Martin Dubovic
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macusik.bsky.social
Martin Dubovic
@macusik.bsky.social
Human 👋🏻 Father 👨‍👧 Writer ✍🏻 Developer 👨🏼‍💻
Tech Newsletter 💻 https://devtech.news
Fitness Guides 💪🏻 https://fatburnfitness.com
I’m excited to announce the official launch of DevTech News! 🚀

The desktop version is an immersive scrolly-telling experience, while the tablet/mobile versions are simpler but still retain 95% of the content.

If you’re into #tech, #webdev, #AI, or #science - check it out.

Link in the comments. 👇🏻
September 6, 2025 at 12:45 PM
Can you touch your toes? 🤔

Now, can you touch your toes in the middle of a #pushup? 🤯

While it is difficult, unlocking the “Aztec pushup” is absolutely do-able if you break it down into progressions.

Check out my full guide to unlocking this move. 👇🏻

matko.cc/how-to-do-az...

#Calisthenics
July 10, 2025 at 2:58 PM
I recently had the chance to test out the new #Hostinger Horizons AI app builder tool and I must say that I was impressed. 😎

If you’ve heard about the #VibeCoding trend and wanted a beginner-friendly way to try it, then #Horizons offers a good entry point. 👇🏻

wpshout.com/hostinger-ho...
I Tried Hostinger's New Horizons AI Developer Tool: Is the Hype Justified?
Here are my results working with Hostinger Horizons, my overall thoughts on its strengths, limitations, and usefulness. Is it worth it?
wpshout.com
June 7, 2025 at 11:03 PM
Have you heard about the new #ByteDance image-to-video tool called #DreamActorM1? The research paper and previews look amazing. 😲

Unfortunately, it’s not available to try yet. However! There are other alternatives available. I recently tested a free one that works well and gets the job done. 👇🏻
April 15, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Two weeks ago I shared my thoughts on the #Ghibli AI art trend that took off after #OpenAI launched their new image generator. You’ve also probably noticed action figures on your timeline lately.

While those are cool, there’s something even cooler that you can do — check it out.

#AIArt #AICartoon
April 12, 2025 at 7:26 PM
#WordPress is shifting its schedule to only one major release in 2025. That’s a big change.

I wrote up a summary of what to expect and the different ways you can stay up to date with WordPress development (and even give your input) in this new environment.

👇🏻

wpshout.com/wordpress-sw...

#WebDev
WordPress Shifts to Only One Major Release in 2025: What to Expect
During the last week of March, nearly 30 WordPress core committers, project leaders, and team members gathered to discuss WordPress' release schedule. According to the meeting notes, the conversation ...
wpshout.com
April 11, 2025 at 1:43 PM
Back in 2018, I lived briefly in Mitaka, Japan - and walked by the #Ghibli Museum on a semi-daily basis. I quickly became a fan. Here are my thoughts on the #GhibliAI trend, the #OpenAI new image generator, and where we are headed. 👨‍🎨

👇🏻

wpshout.com/ghibli-ai-tr...
March 31, 2025 at 12:10 PM
Reposted by Martin Dubovic
Manually setting alt text and resizing images in #WordPress? Yeah…I used to do that too. Not anymore!

There's a simple way to auto-set #SEO alt text from file names and make images default to full size on upload. No more clicking around!

Here’s how: www.youtube.com/watch?v=dP_s...
Auto-Set Image Alt Text in WordPress & Upload at “Full Size” by Default
YouTube video by WP Workshop
www.youtube.com
March 20, 2025 at 10:33 AM
Last week I shared a very thorough step-by-step tutorial on setting up a #WordPress static site that only costs $10.44/year to maintain - all inclusive.🤯

However, static sites don’t let you add contact forms. Fortunately, there’s a solution to this. If you’ve got the will, then I’ve got the way. 👇🏻
March 18, 2025 at 5:36 PM
If you’ve been thinking about launching a #WordPress site but the cost has deterred you from taking the plunge - I’ve got a $10 per year solution for you.

That price includes #webhosting, a domain name, an SSL certificate, and a CDN. It’s also NOT a promo rate.

Don’t believe me? Check it out. 👇🏻
March 14, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Everyone and their mama is talking about #AI agents lately. 🤖

Unlike LLMs though - which are a dime-a-dozen nowadays - AI agent tools haven’t flooded the web yet. 🌍

So when I learned that #Convergence AI finally released their #Proxy model, I took it for a spin. 👇🏻

wpshout.com/convergence-...
I Tried My First AI Agent - Convergence AI - and Let's Just Say...
Have you been dying to try an AI agent? Well now you can (for free). Convergence AI recently released "Proxy." Here's my review of it.
wpshout.com
March 4, 2025 at 3:27 PM
If you’ve used #Google lately, you’ve probably noticed a change: instead of just getting the usual links + snippets, you’re now seeing AI-generated responses that cite sources in your search results.

So how do you get your #content to show up like I did in the screenshot? 👉 #GEO

See comments. 👀
February 4, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Anyone here ever experienced a #phishing attack? 🎣

At what point did you realize that it was a #scam?

What was the red flag that convinced you? 🚩

Scammer attacks are becoming more sophisticated nowadays so I’m curious to see what others have experienced. 👀

#PhishingScam
January 30, 2025 at 8:28 PM
Reposted by Martin Dubovic
Before there was the written word, there was oral history passed down through generations.

