– ‘good morning, good afternoon, good evening, wherever you happen to be hiding out there on the globe today…’
We’ve got some WordPress N3w$ for Y0u – tis the latest from the last week or so, all cobbled together for you by your favourite WordPress Plugins A-Z Worker Bees! This is the most recent news since you last heard from us…
Welcome to the third issue of N3w$ 4 Y0u! If you think I should be adding something please feel free to send it into me at amber@wppro.ca!
Awesome channel I was pointed to by The Peak Tech where Waymo’s driverless taxies have turned a San Francisco parking lot into a nightly symphony of car horns. The person who has the live stream going actually has some awesomely chill music going, great for working/studying/whatever, and the taxi shenanigans are just interesting to watch! They seem to circle like a dog around it’s bed before laying down every time they go to park – it’s interesting behaviour.
ANYways, we put the question to you – is there a day that would work best for this to come out? Currently it is Weds. Got another day you’d prefer?
Let me know what you think by shooting me a message at amber@wppro.ca.
ALSO! Check out our site – we have a new addition to the home page and the main menu!
Our usual reminders…
Reminders:
- Our next live show is August 19th – hopefully no urgent matters will crop up keeping us from going live that day!! Otherwise we will be returning to our usual live schedule of every other week as of September.
- You’ll find the show notes on the home page of wppluginsatoz.com within 24(ish) hours after every show!
- This is a value for value show dear listeners, help us get some loven by hitting some like buttons, passing around the N3w$ 4 Y0u issues!
- Suggestions and questions are always welcome – send them into me at amber@wppro.ca, or through our site at wppluginsatoz.com/contact – be aware we have a pet spammer eater, so be creative with the title!
This Issue’s Featured Artist:
Artist:
ME! The Mer of WP Plugins AtoZ N3w$ 4 Y0u!
No real graphic artists though – suggestions? Thoughts? For now I am just tossing up random images I know are free use – or pictures I have taken myself.
Go check out our art vaults, get inspired and send in something you think would work well for this! Check our our Submitted Art for some awesome ideas.
OR!
If you have ideas already, send them into us HERE – we would love to get some new art!
Breaking News in the WordPress World at large!!
Missed something? Shoot it over to me at amber@wppro.ca – I will throw it up in the next issue!
WordPress news this week:
WordPress Vulnerability Report from PatchStack
(https://patchstack.com/database/) – These guys always have the latest information on what is going on regarding the latest in vulnerabilities. At the time of writing this, the most recent issue was a plugin called ‘Sheet to Table Live Sync for Google Sheet’ with a cross scripting vulnerability found 18 hours ago.
WordPress Vulnerability Report – August 14, 2024
(https://solidwp.com/blog/wordpress-vulnerability-report-august-14-2024/) – In this report there are 181 vulnerabilities. Of these 172 are plugins, 114 have at the time of my writing this been patched – and there are 9 WordPress Themes with vulnerabilities, 4 have been patched at the time of writing this. Be sure to check the list out for yourself!
New proposal to update WordCamp budget guidelines to attract new attendees
(https://wptavern.com/new-proposal-to-update-wordcamp-budget-guidelines-to-attract-new-attendees) – This is the first thing we have seen from the WordPress Tavern since March – Congratulations Jyolsna for surviving The Hunger Games!
…and it talks about how there is a decline in the number of attendees in person to the WordCamps. Honestly, I am not so sure that there is a serious decline in attendance overall, so much as a decline for the ‘in person’ attendance – have the people arranging these things not checked out gas and hotel prices lately…? Apparently they think that doing more advertising will work so they are allocating a portion of their budget o advertise more – I am not so sure this is going to help, but I suppose we shall see!
WordCamp Netherlands 2024 rescheduled to November 29-30
(https://netherlands.wordcamp.org/2024/wordcamp-netherlands-rescheduled/) – This is apparently due to low ticket sales. But again I point out the cost of travel overall….
