Join us THURSDAY, July 18 at 1pm ET / 10am PT, for our regularly scheduled call to chat about all things Drupal and nonprofits. (Convert to your local time zone.) We'll be taking August off, so this is the last chat of the summer.
We don't have anything specific on the agenda this month, so we'll have plenty of time to discuss anything that's on our minds at the intersection of Drupal and nonprofits. Got something specific you want to talk about? Feel free to share ahead of time in our collaborative Google doc: https://nten.org/drupal/notes!
All nonprofit Drupal devs and users, regardless of experience level, are always welcome on this call.
This free call is sponsored by NTEN.org and open to everyone.
Join the call: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81817469653
Meeting ID: 818 1746 9653
Passcode: 551681
One tap mobile:
+16699006833,,81817469653# US (San Jose)
+13462487799,,81817469653# US (Houston)
Dial by your location:
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kpV1o65N
Follow along on Google Docs: https://nten.org/drupal/notes
View notes of previous months' calls.
Open source Drupal Starshot slide deck with recording is now available
Lauri Timmanee and myself presented a keynote on Drupal Starshot at Drupal Developer Days 2024 two weeks ago in Burgas, Bulgaria. We got requests from many people that more content on Starshot would be great, so we decided to open source our slide deck! The organizers just published the video recording as well, so while we did not put in speaker notes to these slides, you can get the details from the recording.
Feel free to make a copy of the slides and present this at your company, meetup, Drupal 11 launch party, and so on!
Check out the Drupal Starshot marketing page for further marketing resources, logos and backgrounds.
Announcing the Drupal Starshot Advisory Council
I'm excited to announce the formation of the Drupal Starshot Advisory Council. When I announced Starshot's Leadership Team, I explained that we are innovating on the leadership model by adding a team of advisors. This council will provide strategic input and feedback to help ensure Drupal Starshot meets the needs of key stakeholders and end-users.
The Drupal Starshot initiative represents an ambitious effort to expand Drupal's reach and impact. To guide this effort, we've established a diverse Advisory Council that includes members of the Drupal Starshot project team, Drupal Association staff and Board of Directors, representatives from Drupal Certified Partners, Drupal Core Committers, and last but not least, individuals representing the target end-users for Drupal Starshot. This ensures a wide range of perspectives and expertise to inform the project's direction and decision-making.
The initial members include:
Imre Gmelig Meijling, React Online / Drupal Association Board - Fundraising Committee
Suzanne Dergachev, Evolving Web / Drupal Association Board - Marketing Committee
Mike Herchel, Agileana / Drupal Association Board - Innovation Committee
Tim Doyle, CEO at the Drupal Association
Tim Lehnen, CTO at the Drupal Association
Kristen Pol, Salsa Digital - Drupal Certified Partner representative
Chris Yates, Pantheon - Drupal Certified Partner representative
Luis Ribeiro, CI&T - Drupal Certified Partner representative
Kathryn Carruthers, alakasam - End User representative
Emma Horrell, University of Edinburgh - End User representative
Nathaniel Catchpole (catch), Third and Grove / Tag1 Consulting - Drupal Core Committer
Théodore Biadala (nod_), Très Bien Tech - Drupal Core Committer
The council has been meeting monthly to receive updates from myself and the Drupal Starshot Leadership Team. Members will provide feedback on project initiatives, offer recommendations, and share insights based on their diverse experiences and areas of expertise.
In addition to guiding the strategic direction of Drupal Starshot, the Advisory Council will play a vital role in communication and alignment between the Drupal Starshot team, the Drupal Association, Drupal Core, and the broader Drupal community.
I'm excited to be working with this accomplished group to make the Drupal Starshot vision a reality. Together we can expand the reach and impact of Drupal, and continue advancing our mission to make the web a better place.
