Authored by Nadiia Nykolaichuk.
Drupal 11.0.0 has been successfully released as a new major Drupal version which is very exciting news for everyone using Drupal or thinking about making the switch! This flexible, accessible, powerful, integration-ready, and secure CMS has transformed even more on the way from Drupal 10 to Drupal 11.
So you’ve decided to change to Drupal, or maybe you are making a major upgrade from a really old version of Drupal to a more modern one and you are concerned about your SEO.
Changing content management systems will impact your search engine optimization (SEO), but with careful consideration and planning this can be a positive change rather than a negative one.
There are many misconceptions about search engine optimization, and part of that is because the industry has often been cast in a negative light. Really SEO is the process of making sure your website meets certain guidelines and standards so search engines can understand its content, relevance, and value to users.
As the end-of-life (EOL) for Drupal 7 approaches on 5 January 2025, site owners must adequately prepare to guarantee their websites' continued security, functionality, and compliance. Here, we outline the key steps to navigate this transition smoothly.
A thorough site audit is the first step in preparing for Drupal 7's EOL. This process involves:
Inventorying Content and Modules: List all content types, modules, themes, and custom code currently in use.
Assessing Module Usage: Identify which modules are essential and which can be replaced or eliminated.
Checking for Unsupported Modules: Determine if any modules are already unsupported and look for alternative solutions.
Evaluating Performance: Analyze site performance to identify any bottlenecks or issues that need addressing during the migration.
With a clear understanding of your site's current state, the next step is to plan your migration strategy. Key considerations include:
Choosing the Right Drupal Version: While Drupal 11 is the latest version, you may need to evaluate if an interim upgrade to Drupal 10 is more feasible.
Timeline and Budget: Estimate the time and resources required for the migration. Consider factors such as the complexity of your site, the number of custom modules, and the need for design changes.
Engaging Stakeholders: Communicate the migration plan with all relevant stakeholders, including developers, content creators, and business leaders, to ensure alignment and support.
Extended Long-Term Support: If your migration plan has an unsupported gap, consider utilizing HeroDevs Drupal 7 Never-Ending Support, a secure drop-in replacement for Drupal 7. HeroDevs’ service provides security, compliance, and compatibility updates as you plan your migration. As additional partners join the program, options will be listed in the Migration Resource Center.
Migrating from Drupal 7 to a newer version is a complex task that often requires professional assistance. Selecting a certified migration partner who will provide the expertise and experience needed to ensure a successful transition. Look for partners who:
Have Proven Experience: Check for case studies or references from similar migration projects.
Offer Comprehensive Services: Ensure they can handle all aspects of the migration, from planning and execution to post-migration support.
Understand Your Industry: Partners familiar with your industry can provide more tailored solutions and insights.
Ensure your hosting environment is ready for the new Drupal version. This may involve:
Upgrading PHP and MySQL Versions: Verify that your hosting provider supports the PHP and MySQL versions required by your new version of Drupal
Evaluating Server Performance: Ensure your server infrastructure can handle the new site's requirements, especially if you expect increased traffic or enhanced functionality.
Considering a New Hosting Provider: If your current provider doesn't meet the requirements, consider migrating to a provider specializing in hosting Drupal sites.
Before starting the migration, create a full backup of your site. This ensures you have a fallback option in case anything goes wrong. Additionally, set up a testing environment to:
Run Migration Tests: Perform a dry run of the migration process to identify and resolve potential issues.
Validate Functionality: Test all aspects of the site, including custom modules and integrations, to ensure everything works as expected post-migration.
User Acceptance Testing (UAT): Engage end-users to test the site and provide feedback on any usability or functionality issues.
With all preparations in place, proceed with the migration. Follow a phased approach to minimize disruption:
Migrate in Stages: Consider migrating in stages, starting with less critical sections of the site to ensure a smooth transition.
Monitor Progress: Continuously monitor the migration process to quickly address any issues that arise.
Communicate Changes: Keep all stakeholders informed about the migration progress and any potential downtime or changes.
After the migration, there are a few additional steps to ensure long-term success:
Conduct a Final Site Audit: Verify that all content, modules, and functionality have been successfully migrated and are working correctly.
Optimize Performance: Implement performance optimizations to ensure the new site runs efficiently.
Plan for Ongoing Maintenance: Establish a plan for regular updates, backups, and security monitoring to keep the site secure and up-to-date.
