Our next interview for ourSpeaker Interview series is with Konstantin Obenland. He’s been a frequent and popular presenter at WordCamps.

Konstantin is a Theme Wrangler for Automattic, and has contributed to the WordPress core, amongst many other things he’s done for WordPress. He’s be teaming up with Michael Cain in the Cain & Obenland in the Morning.

NILE FLORES: What got you interested in WordPress?

KONSTANTIN OBENLAND: The admin redesign in 2.7. I needed inspiration for an administration area for a project, and ended up using WordPress for that project because of it.

NILE FLORES: What is the most interesting WordPress-related project you’ve worked on?

KONSTANTIN OBENLAND: Besides Twenty Thirteen (which still runs on ma.tt by the way) probably the new Theme Directory that launched in February.

NILE FLORES: Name 3 WordPress plugins that have always been on your MUST install list, and why.

KONSTANTIN OBENLAND: 1. Akismet for Spam protection.
2. Jetpack for Photon, Gallery Carousels, and social connections.
3. Any one of mine of course.

NILE FLORES: What is something interesting about you that the WordPress community doesn’t know?

KONSTANTIN OBENLAND: Wow, this is a really tough one! Maybe this:
WordPress travel made me a BBQ snob, to an extend where Bogarts ribs played almost as big a role in my decision to apply for wcstl, as the community you have here.

NILE FLORES: In regards to new WordPress users, what one or two pieces of advice would you give them that could be very helpful?

KONSTANTIN OBENLAND: 1. Don’t give up, it’ll make sense eventually.
2. Don’t give up, we’re working hard on making 1. easier.