490 episodes

WordPress from Install to Publish. WPwatercooler is a live video and audio roundtable discussion from WordPress professionals from around the industry who offer tips, best practices, and lively debate on how to put the content management system to use. WPwatercooler is part of the WPwatercooler Network

Hosted by WordPress developer Jason Tucker, the weekly panel includes the following WP experts as well as over 500 guests since 2012.

∙ Jason Tucker - podcast host, web developer, and IT Director
∙ Sé Reed - web developer, speaker, small business advocate and Internet geek.
∙ Jason Cosper - Sr. Performance Engineer at Liquid Web

Feedback for our shows can be provided here:
https://www.wpwatercooler.com/feedback/

WPwatercooler - Weekly WordPress Talk Show WPwatercooler Network

    • Technology
    • 4.2 • 30 Ratings

WordPress from Install to Publish. WPwatercooler is a live video and audio roundtable discussion from WordPress professionals from around the industry who offer tips, best practices, and lively debate on how to put the content management system to use. WPwatercooler is part of the WPwatercooler Network

Hosted by WordPress developer Jason Tucker, the weekly panel includes the following WP experts as well as over 500 guests since 2012.

∙ Jason Tucker - podcast host, web developer, and IT Director
∙ Sé Reed - web developer, speaker, small business advocate and Internet geek.
∙ Jason Cosper - Sr. Performance Engineer at Liquid Web

Feedback for our shows can be provided here:
https://www.wpwatercooler.com/feedback/

    EP480 - It’s Giving Server: The New Era of Hosting - WPwatercooler

    EP480 - It’s Giving Server: The New Era of Hosting - WPwatercooler

    On this episode of WPwatercooler, the panel dives into the evolving landscape of web hosting, specifically focusing on the shifts and trends in WordPress hosting. The discussion kicks off with anecdotes about showing up to parties on the wrong day, cleverly seguing into the main topic of different types of web hosting environments. They explore the spectrum from shared hosting to dedicated servers, touching upon VPS, managed hosting, and the nuances of each category in the context of WordPress sites. The conversation also covers the implications of major hosting entities absorbing smaller ones and the impact on the industry. The episode is rich with technical insights, personal experiences, and practical advice for navigating the hosting ecosystem as it continues to evolve.
    Show Notes can be found:
    https://wpwatercooler.com/wpwatercooler/ep480-its-giving-server-the-new-era-of-hosting/ Hosts:
    Jason Tucker Sé Reed Jason Cosper Chapters:
    00:00 - Introduction to Web Hosting Trends 05:10 - Understanding Shared vs. Dedicated Hosting 10:20 - The Rise of Managed WordPress Hosting  15:35 - Consolidation in the Hosting Industry  20:45 - The Technical Side of Hosting Services  25:50 - Pricing Models and What They Mean for Users  30:55 - The Future of Hosting: Customization and User Experience  35:10 - Challenges and Considerations in Choosing Hosting  40:25 - Personal Anecdotes Related to Hosting Experiences  45:30 - Summary of Key Points and Closing Thoughts What is WPwatercooler?
    WPwatercooler is streamed live and recorded as the self titled show on the WPwatercooler Network. Our objective with the show since the beginning has been to help people in this industry have a place to hear people, much like themselves, talk about the technologies and methods we all use on a daily basis. We named WPwatercooler to be that, the watercooler that WordPress folks can gather around and participate in the conversation, or just sit back and learn from the discussion. Our listeners and contributors come from all walks of life and all backgrounds. We strive to make this place as welcoming and accessible as we can.
    Learn more at https://www.wpwatercooler.com/wpwatercooler
    What is Dev Branch?
    Dev Branch is streamed live and recorded monthly on the first friday of the month as the developer-focused discussions of the WPwatercooler Network. Dev Branch is released on its own podcast feed and made available live and on-demand in video format on Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Twitch. Learn more at https://www.wpwatercooler.com/devbranch