This blog has been re-posted and edited with permission from Dries Buytaert's blog.File attachments: starshot-council-1920w.jpg
Ending Packages.Drupal.org support for Composer 1
To prepare Drupal.org infrastructure for providing automatic updates for Drupal and upgrading Drupal.org itself, we are removing support for Composer 1 on Packages.Drupal.org.
New Drupal.org packages & releases will not be available for Composer 1 after August 12, 2024.
Composer 1 support will be dropped after October 1, 2024.
Preparing your site for Composer 2 is documentation for updating Drupal site codebases with Composer 2.
Deprecating Packagist.org support for Composer 1.x is Packagist.org’s announcement.
Less than 1% of our Composer traffic comes from Composer 1. Drupal’s automatic updates require Composer 2. Packagist.org has already reduced support for Composer 1. So now is a good time to upgrade to Composer 2, if you have not already.
Follow #3201223: Deprecate composer 1 for detailed status updates.
New Drupal.org packages & releases will not be available for Composer 1 after August 12, 2024.
Composer 1 support will be dropped after October 1, 2024.
Preparing your site for Composer 2 is documentation for updating Drupal site codebases with Composer 2.
Deprecating Packagist.org support for Composer 1.x is Packagist.org’s announcement.
Less than 1% of our Composer traffic comes from Composer 1. Drupal’s automatic updates require Composer 2. Packagist.org has already reduced support for Composer 1. So now is a good time to upgrade to Composer 2, if you have not already.
Follow #3201223: Deprecate composer 1 for detailed status updates.
Celebrating Success: DrupalCon Portland 2024 Event Impact Recap
Welcome to the Event Impact Recap of DrupalCon Portland 2024, a benchmark event in North America, that not only marked a significant milestone in the Drupal community, but also holds a special place in my journey. Having served as a contractor for DrupalCon Portland and now stepping into the role of the new Community Programs Director with the Drupal Association, I am thrilled to share the highlights and successes of this remarkable gathering. My goal is to have an Impact Report shared with the community after each DrupalCon that depicts the data and feedback on the event. Please view the slides.
Key Highlights from DrupalCon Portland 2024:
Attendance and Engagement:
With 1,368 registered attendees and an impressive 97.8% check-in rate, DrupalCon Portland 2024 brought together a vibrant community of Drupal enthusiasts and professionals.
Of the 1,368 registered attendees, 438 (about one third) received comped registrations for volunteering, speaking, or other roles at the conference.
The event saw 3,249 hotel rooms booked in Portland, OR, highlighting its impact on the local economy and hospitality sector AND, it’s worth to note, these were just the rooms through our block, many rooms were booked outside the block making an even bigger impact on the local business community.
A post event survey showed the rank of overall experience at DrupalCon Portland 2024 at 4.21/5
32% of attendees said this was their 1st DrupalCon
8 Scholarship grants were given out to the community
95% of attendees said they would attend a future DrupalCon
Global Representation:
Attendees from 6 continents, 35 countries, and 46 states joined us, demonstrating Drupal's global reach and community diversity.
Specialized Summits:
Five Summits (Government, Higher Ed, Nonprofit, Healthcare, and Community) attracted 476 attendees, facilitating deep dives into crucial Drupal topics and fostering collaboration.
DriesNote and Starshot:
A highlight of the event was the DriesNote, attended by 950 people in person, eager to hear about Starshot, an exciting new initiative. (View the recording on the Drupal Association Youtube page). This session not only informed but also inspired attendees about the future of Drupal.
Two BOFs were hosted, providing platforms for continued discussions and community engagement beyond the main sessions.
Sponsorship:
DrupalCon Portland 2024 was made possible thanks to the generous support of our sponsors
Presenting Sponsors: 2
Champion Sponsors: 6
Advocate Sponsors: 11
Exhibitors: 28
Total Sponsors: 47
The conference wouldn't have been possible without the dedication and partnership of these organizations. Their support underscores their commitment to the Drupal community and its ongoing success.
