On Inishbofin, a small island off the western coast of Ireland where the population hovers around 170 and the main industries are farming, fishing and tourism, a quiet technology revolution has been taking place. Artificial intelligence (AI), once thought to be the exclusive domain of big…
NVIDIA presents latest advancements in visual AI
NVIDIA researchers are presenting new visual generative AI models and techniques at the Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition (CVPR) conference this week in Seattle. The advancements span areas like custom image generation, 3D scene editing, visual language understanding, and autonomous vehicle perception. “Artificial intelligence, and generative…
NLEPs: Bridging the gap between LLMs and symbolic reasoning
Researchers have introduced a novel approach called natural language embedded programs (NLEPs) to improve the numerical and symbolic reasoning capabilities of large language models (LLMs). The technique involves prompting LLMs to generate and execute Python programs to solve user queries, then output solutions in natural language….
An Ode to Hello Dolly with Matt Mullenweg
WordPress has been around for over 20 years. Part of its continuing popularity stems from how extensible it is. A skilled developer can make the content management system (CMS) do just about anything.
Its plugin architecture powers shopping carts, forms, and photo galleries. That’s just the tip of the iceberg, though. Niche functionality abounds, so it’s no wonder it leads the pack in market share.
But let’s take a step back. The ability to use plugins came about in WordPress 1.2. It was a new concept in those days. The project needed to educate developers on how things work. To encourage them to build and experiment. But how?
Well, hello, Dolly! Or, if you prefer more formality, Hello Dolly.
It’s one of two default plugins that come with each installation of WordPress. Maybe you delete it. Perhaps you leave it deactivated in your plugins folder. But do you know about its roots as a teaching tool?
In case you didn’t know: “Hello Dolly” is also a song made famous by Louis Armstrong. The jazz legend was a perfect fit for this project. WordPress releases are named for famous musicians. So, “Satchmo” gets some glory here. The plugin shows a random line from the song’s lyrics in the WordPress dashboard.
Love it or not, Hello Dolly (the plugin) has a purpose and is here to stay. I spoke to someone who knows a thing or two about the subject.
[embedded content]
Why Matt Mullenweg Is Still Jazzed Up
WordPress co-founder Matt Mullenweg is a big fan of jazz. He also developed Hello Dolly. Matt was kind enough to take a quick trip down memory lane with me.
Besides sharing a classic song, what was the inspiration for creating Hello Dolly?
Matt Mullenweg: We wanted to riff on the “Hello World” that sits at the inception of many people’s introduction to programming. We felt like actions and hooks were a really nice paradigm alternative to purely object-based extending of applications.
Why has it continued to be a part of every new WordPress install?
MM: Because it’s nice to have a plugin with every install, and it’s funny and weird.
The plugin’s inclusion has resulted in some 1-star reviews. Does that keep you up at night?
Matt Mullenweg: Not at all.
Do you foresee a time when the plugin might evolve? For example, a Hello Dolly block might be a nice introduction to block development.
Matt Mullenweg: I think it would be cool if Hello Dolly could connect people to live jazz happening near them.
According to its development log, Hello Dolly has been around for 16 years and has over 700k active installs. Does that make you think about how far WordPress has come?
Matt Mullenweg: It shows that even though Hello Dolly is silly and simple, a pretty significant number of people appreciate the little bit of joy and randomness it introduces into their day.
” This is not just a plugin, it symbolizes the hope and enthusiasm of an entire generation summed up in two words sung most famously by Louis Armstrong: Hello, Dolly.”
– Hello Dolly plugin description from WordPress.org
A Living Connection to the Early Days of WordPress
Hello Dolly is a bit silly on the surface. However, it also represents something bigger.
Consider the importance of plugins to the WordPress ecosystem. Where would the CMS be without the likes of WooCommerce or Yoast SEO? What about the tens of thousands of plugins at our fingertips?
Every developer has to start somewhere. Some may have used Hello Dolly to take that first plunge into development. And people interested in building plugins can still use its code as a resource.
The plugin has played a role, however small, in the growth of WordPress. We owe it some thanks. Having said that…
Dolly, never go away, promise, you’ll never go away!
Thanks to Matt Mullenweg for chatting with me! Find more from Matt on his blog.
Related Topics
Top
8 CSS & JavaScript Snippets for Awesome Reveal Effects
Not everything on a website has to be displayed straightforwardly. Sometimes, it’s prudent to hide an element. We can then reveal it automatically or via user interaction.
That’s what makes reveal effects so compelling. They can serve dual purposes. The first is to keep our layouts nice and tidy. The second is to add a bit of flair to the user experience (UX).
