making tool.
The Impact: WordPress's Widespread Use
WordPress powers over 40% of all websites on the internet, a testament to its reliability, scalability, and the trust it has garnered over the years. Its versatility makes it the preferred choice for everything from small personal blogs to large corporate websites.
Features That Set WordPress Apart
WordPress is celebrated for its flexibility and user-friendliness, appealing to both novices and experienced web developers. Key features include:
WordPress = Software Excellence
What truly sets WordPress apart is its embodiment of the open-source spirit. It's a platform that is not only free for all but is also continuously enhanced by a community driven by passion rather. Profit now plays an increasing role but unlike Apple, Google and Microsoft a platform that powers nearly half of all web, is rather humble as an open source community project. This collective endeavor has yielded a robust and reliable CMS, fostering a sense of belonging among its users.
WordPress's story is one of democratizing web publishing, making it accessible for anyone with a story to tell, a product to sell, or a cause to champion. Its impact on the web is vast, and its ongoing evolution promises a future brimming with possibilities.
In celebrating WordPress, we celebrate more than just a platform; we honor a movement that has empowered millions to express themselves, showcase their skills, and connect in previously unimaginable ways. WordPress is the unsung hero of the digital age, championed by a vibrant and dedicated community.
The Greatest Site Maker of All Times
As of 2023, the web hosts approximately 1.98 billion websites, over 835 million of which use WordPress.
With more than 2 million downloads each year, WordPress's popularity is on a constant upswing. It provides an easily navigable platform for creating and managing websites from any computer.
In just the past 4-5 months, I've developed eight sites, including ai4art.in, third.ai, grantsai, zening.eu, oslospeakers, thespacecooperative, app.forestsat.space, satellite.forestsat.space, veronikatulaeva.com for my wife, yogitva.com yoga center, and norasco.com among others.
So, why did Wordpress become my platform of choice and what makes a platform dominate nearly 43% of all internet sites? The answer lies in its ease of use and accessibility.
Formally, WordPress is an open-source Content Management System (CMS). It stands as a testament to the democratic nature of the internet, a significant achievement driven forward by an incredible global community.
The Power of Open Source
The heart of WordPress's success is its open-source ethos. Being open source means anyone, anywhere, can contribute to its development, and thousands do. They audit its code for security, adapt it for various purposes, and enhance its functionality. Thousands of developers create plugins and theme templates, transforming WordPress into a dynamic marketplace. With WooCommerce, it becomes an e-commerce hub; with LMS capabilities, an online learning platform; and with various integrations, it serves as a corporate site builder, a booking system for hotels or hairdressers, and remains a top-rated blogging platform.
The open-source genetics of WordPress have nurtured a vibrant community of developers, designers, and content creators, all collaborating to continually improve and evolve the platform. This synergy of efforts ensures WordPress not only maintains its relevance but also leads the way in web development innovations.
It's All About Democracy
The WordPress website proudly displays a slogan in font size 75:
领英推荐
This mission is worth repeating in full, as throughout the years, WordPress founders and the community have steadfastly adhered to their original vision:
"WordPress is designed for everyone. We believe great software should work with minimal setup, emphasizing accessibility, performance, security, and ease of use. The basic WordPress software is simple and predictable, offering powerful features for growth and success. WordPress is open-source software, supporting the idea of democratizing publishing and the freedoms that come with open source. This large community of people collaborates on and contributes to this project. WordPress is welcoming and inclusive, driven by our contributors' passion, which in turn helps you reach your goals. WordPress contributors work globally and have dedicated countless hours to build a tool that gives everyone a voice."
Following this mission, WordPress outlines what it describes as the Four Freedoms, illustrating that democracy is fundamentally about freedom:
The Complexity Behind the Simplicity
Despite its user-friendly interface, WordPress is a complex code that has evolved over 20 years. It has consistently focused on security and safety while maintaining a lightweight and speedy platform that offers extensive content creation flexibility.
The latest version, 6.4.2, can be found here. Running WordPress efficiently requires a proper setup:
Inconsistencies between PHP, MySQL, and WordPress can lead to site dysfunctions. Plugins and themes must also be consistent with the platform.