Go ahead and use WordPress your way
(https://thewpminute.com/go-ahead-and-use-wordpress-your-way/) – This is a great article talking directly to everyone who is worried about stepping on toes or colouring too far outside the lines when it comes to using and building with WordPress in their own way. As it can in any community, there will always be nay-sayers – but don’t let that stop you. The whole reason that WordPress was developed the way it was is because it is meant to be used by everyone in their own preferred way of using WordPress. So yea, go ahead and do it your own way.
Growing your online store’s sales with less time and effort
(https://thewpminute.com/growing-your-online-stores-sales-with-less-time-and-effort/) – technically this can be used for any e-store on any platform – but it is specifically geared towards those using WordPress. It is really a great walk through on things to help you get your business going.
From Post Status Community Roundup Week Ending August 9:
Joao Victor has launched his new website Elephant Wisdoms where he’ll share WordPress and Customer Support Insights.
Community Roundup Week Ending Augst 9
(https://poststatus.com/community-roundup-week-ending-august-9/) – This is a great roundup of things to know regarding WordPress. Worth checking this out as there are over 10 links to look through!
SEO items for your pleasure
On-page SEO checklist: complete with free PDF download
(https://www.reliablesoft.net/seo-checklist/on-page-seo/) – handy dandy thing to have on hand later down the road. Even if the checklist isn’t everything you need or is too detailed for you at this time – keep it. I have about 20 checklists I found and created my own from – it’s the best way to go!
How to implement a video SEO strategy
(https://techcrunch.com/2022/12/12/how-to-implement-a-video-seo-strategy/)
State of SEO Report: Top insights for 2025 success
(https://www.searchenginejournal.com/state-of-seo-report-2025/523463/)
Google’s AI overviews: YouTube & LinkedIn Up, Reddit Down
(https://www.searchenginejournal.com/googles-ai-overviews-ditch-reddit-embrace-youtube-study/524200/)
Google’s “Branded Search” ranking factor patent
(https://www.searchenginejournal.com/googles-branded-search-patent-for-ranking-search-results/524083/)
Google confirms 3 ways to make Googlebot crawl more
(https://www.searchenginejournal.com/3-ways-to-make-googlebot-crawl-more/524049/)
Google warns: URL parameters create crawl issues
(https://www.searchenginejournal.com/google-warns-url-parameters-create-crawl-issues/523982/)
Google’s mixed messages: Does Googlebot really “follow” links?
(https://www.searchenginejournal.com/googles-mixed-messages-does-googlebot-really-follow-links/523955/)
Cybersecurity & Gaming stuff
US considers a rare antitrust move: breaking up Google
(https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-08-13/doj-considers-seeking-google-goog-breakup-after-major-antitrust-win)
AutoCanada announces cybersecurity breach, earnings hit by previous incident
(https://www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/business/autocanada-announces-cybersecurity-breach-earnings-hit-by-previous-incident/article_d97480b3-8f85-5447-b68d-d777ddddf676.html)
Kiteworks captures $456M at a $1B+ valuation to help secure sensitive data
(https://techcrunch.com/2024/08/14/kiteworks-captures-456m-at-a-1b-valuation-to-help-secure-sensitive-data/)
NIST releases first 3 finalized post-quantum encryption standards
(https://www.nist.gov/news-events/news/2024/08/nist-releases-first-3-finalized-post-quantum-encryption-standards)
Preparing your organization for the quantum threat to cryptography – ITSAP.00.017
(https://www.cyber.gc.ca/en/guidance/preparing-your-organization-quantum-threat-cryptography-itsap00017)
Malware-as-a-service golden business for hackers: Darktrace Report
(https://www.technewsworld.com/story/malware-as-a-service-golden-business-for-hackers-darktrace-report-179312.html)
Microsoft patches scary wormable hijack-my-box-via-IPv6 security bug and others
