Is Real-Time Collaboration Needed In WordPress Core?
In a recent op-ed in The Repository blog/newsletter, well known WordPresser Matt Cromwell posed this question. Here's my take.
Matt Cromwell, a well known WordPress developer, wrote in The Repository that he thinks WordPress is missing its chance at making the Block Editor more robust with Artificial Intelligence by focusing on embedding Real-Time Collaboration (RTC), think Google Docs functionality, into the core of the WordPress ecosystem.
Matt thinks, and I agree, that RTC would be better off as a plugin that could be downloaded if desired by the user. Instead, Matt believes that AI could help make WordPress easier to use.
It also doesn't look like RTC is ready for prime time.
As much as AI is a divisive topic, there are places for it. In the Block Editor is a great place for it.
If you need to have your site look a certain way and quick, AI could help you get it the way you want quickly with not a ton of hassle.
Matt puts it best:
But as someone who has built and managed products in this ecosystem for a long time, I recognize this pattern. It’s the classic product owner distraction: the temptation to build the feature that is technically interesting, intellectually challenging, and demo-friendly, rather than the feature that solves the boring, burning problem your users are actually facing.
The market decides whether a product lives or dies. Right now, the market is asking for a better way to build websites, not a better way to argue about commas in real-time.
The last part really had me laughing, but it's true. Most people don't need to argue about punctuation in the CMS. Users, especially companies, already have programs for this. Many use Google Docs for this type of communication and editing.
Having RTC as a plugin would be a much better idea. That way if a user/company wants the feature they can add it in and not have it bloat their site unnecessarily.
What do you think? Post a comment below!
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Matt
Speaking of WordPress. This locally hosted version of WordPress is a neat idea. Especially for personal journaling that you don't necessarily need public, but still want to use the WordPress set of tools and interface.
Stephen J. Adler
One thing should be stated. Don't use AI without checking it first. And don't ask it for quotes.
Laurens Hof
The Altstore for iOS (Europe-only 🤬) is such a great thing. And best of all it federates with the open social web for better discovery and reach.
Arielle Pardes
One can only hope. Venture Capitalists can be toxic and detrimental. Maybe a disruption is due.
Toni Schneider
Bluesky, the other "open" social network has a new interim CEO. Toni Schneider, who has ties to WordPress/Automattic, takes the helm. Let's see what he can do to move Bluesky to be more decentralized and less controversial. I like the idea of the AT-Protocol and what can be built there, but I don't like the stances that Bluesky has taken from time-to-time. If it decentralizes more, it might grow further and be less growth-stagnant.
Becca Caddy
Yikes.
Ece Yildirim
This is good to see. Rivalries are one thing, but doing what's right is another.
Edison Research at SSRS
Wow!!!!!! Podcasts are booming!
Web Find
Just plain neat
Colin is a well known Open Source developer. This new Open Source Kaban board looks nifty.
RSS_YES
Worth knowing about!
That's It For This Week! Keep Rocking It!
-Seth
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