Interviews

As part of The DropTimes' "Meet the Candidate" campaign, Janna Malikova, a candidate for the Drupal Association Board, shares her vision for enhancing Drupal's role in academia. Learn how she plans to leverage her experience in software engineering and community leadership to integrate Drupal into academic curriculums, improve documentation, and cultivate the next generation of Drupal users and contributors. ...more

As part of The DropTimes' "Meet the Candidate" campaign, Matthew Saunders shares his vision for the Drupal Association Board. In this interview, he discusses his focus on improving governance, fostering inclusivity, and supporting neurodiverse individuals within the Drupal community. With the election ongoing, get to know his motivations and qualifications before casting your vote. ...more

Dominique De Cooman shares his plans to position Drupal as a leader in the open Digital Experience Platform (DXP) ecosystem as the Drupal Association's board election approaches. In this interview, he outlines his strategy for expanding Drupal’s influence in the midmarket and fostering innovation through stronger connections with other open-source platforms. Read on to discover how Dominique aims to help shape Drupal's future. ...more

In an exclusive interview with Elma John from The DropTimes, Dallas Ramsden, CEO and Solutions Architect at Xequals and Drupal Services Specialist at Sparks Interactive, shares his incredible 16-year journey with Drupal. From surviving a life-threatening accident to becoming a beacon of resilience and a dedicated Drupal veteran, Dallas discusses his passion for the platform, his transition to teaching, and his vision for the future of Drupal and technology. Join us to learn from this inspiring story of determination, community building, and lifelong learning. ...more

In an insightful interview with Alka Elizabeth, Jürgen Haas, Co-Founder of LakeDrops, delves into the development and impact of the ECA module, a tool for workflow automation in Drupal. Jürgen, an expert in technical solution architectures, discusses how the ECA module simplifies complex tasks through a no-code approach, making it accessible to developers and non-technical users. He also explores the module's potential future integration with Drupal core and its role in promoting sustainable, open-source practices within the digital community. This interview provides a comprehensive look at how the ECA module reshapes user experiences and sets new standards in the Drupal ecosystem. ...more

"I will turn every stone, and I will turn them on time," notes a very confident Janne Kalliola. Over a decade ago, Janne's idea to host a dinner for Drupal business leaders at DrupalCon Prague 2013 sparked the Drupal Business Survey, now in its ninth year. In an interview with Alka Elizabeth, Janne discusses the survey's origins, its evolution, and the key players involved. He shares the benefits for the Drupal community, significant changes, and expectations for this year's survey, highlighting its role in gathering vital insights for Drupal businesses and agencies worldwide. ...more

Join The DropTimes (TDT) for its milestone 100th interview with Dries Buytaert, the innovative founder of Drupal. Interviewed by Anoop John, Founder and Lead of The DropTimes, this conversation explores Drupal’s rich history and transformative journey. Dries shares key moments that boosted Drupal’s adoption, insights on community growth through events like DrupalCon, and the impact of the Drupal Starshot initiative. He discusses strategies for making Drupal more accessible, integrating AI, and effective community communication. This interview captures Drupal’s evolution and future aspirations, offering valuable insights for both seasoned users and newcomers. Don’t miss this engaging discussion celebrating Drupal’s ongoing impact and future. ...more

Experience Builder (XB) is set to redefine how we build and launch Drupal sites. As a cornerstone of the Starshot initiative, the XB module bridges the gap between Drupal installation and site launch, simplifying the process for all users. Kazima Abbas, sub-editor at The Drop Times, interviews Lauri Eskola, the Product Lead for the XB initiative. Lauri shares the inspiration behind XB, its integration with Starshot, and how it enhances Drupal's user experience and accessibility. ...more