The World of Plugins
Plugins significantly contribute to WordPress's appeal. With around 60,000 available, it's essential to ensure they are updated and compatible. The plugin marketplace is free, meaning every plugin is instantly downloadable from the WordPress backend.
However, not all plugins are created equal. Some make their free versions nearly unusable, necessitating careful selection. For instance, finding a functional contact form plugin can be challenging, as many free versions lack essential features.
Navigating Affiliate Marketing Traps
When searching for "Top Plugins for WordPress," beware of affiliate marketing traps. Many recommended plugins have limited functionality in their free versions.
Please share your favorite FREE (truly free, no strings attached) plugins in the comments section.
WordPress: A Designer's Paradise
WordPress is not just a CMS; it's a realm of infinite possibilities for designers. For someone like me, who is neither a coder nor a designer, the best aspect of WordPress is the availability of thousands of designs that can be installed with a single click.
The WordPress showcase [https://wordpress.org/showcase/] is a visual treat, akin to visiting a grand art gallery. I fondly remember the days when nearly all themes were free. Today, there's an extensive library of themes, each offering unique designs and layouts at affordable prices. Designers can choose from thousands of premium themes, each customizable to fit the specific needs of their project, whether they seek minimalist designs or something more elaborate.
There are three main options for website makers to choose from:
Generally, WordPress provides a perfect blend of functionality, flexibility, and freedom. This makes it a powerful ally for designers and coders alike, enabling them to craft digital experiences that captivate, engage, and inspire. From Bangladesh to Argentina, from Ukraine to South Africa, tens of thousands of developers make a living by creating plugins, designing themes, and implementing WordPress.
It's not every day that designers find a boundless playground to unleash their creativity. WordPress offers just that. It's more than a tool for building websites; it's a canvas where imagination meets reality. At its core, WordPress offers unmatched flexibility in web design. Its open-source nature allows designers to customize every aspect of a website, from its layout to its functionality. WordPress can be anything you want it to be, whether it's a simple blog, a sophisticated e-commerce site, or a stunning portfolio.
User Experience at the Forefront
In the digital age, user experience (UX) is paramount, and WordPress places this at the forefront of web design. Its responsive themes ensure websites adjust seamlessly to various device screen sizes, providing a flawless experience for all users. Designers can also leverage WordPress's intuitive content management system to create engaging and user-friendly interfaces.
SEO-Friendly Designs
A beautiful website is only effective if it's discoverable. WordPress is renowned for being SEO-friendly, offering clean code and a suite of SEO tools that help websites rank higher in search engine results—a crucial feature for designers who want their creations to be seen by their target audience.
Realizing Visions into Digital Realities
WordPress empowers designers to bring their visions to life. With its extensive range of themes and plugins, designers can create unique, engaging, and interactive websites that stand out in the digital landscape. Its emphasis on customization, user experience, and SEO-friendliness makes WordPress a complete package for designers.
The Future of Web Design with WordPress
As technology evolves, so does WordPress. The platform continuously updates to accommodate the latest web design trends and technologies. With advancements in AI, AR, and VR, WordPress is poised to incorporate these innovations, offering more tools for designers to create immersive and interactive web experiences.
In conclusion, WordPress exemplifies the strength and resilience of the democratic internet. Its unwavering commitment to freedom, accessibility, and community collaboration has significantly shaped its development and empowered millions of users across the globe. With its user-friendly interface and extensive array of customizable options, WordPress remains an indispensable tool for web development, skillfully adapting to the ever-evolving demands of the internet landscape.
Navigating the complexities of WordPress, especially concerning plugins and compatibility, demands diligence and a discerning eye. As a platform, it's more than just a collection of code; it's a living, breathing ecosystem supported by a diverse and dedicated community. This blog serves as my tribute to the remarkable achievements of WordPress, with the hope that the collaborative spirit driving its continuous growth and evolution also keeps it firmly rooted in the democratic values upon which it was built. Through its ongoing journey, WordPress not only reflects the changing face of the internet but also reinforces the principles of open collaboration and accessibility, making it a beacon in the digital world.
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10 个月Please share your favouite Wordpress Plugins and Designs.