I realize that I haven't properly introduced myself, so I thought I would take a moment and do that. While you might not recognize my name, you have used software I helped out with, by either committing code, writing tutorials, articles, or documentation.
I began hacking on WordPress, all the way back to the first publicly available version, contributing code like the first dashboard and theme system, to the work I did on K2 for WordPress which introduced several new concepts like:
- A theme settings page (a feature since adopted as a core part of WordPress)
- A unique dynamic archive navigation system, a Humane Notification system inspired by Jef Raskin
- A complete widget-field-builder (for sidebars, headers and footers), a concept also since adopted by WordPress.
I went on to write two books on WordPress, create numerous themes and plugins, and craft tutorials that taught you the power of this exciting new system. Eventually, the direction of the project from a philosophy standpoint began going in a direction I couldn't follow.
Luckily around this time I became involved in the Apache Software Foundation at the ASF I worked as part of the infrastructure team, helping to design, develop and manage the various web presences of the Foundation.
I also traveled the world speaking about the intersection of community and technology. It was a good time. I have been either helping enable the self-publishing movement or directly participating in it for the last 16+ years.
I consider my greatest work to date helping to bring about a platform that democratizes voice and platform, to anyone with an internet connection and a web browser.
Steem, cryptocurrency and the blockchain are the perfect evolution of this work, which is why I am here :) Hopefully you'll let me join you on this journey and we'll see where it goes together.