In an in-depth interview with The DropTimes, Suzanne Dergacheva, co-founder of Evolving Web and leader of the Promote Drupal Initiative, discusses the comprehensive efforts behind the Drupal rebranding. Suzanne shares valuable insights into the factors that prompted this evolution, the collaborative work with the Drupal community, and the strategic goals aimed at enhancing Drupal's market presence. She also touches on the new visual identity, the importance of community feedback, and future plans to engage diverse global audiences. This conversation complements our earlier interview with Shawn Perritt, head of the Drupal Rebranding initiative. ...more

Discover how women are transforming the Drupal community and driving innovation in technology. In this interview, Christina Lockhart, Digital Marketing Manager at the Drupal Association, shares her journey, key responsibilities, and women's vital role in advancing Drupal. Learn about her strategies for promoting DrupalCon, insights on overcoming barriers for women in tech, and the importance of empowering female leaders in the industry. ...more

Discover the transformative journey of Drupal's rebranding in an exclusive interview with Shawn Perritt, Brand and Creative Director at Acquia. During DrupalCon Portland, Shawn unveiled the refreshed Drupal brand, highlighting the collaborative efforts to modernize its identity while preserving its core values. In conversation with Alka Elizabeth, Sub-editor at The DropTimes, Shawn shares insights into the strategic thinking behind the rebrand, the unique challenges faced, and the aspirations driving this significant change. Join us for an in-depth look at how Drupal is poised to reintroduce itself to the world. ...more

Discover why 1xINTERNET swiftly supported the Drupal Starshot Initiative. In this interview by Kazima Abbas, Baddy Sonja Breidert, CEO and Co-Founder, shares the motivations, goals, and impact behind their involvement. Don't miss these valuable insights from a key player in the Drupal community! ...more

Esmeralda Braad-Tijhoff transformed her life through Drupal, rising from poverty to a leading role in the tech industry. As a Drupal Product Owner at DICTU and a Dutch Drupal Association board member, Esmeralda shares her experiences and insights in an interview with Alka Elizabeth of The DropTimes. They discuss Esmeralda's background, transition into IT, and efforts to foster collaboration within the Drupal community. The interview also covers her advocacy for open-source solutions in government projects and her vision for the future of tech inclusivity. ...more

Dive into an in-depth conversation with Brian Perry as he unveils the latest updates and future trajectory of the API Client initiative. Discover how the Drupal API Client is revolutionizing the interaction with Drupal APIs, and explore the exciting opportunities it presents for web development enthusiasts. Join us as we unravel the journey of innovation and collaboration within the Drupal ecosystem. ...more

Discover the enchanting world of 'Fog & Fireflies' as Tim Hestenes Lehnen shares the story behind his latest fantasy novel in an exclusive interview with Kazima Abbas. Uncover the inspiration, themes, and secrets that await within the pages of this captivating tale. ...more

Discover the innovative journey of Drupal Gutenberg through the insights of Thor Andre Gretland, Head of Sales and Business Advisor at Frontkom. In an exclusive interview with The DropTimes, Thor Andre unveils how Gutenberg is revolutionizing the Drupal ecosystem, enhancing content creation, and bridging communities. Learn about the groundbreaking collaboration between WordPress and Drupal, the challenges addressed, and the future of open-source CMS development. From improving user experience to addressing digital marketing needs, this interview is a deep dive into the evolving world of content management. ...more

Angie Byron, Community Director at Aiven and former Drupal Core Co-Maintainer, shares insights on her journey in tech. This interview explores her transition from Google Summer of Code participant to Drupal Product Manager, her advocacy for diversity in tech, and her work in fostering community collaboration. ...more

TDT hired a full-time journalist intern to cover DrupalCon Pittsburgh in 2023. Aidan F. Dean Dunn, just out of college, did a commendable job. Aidan talks about his experiences reporting at the tech conference in this conversation with Varun Baker. ...more

Join us as we delve into the realm of Dropsolid with Dominique de Cooman. Discover the driving forces behind their innovative integration of Drupal and open-source technology, and gain insights into the evolving landscape of digital experiences. From their founding principles to navigating Drupal's future, Dominique offers a candid exploration of Dropsolid's journey and its impact on the digital realm. ...more