And there are many intriguing options for web designers. Using CSS and JavaScript offers a path to creating high-end effects. They not only look great, though. There are ways to build features that are performant and accessible as well.
Want to explore some possibilities? Check out our collection of fantastic reveal effects. They run the gamut in terms of use cases and technology.
Scratch Card CSS Reveal by Nicolas Jesenberger
This reveal effect mimics a real-world experience – using a scratch card. Use your finger or pointing device to “scratch” off the silver foil. You’ll find a little surprise underneath. It’s both clever and well-executed.
See the Pen Scratch Card by Nicolas Jesenberger
Magic Wand Reveal by Kalis Network
Here’s a snippet that takes web magic to the next level. Move the magic wand from left to right to reveal the image gallery underneath. There’s also a subtle effect for nearby images. They’re blurry and displayed with a lower opacity.
See the Pen Magic Reveal by Kalis Network
Circular Reveal Animation by Liza Shermayster
You don’t need to go overboard with reveal effects. This simple presentation reveals more of the image upon hover. And it also adds a classy text animation. It would work well on a portfolio or About Us page.
See the Pen circular reveal animation by Liza Shermayster
Text Reveal Animation by Owlypixel
How about a reveal effect that happens automatically? This animated headline is beautiful and sure to get a user’s attention. It’s also powered by CSS. That means there are no messy scripts to slow down your page load times. The JavaScript used in the snippet refreshes the demo.
See the Pen Text Reveal Animation by Owlypixel
Ink Transition Reveal by Ryan Yu
These scroll-based animations are incredible. The artwork appears to be drawn on your screen as you scroll. The effect creates a mood to enhance the UX. It’s a case of special effects fitting the content to a tee.
See the Pen Ink transition effect with PNG sprite by Ryan Yu (@iamryanyu)
Movie Poster Interaction Reveal by Ethan
Card UIs are a popular design element these days. But there’s only so much content they can hold. This snippet offers a solid workaround. Hover over a card to reveal further content. The layout remains neat while adding a bit of interactivity.
See the Pen Movie Poster Interaction by Ethan
Page Reveal Effect by Kevin Levron
Yes, you can use reveal effects for an entire page! And this tool can help you create the perfect fit for your project. Choose from several animation types and other options to build a beautiful presentation. Plus, it’s just plain fun to experiment with.
See the Pen Page Reveal Effect (CSS/VueJS) by Kevin Levron
Accessible Offcanvas Reveals by Vasileios Mitsaras
Offcanvas elements are a handy place to store extra info. They’re often used to hide mobile navigation so that users can focus on content. This demo uses jQuery to add elements that can be revealed in multiple ways.
See the Pen Accessible Offcanvas by Vasileios Mitsaras
A Revealing Way to Build a UI
Reveal effects can take many forms. They’re suitable for everything from a corporate website to an online game. Their potential is vast and varied.
It’s still important to consider the impact on users, though. The best implementations feel natural and add to the UX. Therefore, it’s best to avoid effects that get in the way of accessing content.
Thankfully, CSS and JavaScript provide plenty of leeway. You can use the combination that works best for your project.
Want to see even more reveal effects? Check out our CodePen collection!
Related Topics
Top
Gil Pekelman, Atera: How businesses can harness the power of AI – AI News
TechForge recently caught up with Gil Pekelman, CEO of all-in-one IT management platform, Atera, to discuss how AI is becoming the IT professionals’ number one companion. Can you tell us a little bit about Atera and what it does? We launched the Atera all-in-one platform for…
How WordPress Democratizes Publishing & Fuels an Economy
It seems like an odd mix on the surface. On one hand, WordPress is a content management system (CMS) that aims to democratize publishing.
It’s right there in the mission statement. That harkens back to its roots as a blogging platform. We install the software and push our content out into the world.
On the other hand, WordPress has become a tool to make money. Freelancers, agencies, and DIY users can build commercial websites with it. Developers create themes and plugins as part of an ecosystem.
Just so we’re clear: A corporation can use WordPress to bolster its billion-dollar portfolio. Just as a teenager can publish their thoughts.
Perhaps this sounds like two mutually exclusive ventures. However, they’ve coexisted for over 20 years.
That’s the juxtaposition of free, open-source software. So far, WordPress has handled it as well as anyone.
How has the project done it? And what potential risks could derail the balance? Let’s attempt to make sense of it all!
A Foundation for the Web
WordPress project co-founder Matt Mullenweg has said he wants the software to be the “operating system for the open web.” It’s one way to marry commercialization with democratization.
It makes sense for content creators and site builders. The software serves as a foundational piece. It’s free, widely supported, and extensible. Take it and build whatever you want.
