drupal

At drunomics GmbH, our dedication to sustainable digital practices is at the heart of everything we do. We see technology as a powerful force for positive change, and our recent team event in Burgas, Bulgaria, emphasized sustainability as the focal point of the event. Here is a glimpse into the vibrant discussions, collaborative learning, and memorable moments that made this event truly special.

Nurturing Sustainability

1. Green UX Design Insights

During our event, we immersed ourselves in the principles of Green UX design. Our discussions centered on creating digital experiences that are both user-friendly and environmentally conscious. Here are some of the key insights we shared:

• Optimizing Code for Efficiency: Streamlining scripts and using efficient algorithms not only boosts performance but also cuts down on energy consumption, contributing to a greener web.
• Data Transfer Reduction: Minimizing data transfer is crucial for sustainability. We explored methods like lazy loading, content compression, and efficient caching to create smoother user experiences while reducing our digital carbon footprint.
• Balancing Aesthetics and Sustainability: Green UX is about finding harmony between visual appeal and resource efficiency. Thoughtful use of images, animations, and fonts can achieve this balance effectively.

2. User-Centric Sustainability

Our discussions also focused on empowering users to make eco-friendly choices through smart intuitive design:

• Empowering Users: We brainstormed ways to integrate sustainability into user interactions, such as through informative tool-tips, personalized recommendations, and eco-friendly badges.

• Behavioral Nudges: Subtle prompts within the user experience can encourage eco-friendly behavior, like promoting energy-saving modes, suggesting public transportation options, or highlighting sustainable product choices.

3. Collaborative Learning

The event was an engaging forum for sharing ideas and fostering dynamic discussions. We challenged assumptions and explored new perspectives on integrating sustainability into our projects. This collaborative approach helped us discover innovative solutions and prepared us to infuse eco-consciousness into every stage of our work.

Welcome to the Event Impact Recap of DrupalCon Portland 2024, a benchmark event in North America, that not only marked a significant milestone in the Drupal community, but also holds a special place in my journey. Having served as a contractor for DrupalCon Portland and now stepping into the role of the new Community Programs Director with the Drupal Association, I am thrilled to share the highlights and successes of this remarkable gathering. My goal is to have an Impact Report shared with the community after each DrupalCon that depicts the data and feedback on the event. Please view the slides.

Key Highlights from DrupalCon Portland 2024:

• Attendance and Engagement:
  • With 1,368 registered attendees and an impressive 97.8% check-in rate, DrupalCon Portland 2024 brought together a vibrant community of Drupal enthusiasts and professionals.
  • Of the 1,368 registered attendees, 438 (about one third) received comped registrations for volunteering, speaking, or other roles at the conference.
  • The event saw 3,249 hotel rooms booked in Portland, OR, highlighting its impact on the local economy and hospitality sector AND, it’s worth to note, these were just the rooms through our block, many rooms were booked outside the block making an even bigger impact on the local business community. 
  • A post event survey showed the rank of overall experience at DrupalCon Portland 2024 at 4.21/5
  • 32% of attendees said this was their 1st DrupalCon 
  • 8 Scholarship grants were given out to the community
  • 95% of attendees said they would attend a future DrupalCon
• Global Representation:
  • Attendees from 6 continents, 35 countries, and 46 states joined us, demonstrating Drupal's global reach and community diversity.
• Specialized Summits:
  • Five Summits (Government, Higher Ed, Nonprofit, Healthcare, and Community) attracted 476 attendees, facilitating deep dives into crucial Drupal topics and fostering collaboration.
• DriesNote and Starshot:
  • A highlight of the event was the DriesNote, attended by 950 people in person, eager to hear about Starshot, an exciting new initiative. (View the recording on the Drupal Association Youtube page). This session not only informed but also inspired attendees about the future of Drupal.
  • Two BOFs were hosted, providing platforms for continued discussions and community engagement beyond the main sessions.
• Sponsorship:
  • DrupalCon Portland 2024 was made possible thanks to the generous support of our sponsors 
    • Presenting Sponsors: 2
    • Champion Sponsors: 6
    • Advocate Sponsors: 11
    • Exhibitors: 28
    • Total Sponsors: 47
  • The conference wouldn't have been possible without the dedication and partnership of these organizations. Their support underscores their commitment to the Drupal community and its ongoing success.
• Volunteer Contributions:
  • The success of DrupalCon Portland 2024 was further bolstered by 28 dedicated volunteers, including local ambassadors, logistics contributors, and translation assistants, who collectively contributed 221.5 hours onsite.

