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 🥰

Thank You Umbraco Community

Hello,
So last week was the annual Umbraco developer conference; CodeGarden 15 that is hosted in the homeland of the Umbraco project Copenhagen.

This was the first year I was unable to attend the conference to catch up with the Umbraco community, which I like to call my second family, due to a recent new arrival to my family of my wonderful little daughter!

So with the first CodeGarden that I have missed since I started attending back in 2007 the one & only time it left Copenhagen & came to London that year & was a little gutted to not be able to come this year

If you was at this years CodeGarden you would have seen in the keynote or watched it back online, that I had a lovely surprise from the man himself, Niels Hartvig aka Chief Unicorn turning up unannounced at my front door and was presented with t fantastic LifeTime Umbraco MVP award, which is very touching & nice to hear that my contributions & efforts are noticed.

Rather than me drone on too much I thought I would create a short video instead, but once again a BIG, BIG Thank You Umbraco community for the LifeTime award & for giving me such a lovely reception. It did give me a nice warm happy feeling & a slight happy tear to the eye on Monday morning when I watched it back.

But before I go & wrap up, I want to say congratulations to my fellow MVPs at this years Umbraco CodeGarden that include the lovely bunch of people who continually work hard to make the community a friendlier & happier place, so again congrats to the following:

  • Lee Kelleher – Umbrella Inc
  • Matt Brailsford – The Outfield
  • Jeavon Leopold – Crumpled Dog
  • Jan Skovgaard
  • Jeroen Breuer

Umbraco 2015-2016 MVPS
The Umbraco 2015 MVPs. Photo: Doug Robar

Thanks again Niels for a fantastic surprise!