Ken Schnetz is an experienced developer specializing in creating e-commerce and site deployment tools for WordPress. Ken is especially interested in using the latest frameworks and APIs to make WordPress sites and plugins faster, easier to use, simpler to deploy, and more lightweight than ever.
We’re thrilled to have Kenneth onboard as a speaker at WordCamp Sacramento 2018 asked a few questions to help you get to know more about him. Check out our mini interview with Kenneth below:
What is the topic of your WordCamp talk?
Single Page Applications In WordPress Built With AngularJS And The WP REST API
Why do you think this is important?
Frameworks are truly taking web development to a new level, especially when used with the powerful WordPress platform. The logical next step in this evolution is to use the most cutting-edge frameworks to completely revolutionize the way we develop and use WordPress sites.
AngularJS Single Page Applications (SPA) are simple, powerful, and above all, FAST. Combined with the WP REST API and all the amazing features of WordPress, welcome to the next generation of web development. With these tools we can create more than just a good website; we can craft an experience that visitors will never forget!
The AngularJS SPA combined with WordPress is suitable for any type of site, from simple blogs to massive e-commerce stores. In a nutshell, SPAs provide a modular solution that only loads each part of the site as it’s needed. For example, the header and footer of the site are loaded only when the visitor first arrives. The content between the header and footer changes dynamically depending on the URL, which eliminates the need to constantly reload parts of the website. Not only does this provide a massive performance boost, it presents visitors with a seamless browsing experience.
The WP REST API is a set of simple to use, HTTP endpoints. These endpoints allow the AngularJS SPA to retrieve WordPress site data such as users, posts, taxonomies, etc. which can then be manipulated using AngularJS and other front-end frameworks such as Bootstrap. This relationship provides a significant performance boost; in fact, on average, AngularJS SPAs using the WP REST API can see about a 50% increase in speed over normal WordPress sites.
This session will be dedicated to teaching attendees how to create a simple SPA in WordPress using AngularJS and the WP REST API. From AngularJS App creation to complete integration with WordPress, attendees will leave the session with a cursory knowledge of how to implement a SPA on their WordPress site and why SPAs are the way of the future.
What’s your WordPress origin story?
I started in a warehouse position at the company I currently work for, ItemGrabber. I am a self-taught programmer that did a lot of web development for family and friends or as a freelancer, but I had never done it full time professionally. ItemGrabber is a medium sized office supply company with a large online e-commerce presence, the site is built on WordPress and the e-commerce engine is a plugin built in-house called VendorFuel.
I started to gain interest in WordPress when I saw how powerful the ItemGrabber site was and how well VendorFuel handled such a large volume of daily transactions. I had always believed WordPress to be a crutch for web developers, but after investigating the ItemGrabber site and VendorFuel plugin I began to realize WordPress had a lot more to offer than I ever imagined.
At this point, I began to talk with the ItemGrabber and VendorFuel developers to try and expand my web development knowledge. Within a few months, I was moved from the warehouse position into a front-end developer position. About two years later, after working daily on building themes, plugins, and other custom integrations with WordPress, I am now the lead front-end developer. Within the company, I lead the charge on innovating within WordPress and finding new ways to increase performance.”
How has WordPress impacted your world?
After developing within WordPress almost every single day of the last two years, I see web development in a completely different light. WordPress feels like home when it comes to creating websites and every day I try to find new ways to innovate within the platform. My skills as a developer have grown exponentially since discovering and learning about WordPress, and I have a lot to learn yet!
You can connect with Kenneth further at:
Get Your Ticket ASAP!
WordCamp Sacramento 2018 sold out in 2015, 2016, and 2017, and we do expect it to sell out again. Be sure to get your WordCamp Tickets asap to secure you spot at this awesome event! Tickets are only $40 (thanks to our generous sponsors) and include:
- Two full days of Beginner Tracks, walking new users through how to use WordPress.
- Two mixed tracks of sessions on Saturday.
- Two mixed tracks of sessions on Sunday.
- A Happiness Bar — our version of a help desk, open throughout the event so you can get help with your site and get your questions answered.
- An opportunity to network with and meet sponsors, speakers, and other WordPress community members, including business owners, designers, developers, agency owners, bloggers, copywriters, freelancers, site owners, and more.
- Refreshing drinks throughout the entire event.
- A WordCamp Sacramento 2018 t-shirt.
- A catered lunch on Saturday.
- A networking reception Saturday immediately following the event.
- Snacks on Sunday.