Drupal's Starshot initiative and its impact on my contributions… aligning the Webform module with Drupal CMS

My next two blog posts will examine my work on the Webform and Schema.org Blueprints modules regarding Drupal's Starshot initiative and its impact on my contribution to the community. The first post discusses how the Webform module aligns with Drupal CMS, and the second post will discuss how the Schema.org Blueprints module is adjacent to Drupal CMS.

Drupal Starshot

The Drupal Starshot initiative resulted in the creation of Drupal CMS.

In other words, Drupal CMS recommends contributed modules that solve standard requirements and challenges that Drupal Core does not immediately address. For example, the SmartDate module will be used within the Events Recipe instead of Drupal core's Date module.

The Contact form initiative includes the Webform module, which I rebuilt for Drupal 8 and have maintained for several years. Being part of the Drupal CMS ecosystem is an honor and responsibility, which comes at a time when my maintenance of the Webform module is waning.

Webform maintainership

At the end of the year, I think about the current and future state of the Webform module and my contributions to the Drupal community. My contribution milestones fall on Christmas Eve when I wrap up and tag releases for open-source projects that I have been tinkering with during the Fall. For example, the YAML Form...Read More

The schedule for MountainCamp 2025 is now live. Our track team has carefully selected sessions that are aligned with the camp’s theme, ensuring a mix of quality, relevance, and inclusivity.

Keynote Speakers:

• Cristina Chumillas
• Lauri Timmanee
• Olga Baranova
• Vera Herzmann

Featured Sessions Presented By:

• Alex Moreno
• David Höck and Michael Bromley
• Frederick Wouters
• Imre Gmelig Meijling
• Michelle Sanver
• Mikko Hämäläinen
• Sascha Eggenberger

MountainCamp 2025 will be held in Davos, Switzerland from March 11th to 13th, offering excellent opportunities for learning, networking, and fun.

Buy your tickets now!

Please note that session times and speakers are subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances. We recommend checking the schedule periodically for updates.

The “drop is always moving,” and Drupal continues to evolve thanks to the folks who contribute from all over the world. But sometimes, behind all the coding, innovation, and collaborating, people start to lose motivation. In fact, it’s not uncommon for contributors to the Drupal project to experience burnout.

The Drupal Community Working Group is here to help. Part of our charter is to "help to prevent conflict and burnout" burnout, and this article is all about recognizing the signs and finding support.

Burnout can happen when work and life get out of balance. It can appear for lots of reasons. You might feel tired all the time or just plain bored with the same old tasks. Doubts creep in, and you start feeling impostor syndrome. You might feel the symptoms in your body and mind.

Some people in the Drupal community contribute as part of their job; the World Health Organization (WHO) defines burnout as “chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed.”

If you’re experiencing burnout, know that you’re not alone. A 2022 study looked at over 32,600 tech workers from 33 countries and found that 62% of the people surveyed reported feeling “physically and emotionally drained.”

Understanding Burnout

Burnout is more than just feeling tired or stressed out. It’s like hitting a wall, emotionally, mentally, and physically, all because of too much stress. In the Drupal community, burnout can manifest in many different ways. Here are some signs:

• Decreased Motivation: Some people experience a loss of interest or passion for their work in the Drupal community. Tasks that were once exciting may now feel like a burden.
• Increased Irritability: Burnout can lead to heightened levels of frustration and irritability, both in online interactions and real-life interactions within the Drupal community.
• Isolation: Burnout often leads to withdrawal from social interactions, both online and offline. You, or someone you know, may become less active in Drupal issue queues, Slack channels, or community events.
• Physical Symptoms: Chronic stress and burnout can lead to physical symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, insomnia, and digestive issues.

Finding Support

Recognizing the signs of burnout is the first step. Getting through it might require support. Fortunately, the Drupal community offers a variety of resources and support networks to help contributors navigate burnout:

• Talk to the community: Drop a line in a Drupal Slack channel where you feel safe sharing (#community-health is a good one). Sometimes, just sharing with people who get it can make a big difference.
• Find, or become, a mentor: Look into the Drupal mentoring programs. Finding a mentor can help keep you on track. Becoming a mentor can give your work a different kind of purpose.
• Take care of yourself: Consider how you are taking care of your well-being. Are you getting enough sleep? Might you benefit from trying mindfulness or meditation (like a Body Scan)? Are you moving your body with exercise? Are you taking breaks? These are questions only you can answer honestly.
• Set limits: Learn to say “no” when you’re already swamped, hand off some tasks, or ask for more time when you need it.
• Talk to a professional: Don’t hesitate to seek professional help if you’re struggling to cope with burnout. Therapists, counselors, or support groups can provide invaluable assistance in managing stress and improving your well-being.

Conclusion

Sometimes Drupal contributors experience burnout, but it’s not the end of the road. Finding help might require outside help. Sometimes it’s just time to step away from the community indefinitely, and that’s okay, too. Remember, your well-being is paramount, and taking care of yourself ultimately benefits both you and the Drupal ecosystem as a whole.

Today we are talking about Single Directory Components, How best to work with them, and their future with Drupal with guest Brian Perry. We’ll also cover Embedded Content as our module of the week.