(https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/microsoft-patches-scary-wormable-hijack-my-box-via-ipv6-security-bug-and-others/ar-AA1oKI30)
Microsoft patched 6 actively Exploited Zero-Day flaws
(https://www.techrepublic.com/article/microsoft-zero-day-vulnerabilities-exploited/)
Crowdstrike releases root cause analysis of the global Microsoft breakdown
(https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-08-07/drt-crowdstrike-root-cause-analysis/104193866)
Mac and Windows users infected by software updates delivered over hacked ISP
(https://arstechnica.com/security/2024/08/hacked-isp-infects-users-receiving-unsecure-software-updates/)
Microsoft update warning – 70% of all Windows users now at risk
(https://www.forbes.com/sites/zakdoffman/2024/08/06/microsoft-warning-for-14-billion-windows-10-users-windows-11-free-upgrade/)
Windows update downgrade attack “unpatches” fully-updated systems
(https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/microsoft/windows-update-downgrade-attack-unpatches-fully-updated-systems/)
Sonos’ $30M appfail is cautionary tale against rushing unnecessary updates
(https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2024/08/app-redesign-blowback-will-cost-sonos-up-to-30-million-ceo-says/)
Surge in ‘Shadow AI’ accounts poses fresh risks to corporate data
(https://www.technewsworld.com/story/surge-in-shadow-ai-accounts-poses-fresh-risks-to-corporate-data-179299.html)
Some AI stuff
Department of Commerce announces new guidance, tools 270 days following President Biden’s Executive Order on AI
(https://www.nist.gov/news-events/news/2024/07/department-commerce-announces-new-guidance-tools-270-days-following)
Research AI model unexpectedly modified its own code to extend runtime
(https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2024/08/research-ai-model-unexpectedly-modified-its-own-code-to-extend-runtime/)
Major shifts at OpenAI spark skepticism about impending AGI timelines
(https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2024/08/major-shifts-at-openai-spark-skepticism-about-impending-agi-timelines/)
OpenAI starts rolling out its Her-like voice mode for ChatGPT
(https://www.theverge.com/2024/7/30/24209650/openai-chatgpt-advanced-voice-mode)
A glimpse into the future of AI electric cars
(https://www.technewsworld.com/story/a-glimpse-into-the-future-of-ai-electric-cars-179300.html)
OpenAI warns users could become emotionally hooked on its voice mode
(https://www.wired.com/story/openai-voice-mode-emotional-attachment/)
how to run dozens of AI models on your Mac or PC – no third-party cloud needed
(https://www.zdnet.com/article/how-to-run-dozens-of-ai-models-on-your-mac-or-pc-no-third-party-cloud-needed/)
The AI scams infiltrating the knitting and crochet world – and how to spot them
(https://www.zdnet.com/article/how-ai-scams-are-infiltrating-the-knitting-and-crochet-world/)
X’s new AI image generator will make anything from Taylor Swift in lingerie to Kamala Harris with a gun
(https://www.theverge.com/2024/8/14/24220173/xai-grok-image-generator-misinformation-offensive-imges)
Never worry about what’s for dinner again!
(https://www.chefgpt.xyz/) – this requires a little more explanation – this is an app that you can put random ingredients into and it will spit out a recipe for you. BEWARE though, this is an AI, and so therefore the recipe’s you get are not always… well, human comsumable.
Websites vs. the AI robots
(https://www.readthepeak.com/stories/08-24-websites-vs-the-ai-robots)
Deep-live-cam goes viral, allowing anyone to become a digital doppelganger
(https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2024/08/new-ai-tool-enables-real-time-face-swapping-on-webcams-raising-fraud-concerns/)
Intel AI and the Olympics
(https://www.technewsworld.com/story/intel-ai-and-the-olympics-179286.html)
AI-enhanced searches may pose threat to creators, publishers
(https://www.technewsworld.com/story/ai-enhanced-searches-may-pose-threat-to-creators-publishers-179193.html)
Microsoft, Samsung, Google, and Apple!