    • 56 min
    EP479 – To Bot or Not to Bot

    EP479 – To Bot or Not to Bot

    In this episode of WPwatercooler, titled “To Bot or Not to Bot,” hosts Jason Tucker, Sé Reed, and Jason Cosper dive into the implications and ethical considerations of utilizing bots, specifically ChatGPT, in the realm of WordPress development. The discussion kicks off with an anecdote from Sé, who experimented with using ChatGPT to solve a coding problem related to grouping WordPress pages in the admin area. This led to a broader conversation about the reliability, safety, and future role of AI-generated code in production environments. The episode touches on themes such as the balance between automation and manual oversight, the evolving landscape of WordPress plugin development, and the importance of adhering to coding standards. Throughout, the hosts share personal experiences, concerns, and the potential they see in integrating AI tools like ChatGPT into their workflows, all while maintaining a critical eye on the implications for developers and the wider WordPress community.
    Links https://github.com/WordPress/WordPress-Coding-Standards
    https://fedi.simonwillison.net/@simon/112147026040154264
    https://labs.perplexity.ai
    https://huggingface.co/docs/transformers/model_doc/code_llama
    https://unmaintained.tech
    Chapters 00:00 Intro
    00:16 Introducing the Hosts and Their Quirky Banter
    01:03 Inspiration from Discord: Tackling WordPress Page Chaos
    06:18 The Quest for Better Page Organization: A Plugin Solution
    08:40 ChatGPT to the Rescue: Crafting a Custom Plugin
    10:54 Testing and Tweaking: The Plugin’s Journey to GitHub
    12:28 The Ethical Dilemma: Using Bots for Code Generation
    14:34 Learning to Code with ChatGPT: A Personal Journey
    17:59 Ensuring Code Quality: The Role of Large Language Models
    20:44 The Future of Plugin Development: Community Collaboration
    22:00 The Open Source Dilemma: Plugins, Patches, and the Power of Collaboration
    23:00 Navigating the Free vs. Pro Plugin Conundrum
    23:47 The No Maintenance Intended Tag: A New Approach to Open Source
    24:37 The Challenges of Community Contributions and Code Reviews
    25:06 Harnessing AI for Code Generation: A New Frontier
    29:49 The Trust Crisis in Plugin Repositories
    35:01 AI vs. Traditional Coding: Navigating the New Landscape
    39:06 The Ethical Dilemma of Using AI-Generated Code
    43:39 Collaborative Coding with AI: The Future of Development?
    What is WPwatercooler?
    WPwatercooler is streamed live and recorded as the self-titled show on the WPwatercooler Network. Our objective with the show since the beginning has been to help people in this industry have a place to hear people, much like themselves, talk about the technologies and methods we all use on a daily basis. We named WPwatercooler to be that, the watercooler that WordPress folks can gather around and participate in the conversation, or just sit back and learn from the discussion. Our listeners and contributors come from all walks of life and all backgrounds. We strive to make this place as welcoming and accessible as we can. Learn more at https://www.wpwatercooler.com/wpwatercooler
    What is Dev Branch?
    Dev Branch is streamed live and recorded monthly on the first friday of the month as the developer-focused discussions of the WPwatercooler Network. Dev Branch is released on its own podcast feed and made available live and on-demand in video format on Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Twitch. Learn more at https://www.wpwatercooler.com/devbranch

    • 45 min
    6.5: It’s Alive! (Almost)

    6.5: It’s Alive! (Almost)

    On this episode of WPwatercooler, the panel, including Jason Tucker, Sé Reed, Jason Cosper, and guest Courtney Robertson, delve into the much-anticipated WordPress 6.5 release. Courtney, serving as the episode’s expert, outlines the significant changes and features coming with the update, emphasizing the introduction of the font library for block themes, improvements in image handling, and enhancements for developers such as block hooks and the interactivity API. The discussion also covers practical tips for WordPress users and developers to prepare for the update, highlighting the importance of compatibility testing and the benefits of the new features in enhancing site design and functionality.
    Chapters 00:00 Intro and Episode Introduction
    00:08 Introduction of Panel and Episode Theme
    01:07 Guest Introduction: Courtney Robertson
    02:30 Discussion on WordPress 6.5 Features and Updates
    04:25 Deep Dive into the Font Library for WordPress 6.5
    10:00 Enhancements in Image Handling and New Formats
    15:45 Introduction of Block Hooks for Developers
    20:30 Overview of the Interactivity API
    25:00 Plugin Dependencies and the New Rollback Feature
    30:00 Enhancements to Custom Fields and Meta Data
    35:00 Preparing for WordPress 6.5: Tips and Best Practices
    45:00 Final Thoughts and Closing Remarks
    Links https://make.wordpress.org/core/2024/03/15/wordpress-6-5-field-guide/
    https://nomad.blog/2024/03/13/wordpress-6-5-source-of-truth/
    https://openfontlicense.org/ofl-fonts/
    https://caniuse.com/avif
    https://gutenbergtimes.com/block-bindings-and-custom-fields-an-almost-no-code-example/
    https://wpmovies.dev

