Automattic operates WordPress.com and contributes to WordPress.org development. It was founded by Matt Mullenweg and has about 50 employees worldwide who communicate virtually. WordPress comes in different flavors including the downloadable WordPress.org version and the hosted WordPress.com version. WordPress.org has thousands of contributors and releases new versions 3-4 times per year with new features. Upcoming WordPress releases will improve media management, interfaces and include new themes.

1. WordPress in Review
Jane Wells
Automattic

2. Hello
Jane Wells
User Experience / User Interface
WordPress / Automattic
jane@automattic.com
http://jane.wordpress.com
@janeforshort

3. Automattic
• Operates WordPress.com
• WordPress.org development
• Akismet
• WordPress Video Player (open source)
• WordPress.com Stats plugin
• Intense Debate
• PollDaddy

4. Automattic
• Founded by Matt Mullenweg
• About 50 employees
• No central office
• Everyone works from home
• Communication via IRC, Skype and email
• Countries: USA, Canada, UK, Ireland,
Bulgaria, Australia, France, Spain, Japan

5. WordPress “Flavors”
All versions of WordPress are 100% open source.
• WordPress.org - downloadable self-hosted version
• WordPress.com - WordPress hosted by Automattic
• WordPress MU - self-hosted multi-user version

6. WordPress.org Development
• Thousands of commits
• Hundreds of contributing developers
• Tens of thousands of beta testers
• 3-4 releases per year
• Two back-end redesigns
• Over 4000 plugins
Core Developers: Matt Mullenweg, Ryan Boren,
Andrew Ozz, Mark Jaquith, Peter Westwood

7. WordPress 2.7
Customizable administration interface, dozens of new features, millions of downloads

8. Coming Up in 2.8
• Improved widget management
• Embedded theme directory
• Improved performance
• Custom taxonomies
• Expansion of open source contributions
Anticipated release date: April 15, 2009

9. Coming Up in 2009
• Redesigned media management
• Interface refinements
• New themes
• Improved Ideas forum
• New documentation handbooks

10. WordPress MU
• Multiple blogs from one installation
• Scaling to millions of pageviews
• Unlimited users
• Robust administration features
Lead Developer: Donncha O’Caoimh

11. WordPress.com
• Runs on MU
• Hosted by Automattic
• Millions of blogs and users
• High-profile blogs - CNN, Fox News,
Martha Stewart, etc.
• Test bed for new features
• Limited control (no ads, JavaScript, Flash)

12. BuddyPress
Lead Developer: Andy Peatling

13. WordPress.tv
Led By: Michael Pick

14. WordCamps
San Francisco | Beijing | Tel Aviv | Buenos Aires | Melbourne | Hamburg
Dallas | Vancouver (CA) | Paris | Milan | Birmingham (UK)
Fraser Valley (CA) | Cape Town | Philippines | Shanghai | Birmingham, AL
Salt Lake City | Portland, OR | Tokyo | Toronto | New York
Honolulu | Bangkok Charlotte | Washington, D.C. | Sydney | Barcelona
Las Vegas | Jakarta | Whistler | Worcester, MA | Denver | India | Hong Kong

15. Thank You
Please feel free to contact me
with any questions or suggestions.
Jane Wells
jane@automattic.com
http://jane.wordpress.com
twitter: @janeforshort