Volunteer Contributions:
The success of DrupalCon Portland 2024 was further bolstered by 28 dedicated volunteers, including local ambassadors, logistics contributors, and translation assistants, who collectively contributed 221.5 hours onsite.
I am deeply honored to now step into the role of the new Community Programs Director with the Drupal Association. With over 18 years of experience in event planning, field marketing, nonprofit management, and community engagement, I am excited to leverage my skills to enhance community programs and initiatives within the Drupal ecosystem. My goal is to foster even stronger connections, facilitate meaningful collaborations, and support the growth and inclusivity of the Drupal community.
As we reflect on the achievements and connections fostered at DrupalCon Portland 2024, I am filled with optimism about the future of Drupal and the potential for continued growth and innovation within our community, and am excited to be a part of DrupalCon Barcelona, DrupalCon Singapore, DrupalCon Atlanta and many more for years to come!
DrupalCon Portland 2024 was not just an event but a celebration of collaboration, knowledge sharing, and community spirit. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who contributed to its success, from attendees and volunteers to sponsors and organizers. Let's carry this momentum forward as we embark on the next chapter of Drupal's journey together.
- Meghan Harrell
Community Programs Director
Drupal Association
Key Highlights from DrupalCon Portland 2024:
Attendance and Engagement:
With 1,368 registered attendees and an impressive 97.8% check-in rate, DrupalCon Portland 2024 brought together a vibrant community of Drupal enthusiasts and professionals.
Of the 1,368 registered attendees, 438 (about one third) received comped registrations for volunteering, speaking, or other roles at the conference.
The event saw 3,249 hotel rooms booked in Portland, OR, highlighting its impact on the local economy and hospitality sector AND, it’s worth to note, these were just the rooms through our block, many rooms were booked outside the block making an even bigger impact on the local business community.
A post event survey showed the rank of overall experience at DrupalCon Portland 2024 at 4.21/5
32% of attendees said this was their 1st DrupalCon
8 Scholarship grants were given out to the community
95% of attendees said they would attend a future DrupalCon
Global Representation:
Attendees from 6 continents, 35 countries, and 46 states joined us, demonstrating Drupal's global reach and community diversity.
Specialized Summits:
Five Summits (Government, Higher Ed, Nonprofit, Healthcare, and Community) attracted 476 attendees, facilitating deep dives into crucial Drupal topics and fostering collaboration.
DriesNote and Starshot:
A highlight of the event was the DriesNote, attended by 950 people in person, eager to hear about Starshot, an exciting new initiative. (View the recording on the Drupal Association Youtube page). This session not only informed but also inspired attendees about the future of Drupal.
Two BOFs were hosted, providing platforms for continued discussions and community engagement beyond the main sessions.
Sponsorship:
DrupalCon Portland 2024 was made possible thanks to the generous support of our sponsors
Presenting Sponsors: 2
Champion Sponsors: 6
Advocate Sponsors: 11
Exhibitors: 28
Total Sponsors: 47
The conference wouldn't have been possible without the dedication and partnership of these organizations. Their support underscores their commitment to the Drupal community and its ongoing success.
Volunteer Contributions:
The success of DrupalCon Portland 2024 was further bolstered by 28 dedicated volunteers, including local ambassadors, logistics contributors, and translation assistants, who collectively contributed 221.5 hours onsite.
I am deeply honored to now step into the role of the new Community Programs Director with the Drupal Association. With over 18 years of experience in event planning, field marketing, nonprofit management, and community engagement, I am excited to leverage my skills to enhance community programs and initiatives within the Drupal ecosystem. My goal is to foster even stronger connections, facilitate meaningful collaborations, and support the growth and inclusivity of the Drupal community.
As we reflect on the achievements and connections fostered at DrupalCon Portland 2024, I am filled with optimism about the future of Drupal and the potential for continued growth and innovation within our community, and am excited to be a part of DrupalCon Barcelona, DrupalCon Singapore, DrupalCon Atlanta and many more for years to come!