    Also on: YouTube Twitch LinkedIn Facebook

    • 53 min
    EP477 – WordPress: What’s The Alternative?

    EP477 – WordPress: What’s The Alternative?

    On this episode of WPwatercooler titled “WordPress: What’s The Alternative?”, the hosts Jason Tucker, Sé Reed, and Jason Cosper delve into the diverse landscape of website creation platforms, discussing the strengths and weaknesses of WordPress compared to alternatives like Webflow, Ghost, and traditional site builders like Squarespace and Wix. The conversation pivots around ease of use, customization capabilities, the complexity of WordPress for different levels of users, and the importance of choosing the right tool for specific needs. They explore the notion that while WordPress offers extensive flexibility and power, it may present challenges for users seeking simplicity or specific functionalities out of the box. This episode highlights the evolving needs of website creators and the importance of aligning platform capabilities with project requirements, emphasizing WordPress’s role as a versatile yet complex tool in the web development ecosystem.
    Show Notes: https://wpwatercooler.com/wpwatercooler/ep477-wordpress-whats-the-alternative/
    Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 02:47 Discussing Alternatives to WordPress 08:07 Transitioning Websites and User Experience 14:10 Newsletter Focus and Membership Features in Ghost 20:41 Media Management and Image Editing in Ghost vs. WordPress 27:07 Plugin Ecosystem and Customizability 33:25 Building with Ghost and WordPress Comparison 39:29 Client Requirements and Platform Selection 45:12 Maintenance and Notifications Across Platforms 50:36 Personal Data Management and Site Migration Challenges 56:52 Conclusion and Final Thoughts What is WPwatercooler?
    WPwatercooler is streamed live and recorded as the self-titled show on the WPwatercooler Network. Our objective with the show since the beginning has been to help people in this industry have a place to hear people, much like themselves, talk about the technologies and methods we all use on a daily basis. We named WPwatercooler to be that, the watercooler that WordPress folks can gather around and participate in the conversation, or just sit back and learn from the discussion. Our listeners and contributors come from all walks of life and all backgrounds. We strive to make this place as welcoming and accessible as we can. Learn more at https://www.wpwatercooler.com/wpwatercooler
    What is Dev Branch?
    Dev Branch is streamed live and recorded monthly on the first friday of the month as the developer-focused discussions of the WPwatercooler Network. Dev Branch is released on its own podcast feed and made available live and on-demand in video format on Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Twitch. Learn more at https://www.wpwatercooler.com/devbranch

    • 1 hr
    EP476 – Free as in Piracy

    EP476 – Free as in Piracy

    On this episode of WPwatercooler Jason Tucker, Sé Reed, Jason Cosper, and guest Mika Epstein delve into the complex world of software piracy within the WordPress ecosystem. The discussion begins with an introduction of the hosts and quickly moves into the nuances of what constitutes software piracy, how it impacts the WordPress community, and the moral and legal implications of using pirated software. The hosts share personal anecdotes and insights on the prevalence of pirated plugins and themes, the risks associated with their use, including security vulnerabilities and legal repercussions, and the broader conversation about open-source ethics and the value of supporting developers and creators within the ecosystem. The episode offers a balanced perspective, highlighting both the temptations and pitfalls of piracy and encourages listeners to consider the long-term health of the WordPress community by supporting legitimate sources and practices.
     Panel:
    Jason Tucker Sé Reed Jason Cosper Mika Epstein Show Notes can be found:
    https://wpwatercooler.com/wpwatercooler/ep476-free-as-in-piracy/
    Chapters 00:00 Introduction 00:17 Meet the Hosts 01:00 The Definition of Software Piracy 05:30 Impacts of Piracy on WordPress 10:45 Personal Insights on Piracy 15:00 The Risks of Using Pirated Software 20:30 Legal and Ethical Considerations 25:45 Supporting the WordPress Community 30:00 Conclusion Want to create live streams like this? Check out StreamYard: https://streamyard.com/pal/d/5756954563575808
     
