Dear Readers,
In all its forms, writing often appears as a daunting task, a paradox of creativity and precision that demands perseverance and hope. Moving pen against a piece of paper or fingers over a keyboard requires an unshakeable commitment to bringing forth thoughts and ideas, whether they emerge as authentic expressions or mechanical arrangements of words.
In the timeless verses penned by Katsushika Hokusai, we are privy to the gentle whisper of creativity's muse:
—Katsushika Hokusai, A Poppy Blooms"I write, erase, rewrite
Erase again, and then
A poppy blooms."
These lines serve as a poignant reflection of the creative journey, where the path to brilliance is often obscured by layers of revisions and rewrites. Indeed, I am no stranger to the backspace key, a constant companion in crafting this very newsletter. Much like the poppy that buds and withers before its triumphant bloom, we, as writers, are bound by the intrinsic human inclination to err yet also to redeem ourselves through the transformative acts of erasing and rewriting. In this very process, the metaphorical poppies of our creativity ultimately flourish.
But what of the Drupal community, you may ask? When change is the only constant, the Drupal community is much like the poppy described in Hokusai's haiku. It, too, experiences its cycles of growth, refinement, and blossoming. The collaborative efforts of developers, designers, and enthusiasts mirror the writer's journey of writing, erasing, and rewriting, with each iteration bringing Drupal closer to its full potential.
In this delicate dance of imperfection and aspiration, we embark on a voyage through the intricate realms of writing—a journey replete with missteps, yet one that, through tenacity and determination, yields the exquisite blossoming of ideas, narratives, and the quintessence of human expression. It is a journey where every word, every stroke, and every backspace key press leads us closer to realising our creative aspirations, each revision chiselling our narrative until it shines its brightest, much like the Drupal community itself, where innovation and collaboration, the act of writing, erasing, and rewriting is an artistry that blooms with the promise of continuous growth and transformation.
In the past week, The DropTimes published an interview with Sven Schüring, a distinguished consultant in KRZN, known for his expertise and unwavering advocacy of open-source principles and web accessibility. Engaging in a profound conversation with Thomas Alias K, a former sub-editor at TDT, Sven delved deep into the imperative of demystifying the web development culture from 'them' to 'us'.
On our constant quest to find the greatness of Drupal, I sought the expertise of Italo Mairo, a prominent contributor to Drupal's GIS module habitat. Together, we compiled a comprehensive list of Geographic Information System (GIS) modules available within the Drupal framework, further enriching our readers' knowledge.
In the realm of digital innovation, NETNODE AG, a Swiss-based digital agency renowned for its prowess in Drupal and NextJS development, introduced NodeHive—a pioneering, eco-conscious headless Content Management System (CMS) tailored to organisations committed to sustainability and innovation. In a stimulating conversation, Lukas Fischer, Founder and Product Steward of NodeHive, shared insights with me about their journey towards a sustainable and greener digital future.
Drupal enthusiasts take note of the upcoming DrupalCon Lille, a mere two weeks away! The event's website now features an extensive list of accommodations to ensure a comfortable experience for all attendees. Meanwhile, DrupalCon Portland 2024 has commenced its Call for Papers, and registration for Drupal GovCon 2023 in Bethesda is now open. The New England DrupalCamp has unveiled its session agenda, promising knowledge-sharing opportunities. TDT has also compiled a list of events within the Drupal Community for the week.
In recognition of excellence, the Acquia Engage Awards 2023 has unveiled its list of finalists, selected from an impressive pool of 85 entries. Acquia has also released an e-book, "Setting The Record Straight on Drupal Myths," promising to debunk common misconceptions surrounding the platform. Furthermore, the transformative impact of LocalGov Drupal Microsites on the digital outlook of UK Councils is worth celebrating.
amazee.io has recently announced a strategic partnership with Tag1 Consulting, Inc., marking a significant development in the industry. Meanwhile, Swiss Splash Awards has returned triumphantly after a three-year hiatus, and Unic's Graubuenden.ch swept the accolades. The latest API Resilience podcast episode explored Composable Web with John Doyle and Henk Beld.
In a substantial regulatory update, the latest iteration of the European Accessibility Act (EAA) will introduce stricter accessibility requirements for digital products, focusing on websites. This landmark regulation is scheduled to come into effect on June 28, 2025, emphasising the growing importance of web accessibility.
LN Webworks generously shared ten vital tips for Drupal site maintenance in a recent article, offering practical guidance to website administrators. Furthermore, cmsMinds has undertaken the task of demystifying the intricate Drupal domain, providing an extensive guide that elucidates 16 essential Drupal terms, their significance, real-world applications, and best practices.
Exploring the role of Drupal as a Content Management System (CMS) in the education sector, Anastasia Rats authored an article published by Five Jars. Similarly, LN Webworks delves into the compelling reasons behind Drupal's popularity among higher education institutions, shedding light on its suitability for their unique needs.
That concludes the highlights of the week's developments in Drupal. Let us collectively celebrate the continued growth and innovation within this thriving community.
Sincerely,
Alka Elizabeth
Sub-editor, The DropTimes