News Roundup

Drupal offers three key ways to create a search page, ranked by complexity. Core search is the simplest, Views enhances presentation control, and Search API enables advanced features like faceted search and external integrations. Ivan Zugec of WebWash advises choosing based on project needs.

Emma Horell, UX Manager at the University of Edinburgh, highlights the user-centric approach driving Drupal CMS development since its launch in 2024. Her work includes defining non-technical user needs, simplifying terminology, and refining AI Assistants through user testing. Emma and the team remain committed to making Drupal CMS intuitive and accessible for all users.

Acquia has launched Acquia Search powered by SearchStax, an AI-driven search solution to enhance website engagement and search accuracy. Replacing its existing Solr service, the new tool offers no-code customization, intelligent search features, and enterprise-grade security. The solution will be available in February 2025, with tiered pricing options for Acquia Cloud Platform users.

A new step-by-step guide by Khushboo Arora details how to integrate the OpenAI module with Drupal 10 for AI-powered content creation and editing. It covers installation, API setup, and using submodules like ChatGPT, CKEditor integration, and content tools. This guide helps Drupal users streamline workflows and enhance productivity with AI.

Florida DrupalCamp 2025 will feature the session “Rapid Prototyping with Vercel’s v0.dev” on February 23. This session focuses on AI-powered UI development and will be led by Mark Shropshire of Mediacurrent. It will demonstrate how to generate React components from text prompts using Tailwind CSS and Shadcn UI. Attendees will gain practical insights into integrating v0 into their workflows for faster development and improved collaboration.

Florida DrupalCamp 2025 has released its session schedule for the event happening from February 21-23 at Florida Technical College, Orlando. The camp promises engaging sessions on the latest Drupal trends, best practices, and case studies. Attendees can also benefit from hands-on training led by industry experts on the first day.

The deadline to apply as a Track Chair for DrupalCon Vienna 2025 is January 31! This volunteer role lets you shape conference tracks, review session proposals, and gain recognition in the Drupal Community. Don't miss your chance to contribute—apply now!

Imre Gmelig Meijling, CEO of React Online, will headline Drupal MountainCamp 2025 in Switzerland with a session on building successful client relationships. His talk, “For Good or for Worse: Making Happy Client Relationships,” will provide insights into managing digital projects and handling client challenges. The event runs from March 11 to 13, and tickets are available on eventfrog.ch.

The Acquia Engage Awards 2025 is now open for submissions, recognizing outstanding digital experiences by Acquia customers and partners. Categories include Best Digital Experience at Scale, Best Use of Technology for Accessibility, and Best Digital Campaign Strategy. The deadline for entries is February 7, 2025.

The DrupalSouth Splash Awards 2025 is now accepting judge applications from industry experts in design, development, marketing, and more. Judges will evaluate outstanding Drupal projects, with applications closing on January 31, 2025. The awards will be part of DrupalSouth Melbourne 2025, happening March 11–13 at ACMI and the Multicultural Hub.

The Open Source Initiative and Open Future have released a white paper on responsible data governance in Open Source AI. It calls for a shift from "Open Data" to "Data Commons," promoting fairness, transparency, and sustainability. The report urges global collaboration to empower underserved regions and address key challenges like privacy, equity, and environmental impact.

The Drupal Pune Meetup returns on February 8, 2025, at miniOrange, Baner, bringing together developers and professionals for an interactive in-person event. Organized by the Drupalers Association Pune, the meetup will feature sessions, BoF discussions, and DrupalCamp Pune planning. The Call for Content is open until January 31, inviting speakers to propose topics.

DrupalCon Atlanta 2025 runs from March 24 to March 27 at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta, uniting Drupal enthusiasts from around the world. Enjoy the convenience of staying on-site by booking within the official hotel block, where you'll benefit from discounted rates and more chances to network. With easy access via air, car, or train, plus efficient public transit, attending this premier event is simple—plan your trip now!

Debug Academy, an official Acquia training partner, is offering a comprehensive course to prepare developers for the "Acquia Certified Front End Specialist" exam. Starting February 4, the program features live sessions, study guides, practice exams, and is designed for Drupal developers with six months of experience or more.

Amazee.io will host a webinar, "Migrations Beyond the Handoff: Unlocking the Art of Enterprise Platform Migrations," on January 30, 2025, at 4:00 PM CET / 10:00 AM EST. Solutions Architects Bree Benesh and Bryan Gruneberg will share strategies for seamless enterprise website migrations, covering planning, partner selection, and minimizing disruptions. Registration is open—learn more at amazee.io.