DrupalCon Portland 2024 was not just an event but a celebration of collaboration, knowledge sharing, and community spirit. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who contributed to its success, from attendees and volunteers to sponsors and organizers. Let's carry this momentum forward as we embark on the next chapter of Drupal's journey together.
- Meghan Harrell
Community Programs Director
Drupal Association
Navigating the Future 6 Months out from Drupal 7 Support Ending: Options for Your Drupal 7 Site
With Drupal 7’s (D7) end-of-life (EOL) in 6 months on January 5, 2025, organizations relying on D7 face critical decisions regarding the future of their websites. This article will help guide you through the paths you can take: migrating to modern Drupal, leveraging extended long-term support options, or staying on unsupported Drupal 7.
Update to Modern Drupal
Transitioning from Drupal 7 to a newer version is crucial in future-proofing your digital presence. These versions embrace modern PHP standards, object-oriented programming, and Symfony components, providing a powerful foundation for your website. This upgrade allows you to access advanced features, enhanced performance, and ensures ongoing support and security updates.
Why Migrate to the Latest Versions?
Modernization: Drupal 10 offers cutting-edge features and performance improvements, and an easy upgrade path to Drupal 11, releasing very soon.
Security: Continuous security updates protect your site from vulnerabilities.
Flexibility: Adopt contemporary coding standards and best practices.
Future-Proofing: Ensure compatibility with future updates and maintain a seamless digital experience.
Additionally, the upcoming release of Starshot, slated before the end of 2024, promises even more enhancements and features that will elevate your website's capabilities. By migrating now, your organization can seamlessly integrate these future advancements.
Migrating to newer versions can involve navigating significant architectural changes, and may require extensive modifications to custom modules and themes. However, tools like Drupal Rector and Retrofit on our DIY migration resources page can help make this process easier. The benefits of modernization, enhanced security, and future-proofing outweigh the initial investment in time, resources, and budget.
But you don’t have to do it yourself. There are a number of Drupal Certified Partners who can assist organizations in planning and implementing their migration.
Find the qualified company that is best for you: Certified Migration Partners.
Extended Security Support for Drupal 7
To address the challenges of using unsupported software, the Drupal Association has established a program for supporting site owners who won't be able to migrate before the end of life date. The D7 Extended Security Support Program identifies existing Drupal Certified Partners who meet stringent standards and who the Drupal Association feels confident recommending.
With the end of support, the Drupal Security Team will no longer be involved in supporting Drupal 7. The Drupal Association recognizes that some site owners will not be in a position to migrate their site or need more time to do so. For many of these site owners, paying for extended support would be a good option.
Recognizing that the Drupal Security Team would not be officially involved in any such service, the Drupal Association created rigorous standards before certifying companies under this program. Some of these requirements include:
Being a Drupal Certified Partner at the Gold tier or higher
Employing a core security team member
Experience in providing security and compatibility fixes
History of reporting 2 or more CVEs and creating fixes for the same
Willingness to enter in a service level agreement to ensure standards are being met
Find the company that will work best for you: D7 Extended Security Support Partners
Stay on Unsupported Drupal 7
When Drupal 7 reaches its EOL, it will no longer receive new security updates, fixes, or official support from the Drupal community. While this option might seem cost-effective and leverages your team's stability and familiarity with Drupal 7, it comes with significant risks.
Without updates, your site will be vulnerable to new security exploits and non-compliance with standards such as FedRAMP, PCI-DSS, and HIPAA. Over time, tools and utilities supporting your Drupal 7 site may become incompatible with new versions of dependencies like PHP, and finding developers skilled in outdated technology could become increasingly difficult.
The Drupal Association does not recommend this option.
Conclusion
Organizations must carefully weigh their options as Drupal 7 approaches its EOL to ensure continued security, compliance, and compatibility. Embracing Drupal 10 and the upcoming Drupal 11 and Starshot release will position your organization for long-term success with access to the latest features, security updates, and a vibrant support community..