For show notes visit: https://www.talkingDrupal.com/487

• What are Single Directory Components (SDC)
• Why the switch to SDCs
• What is there in common between decoupled and SDCs
• Can you give us an overview of your workflow
• Common pitfalls
• How should someone get started working with SDCs
• Does it work with Paragraphs and Blocks?
• Does it need to be all at once
• How do you think SDCs will evolve
• Do you see this leading to more Decoupled front ends
• What contrib modules make working with SDCs easier

• My Single Directory Components Workflow
• Pico CSS
• Open Props
• Twig Tweak
• No Markup
• SDC Styleguide
• Radix Theme
• SDC Block
• UI Patterns 2.x
• Astro
• TAC

Brian Perry - brianperry.dev brianperry

Nic Laflin - nLighteneddevelopment.com nicxvan John Picozzi - epam.com johnpicozzi Scott Weston - scott-weston

Jacob Rockowitz - jrockowitz.com jrockowitz

• Embedded Content
• Brief description:
  • The Embedded Content module allows site builders to select, create, and update content embedded within HTML inside CKEditor.
  • For developers, the EmbeddedContent plugin is like a Block plugin without context.
  • There is a demo on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxOn-P3Q5Gg
  • There is support embedding of single directory component in progress. Conceptually, this is already possible, the same way one would render a single directory component in Block plugin.
• Brief history
  • The concept and code started as the CKEditor5 Embedded Content module, created in August 2022.
  • In October 2023, CKEditor5 Embedded Content was renamed to Embedded Content.
• Versions available:
  • 2.0.3 - January 22nd, 2025
  • Works with Drupal: ^9 ^10 ^11
• Maintainership
  • Actively maintained? yes
  • Security coverage? Yes
  • Test coverage? Yes
  • Documentation? Video and an example module
• Number of open issues:
  • All issues: 6 open, 17 total
  • Bug report: 6 open, 15 total
• Usage stats:
  • 509 sites report using this module
  • 1,263 sites report using this module (using old version)
• Maintainer(s):
  • Teun van Veggel (nuez)
  • https://www.drupal.org/u/nuez
• Module features and usage
  • Insert themed content in Ckeditor5 using Drupal plugins without having to write rich HTML and CSS
  • Render these results directly in the CKEditor
  • Create 'inline' embedded content that sits inline with the text, like footnotes.
  • Provides
  • Embedded Content plugin
  • CKeditor 5 plugin.
  • Ecosystem
  • Embedded Content: Examples for examples of how to build your own plugins.
  • Embedded Content: Entity for embedding content entities
  • Embedded Content: SDC for single directory components (under development)
  • Potential Challenges
  • Example of the embedded content tag.
  •  
  • Translations via TMS (data is serialized via an attribute)

Atlanta is home to a vibrant community of tech professionals, developers, and digital strategists, and in 2025, the city will host one of the most important events for the open-source community: DrupalCon Atlanta! Whether you’re a seasoned Drupal developer or new to the world of open-source web development, DrupalCon Atlanta 2025 is an event you won’t want to miss. 

We’ve collated some key reasons why you, as a local Atlanta Drupal user, should make plans to attend.

Access to Global Drupal Experts Without Leaving Home

DrupalCon is the premier event for the Drupal community, attracting some of the most influential thought leaders, developers, and contributors from around the globe. As a local Atlanta attendee, you’ll have direct access to these experts—right in your own backyard! Whether it’s through keynotes, panels, or networking opportunities, you’ll be able to learn from the best in the field, gain new perspectives, and apply their insights to your own work.

Networking Opportunities with Local and Global Professionals

DrupalCon isn’t just about learning; it’s also about building connections. As a local attendee, you’ll be able to meet other Atlanta-based developers, designers, project managers, and organizations who use Drupal in their projects. But it’s also a chance to connect with Drupal professionals from across the country and around the world. This mix of local and international attendees opens the door to new opportunities, collaborations, and partnerships you may not have access to otherwise.

Boost Your Career with Professional Development

DrupalCon offers an excellent opportunity to level up your career. With hands-on workshops, expert-led sessions, and in-depth tutorials, you’ll gain new skills, enhance your knowledge, and stay up to date with the latest Drupal updates. Whether you're looking to refine your Drupal development skills, expand your expertise in site architecture, or dive deeper into specific modules, DrupalCon Atlanta 2025 has something for everyone. It’s the perfect place to invest in your professional growth and stand out in a competitive job market.

Be Part of Atlanta’s Growing Tech Community

Atlanta is rapidly becoming a hub for tech innovation, and Drupal is a big part of that. By attending DrupalCon, you'll contribute to and strengthen the city's growing reputation in the tech industry. You'll also get the chance to meet local developers and organizations already making an impact with Drupal, fostering a sense of community and collaboration.

As a local, you’ll have the opportunity to contribute your knowledge and experience to the broader Drupal ecosystem while gaining insights from the global Drupal community.