Embark on a comprehensive exploration of Droopler 4 as Grzegorz Bartman, the co-CEO of Droptica, unveils the evolutionary strides of this cutting-edge Drupal distribution in an interview with Alka Elizabeth from The DropTimes. Delve into the seamless integration of single directory components, Bootstrap 5, and the Radix theme, tailored to meet the needs of developers. Discover the user-centric design featuring 15 pre-configured components through Drupal paragraphs, responsive web elements, and robust SEO modules catering to marketing and SEO experts. Gain insights into the strategic choices driving the adoption of Drupal Paragraphs over the Layout Builder and the collaborative ethos propelling Droopler's advancement. Stay tuned to the promising future of Droopler, characterized by a steadfast commitment to SEO optimization and enhanced editor experiences. ...more

In a compelling interview, Irina Zaks, co-founder and CTO of Fibonacci Web Studio, shares insights on bridging quantum physics with web development, simplifying Drupal migrations, and advocating for open source in academia. Ahead of her Stanford WebCamp 2024 session, Irina discusses the impact of her work on the academic sector and her vision for the future of web technology. ...more

Discover the journey of Adrian Ababei, Senior Drupal Architect and CEO of OPTASY, as he shares insights into web development and Drupal architecture, alongside an overview of OPTASY's mission and services. ...more

Preston So, a dynamic figure in software development, showcases a rich career spanning diverse roles within the tech industry, emphasizing a leadership philosophy rooted in empathy and adaptability. Preston demonstrates a deep commitment to open-source principles and community-driven development through his extensive involvement in the Drupal community and his contributions to projects and events. His approach to tackling technical challenges and passion for sharing knowledge and fostering innovation exemplifies his impact on the Drupal ecosystem and the broader tech landscape. Explore the complete interview for further insights. ...more

Join Amber Matz on a journey through Drupal's evolution as she unveils insights into the Documentation and Help initiative. Delve into the world of community-driven efforts, discovering how collaborative initiatives are shaping the future of Drupal's documentation and assistance. ...more

Discover the inspiring journey of James Shields in our latest interview, where he dives deep into his 15-year voyage within the Drupal ecosystem. Uncover how his passion for science fiction conventions led to significant contributions and the shaping of digital communities. Join us as James reflects on the transformative power of collaboration, continuous learning, and his commitment to fostering innovation in open-source development. ...more

In this insightful interview, Krishnan Narayanan, CEO of Gai Technologies, shares his unique journey from bustling city life to the serene hills of Himachal Pradesh, reshaping the landscape of software development. He delves into the 'Dharamshala Model', a philosophy intertwining quality of life with the craftsmanship of technology, and discusses the transformative power of mentorship and continuous learning in building innovative teams. Discover how Krishnan's multifaceted career and holistic approach are pioneering change in the tech industry. ...more

Discover how Jon Stewart is redefining the digital landscape with ZenSource—a game-changing platform fusing open-source flexibility with enterprise-grade capabilities. Uncover insights into the strategic use of Drupal, AI integration, and ultra-secure cloud hosting in revolutionizing customer experience platforms. ...more

Gain exclusive insights into Aubrey Sambor's journey in Drupal and her upcoming session on "Color in CSS" at Florida Drupal Camp 2024. In this interview with Kazima Abbas, sub-editor of The DropTimes, Aubrey shares her experiences and expertise, offering a glimpse into the evolving world of web development and Drupal community contributions. ...more

Embrace the enlightening dialogue from an interview featuring Matthew Ramir, a pioneering DevOps Engineer with Cerebral Palsy, as he shares his journey of overcoming obstacles in the tech industry. The interview delves into Matthew's early influences in high school, his approach to problem-solving influenced by Cerebral Palsy, and his upcoming presentation at Florida DrupalCamp 2024. Matthew's unwavering commitment to inclusion and compassion in his leadership, paired with his unique blend of poetry and performance in public speaking, showcases his impactful contributions to the field and beyond. ...more