Automatticians, the individuals who construct WordPress.com, take part in occasions and tasks around the globe daily. Periodically, they report again on the thrilling issues they do when not in entrance of a pc.
As we speak I share my experiences assembly and attending to know a few of the most lively members of the open supply group in East Africa through the CMS Africa Summit, held in Kampala, Uganda, earlier this month. I used to be joined by my colleagues Job Thomas, Konstantin Obenland, Matty Cohen, Deborah Beckett, and Gareth Allison.
CMS Africa Summit, the place Automattic was a title sponsor, celebrates not solely WordPress however open supply software program normally. The 2-day occasion featured a jam-packed agenda of workshops, breakout periods, keynotes, and even a hackathon, all concentrating on the fast-growing group of builders, enterprise house owners, startup founders, and bloggers in East Africa. Audio system from across the continent (and past) shared their experience on constructing a enterprise based mostly on open supply software program and contributing to the group, to call simply two subjects.
My colleagues and I provided workshops on launching an eCommerce website and utilizing Jetpack to increase WordPress’ performance. Job, Konstantin, and Gareth gave a joint keynote presentation on contributing to the WordPress venture, whereas I provided recommendations on advertising a enterprise each offline and on-line, based mostly on my private experiences operating a profitable startup for a number of years.
It was probably the most enjoyable convention I’ve ever attended. What number of tech occasions have you ever ever been to that included an enormous “money field,” a tattoo competitors, or, inexplicably, an unlimited, glowing white orb dotted with the long-lasting W emblem? My favourite a part of all the occasion was operating right into a younger attendee within the ladies’s toilet — she was making use of what seemed to be a pair dozen of the short-term WordPress tattoos we’d introduced alongside as swag giveaways. None of us have been stunned once we discovered that she finally gained the competitors. Clearly, the love for WordPress (and WordPress swag) runs deep right here.
What we took away from the occasion, nevertheless, have been the astounding power, drive, expertise, and intelligence that we witnessed throughout these exceptional two days, and the thirst we noticed for open supply software program and what it might do to rework communities. Africa’s know-how sector is booming, and we’re excited to have met many of its most passionate and galvanizing pioneers.
