Hauwa @ Azhiya

Tag: WordPress 5.9

  • WordPress 5.9 Has Been Released

    WordPress 5.9 Has Been Released

    WordPress 5.9 is finally here.

    If your website is set to automatically update, you would have received a notification this morning that your website has been updated. If it’s not set to automatically update, you’ll see the notification when you next log in to WordPress.

    Did you know that every major release of WordPress is named after a jazz musician? Well, say hello to Josephine.

    What can I do with WordPress 5.9?

    It basically gives you more control over the layout of your website. You can create the layout of your pages and posts using the features in Full Site Editing (FSE). If you have been using blocks to create your posts then this is just an extension of that.

    What’s new?

    If you are already using blocks then there have been a few updates that will make your life easier. Here are 2 of my favourite features.

    Pattern explorer and WordPress Pattern Directory

    Patterns explorer modal with featured patterns displayed
    Patterns explorer

    Have you ever looked at a layout and wondered if you could use it on your site. Well, the WordPress Pattern Directory has been officially launched and it contains a range of block patterns so no more trying to figure it out for yourself or looking for someone else to do that for you. Your existing theme will come with some default patterns and you can find them in the Pattern explorer. For more patterns, visit the WordPress Pattern Directory. It’s as easy as copying and pasting it into your site.

    List View

    Have you been waiting for drag and drop to come to the List view? You can now drag and drop blocks using the List view in WordPress 5.9. I hated doing this in the block editor itself.

    List view with settings modal displayed
    List View

    What if I want to know more?

    If you want to play around with FSE then check out this course on Simple Site Design with FSE.

    I hope this version of WordPress inpsires you to be more creative with your website.

  • 12 Days of Blogmas 2021, Day 2 – WordPress: State of the Word 2021

    12 Days of Blogmas 2021, Day 2 – WordPress: State of the Word 2021

    Day 2 and it’s about WordPress and the State of the Word. Before I get into that though, have you filled out the annual WordPress survey? The great thing about WordPress being open-source is that you get to have a say. No matter how you use WordPress, your views are still relevant. It should take you no more than 10 minutes to complete.

    State of the Word

    It is that time of the year when Matt Mullenwerg, co-founder of the WordPress project, delivers the annual keynote speech. We get to hear about the progress to date and future plans. This year will be an in-person event in New York and will be live-streamed on YouTube. It will a late night for us UK folks, it doesn’t start until 10 pm.

    The topics

    Matt tries to cover a range of topics but the key things I’m interested in are the release of WordPress 5.9 and his vision for Learn WordPress.

    WordPress 5.9

    January 2022 will see the release of WordPress 5.9. This major release will allow you to easily build and customise themes to a greater extent without the need for a developer or designer. These are some of the things you can expect:

    • Edit part of your sites including the header and footer
    • Drag and drop elements in the Block Editor List view (this is one I’m excited about)
    • Even more design patterns

    Have a look at this sneak preview of what you will be able to do.

    Learn WordPress

    This month, the Make Training team has been defining its goals for 2022, part of that includes the further development of the Learn WordPress platform.

    Learn WordPress is a learning resource for anyone who wants to learn how to use, build for and contribute to WordPress.  It is an open-source platform built by the community that offers a range of materials and opportunities for you to use at your own pace and time.

    I’m excited to hear about Matt’s vision for the coming year and how we as a Training team, can ensure that it aligns with the plans for 2022.

    When and where?

    When: State of the Word will take place today December 14, 2021, at 10 pm UK time until midnight.

    Where: Livestreamed from New York City

    Watch party

    Don’t want to watch it all on your lonesome? Join a local watch party and get that feeling of being at a WordCamp or Meetup. I am going to be watching it online and will then join one of the post-roundups.