Update to Modern Drupal
Transitioning from Drupal 7 to a newer version is crucial in future-proofing your digital presence. These versions embrace modern PHP standards, object-oriented programming, and Symfony components, providing a powerful foundation for your website. This upgrade allows you to access advanced features, enhanced performance, and ensures ongoing support and security updates.
Why Migrate to the Latest Versions?
Modernization: Drupal 10 offers cutting-edge features and performance improvements, and an easy upgrade path to Drupal 11, releasing very soon.
Security: Continuous security updates protect your site from vulnerabilities.
Flexibility: Adopt contemporary coding standards and best practices.
Future-Proofing: Ensure compatibility with future updates and maintain a seamless digital experience.
Additionally, the upcoming release of Starshot, slated before the end of 2024, promises even more enhancements and features that will elevate your website's capabilities. By migrating now, your organization can seamlessly integrate these future advancements.
Migrating to newer versions can involve navigating significant architectural changes, and may require extensive modifications to custom modules and themes. However, tools like Drupal Rector and Retrofit on our DIY migration resources page can help make this process easier. The benefits of modernization, enhanced security, and future-proofing outweigh the initial investment in time, resources, and budget.
But you don’t have to do it yourself. There are a number of Drupal Certified Partners who can assist organizations in planning and implementing their migration.
Find the qualified company that is best for you: Certified Migration Partners.
Extended Security Support for Drupal 7
To address the challenges of using unsupported software, the Drupal Association has established a program for supporting site owners who won't be able to migrate before the end of life date. The D7 Extended Security Support Program identifies existing Drupal Certified Partners who meet stringent standards and who the Drupal Association feels confident recommending.
With the end of support, the Drupal Security Team will no longer be involved in supporting Drupal 7. The Drupal Association recognizes that some site owners will not be in a position to migrate their site or need more time to do so. For many of these site owners, paying for extended support would be a good option.
Recognizing that the Drupal Security Team would not be officially involved in any such service, the Drupal Association created rigorous standards before certifying companies under this program. Some of these requirements include:
Being a Drupal Certified Partner at the Gold tier or higher
Employing a core security team member
Experience in providing security and compatibility fixes
History of reporting 2 or more CVEs and creating fixes for the same
Willingness to enter in a service level agreement to ensure standards are being met
Find the company that will work best for you: D7 Extended Security Support Partners
Stay on Unsupported Drupal 7
When Drupal 7 reaches its EOL, it will no longer receive new security updates, fixes, or official support from the Drupal community. While this option might seem cost-effective and leverages your team's stability and familiarity with Drupal 7, it comes with significant risks.
Without updates, your site will be vulnerable to new security exploits and non-compliance with standards such as FedRAMP, PCI-DSS, and HIPAA. Over time, tools and utilities supporting your Drupal 7 site may become incompatible with new versions of dependencies like PHP, and finding developers skilled in outdated technology could become increasingly difficult.
The Drupal Association does not recommend this option.
Conclusion
Organizations must carefully weigh their options as Drupal 7 approaches its EOL to ensure continued security, compliance, and compatibility. Embracing Drupal 10 and the upcoming Drupal 11 and Starshot release will position your organization for long-term success with access to the latest features, security updates, and a vibrant support community..
Introducing Ripple Makers: our revamped Individual Membership program!
Fellow Drupalists!
We have exciting news. As a way to express our appreciation for our community, the Drupal Association is pleased to announce some changes to the Individual Membership program, now called Ripple Makers!
Our goal is to increase communication and transparency, and create more opportunities for engagement.
The Drupal Association is a United States incorporated 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Donations to Ripple Makers are tax deductible, where applicable. We raise funding primarily through event registration, event sponsorship, the Drupal Certified Partner program, some grants, and individual contributions. We do not have a for profit parent corporation telling us what to do, nor do we ever charge to download Drupal. In fact, it is our mission to ensure that it will always be free.