Experience DrupalCon in Your Own City

Hosting DrupalCon in Atlanta means you’ll experience this incredible event in a city known for its hospitality, vibrant culture, and thriving tech scene. When the conference is over for the day, you can explore everything Atlanta has to offer, from world-class dining to historic landmarks and cultural attractions. You won’t have to travel far to be part of the action—just head over to the Hyatt Regency Atlanta, and you’re in the heart of it all. This is a great opportunity to easily access some of the best attractions the city has to offer. Stroll over to the Centennial Olympic Park, explore the inspiring National Center for Civil and Human Rights, or dive into history at the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site. Take a ride on the SkyView Atlanta Ferris Wheel for incredible views of the city or visit the Georgia Aquarium, the only aquarium in the world where you can see a whale shark. 

Attend Local Meetups, Panels, and Networking Events

DrupalCon isn’t just about sessions—it’s also about the local community. The event will feature plenty of opportunities to meet up with local Drupal users, participate in hands-on workshops, and collaborate on solving real-world problems. By attending, you'll deepen your connections with the local Drupal community and help make Atlanta a key player in the Drupal ecosystem. Plus, these local events often feature discussions on how Drupal is being used to solve problems specific to the Atlanta area, making it easier to find solutions for your own projects.

Show Support for Open-Source and Local Businesses

Drupal is an open-source platform, and supporting events like DrupalCon means you’re supporting the open-source movement and the local tech businesses and freelancers who rely on it. By attending DrupalCon, you're not just learning and networking, but also contributing to the broader ecosystem that makes Drupal such a powerful and accessible tool for developers, designers, and organizations everywhere.

Don’t Miss Out—Register Today!

DrupalCon Atlanta 2025 is the perfect chance for local users to immerse themselves in the world of Drupal, connect with professionals, and boost their careers. Whether you’re just starting out or a seasoned pro, there’s something for everyone at this exciting event. 

Don’t miss your chance to be part of Atlanta’s most important open-source conference of the year!

January 2025 was a month of celebration, innovation, and community for Drupal. The successful launch of Drupal CMS brought together a large number of Drupal enthusiasts from around the world, infusing the community with a renewed spirit. This excitement has sparked conversations about the future of Drupal and the efforts behind its continuous evolution. In this spirit, The Drop Times recently published an exclusive interview with James Abrahams, AI Track Lead for Drupal CMS, where he candidly discussed behind-the-scenes developments that led to this milestone.  

Last month also brought exciting announcements about upcoming events. Florida DrupalCamp is set for February 21–23, followed by highly anticipated events like Drupal Mountain Camp and DrupalCon Atlanta in March. Reflecting on this busy calendar, I’m reminded of a blog post by Ales Kohek on Agiledrop: "Why the Drupal Community Deserves (and Needs) Well-Attended Events." The author highlights the long-term benefits of such gatherings—stronger networking, larger-scale idea generation, and an overall boost to the community’s collaborative spirit. For an open-source software like Drupal, these events are crucial in preserving our sense of belonging and shared purpose.  

At The Drop Times, we remain dedicated to bringing you the latest updates on Drupal events happening across the globe. Our team actively tracks event announcements, provides coverage on key discussions, and ensures that community members stay informed. Whether it's interviews with speakers, event recaps, or highlighting major takeaways, we strive to be your go-to source for all things Drupal. As community members, you can also reach out to us with information about local events in your area. Let’s build on the energy sparked by the Drupal CMS launch and make this year’s events even more impactful.  

Stay tuned to The Drop Times! 

Interview

Drupal: Power, Flexibility, Freedom, and Now Smarter with AI

Discover Drupal

• Making Drupal CMS Truly User-centered 
• Drupal Public Data, Statistics & Silver Linings? An Exploration
• Ivan Zugec Devises Three Methods to Build a Search Page in Drupal
• D7Security Expands Membership and Calls for Community Support in D7 Maintenance

Events

• Austin Drupal Meetup Returns in February for Community Collaboration
• Acquia Engage Awards 2025: Submit Nominations Before February 7
• Drupal Pune Meetup: Community Collaboration and Insights on February 8
• Plan Your Journey to DrupalCon Atlanta 2025: Everything You Need to Know
• Florida DrupalCamp 2025: 5 Must-Attend Sessions You Can't Afford to Miss
• Nominations Open for DrupalSouth 2025 Community Recognition Awards

Organization News

• Drupal CMS: Celebrating The New Era of Content Management System at Innoraft
• Dropsolid Extends Support for Drupal 7 Beyond End-of-Life
• Acquia Introduces AI-Powered Search Solution with SearchStax

Training

Master Drupal 10 Certification with Debug Academy’s Front End Specialist Training

Tutorials

Step-by-Step OpenAI Module Setup for Drupal 10

Thank you for following The Drop Times. Ask your friends and colleagues to subscribe to TDT newsletters. 

Sincerely, 
Thomas Alias K.,
Sub-editor, TDT 

Who can add, edit, and delete content on your website? How do you make the "price" field accessible to distributors rather than regular users? In this blog post, I'll explain in detail how roles and permissions work in Drupal, what capabilities they offer, and how you can customize them for your website. I invite you to read the article or watch an episode of the “Nowoczesny Drupal” series.