This idea borrows from operating systems like Linux, MacOS, and Windows. They lay the foundation for a variety of use cases. An enterprise IT department depends on an OS. So does a student or small business.
Free software lowers the barrier to entry. Sure, there’s a cost associated with hosting a website. However, you’re not stuck with a particular host. WordPress is open-source. It can be hosted just about anywhere – even on a local machine.
This allows for a multitude of possibilities. One can publish, make money, or both. Those interested in web development can learn the software’s inner workings.
Expand it, change it, or use it as-is. That’s the flexibility of WordPress.
The Challenge of a Diverse User Base
As a project, WordPress has adeptly walked a tightrope. It has provided an opportunity for people around the world. It has also created an economy based on its ecosystem and custom development potential.
Maintaining balance is a challenge – and a great responsibility. The software must remain an attractive option for both camps.
Bloggers and small organizations depend on WordPress for low-or-no-cost flexibility. Developers, freelancers, and agencies want a powerful tool to fuel their growth.
That’s why some features spark debate. Take the Block Editor, for example.
Theme and plugin developers were concerned about this shift toward block-based content. How would it impact their products? Would they be rendered useless? Or require a complete overhaul?
Everyday users also had concerns. Would a new editing experience make it harder to publish blog posts? How large is the learning curve? Would it leave their existing website in the dust?
User perception also plays a role. Some may see a feature as favoring one side or the other. Sometimes, commercial and individual interests diverge.
That places project leadership in a tough spot. You can’t please everyone. But serving a diverse user base is part of the job.
Keeping the Coexistence for Years to Come
So, how can WordPress continue to provide the best solution for both worlds? It will take a concerted effort. And things seem to be off to a good start.
Recent years have seen a focus on ease of use. In addition, tools like the Site Editor aim to make a default WordPress install more powerful. Plans for a redesigned admin interface are also in the works.
These are all positive steps. A more user-friendly WordPress opens the door to attracting more users. Novices will be able to get started more quickly.
There are also opportunities for those with a commercial agenda. Commercial block themes have yet to take off. But block-based plugins have. There is plenty of space for growth in these areas.
What could go wrong? There are a few potential trouble spots.
A change in project leadership could push WordPress in a more commercial direction. A new regime could theoretically focus on features that primarily benefit corporate users.
The composition of WordPress project teams could also have an influence. Yes, some contributors are volunteers. However, sponsored contributors are only increasing their role in how things work.
One or more sponsor companies may gain an outsized say in the future. What if a future WordPress version integrated something akin to Google’s AMP? This nominally open-sourced technology caused a stir. This sort of move could harm the software’s reputation.
That’s just an example – however unlikely. The point is that maintaining balance requires stewardship. It’s an important part of the project’s future success.
It’s Possible to Do Good and Make Money
As a market leader, WordPress is in a unique position. It’s not a commercial product. However, we can use it for commercial purposes.
The software can also give an online voice to just about anyone. It’s a tool that facilitates free speech – even if a person’s circumstances can get in the way.
And, unlike large companies, the WordPress project isn’t beholden to anyone. For example, it doesn’t have to bend to the will of an oppressive regime to access its people. There’s no profit or shareholders to worry about.
Let’s hope it stays that way. We’re living in a world where costs are rising – as are barriers. WordPress bucks this trend as free software.
All you need is a copy of WordPress and an idea. What’s next is up to you.
Related Topics
Top
20+ Free Analog Film Lightroom Presets for Photographers
Analog film aesthetics hold a timeless appeal in digital photography, offering a distinctive look that can create a feeling of nostalgia and rustic artistry. The rich tones, subtle grain, and little imperfections of analog film create a depth often sought after by photographers.
Achieving these effects can be challenging with modern digital tools alone, but Lightroom presets will help to simplify the process. They’re invaluable to photographers who are looking to replicate those classic film styles. These pre-configured Lightroom settings allow you to apply specific styles to your photos with just a couple of clicks, saving time and ensuring consistency across all of your shots.
Whether you’re striving for Kodachrome’s vibrant colors or Fujifilm’s muted tones, these presets offer an easy and effective way to transform your digital shots. In this collection, we share the best free analog film Lightroom presets currently available, each designed to bring the charm of vintage photography to your modern digital workflow.
This free preset offers a nostalgic film look with balanced colors and soft contrasts, mimicking the classic 800 ISO film. It is Ideal for portraits and landscapes and delivers a subtle, timeless aesthetic.
These presets deliver a vintage feel with warm tones and soft highlights. They are perfect for achieving an old-school look on both desktop and mobile and are great for lifestyle, portrait, and travel photography.
