Jeff Starr is passionate about web design and security, and loves to contribute to the WordPress core. He’s been an active WordPress contributor from the very beginning of his love story with our CMS.

I started with WordPress around 2004. Back then, things were very different than they are now. At the time, I was building my own dynamic websites from scratch using PHP and MySQL. Then I discovered WordPress, which took care of all the dynamic stuff plus a lot more. So I didn’t need to keep reinventing the wheel for every website. Once I got the hang of WordPress and realized its potential, I was hooked. Been working with WordPress ever since and haven’t looked back.

I am a goal-driven minimalist. I use simple text notes to manage my schedule. All of the smaller tasks that need done to achieve larger goals. All neatly organized on plain-text files. So to stay productive, I keep my goals in mind for motivation and focus. Like I can’t wait to accomplish this. And then use the to-do lists like a map. To stay on target and keep things moving forward as each day unfolds.

As far as a career goes, being successful is more than financial independence. It’s about completely doing your own thing however you want, making your own decisions, thinking for yourself, and setting your own rules.

I wish more people would take some time to understand how things work. There is SO much WordPress can do all by itself, right out of the box. With a little understanding and a few lightweight plugins, you can build almost anything. WordPress is very fast, secure, and capable all by itself. You don’t need 50+ plugins and some heavy-handed “do-it-all” theme to build an awesome website.

Stop bloating the core with stuff that can and should be left as a plugin. For example, features like Application Passwords, Responsive Images, Lazy Loading, Sitemaps, Robots Meta, Emojis, Embeds, and even REST API and Gutenberg should have been left as plugins. Keep core lightweight and fast. Then let users build whatever they want with plugins. There are well over 30,000 plugins available, plenty to choose from for just about anything.

WordPress is moving heavy into JavaScript territory. So if you are a typical WordPress user, like with your own site or whatever, then you’ll probably enjoy the new fancy Gutenberg Block stuff and related functionality made possible by JavaScript. Likewise, if you are a WordPress developer and love working with JavaScript, then you’re also gonna love where WordPress is headed. If you are primarily a PHP-based developer, then the hard turn into JavaScript land won’t be making your life any easier.

So the question “is WordPress on the right track” depends on the individual, their goals, preferences, and so on. It’s all relative to the user. In general, users who prefer the whole Gutenberg editing “experience” are gonna say “yeah, WordPress is on the right track.” Everyone else maybe not so much. There’s always a better way of doing things, especially when it comes to web development.

Read and learn as much as possible. About WordPress, hosting, security, SEO, and everything in between. Otherwise you’re gonna make mistakes, waste time, and lose money. Take some quality time to research whatever it is you’re wanting to do, before you go about doing it. It’s the information age, so take advantage of it.

Quality products. Transparent processes. Listen to your users. This is a ground-up organic approach to gaining market share. Where the users will promote your stuff via word of mouth, sharing, etc. Think quality products and happy customers. The opposite way of course is top-down promotion, like buying ads at Google and other big tech providers, basically spamming everyone to death.

Quality WordPress sites are secure, load fast, and provide excellent user experience. The great thing about WordPress, is that it does all of these things out of the box. Install a new WordPress site and use only the default theme and plugins. That’s gonna be a quality website, because WordPress is quality software.

What happens though, is that overzealous and/or unaware people try to improve on a good thing. They start installing all sorts of needless plugins for things like caching, security, SEO, and on and on. Sure some of those things may be necessary, but if you’re not careful it’s really easy to go from awesome WordPress site to bloated, slow, and sloppy looking hot mess. Also too many advertisements, popup nags, signup reminders, and other desperate measures are a surefire way to ruin any website, WordPress or otherwise.

I am a minimalist. Streamlining means eliminating extraneous steps and simplifying workflows. For example, using some fancy scheduling software that needs to be configured, maintained, updated, backed up, etc., is nowhere near as easy or productive as a simple note.txt file. Keep everything close to default system functionality at all times for all devices. Another example, instead of relying on a 3rd-party service for email, I use a non-cloud based app and domain-based email addresses for 100% control and no false-positive spams or blocked messages. Saves time. Saves money.

It may sound counter-productive, but instead of using a million different tools to save time, it actually is faster and easier to DIY as much as possible and avoid all the abstract hassle and time required to purchase, configure, and manage a bunch of different apps. Stay close to the data, not lost in space.

I have two favorite plugins, both are my own creation: BBQ and Blackhole for Bad Bots. I am heavy into security, and these two plugins do an excellent job of providing a lightweight super-fast firewall and honeypot-style trap to stop bad bots.

WordPress by itself is very secure. Stay close to core and use only well-known and trusted plugins and themes. Also solid, reliable, trustworthy hosting is a must.

They are one in the same. Just different languages. I like to write in English, like for books and tutorials. Also like to write in code, like PHP, JS, CSS, etc. All languages can be rewarding depending on what you are trying to accomplish.

I think it will affect some of those all-in-one type “page-building” plugins. They will be challenged with all the fancy Gutenberg stuff and full-site editing. Users will be able to use WordPress core to build a site, without having to bring some heavy page building monstrosity into the mix. Beyond that, I think full-site editing simply fills a niche that has lacked real solutions for years.

That’s basically what I was saying in my reply to the previous question. Page builders are one group that’s kinda getting the shaft with all this Gutenberg stuff. But I think the competition is a good thing and will thin the herd and make the best plugins even better. Page builders aren’t going away anytime soon.

Not really. My workflow already is like quarantine. Been that way for years now. Interesting to watch the rest of the world give it a try.

Offline, not really. I am very independent person that spends most time looking at screens. So kinda reclusive and introverted. Unless around people I am comfortable with, then I’m more of an extrovert. Online, I am involved with all sorts of groups/interests, like web development, security, cryptocurrency, blockchain, photography, flying drones, creating video, and of course WordPress.

It’s changed over the years. 20 years ago, I was driven by the idea of success. Now that I’m achieving it, I’m more driven by my love of the work itself. I truly enjoy the little online empire I’ve created. I enjoy managing it and watching it grow. A little more each day.

Myself. I am my own worst enemy. The name of the game is discipline and responsibility. Usually I handle it just fine, but sometimes it can be challenging. Also it’s getting harder and harder to find people who are sincere and genuine, have half a brain and are not afraid to use it. Fortunately, I’ve been fortunate enough to connect with lots of great people online. My network and users really help make it all possible.