The Drupal community has taken another step forward under the Starshot Initiative. Recently, the team concluded a survey aimed at pinpointing the most desired out-of-the-box features and contributed modules for the upcoming ‘Drupal CMS’. This survey targeted ambitious marketers as part of the broader Drupal Starshot strategy, resulting in 60 detailed submissions and over 100 feature suggestions. These insights, now available on Drupal.org thanks to Pamela Barone's announcement, will play a crucial role in shaping the platform’s future.
The feedback received from the survey highlights a strong community interest in several key areas. Among the most frequently mentioned were enhancements to page-building tools, SEO capabilities, improved form builders, and content management functionalities. The desire for better security, media management, and multilingual support also stood out as significant themes. Interestingly, while many of these suggestions align with existing development initiatives, the survey also introduced several fresh ideas that are now under consideration by the Drupal leadership team.
Particularly noteworthy are the suggestions for modules that could elevate Drupal’s out-of-the-box experience. Modules like Metatag, Webform, and Admin Toolbar were repeatedly mentioned and are now being evaluated for possible inclusion in future releases. These modules, known for their functionality and ease of use, could significantly enhance the user experience if integrated into the out-of-the-box Drupal CMS offering.
While the survey is not being treated as a direct vote, it serves as a powerful validation tool. The results ensure that the Drupal development tracks are closely aligned with the needs and expectations of its community. As the leadership team assesses these suggestions, they are keenly aware of the balance between innovation and the consistency of user experience that Drupal is known for.
Curious about the detailed findings and how they might shape the next generation of Drupal? You can dive deeper into the survey results here: Community Demands Enhanced Out-of-the-Box Features in DrupalCMS. As the Starshot Initiative continues to gather momentum, the community eagerly awaits the next steps in this exciting journey.
As we turn our attention to the latest from The Drop Times, the focus has been on the ongoing Drupal Association Board Elections. As part of their "Meet the Candidate" campaign, several candidates have shared their visions and plans for Drupal's future.
Matthew Saunders discusses his candidacy in an interview with Alka Elizabeth, a sub-editor at The Drop Times. Focusing on improving governance, fostering inclusivity, and supporting neurodiverse individuals, Matthew outlines his motivations for running for the Drupal Association Board. His ideas provide valuable insights for voters as the election progresses.
Kevin Quillen, Practice Lead at Velir, brings over 16 years of experience to his candidacy. In his interview with Alka Elizabeth, Kevin emphasizes the importance of modernizing Drupal.org, attracting new developers, and enhancing Drupal's global appeal. His vision for the future could significantly impact the platform’s evolution.
Albert Hughes, Product Owner at Stanford University, offers a unique perspective on expanding Drupal’s reach. His candidacy is grounded in his diverse experiences and a strong commitment to innovation. As the election continues, Albert’s ideas for growth and development resonate with many in the community.
In the final installment of The Drop Times' campaign, Alejandro Moreno Lopez, Partner Manager and Developer Relations at Pantheon, shares his journey within the Drupal community. Alejandro is passionate about reducing the Association's dependency on DrupalCon and fostering collaboration and innovation. His interview provides a compelling case for his candidacy as voting continues until September 5th.
Discover why Drupal's latest product will be called 'Drupal CMS' and not just 'Drupal.' An insightful article authored by Sebin A Jacob, Editor-in-Chief of The Drop Times, explore the strategic decision-making, community feedback, and future implications behind this significant naming shift that redefines the way we think about Drupal's evolution.
The Drupal Decoupled project, also known as headless Drupal, has introduced a new feature to simplify the adoption and implementation of decoupled architecture. This project, which separates the back-end content management from the front-end display, now leverages "Recipes" and can be easily adopted as a Composer Project Template. Jesús Manuel Olivas, Co-Founder and CEO of Octahedroid and Composabase, recently announced this update.
Morpht has launched its "Content Recommendation Playbook," showcasing how personalized content recommendations using Recombee's service can enhance user experiences. The playbook explains how to integrate these systems into Drupal and GovCMS to deliver tailored content based on user behavior, boosting engagement.
During DrupalCon Portland 2022, concerns over the sustainability of free software led to the conception of Drupal Forge, a platform aimed at financially supporting project maintainers. The idea, sparked by Webform developer Jacob Rockowitz, was further developed by Darren Oh, who proposed adding a launch button for trial sites on project pages to generate recurring revenue. While the initiative has garnered interest, challenges remain in implementing and scaling this solution.
Sponsorship opportunities for BADCamp 2024, set for October 24-25 in Oakland, California, are now open, offering extensive visibility to organizations within the Drupal community. With packages ranging from $1,000 to $2,000, sponsors can gain exposure through speaking engagements, branding at summits, and hosting social events.
Chattanooga Open Source Camp, featuring DrupalCamp Chattanooga 2024, seeks sponsors for its November 2nd event at Chattanooga State Community College. Sponsorships range from $20 to $2,000, offering opportunities for businesses to gain visibility within the tech community. In-kind sponsorships are also welcomed, with a total event budget of $6,500.
The Drop Times has been named the official Media Partner for DrupalCamp Pune 2024, set for October 19-20 at Yashada, Pune. This partnership will ensure comprehensive coverage of the event, featuring sessions, workshops, and keynotes from industry leaders. Organized by the Drupalers Association Pune, the camp aims to foster innovation, learning, and networking within the Drupal community.
The Splash Awards will debut in Asia during DrupalCon Singapore 2024, with submissions open until September 27. The prestigious event, recognizing excellence in Drupal web development, will culminate in a ceremony on December 9 at the Garden Ballroom, PARKROYAL Collection Marina Bay.
The Drupal CEO Network and the Drupal Association have extended the deadline for the 2024 Drupal Business Survey to September 4th. This annual survey gathers crucial insights from Drupal business leaders, shaping an anonymized industry report to guide strategic decisions. The results will be unveiled at DrupalCon Barcelona 2024, with discussions set for September 25 and 26.
The Aten Design Group will host an online session on August 28, 2024, at 2:00 PM EDT to discuss the recent release of Drupal 11. Seth Hill, Senior Developer at Aten, will lead the session designed for Drupal site owners, content administrators, and developers who want to learn more about the new version and its potential benefits.
We acknowledge that there are more stories to share. However, due to selection constraints, we must pause further exploration for now.
To get timely updates, follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook. You can also, join us on Drupal Slack at #thedroptimes.
Thank you,
Sincerely
Kazima Abbas
Sub-editor, The DropTimes.