Kodachrome 64 emulates the iconic Kodak film style with vibrant colors and sharp contrasts. This free preset is suitable for various photography styles and brings out rich hues and fine details, making it ideal for portraits, landscapes, and travel photos.
The Lightroom preset collection offers a diverse set of presets that replicate classic film aesthetics. They have been designed to enhance color richness and add a vintage feel to photos.
Kinsfolk 1888 provides a nostalgic film look with muted tones and subtle grain. Perfect for simulating a vintage atmosphere. These presets work well for portraits, and lifestyle photography, adding a timeless quality to your images.
Analogue Beauty mimics the charm of Kodak 35mm film, offering a selection of presets that enrich color and add a vintage quality. They’re great for portraits, street photography, and lifestyle shots.
This free preset recreates the classic film look with rich colors and subtle grain. Ideal for portraits, landscapes, and street photography. It provides a timeless aesthetic, enhancing photos with a nostalgic, cinematic feel.
These presets offer a classic film look with soft colors and smooth contrasts, ideal for portraits and lifestyle photography. They emulate the iconic Kodak Portra film, enhancing skin tones and adding a warm, vintage feel to your photos.
This free preset will enhance your photos with vibrant colors and fine grain, emulating the popular Kodak Ektar 100 film effect. Suitable for various styles, this preset brings out rich details and bold hues, perfect for outdoor and travel photography.
This preset replicates the nostalgic 35mm film aesthetic. It provides a classic analog look with rich colors and balanced contrast, ideal for adding rustic charm to your photos.
This preset mimics the distinctive look of overexposed Kodak film. It enhances images with brighter highlights, softer shadows, and a slightly washed-out effect, creating a dreamy quality in photographs.
This Lightroom collection includes multiple presets designed to enhance photos with a natural analog film look. It provides consistency, a recognizable style, and a beautiful sun-kissed feel for your photos.
This free collection offers various presets that emulate classic analog film aesthetics. These presets enhance photos with rich tones and a timeless vintage feel. They can be used on both Lightroom mobile and classic.
This free Lightroom preset offers a sophisticated film emulation, enhancing your photos with elegant tones and a polished finish. Ideal for fashion and portrait photography, it will add a touch of cinematic quality to your shot.
This ColorMax Film preset will enrich your photos with vibrant, natural colors without oversaturation. It slightly lowers contrast for a balanced look, enhancing color depth and detail.
This free preset replicates the charming retro film effect of Kodak’s single-use camera. It enhances photos with light, warm tones, adding a nostalgic and playful feel to various photography styles.
This preset emulates the iconic Kodak Portra 400 film, known for its exceptional color accuracy and fine grain. It enhances digital photos with natural skin tones and balanced color saturation, perfect for portraits and general photography.
This free preset collection mimics the aesthetic of vintage analog film and will add classic film tones, a balanced contrast, and a nostalgic feel to your photos. The preset is suitable for both color and black and white photography.
This free Lightroom preset, inspired by Fujifilm film, will enrich your photos with vibrant colors and dynamic contrasts. It brings out rich details and vivid tones, making it ideal for portraits and landscapes.
This preset recreates the iconic look of Kodak Ektachrome film. It features a soft matte texture, vibrant yet natural colors, and balanced contrast, ideal for achieving a classic film appearance in your photos.
This preset mimics the aesthetics of traditional analog cameras. It enhances photos with vintage tones, balanced contrast, and a slightly muted color palette, creating a nostalgic and timeless feel.
This free Lightroom preset emulates the look of Fuji Superia 800 film, enhancing your shots with vibrant yet natural colors. It will add depth to your photos while maintaining smooth skin tones.
This preset captures the distinctive look of Fujifilm Cool Chrome film. It adds cool tones, increased contrast, and vibrant colors to photos, perfect for achieving a modern, polished look in Lightroom.
This free preset will give your photos a retro feel with light magenta hues. It creates a soft, vintage look reminiscent of old film, ideal for adding a nostalgic touch to various photography styles.
Analog Film Lightroom Preset FAQ
-
What are analog film Lightroom presets?
They are pre-configured settings designed to replicate the look of traditional analog film. They provide the distinctive tones, colors, and grain associated with classic film photography.
-
How do analog film presets enhance my photos?
They will transform your photos by adding rich tones, unique grains, and balanced contrast, giving them a timeless and nostalgic feel.
-
Are these presets compatible with all versions of Lightroom?
Most analog film presets work with Lightroom Classic, Lightroom CC, and Lightroom Mobile. Before downloading, check the specific compatibility details of each preset.
-
How do I install these Lightroom presets?