Preparing for Drupal 7's end-of-life requires careful planning and execution. By conducting a comprehensive site audit, planning your migration strategy, selecting a certified migration partner, updating your hosting environment, and following through with testing and execution, you can ensure a smooth transition to a more modern, secure, and efficient version of Drupal. Taking these steps now will help future-proof your website and provide a solid foundation for continued success.
Today we are talking about DrupalCon Singapore, What you can expect, and What’s next for Drupal in Asia with guest Mike Richardson & Surabhi Gokte. We’ll also cover Filefield Paths as our module of the week.
For show notes visit: www.talkingDrupal.com/462
TopicsMike Richardson - Singapore DrupalCon richo_au Surabhi Gokte - surabhi-gokte
HostsNic Laflin - nLighteneddevelopment.com nicxvan John Picozzi - epam.com johnpicozzi Josh Miller - joshmiller
MOTW CorrespondentMartin Anderson-Clutz - mandclu.com mandclu
We talk with Jamie Abrahams from FreelyGive about the new AI module and what it means for the future of AI modules in the Drupal ecosystem.
We're using the machine-driven Amazon Transcribe service to provide an audio transcript of this episode.
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Podcast edited by Amelia Anello.
The Drupal Association’s individual membership program has always played a crucial role in supporting the Drupal community and ensuring the ongoing success of the Drupal project. The program was initially set up as a transactional vehicle: aside from the badge and voting rights, members received access to discounts from Drupal services providers.
The individual membership program stayed on autopilot during the turmoil of the Covid pandemic as we made the difficult decision to cancel DrupalCon North America 2020. During this time, our members and other Drupal community supporters donated unprecedented unrestricted funds using the hashtag #DrupalCares.
I joined the Drupal Association about two years ago as the Development & Membership Manager. My role split my time between Drupal Certified partners and the individual membership program, however it was clear from the beginning that the individual membership program would need a lot more attention.
The membership program underwent significant transformation from 2019 through May 2023, overcoming challenges and celebrating successes along the way. Initially, we faced a decline in numbers, but through consistent effort and unprecedented generosity, we've made remarkable strides. Today, we proudly recognize 1,747 members, with 70% of them providing recurring support.
The individual membership program rebranded as Ripple Makers in 2024. With this new name, the Drupal Association increases focus on communication, transparency, and engagement within the community. The ‘new’ program encourages sustaining donors to make monthly recurring gifts, which provide a reliable source of funding. This financial support allows the Drupal Association to plan for the future, support essential projects, and foster a dynamic and responsive community.
Why does a nonprofit organization such as the Drupal Association need a sustaining giving program? This program is vital for the sustainability and growth of the Drupal Association, and the benefit it brings to the community. It provides a stable foundation of support, ensuring that we can continue to innovate and grow. In addition, unrestricted giving in particular allows nonprofits to allocate resources where they are needed most, supporting the overall health of the Drupal project. Importantly. It also opens up direct lines of communication with the community.
The Drupal community thrives because of several factors: open source collaboration, supportive environment, diverse participation, commitment to quality, and others. In my opinion, a supportive environment is the most important one.
By becoming a Ripple Maker, you directly support a vibrant and inclusive community of people who care for the Drupal project. Your contributions empower us to foster a sustainable ecosystem for Drupal by harnessing the collective generosity and commitment to the future of Drupal. Learn more about the program and join the wave on our sign up page.
Thank you for your ongoing support and dedication. Let's make the next chapter of our sustainable giving program the best one yet!
Dear Readers,
Imagine a bustling workshop filled with developers, designers, and enthusiasts collaborating to build something extraordinary. This is the scene as Drupal 11 emerges, packed with features designed to make web development more intuitive and efficient.
"In recent years, we've seen an uptick in innovation in Drupal. Drupal 11 continues this trend with many new and exciting features."
notes Dries Buytaert, Founder and Lead of Drupal.
He emphasises that Drupal 11 is designed to empower ambitious site builders to create exceptional websites and accelerate Drupal's innovation. With this release, Drupal has become more intuitive, powerful, and flexible, ensuring it remains a leader in web development and digital experience creation.
Key among these innovations are Recipes and Single-Directory Components (SDCs). Recipes act like pre-assembled kits, allowing developers to add features to their websites with ease. Meanwhile, SDCs gather all necessary code for each component into one tidy package, simplifying the workflow.