Microsoft is axing unlicensed accounts for this popular service
(https://www.msn.com/en-in/news/techandscience/microsoft-is-axing-unlicensed-accounts-for-this-popular-service/ar-AA1oK8Si)
Microsoft fixes security bug that kept booting PCs into recovery mode
(https://www.techradar.com/pro/security/microsoft-fixes-security-bug-that-kept-booting-pcs-into-recovery-mode)
Malware force-installs Chrome extensions on 300,000 browsers, patches DLLs
(https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/malware-force-installs-chrome-extensions-on-300-000-browsers-patches-dlls/)
This Samsung Phone is the one most people should buy in 2024 (and it’s not a flagship)
(https://www.zdnet.com/article/this-samsung-phone-is-the-one-most-people-should-buy-in-2024-and-its-not-a-flagship/)
Made by Google 2024: all of Google’s receals, from the Pixel 9 lineup to Gemini AI’s addition to everything
(https://techcrunch.com/2024/08/13/made-by-google-2024-all-of-googles-reveals-from-the-pixel-9-iineup-to-gemini-ais-addition-to-everything/)
The Extras – check out our Facebook, or Twitter page for even more!
5 best open-source email clients for Linux (and why Greary is my go-to)
(https://www.zdnet.com/article/5-best-open-source-email-clients-for-linux-and-why-geary-is-my-go-to/)
All the smart tech I use to manage my ADHD
(https://lifehacker.com/tech/smart-tech-to-manage-adhd)
How to shop for a desktop computer, from cheap towers to gaming PCs
(https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/cheap-desktop-pcs/)
Self-driving Waymo carts keep SF residents awake all night by honking at each other
(https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2024/08/self-driving-waymo-cars-keep-sf-residents-awake-all-night-by-honking-at-each-other/)
Pass the mayo: condiment could help improve fusion energy yields
(https://arstechnica.com/science/2024/08/kitchen-science-how-mayonnaise-is-advancing-nuclear-fusion-research/)
Canada could soon see more rocket launches
(https://www.readthepeak.com/stories/08-24-canada-could-soon-see-more-rocket-launches)
18 free ways to get around a paywall to read an article
(https://lifehacker.com/how-to-bypass-a-paywall-to-read-an-article-for-free)
What time is it on the moon?
(https://www.nist.gov/news-events/news/2024/08/what-time-it-moon)
WordPress Tips
Got some tid bit tips to pass on? Chuck them at amber@wppro.ca – whatever sticks will land in this section!
Don’t try to read everything all at once
When you are looking at all the news that is available – just choose one particular area to reasearch. I only just skim most of the news I bring – don’t feel like you are failing if you don’t read it all and know everything about everything – pick and choose which areas you want to be more knowledgeable in, and then you will find yourself researching in those areas and having a much easier time holding the information in your brain meats.
Unlike if you try to read it all, cover all the bases – you will feel like you are reading as the information is falling out of your ears like sand from between your fingers.
You are not a godling, you are just human. Allow yourself that, and just focus on what you need rather than trying to do it all.
And you know, you can apply that to any part of your life as well. ;)
Earn yourself a Producership Credit!
Want a Producership credit? They really do exist – check out how to get yours on our site!
Click on ‘Time’, ‘Talent’, or ‘Treasure’ to find out more on how you can help and get yourselt out there with a bit of tit for tat!
Miscellaneous Announcements from all:
Have an announcement like a meetup, or to announce you’ll be on stage at a WordCamp? Let us know and we will add it here and help get your news out to the world!
WordCamp Minneapolis/St. Paul – August 16th
WordCamp Begotá – August 30-31
To see the entire list you can follow the link here in the show notes, then click on ‘More WordCamps’ right below the list of the next 5. https://central.wordcamp.org/
If you are interested in finding a WordPress Meetup somewhere around the world you can go check out the places here: https://www.meetup.com/pro/wordpress/
Keep checking back every week to find out what else is going on!
And remember, the show notes can be found at wppluginsatoz.com!
How to reach us:
Feel like sending us something through the snail mail system? You can do that thanks to our brick and mortar address that we provide for you!
You can also reach us the more common way of the internets – have both of our internets available down below for ya!
WP Plugins A to Z
C/O John Overall
20-754 E Fairview Rd.
Victoria, BC V9A 5T9
Canada
John:
- My website: http://www.johnoverall.com/
- WordPress Emergency Support: http://wppro.ca/wpemergency
- email: john@wppro.ca
Amber:
- email: amber@wppro.ca