Open Lightroom and go to the
Developmodule. In thePresetspanel, right-click and selectImport. Locate the downloaded preset files and import them. -
Can I make adjustments to the presets after applying them?
Yes, these presets are fully customizable. You can tweak exposure, contrast, color, and other settings to match your desired aesthetic.
-
Are analog film presets suitable for all types of photography?
They are versatile and can enhance various photography styles, including portraits, landscapes, and street photography. Experiment with different presets to find the best fit for your photos.
The Perfect Analog Aesthetic
These presets will save time, help maintain consistency, and simplify the editing process, making it easier to capture the desired analog aesthetic you have been looking for. They allow you to quickly add those rich tones, unique grains, and distinctive analog film effects to your photos.
Experiment with these presets and find the best fit for your personal photography style. Each preset provides a different interpretation of analog film, allowing you to explore various styles and enhance your creative expression.
Related Topics
Creativity Hasn’t Left Web Design – It’s Just Different
Creativity can be freeing for web designers. There’s nothing quite like reaching that “a-ha” moment. It’s when an idea transfers from your head to a screen.
I had that feeling a lot during my early days in this industry. My work wasn’t great, mind you. But I felt the thrill of doing things I’d never done. And it was even better if I had made a client happy.
There was a lot of creative energy back then. The web was a new medium – and we were building it as we went along.
It’s no secret that the industry has changed dramatically. The old methods of building websites are gone. Now, we work with advanced tools and premade elements.
I sometimes feel like web design has lost its creative flair. Has it? Or have we changed how we use our creativity?
Let’s explore what it means to be creative in modern web design.
We No Longer Build from Scratch
An original web design isn’t always a top priority these days. We often prioritize efficiency, usability, and accessibility in our builds.
To that end, we start projects with frameworks and themes that provide a head start. Tools like Tailwind CSS feature readymade layouts and components. WordPress themes may offer a complete website for us to customize. And we can’t forget about the advent of block patterns.
That’s the reverse of how things used to work. We used to fire up Photoshop or some other design tool. We’d start with a blank canvas and build from scratch.
It’s easy to romanticize that era. We may think of web design as a lost art. It’s as if we were craftspeople who built sites the right way. None of these modern tools could match those techniques.
But that practice isn’t sustainable for busy designers. There’s not enough time or budget for a long design process. Not when there are multiple projects to complete.
For better or worse, our workflows have changed. Web designers have had to adapt to keep pace.
Adding a Personal Touch to Predesigned Components
How can we be creative when using predesigned components? Complete originality may be out of the question. However, there’s still an opportunity to add a personal touch.
There is no shortage of areas to change. An element’s color, size, and typography are prime examples. We don’t have to settle for the default look.
We can also choose components that include minimal styling. The WordPress block editor works this way. A default implementation is typically barebones. Tailwind CSS also prioritizes utility over looks.
Knowledge of these tools also helps. We can design in Figma with specific components in mind. That allows us to use our imagination while staying within the lines.
The process is reminiscent of a collage artist. It’s about pulling all of these different pieces together. From there, we seek to create a seamless user experience. The results can be compelling.
The added layer of convenience might make us feel guilty, though. For instance, page builder tools take the pain out of design. It’s more paint-by-numbers than drawing from memory.
Did we even “create” anything here?
Modern Web Design Is a Different Artform
Sure, the design process has changed. That doesn’t mean we’re no longer being creative, though.
We’re still using our creativity – just in a different way. We’re using our knowledge and experience to build the best website possible. And we’re using our keen eye to make it beautiful and functional.
If anything, we’re fortunate to have these new tools and frameworks. Websites are becoming more complex all the time.
Perhaps that makes web design harder than ever. Designing from scratch and managing functionality might be too much to handle.
Our focus needs to be in many places at once. So, maybe we’re creating a collage while juggling!
Find New Ways to Be Creative
One positive development is that designers don’t have to reinvent the wheel. We spend less time on the basics. That allows us time to concentrate on the details.
It’s the little things that can make a website stand out. We now have the tools to give us a head start.
Yes, these new methods can be limiting at times. However, web designers have plenty of experience in that area.
There have always been parameters for us to work within. It used to be the limits of CSS or user devices. Now, we try to bend and shape tools to match our needs. That also takes creativity.
You know what? Despite my initial concerns, those “a-ha” moments still exist. The change is in how we create them.
Related Topics
Top
Google ushers in the “Gemini era” with AI advancements
Google has unveiled a series of updates to its AI offerings, including the introduction of Gemini 1.5 Flash, enhancements to Gemini 1.5 Pro, and progress on Project Astra, its vision for the future of AI assistants. Gemini 1.5 Flash is a new addition to Google’s family…