I am deeply honored to now step into the role of the new Community Programs Director with the Drupal Association. With over 18 years of experience in event planning, field marketing, nonprofit management, and community engagement, I am excited to leverage my skills to enhance community programs and initiatives within the Drupal ecosystem. My goal is to foster even stronger connections, facilitate meaningful collaborations, and support the growth and inclusivity of the Drupal community.

As we reflect on the achievements and connections fostered at DrupalCon Portland 2024, I am filled with optimism about the future of Drupal and the potential for continued growth and innovation within our community, and am excited to be a part of DrupalCon Barcelona, DrupalCon Singapore, DrupalCon Atlanta and many more for years to come!

DrupalCon Portland 2024 was not just an event but a celebration of collaboration, knowledge sharing, and community spirit. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who contributed to its success, from attendees and volunteers to sponsors and organizers. Let's carry this momentum forward as we embark on the next chapter of Drupal's journey together.

- Meghan Harrell
Community Programs Director
Drupal Association

New Custom Elements module version

The Custom Elements module is an essential building block in the technology stack that drunomics uses to build headless Drupal solutions, facilitating output of pages in either 'custom elements' or JSON format as the front end requires it.

The newest version of the module features a user interface to modify any entity that is part of the output: any property can be included/excluded, and output format can be changed, without the need to write Drupal/PHP code. This allows a developer to more easily change both the backend API output and the decoupled frontend consuming the output at the same time, making for faster turnaround times in changes to your website.

Our talk at Drupal Developer Days Burgas

Roderik Muit and Alexandru Ieremia chaired an informal (Birds of a Feather) session at Drupal Developer Days in Burgas in June 2024, to prevent the new changes to any interested parties. They also prepared some information about the larger Lupus Decoupled stack for any interested attendees who would not be familiar with it yet.

After the presentation, an animated discussion followed. Some people were curious how the Custom Elements UI worked, what the code behind it looks like and how to write own 'formatters'.

Another person said that Lupus Decoupled seems to exactly satisfy their need to address the resource heavy JSON:API queries in his current main website. He was encouraged to try out a demo and ask any questions in our issue queue or on #lupus-decoupled on Drupal Slack. Users were assured that Lupus Decoupled is ready to use (for experienced developers) and completely open source.

The new Custom Elements version with UI to alter output, is currently available as a development version; we are working to finalize a beta release as soon as possible.

Today we are talking about Next.js, what it is, and how to integrate it with Drupal with guest John Albin Wilkins. We’ll also cover Next.js Webform as our module of the week.

For show notes visit: www.talkingDrupal.com/458

• What is Next.js
• What kind of server do you need
• How is it used on the web
• Does it only work on react based systems
• Why would someone want to integrate with Drupal
• When changes are made in the content how do you update the app
• On the module page there are a lot of references to Preview, is this something Next does well
• What is server side rendering
• How does Next work with menus and views
• Any preference on the api for json api vs graphql
• Performance
• Editorial experience
• Responsive images
• Will Drupal ever ship with a headless front end
• Winner of the TPOTM

• Next.js
• Next.js Wikipedia
• Next.js Webform Tutorial
• Example Next.js template to render an arbitrary webform
• Decoupled Menus Initiative
• FormDazzle
• Trival Patch of the Month
• https://www.drupal.org/project/drupal/issues/258089
• Flexinode

John Albin Wilkins - john.albin.net JohnAlbin

Nic Laflin - nLighteneddevelopment.com nicxvan John Picozzi - epam.com johnpicozzi Baddý Sonja Breidert - 1xINTERNET baddysonja

