Continued From Search Feature…

One of the ways WordPress will be altered for expansion in the future includes the ability to incorporate social networking using BuddyPress. Andy Peatling spoke about BuddyPress giving it the definition as a set of WordPress MU specific plugins, each plugin adding a distinct new feature. BuddyPress contains all the features you’d expect from WordPress but aims to let members socially interact.

The standard features of BuddyPress include the following:
• Extended Profiles
• Personal Blog
• Private Messaging
• Friends
• Groups
• The Wire
• Status Updates
• Albums

Buddy press is still in the development stage however certain plugins are available for use and testing. This is by far a huge advancement for WordPress users as it really opens the door wide for new communities and social networking expectations. You can see the entire slide show here.

Along the lines of up and coming improvements and user focused design, the WordPress team went deep into research to come up with the most positive outcome for a user friendly layout to be used in a future release. Liz Danzico and Jane Wells dubbed the creation of this prototype “Riding the Crazyhorse.” Just a few of the improvements include a new navigation and dashboard, the write page has a new look, the comments screen is much clearer, and the media uploader and media library have a better relationship. Very much looking forward to seeing the completed release.

Jeremy Clarke spoke about Democratizing the Web through Global Voices. He stated that blogs give everyone a chance to publish for basically no financial costs and have their words heard. Very cool to see the outreach and dedication there is to ensure that everyone is able to utilize blogs in different languages, with different backgrounds, and all with unique points of view.

Matt Mullenweg did an interview with Om Malik on publishing, technology, and life. It was unique to hear him speak about taking his site GigaOm from being a blog to being a business. To hear the struggles yet being able to say with confidence that he made it was really a huge highlight for many people that are now in the shoes he once was. His biggest tip for people was- “to listen to your head and talk from your head and the rest will figure itself out.”

The last presentation of the evening was given by Kathy Sierra but not before Chuck Lewis aka SEO Rapper was able to give a fun performance and talk a bit about his real world life and business as an SEO.
Kathy Sierra is truly an inspiration to many and her presentation about Kicking Ass and Creating Passionate Users was just that- creating an audience that was involved and receptive to her. Her true passion for the industry shines through and she just makes you want to become a better person overall. Her biggest piece of advice- “Focus on what the user does, not what you do.”

In general the entire conference was really insightful for the WordPress Community and a fantastic way for users, programmers, and those just interested in blogging in general to come together and learn a bit. It was truly an excitement to seeing such a golden path laid out for the future of WordPress and its community. I am very much looking forward to my next WordCamp and to all those that put on such a fantastic event, a big thank you!

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• WordCamp SF 2008