All Aboard! Welcome to WP Mainline

Howdy folks, and welcome to WP Mainline, a source of news, commentary, and community for WordPress. After spending the last six to seven months being unemployed, a few people reached out to let me know they really missed hearing me on the WordPress Weekly podcast. A handful of people also reached out to tell me they missed reading my opinionated views on what is happening in the WordPress space.

Well, after thinking about it for a while and discovering that this domain was available, I figured what the hell. When writing for WP Tavern from 2014 to 2019, I was adamant about my feelings about the lack of community surrounding the site. What I hope to do here is host and manage a WordPress community that encourages folks to build each other up instead of tearing each other down. A place that’s free of all of the noise that exists on Twitter and the countless Facebook groups. I want this to be a place where folks hang out, help each other, and discuss things in a way that advances the conversation and perhaps ultimately, the WordPress project.

I’m also interested in seeing if there are enough individuals and businesses in the WordPress space that can and will support another independent WordPress news/community outlet. The landscape is a lot different today than it was in 2009 when I launched the Tavern. The WordPress economy is likely in the millions of dollars if not more. We’ll have to see if I can get a little slice of that pie.

As I’m strapped for cash, I want to thank the following companies for supporting my new project.

Convesio for hosting the site. PressTitan for sponsoring up to three months of the forum which will launch later this week. GiveWP for their donations plugin and the recurring donations add-on. And last but not least, GeneratePress for their site builder and site templates. I also want to thank JUST BODE productions for designing the WP Mainline logo and Podcast cover art. By the way, the feather in the letter I is an easter egg. Let me know in the comments what you think it refers too.

Speaking of the podcast, John James Jacoby and I will record the first episode this Friday at 4 PM Eastern. It will be nice to talk about the news of the week on a Friday again versus a Wednesday.

I plan to create sponsorship opportunities for the website, the podcast, and the forum soon. Until that time comes, please consider making a recurring donation so that I can pay my monthly mortgage and car payments. I’m one month behind on payments so any financial help you can provide is greatly appreciated.

Welcome aboard. Sit back and enjoy the ride.