Drupal 11 boasts superior performance, running up to 50% faster on PHP 8.3 compared to its predecessors. This improvement ensures swift page loading and an overall enhanced user experience. Accessibility remains a key focus, with Drupal continuing to support over 100 languages, ensuring inclusivity and usability for a global audience. This new release is the product of a vibrant community effort, with 1,858 individuals from 590 organizations contributing their expertise and passion. It’s a shining example of what can be achieved when people come together with a common goal: to push the boundaries of what’s possible with Drupal.
But the excitement doesn’t end with Drupal 11. The community is already buzzing about the upcoming Drupal Starshot project. Starshot aims to make Drupal more accessible than ever, especially for newcomers. By integrating user-friendly tools like the Project Browser and automatic updates, Starshot promises a smooth journey from installation to launching a fully functional website. With 148 days left for the year, the community is eagerly anticipating the arrival of the initial version of Starshot.
These developments are more than just updates; they’re part of an ongoing story of innovation and collaboration. With Drupal 11 and the forthcoming Starshot project, the Drupal community is not just keeping pace with the future—they're shaping it.
Moving on to stand-out stories of the past week.
The most important and currently happening update from the Drupal Community is the announcement of candidates for Drupal Association Board Elections. This year's election will fill one at-large board seat, with candidates Albert Hughes, Will Huggins, Alejandro Moreno, Janna Malikova, Kevin Quillen, Matthew Saunders, and Dominique De Cooman vying for the position. Voting will open on 15 August, requiring active Drupal Association memberships by 14 August to participate. The election results will be ratified between 6-13 September, with the new board member announced at DrupalCon Barcelona.
Last week, Daniel Cothran, in a conversation with Kazima Abbas, sub-editor of The DropTimes, shared his journey into web development and the creation of Views CSV Source. He explained how this module not only simplifies the data presentation process but also improves the efficiency and performance of Drupal sites, making it especially valuable for projects requiring reliable and streamlined data handling. Read the full article here.
In an email conversation, I had the pleasure of interviewing Jürgen Haas, Co-Founder of LakeDrops, and the creative mind behind the ECA module. During our discussion, Jürgen delved into the development of the ECA (Event, Condition, Action) module, which he designed to modernize workflow automation within Drupal. He shared the story behind the ECA module's inception, its development path, and its potential integration with future Drupal core updates, emphasizing its value in enhancing the user experience through intuitive tools.
The second part of the Thoughts on Starshot feature revealed widespread excitement within the Drupal community, highlighting the potential of the Starshot initiative to transform the Drupal platform. With contributions from seasoned community members like Kristen Pol, Murray Woodman, Nicolas Loye, Martin Anderson-Clutz, and Tim Hestenes Lehnen, the consensus is clear: Drupal Starshot promises to streamline the user experience, foster greater collaboration, and lower the barriers to entry, making Drupal more accessible to a wider audience.
DrupalCamp Ottawa 2024, held on August 2, brought together web development enthusiasts of all skill levels for a day of learning and networking centered around the Drupal platform. Highlighting key speakers like Martin Anderson-Clutz, the event emphasized community, inclusivity, and the latest advancements in Drupal, ensuring a successful and collaborative experience for all attendees. Read here.
The Pacific Northwest Drupal Summit is set to return for its 10th event, taking place from October 11 to 13, 2024, in Seattle, Washington. Since 2009, this summit has been a key regional event for Drupal professionals in the Pacific Northwest.
The Acquia 2024 Digital Freedom Tour will make its next stop in New York City on October 24, 2024. The event aims to advance a safer, more inclusive, and accessible digital world. It will bring together prominent digital leaders who will share their expertise in creating impactful digital experiences.
Anoop Singh, Tech Lead at Valuebound, announced on LinkedIn the upcoming release of the FlexiStyle Bootstrap SCSS theme on Drupal.org. This follows the success of the original FlexiStyle Bootstrap theme and promises even greater customization and flexibility for Drupal projects.
Additionally, amazee.io has released Lagoon V2.20, a significant update to its open-source application delivery platform. This release includes enhancements in user management, security, and onboarding efficiency designed to better support business needs.
Backdrop CMS 1.28.0 has been released, bringing significant enhancements to the platform, including new options for configuration storage. Laryn Kragt Bakker, Senior Developer at Aten Design Group, detailed the update, which allows users to choose between storing their configuration data in the file system or the database.
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
Alka Elizabeth
Sub-editor, The DropTimes.