Martin Anderson-Clutz - mandclu.com mandclu

• Brief description:
  • Have you ever wanted to build a webform in Drupal and have the corresponding Next.js template automatically created for you? There’s a Next.js library for that.
• Module name/project name:
  • Next.js Webform
• Brief history
  • How old: created in Aug 2022 by Lauri Timmanee (lauriii), who listeners may know as the Drupal Core Product Manager, and one of the people leading the Starshot initiative
  • Versions available: 1.1.1
• Maintainership
  • Test coverage
  • Documentation - Lengthy README and a tutorial on the Acquia Dev Portal
  • Number of open issues: 17 open issues, 3 of which are bugs
• Usage stats:
  • 2,246 weekly downloads according to npmjs.com
• Module features and usage
  • Using this library does require some setup on the Drupal side, including installing the Webform and Webform REST modules. There’s also an extra patch to install if you want to use any autocomplete fields, and some configuration needed for both the REST resources that will be used to exchange data, and the permissions for the account that will be used to retrieve and submit data
  • Out of the box, the library supports over 40 webform components, but you can also provide custom elements if you need something additional. The library also supports conditional logic, so fields can show or hide in the Next.js front end based on conditions defined in your Drupal backend
  • The library also provides front-end validation for email confirmation, date list, and datetime fields, but back end validation is also processed for every submission
  • There is a crowded field of headless CMS competitors, but I thought this library is a good example of the extra power and flexibility you get by using a robust, open source CMS like Drupal as the back end in your headless architecture

Let's talk about something truly amazing—the Drupal community. This isn't just a group of tech enthusiasts; it's a global network of developers, designers, content creators, and business professionals all working together to make Drupal better every day.

What's incredible about the Drupal community is how it constantly drives innovation. Members brainstorm and share ideas, create new modules, improve security, and make Drupal more user-friendly. Their contributions ensure that Drupal stays ahead of the curve in web development.

Think about this: there are thousands of active contributors from all over the world. This community isn't limited by geography. Their work impacts millions of websites globally, from coding and developing modules to offering support and writing documentation. It's a testament to how dedicated and skilled these individuals are.

Now, you might wonder what makes the Drupal community stand out from others. It's their culture of collaboration and respect. Everyone's input is valued here, whether you're a newbie or a seasoned expert. This inclusive approach creates a supportive environment where everyone can learn and grow.

And let’s not forget about the events. Drupal meetups, camps, and conferences are where the magic happens. These events are opportunities to learn, share, and connect. They bring the community together, fostering relationships and sparking new ideas.

Let's now focus on what The Drop Times has covered from last week,

Kazima Abbas, sub-editor at The Drop Times, interviewed Lauri Timmanee on transforming Drupal site building, Experience Builder, and the Starshot Initiative.

The study published in The Drop Times by Veniz Maja Guzman, SEO Expert & Content Strategist at Promet Source, uncovers the growing trend of Drupal adoption in government websites, correlating with entity size.

Explore how AI is revolutionizing Drupal development in Jay Callicott's latest article, "The AI-Driven Developer: From Assistance to Autonomy in Drupal Development."

A comprehensive analysis by Arjun Biju and Alka Elizabeth, sub-editor at The Drop Times, examines CMS usage across 8,134 non-profit and charity organizations in the United States.

The Drupal Trivandrum Meetup on June 29, 2024, at Cafe Coffee Day, Thiruvananthapuram, featured Drupal enthusiasts discussing Drupal's impact and networking.

Drupal Meetup Haneda will be held online on July 25.

Dipak Yadav's report on the Drupal Pune Meetup held on June 22, 2024, highlights engaging sessions on managing multisite platforms, digital lead acquisition, and socially-driven projects.

Developers and agencies are invited to submit their best Drupal projects launched in 2023 or 2024 for a chance to be featured at DrupalCon Barcelona 2024. The submission deadline is September 8, 2024.

DrupalCamp Colorado will host a keynote by Lynn Winter, a digital strategist with expertise in information architecture, UX, and content strategy.

AmyJune Hineline from The Linux Foundation will lead a session on inclusive image practices at Drupal Camp Asheville 2024.

The Drupal Association introduces Ripple Makers, a revamped Individual Membership program designed to enhance community engagement and communication.

DrupalCamp Pune 2024 seeks talented designers for banners, IDs, standees, and goodie bags. Registration for DrupalGovCon 2024 is now open—secure your free tickets for the event.

DrupalGovCon 2024 registration is now open, offering a highly anticipated opportunity for organizers, volunteers, sponsors, and attendees to secure their tickets for the event.

Drupal Camp Asheville 2024 is set for July 12-14, featuring various events, including a Saturday After-Party and a Drupal Coffee Exchange.

DrupalCon Singapore 2024 invites speakers to submit session proposals by July 8, 2024.

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. Also, join us on Drupal Slack at #thedroptimes.

Thank you,
Sincerely,
Kazima Abbas
Sub-editor, The Drop Times 

Contributing to LocalGov Drupal is a great way to get used to how the platform works, and, in turn, makes the platform better for everyone. Here's some thoughts on how to get started.