Why I Have Still Stuck Around in the Umbraco Community After All These Years

Hey everyone! Guess what? I’ve just received this years Umbraco MVP award! 🎉 It feels surreal to be honoured once again, and I wanted to take a moment to share why this means so much to me and why I’ve been dedicated to Umbraco for nearly two decades.

Why I’m Still Hooked on Umbraco After 20 Years

You might wonder why, after all this time, I’m still as enthusiastic about Umbraco as I was when I started. Well, it’s pretty simple:

Community Vibes

The Umbraco community is second to none. The camaraderie, the sharing of knowledge, and the willingness to help each other out have kept me hooked. It’s not just about coding; it’s about connecting with people who share the same passion.

Ever-Evolving Platform

Umbraco has evolved significantly over the years, constantly adapting and improving. From the days of version 4 to the latest V14 “Bellissima,” it’s been an exciting journey of growth and innovation. Each update brings new challenges and opportunities to learn and improve as a developer.

Developer Experience (DX): Improving the Developer Experience has always been at the heart of my contributions. Whether it’s creating packages like “Examine Peek” for V14 or sharing quick tips on customizing the login screen, enhancing DX is what drives me. It’s about making life easier for fellow developers and seeing them succeed.

Weren’t you already a Lifetime MVP ?!

This was a question that came up a few times during CodeGarden. Now, some of you might remember that I was awarded a lifetime MVP some time ago. And while that’s a great honour, let’s be honest, it was under the old management. Does it even count? 😉

Speaking of lifetime MVPs, I guess I can now proudly say that I hold a lifetime MVP+1! Which means, in the most official of capacities, I will continue to be an MVP one year after I die. I mean, who wouldn’t want an award that outlasts them? 😆

Just kidding, of course. But seriously, every recognition is special, and it keeps me motivated to keep contributing to this amazing community.

Staying Humble and Grateful

Receiving the MVP award again is incredibly humbling. It’s a testament to the amazing support from the community and the collaborative spirit we all share. I want to extend a huge thank you to everyone who’s been part of this journey. Your support, feedback, and camaraderie are what make all the late-night coding sessions and bug hunts worthwhile.

Looking Ahead

As we move forward, I’m excited about the future of Umbraco and the community. Whether it’s through new projects, sharing knowledge on my blog, or just having a chat with fellow Umbracians, I look forward to many more years of collaboration and innovation.

Thank you once again for this incredible honour. Here’s to many more years of Umbraco magic! Stay curious, keep coding, and remember: the community is what makes it all worthwhile.

Cheers,
Warren 🥰

I attended the Umbraco Examine Course & you won’t believe what happened next

If you were at this year annual Umbraco developer conference CodeGarden, you may have seen a lightning talk with a click-bait title in the scheduled and then it magically disappeared like one of Damiaan’s magic tricks

So you may be wondering what the hell happened to it?!

I will be honest & frank with you, during CodeGarden I was having a crap time on the inside whilst I battled dealing with the large crowds with depression & anxiety and was using drink as a coping mechanism to try suppress my emotions.

I woke up on day two of CodeGarden in a mess physically with a crap hangover and mentally with the exhaustion of feelings. After a chat with my lovely bosses at the HQ, who always ensure we are looked after. It was decided it was best I jump on the first plane and get home as soon as possible for rest, recovery & to sort myself out. Unfortunately I have been in a similar place before and I did not want the same state of  psychosis and being back in hospital. 

So I wanted to share this story, to try and help reduce the stigma and help others who may be experiencing similar problems to let them know they are not alone and that it’s super important to look after yourself and talk to someone, as Ravi mentions in his lightning talk.

OK i’ll wrap up that short summary there…

Enough of that, just show me the talk; Warren!

Without further a do, I present to you the talk that I didn’t give from my kitchen, so if my talk is a terrible mess I’ve decided I am going to start doing a cooking YouTube channel 😛

Slides

Are you one of those people who like to refer to slides, if so I got your back and you can download and view them here.

Questions?

Watched or read through the slides and have some questions, then leave a comment on this post or send me a message on twitter @warrenbuckley