Drupal CMS now offers a free four-hour trial, allowing marketers, designers, and content creators to explore its powerful features. Acquia, the official trial partner, provides a seamless experience with guided tours and hosting solutions. Alternative hosting options from Pantheon and Platform.sh are also available, along with the choice to self-host the open-source platform.

A11yTalks has released its January session video, "SUC-o-meter: A New Way of Measuring Accessibility," presented by Aashutosh Kulkarni. The session introduces the SUC Score, a structured metric for evaluating app accessibility and prioritizing inclusivity. Founded by Carie Fisher, A11yTalks continues its mission of advocacy and education, fostering diversity in accessibility and tech.

Dropsolid has pledged to provide extended support for Drupal 7 websites beyond the official end-of-life date of January 5, 2025. Their services include security updates, compliance monitoring, and migration support, ensuring continued functionality for mission-critical sites. With a dedicated expert team and AI-driven DevOps solutions, Dropsolid aims to help organizations maintain and transition their Drupal 7 platforms securely.

Submissions for the 2025 DrupalSouth Splash Awards close today, January 28, with winners to be announced on March 12 at the DrupalSouth Melbourne 2025 conference. The event, running from March 11 to 13, will feature networking, learning sessions, and collaboration opportunities at ACMI and the Multicultural Hub. Sponsorships, registrations, and judging opportunities are still open, with the judging period ending February 17.

The deadline to submit nominations for the 2025 Aaron Winborn Award is approaching fast, closing on February 1, 2025. This prestigious award honours individuals who have shown exceptional service and kindness within the Drupal community. The recipient will be recognized at DrupalCon North America with a physical award, scholarship, and travel stipend.

Graham Leach explores Drupal's publicly available usage statistics for core installations from December 22-28, 2024. The analysis applies statistical methods to uncover insights, emphasizing data quality and exploratory data analysis (EDA). Key findings highlight trends across Drupal editions, with Drupal 7 and 10 holding the largest shares, while newer versions show growing adoption.

Acquia and Rootstack are hosting TechBites on February 20th at the W Panama Hotel. The event will focus on digital content transformation with Acquia DXP and Drupal + AI. It will feature expert discussions on digital experience management, AI-driven innovations, and customer engagement strategies. Attendees can network and explore cutting-edge solutions to stay ahead in the digital landscape.

Drupal Mountain Camp 2025 is seeking sponsors to support key event aspects like venue, Wi-Fi, and social activities. Sponsorship tiers include Diamond, Gold, and Silver, with notable sponsors like LIIP, Agiledrop, and Hostpoint already onboard. Additional sponsorships are available for social events, coffee, and diversity initiatives—secure your spot today to support the Drupal community.

Florida DrupalCamp 2025 will host a session on neurodiversity and inclusive design by J. Matthew Saunders on February 22. Titled “My NeuroDivergent Brain: Insights and Strategies for Inclusive Design,” the session will explore strategies to support neurodivergent individuals in workplaces and communities. The event runs from February 21 to 23 at Florida Technical College in Orlando.

Takahiro Komatsu, President of KotoLab, presented a session at DrupalCon Singapore 2024 on community-driven Drupal book publishing, now available online. He shared insights on collaborating with the Japanese Drupal community to create and expand self-published books. The session covered the entire process, from brainstorming to post-launch, highlighting key lessons and future contributions.

Brussels will host FOSDEM 2025 on February 1-2 at the ULB Solbosch campus, bringing together thousands of open-source developers. The LibreOffice community will have a booth with freebies and a dedicated Devroom featuring 20 talks, including the announcement of LibreOffice 25.2. Attendees can explore new features and accessibility improvements and connect with project contributors.

This week is packed with events for the Drupal and open-source community. It begins with Drupal Tech Talk Eindhoven 2025, focusing on innovations and challenges, followed by the 48th Drupal Sapporo Meetup (Online) for global knowledge sharing. Enterprise strategies take center stage in Migrations Beyond the Handoff, while developers can enhance their expertise in the Advanced Drupal Module Development w/OOP PHP workshop. CMS Fest celebrates collaboration in PHP-based systems, concluding with the EU Open Source Policy Summit 2025, exploring the future of open-source governance.

Aidan Foster, founder of Foster Interactive, showcased groundbreaking AI features in Drupal CMS at the AI/Drupal Toronto event. Key innovations include AI-generated alt tags for accessibility, intelligent text editing, AI-powered site building, and vector-based search to improve content discoverability. The full presentation, highlighting these transformative features, is available online.