     

    • 1 hr 7 min
    EP475 – The Great Escape: WordPress Data Liberation Project

    EP475 – The Great Escape: WordPress Data Liberation Project

    On this episode of WPwatercooler, titled “The Great Escape: WordPress Data Liberation Project,” Jason Tucker and Jason Cosper discuss the significance of data portability in WordPress. They delve into the recent push towards data liberation, enabling content to move freely between different Content Management Systems (CMS), including the import and export of data from WordPress to other platforms and vice versa. The conversation touches on the challenges and technical considerations involved in migrating data, the impact of block editors, and the importance of making data migration user-friendly to support the growth and flexibility of WordPress as a platform. The episode explores the broader implications of data portability for users and the ecosystem, highlighting the need for more intuitive tools to facilitate data movement without compromising content integrity.
    Links WordPress Data Liberation [Github] Data Liberation in 2024 – wordpress.org https://simian.rodeo/@boogah/111881606693610144 http://textbundle.org Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:41 Discussion on Data Liberation in WordPress 03:33 The Importance of Data Portability 10:13 Challenges with Block Editors and Data Migration 15:20 Exploring Alternatives and Future of Data Formats 20:59 User Experiences and Expectations on Data Migration 25:46 Technical Aspects and Solutions for Data Export/Import 30:00 The Role of Open Source in Data Portability 35:27 Final Thoughts on WordPress and Data Liberation What is WPwatercooler? WPwatercooler is streamed live and recorded as the self-titled show on the WPwatercooler Network. Our objective with the show since the beginning has been to help people in this industry have a place to hear people, much like themselves, talk about the technologies and methods we all use on a daily basis. We named WPwatercooler to be that, the watercooler that WordPress folks can gather around and participate in the conversation, or just sit back and learn from the discussion. Our listeners and contributors come from all walks of life and all backgrounds. We strive to make this place as welcoming and accessible as we can. Learn more at https://www.wpwatercooler.com/wpwatercooler
    What is Dev Branch? Dev Branch is streamed live and recorded monthly on the first friday of the month as the developer-focused discussions of the WPwatercooler Network. Dev Branch is released on its own podcast feed and made available live and on-demand in video format on Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Twitch. Learn more at https://www.wpwatercooler.com/devbranch
    Want to create live streams like this? Check out StreamYard: https://streamyard.com/pal/d/5756954563575808

    • 46 min

Customer Reviews

4.2 out of 5
30 Ratings

30 Ratings

Chris Badgett ,

Love the Cooler!

Long time listener to WP Watercooler here. Great show, good people, solid WP related content, and fun too! It's on my WordPress related shortlist.

Dre van halen ,

The innovator for WordPress podcasts

Jason Tucker is the consummate host. He steers the Watercooler without ever drawing attention to himself. The panel is gone many transformations over the years, but I want to give a special shout out to Se Reed, who is by far my favorite character on the show. Russell Aaron and Sarah Wefald also offer a lot to this show. And honestly, I like this show a lot more now that Chris Lema isn’t on there much anymore. The Watercooler is often chaotic, but that's part of it's charm. You will always be entertained, as well as educated. If you're new to WordPress podcasts, this is the one you should start with.

hueline ,

Likable group - variable content

A worthwhile podcast that sometimes lacks focus but still delivers exceptional content. Warning - too "inside", a bit sarcastic and a little scary for non-WordPress listeners. Subscribe and listen to every episode.

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