Drupal has given members of our community opportunities beyond just a career. The values adopted by open source communities create innovation, collaboration, and creation across the globe. Drupal itself is recognized as a Digital Public Good. Drupal is a lever for change and makes a difference preserving the integrity of the internet.
At the heart of the Ripple Makers transformation is a commitment to fostering deeper connections with each and every member of our community, recognizing the invaluable role that sustaining donors play in advancing our shared mission and impact. By revamping our sustaining donors club to be more inclusive and communicative, we aim to create a culture of belonging where every donor feels valued, heard, and empowered to make a difference.
Ripple Makers is your chance to give back—and to celebrate the Drupal community and the open source ecosystem that helps it thrive. We invite you to make a monthly donation in support of the Drupal Association.
We have exciting news. As a way to express our appreciation for our community, the Drupal Association is pleased to announce some changes to the Individual Membership program, now called Ripple Makers!
Our goal is to increase communication and transparency, and create more opportunities for engagement.
The Drupal Association is a United States incorporated 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Donations to Ripple Makers are tax deductible, where applicable. We raise funding primarily through event registration, event sponsorship, the Drupal Certified Partner program, some grants, and individual contributions. We do not have a for profit parent corporation telling us what to do, nor do we ever charge to download Drupal. In fact, it is our mission to ensure that it will always be free.
Drupal has given members of our community opportunities beyond just a career. The values adopted by open source communities create innovation, collaboration, and creation across the globe. Drupal itself is recognized as a Digital Public Good. Drupal is a lever for change and makes a difference preserving the integrity of the internet.
At the heart of the Ripple Makers transformation is a commitment to fostering deeper connections with each and every member of our community, recognizing the invaluable role that sustaining donors play in advancing our shared mission and impact. By revamping our sustaining donors club to be more inclusive and communicative, we aim to create a culture of belonging where every donor feels valued, heard, and empowered to make a difference.
Ripple Makers is your chance to give back—and to celebrate the Drupal community and the open source ecosystem that helps it thrive. We invite you to make a monthly donation in support of the Drupal Association.
June Drupal for Nonprofits Chat
Join us THURSDAY, June 20 at 1pm ET / 10am PT, for our regularly scheduled call to chat about all things Drupal and nonprofits. (Convert to your local time zone.)
We don't have anything specific on the agenda this month, so we'll have plenty of time to discuss anything that's on our minds at the intersection of Drupal and nonprofits. Got something specific you want to talk about? Feel free to share ahead of time in our collaborative Google doc: https://nten.org/drupal/notes!
All nonprofit Drupal devs and users, regardless of experience level, are always welcome on this call.
This free call is sponsored by NTEN.org and open to everyone.
Join the call: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81817469653
Meeting ID: 818 1746 9653
Passcode: 551681
One tap mobile:
+16699006833,,81817469653# US (San Jose)
+13462487799,,81817469653# US (Houston)
Dial by your location:
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kpV1o65N
Follow along on Google Docs: https://nten.org/drupal/notes
View notes of previous months' calls.
We don't have anything specific on the agenda this month, so we'll have plenty of time to discuss anything that's on our minds at the intersection of Drupal and nonprofits. Got something specific you want to talk about? Feel free to share ahead of time in our collaborative Google doc: https://nten.org/drupal/notes!
All nonprofit Drupal devs and users, regardless of experience level, are always welcome on this call.
This free call is sponsored by NTEN.org and open to everyone.
Join the call: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81817469653
Meeting ID: 818 1746 9653
Passcode: 551681
One tap mobile:
+16699006833,,81817469653# US (San Jose)
+13462487799,,81817469653# US (Houston)
Dial by your location:
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kpV1o65N
Follow along on Google Docs: https://nten.org/drupal/notes
View notes of previous months' calls.
