Peter is a web developer for ITHAKA, the parent company of JSTOR. Started using WordPress in 2005. He has been doing development since 2009 and works with WordPress everyday.
Outside of work, I enjoy rock climbing, brewing and milking my cow.
Peter Shackelford will be presenting “WordPress Introduction” on Friday, October 14 at 8:00am in the Pendleton room.
Why do use WordPress?
I use WordPress because it was approachable when I was starting out. The community is generous with its knowledge. The development philosophy is user centric. You don’t need to know XYZ to start to tinker. It is also crazy flexible without being too esoteric.
When and how did you start using WordPress?
I first started using WordPress in 2005. My wife and I started a non-profit and it needed a little website. In 2009, I started doing development work. I have since built and managed micro sites, multi-sites and e-commerce sites.
What would you tell someone to convince them to attend a WordCamp?
Just come. People are friendly and helpful. Bring your troubles to the happiness bar and get help. This is a chance to level up and make friends in the community.
Tell us about something awesome you’ve experienced at a WordCamp in the past.
I have gotten to meet people who helped me on my WordPress journey. I have met people who answered questions in the WP forums, wrote plugins I use and others who have written blog posts that helped me solve big hairy problems. Being able to say ‘thank you’ is special.
Give an example of a cool WordPress project you have worked on recently.
I worked with my team to build an intranet for our organization. We did some cool integrations with Outlook Web Access, SSO and Active Directory to keep our users in sync and authenticated. We also proxy file requests through WP to ensure only authenticated users can access media files. And other cool stuff! 😉
What is your favorite part of WordCamps?
Chatting with people and helping solve problems.
What advice do you have for anyone looking to start or grow a WordPress based business?
Pick your clients. Your work will be appreciated and valued if you rule out clients that want the work done the cheapest and/or the fastest.
Tell us something awesome about yourself that is not WordPress related.
I have been to over 40 countries.
Name someone in the WordPress community that inspires you.
Andrea Rennick. She and Ron helped me on the WP forums years and years ago. I am looking forward to meeting her in person!
Fill in the blank for other attendees: “If you ___________ then you should come talk to me at WordCamp.”
are just starting to mess with php
What should someone learn before attending your talk at WordCamp Ann Arbor?
Nothing. My talk is the 101 of WordPress. I start at the very beginning.
What is your favorite WordPress related resource?
The developer.wordpress.org/reference/ is pretty great. I like that it documents what a function uses and where it is used.
I also keep tabs on the WP community with twitter.
People who publish great content:
https://paulund.co.uk/c/tutorials
https://tommcfarlin.com/