Episode 71

Weblog Tools Collection plugin competition results:

• Runner ups
• The winner

WordPress MU and BuddyPress plugin competition begins

WordPress’s RSS Parser, SimplePie, ceases development

Aaron Hockley, lead organizer, WordCamp Portland:

• WordCamp Portland’s official site
• WordCamp Portland donates to WordCamp Seattle
• A WordCamp fund?

Kym’s pick: Smashing Multimedia Theme

Dave’s pick: Theme My Login plugin

The WordPress Fairy Blogmother began with a video showcasing the names and faces of those whose lives have been changed by WordPress and video of WordPress fans sharing their stories of how WordPress impacts their daily lives. She spoke about the many ways the world benefits from the work of the WordPress Community with incredible support, WordPress Plugins, Themes, and more.

There are two versions of the video created by Lorelle VanFossen especially for the WordPress Fairy Blogmother. The YouTube version is low resolution and a smaller file size. The Viddler version is higher resolution and 138.5 meg file size. The video is ten minutes long.

YouTube Version of How WordPress Changes Lives by Lorelle VanFossen

How WordPress Changes Lives by Lorelle VanFossen

Viddler Version of How WordPress Changes Lives by Lorelle VanFossen

[viddler id=f18780b8&w=437&h=372]

A transcription of the video is available.

The WordPress Fairy Blogmother concluded with a video created especially for the event by Glenda Watson Hyatt of the Do It Myself Blog which is now being spread across the web. Known as the Left Thumb Blogger, the video shares how Glenda’s life was transformed by WordPress, her first blogging platform, and how she now can share her thoughts and stories with the world even though her body makes it difficult to communicate.

WordCamp Portland offers a roundup of the event speakers and presentations including:

• Betsy Richter – From Concept to Execution in Eight Days
• Justin Kistner – WordPress Ecosystems
• Chris O’Rourke – 10 Proven Plugins to Make Your Blog Pop
• Josh Bancroft – Tying Your Tubes: Integration with WordPress
• Kelly Guimont – Considerations When Choosing A Theme – video
• Dane Hesseldahl – Extend Your Blog with Custom Plug-In Development
• Eric Amundson – Design & Debug WordPress Themes Using Free Tools
• Marshall Kirkpatrick – Feed Your Blog with RSS
• WordPress Fairy Blogmother talking about how WordPress changes lives

More summaries and live blog posts include:

• Silicon Florist
• Viper X Blog
• Critical Games
• Eric Stoller
• Oak Hazelnut
• OurPDX

There are tons of photos on flickr and a custom RSS feed on the WordCamp Portland event.

They have a waiting list, but it will be first come, first server, so get on the list is you aren’t already.

The latest news from WordCamp Portland is that registration is open and very active. They have only a limited space, restricting the event at CubeSpace to only 150 people, so sign up now. If space is available, they will allow walk-up registration on a first-come, first-serve basis, but get your ticket set now to avoid any last minute confusion.

They are looking for more sponsors, too, so if you can help out, contact them.

The speakers lined up are fantastic including Betsy Richter, Aaron Hockley, Chris O’Rourke, Justin Kistner, Kelly Guimont, Josh Bancroft, Eric Amundson, Marshall Kirkpatrick, Dane Hesseldahl, and me, Lorelle VanFossen.

They are keeping the event a bit unconference style, so anything could happen and probably will.

WordCamp Portland has announced their September 27, 2008, agenda and speakers. The one-day event in Portland, Oregon, will be at CubeSpace. Registration is now open and space is limited, so get registered now to guarantee a place in this exciting event.

Advance registration is only USD $10 and includes lunch, dinner, WordCamp Portland T-shirt, and door prizes. The price is low thanks to the awesome support of the WordCamp Portland sponsors including CubeSpace PDX, Nemo Design, Silicon Florist, Voce Communications, IvyCat, OurPDX Network, and Hockley Photography. Sponsors are still welcome to join.

The list of speakers and topics covers a wide spectrum of the needs of WordPress members and includes some of the best experts in WordPress and WordPress-related techniques:

• Lorelle VanFossen – Changing Lives with WordPress
• Betsy Richter – From Concept to Execution in Eight Days
• Aaron Hockley – An Introduction to Copyright for Bloggers
• Chris O’Rourke – Ten Proven Plugins to Make Your Blog Pop
• Eric Amundson – Design & Debug Themes with Free Tools
• Josh Bancroft – Tying Your Tubes: Integration with WordPress
• Lorelle VanFossen – Woopra: Web Analytics from a “Right Now” Viewpoint
• Kelly Guimont – Considerations for Choosing a Theme
• Marshall Kirkpatrick – Feed Your Blog with RSS
• Justin Kistner – Using WordPress to Manage a Social Relations Program

Before dinner, there is an “Ask the Experts” panel with myself, Rick Turoczy, Justin Kistner, and Chris O’Rourke. There will also be rooms available for unconference sessions that pop up through the day’s events.

For more information on WordCamp Portland, check out their helpful FAQ page.

You can follow WordCamp Portland on Twitter at @wordcampdx, too.

Come join WordPress fans from around the Pacific Northwest in Portland, September 27, 2008.