Keep reading books.

But keep telling the next generation the stories you know. Someday the books may no longer be allowed.

We cannot forget to share the things that are important.
January 28, 2025 at 7:42 AM
Testing the new #DeepSeekR1 and getting a taste of China’s Big Brother censorship in real time. It’s interesting to see how for some topics (e.g., Tiananmen) it automatically won’t answer, while for other topics (e.g., Cultural Revolution) it gives a full answer but then...😱

Have you tried it?

#AI
January 26, 2025 at 7:41 PM
I write about #AI topics frequently. One theme that consistently pops up is the “future threat” of AI. Whether it’s AI taking jobs or eventually reaching AGI/ASI, it’s often presented as a looming threat.

But the reality is that AI has already been doing massive damage.

wpshout.com/when-algorit...
The Real AI Threat Isn't Coming - It's Already Here: 3 Cases of Algorithms Destroying Lives
Forget AI taking jobs or achieving consciousness. Here are 3 real-life cases of artificial intelligence destroying thousands of lives.
wpshout.com
January 22, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Reposted by Martin Dubovic
#Google now requires you to have #JavaScript enabled if you want to use Google Search.

Is it for user security or consolidating the market and making it hard on #SEO tools?

I'll leave the answer to you. Here's more on the topic: wpshout.com/google-now-r...
Google Now Requires JavaScript Because "Security"…They're Not Telling the Entire Truth
Google has made a significant change: you now need to enable JavaScript to use Google Search. This is why, and why not.
wpshout.com
January 20, 2025 at 2:46 PM
If you’re a website owner then you already know what #SEO is, but have you heard of #GEO ? 🤔

With all the changes to Google’s algorithms last year, many are turning to GEO - or generative engine optimization - to gain an edge in the #SERP.

Learn how to do it yourself 👇🏻

wpshout.com/generative-e...
The Rise of "GEO" - or How AI is Transforming Search Engine Optimization
We've been relying on SEO for years to rank our sites but in this new AI era, another strategy has emerged: generative engine optimization.
wpshout.com
January 9, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Reposted by Martin Dubovic
#WordPress in 2024: More than just #wpdrama 👀

✅ 3 major releases (6.5, 6.6, 6.7)
✅ 4,700+ enhancements & fixes
✅ Big acquisitions: NitroPack, WPAI, and more
✅ WordCamps bounced back (75+ events!)
✅ Security challenges, but key wins too

Full recap: themeisle.com/blog/wordpre...

What stood out?
2024 WordPress Recap: A Lot More Happened Than Just #WPDrama
While the main WordPress story of 2024 was #wpdrama, let's remember there was 10 months of activity before that. Here's a full recap of 2024.
themeisle.com
January 8, 2025 at 11:37 AM
What would your top 5 be? 🤔

Mine would probably be:

1. Wordfence
2. Otter Blocks
3. Optimole
4. Super Page Cache (or WP Fastest Cache)
5. Shortcodes Ultimate

In the past I would've had Yoast on there (in 5th place) but with all the algo updates, I find SEO plugins to be less valuable overall.
If you could only pick 5 WordPress plugins, which would they be?

A Reddit thread asked this, and the answers were surprising:

❌ Jetpack? 0 mentions.
❌ Akismet? Just 1.
🏆 ACF took the top spot with 14 votes.

See the full list + hidden gems here themeisle.com/blog/only-ch...

What's on your list?
If You Could Only Choose 5 WordPress Plugins, What Would They Be?
I recently stumbled upon a Reddit thread that asked a simple but really compelling question. Here are the answers analyzed.
themeisle.com
January 7, 2025 at 6:07 PM
Reposted by Martin Dubovic
10 years ago, a #WordPress dev noticed: you couldn't know if a plugin you used was removed - even for security issues.

Welcome to ticket 30465. Still unresolved, but talks are moving again after 1,500+ plugin vulnerabilities were uncovered.

Martin explains it here: themeisle.com/blog/wordpre...
WordPress Ticket #30465 Was Opened 10 Years Ago - Is 2025 Going to Be the Year It Finally Gets Resolved?
The infamous WordPress ticket #30465. A ticket that was opened more than 10 years ago and is still open. All that might be changing soon.
themeisle.com
January 3, 2025 at 1:32 PM
#BlockThemes 🆚 #ClassicThemes — the debate that won’t die. Here is what @hardeep.social (a developer) had to say.

His opinion is one of many featured in arguably the most in-depth article published on this topic. If you haven’t read it yet, do you even #WordPress bro?

themeisle.com/blog/block-t...
December 31, 2024 at 7:00 PM
Reposted by Martin Dubovic
Happy almost-2025! Been checking new Cloudflare data: big web dips on Xmas Eve/Day, then bounces on Boxing Day & NYE - perfect for #marketing. Check out my latest post for all the insights: wpshout.com/christmas-ho...
How the Holidays Are Shaping Web Traffic Trends (and Why You Should Care)
When the feasting starts, the web often takes a back seat. Here are the details on how the holidays shape traffic trends on the web.
wpshout.com
December 30, 2024 at 12:41 PM
Who made the biggest waves in #WordPress in 2024? 🌊

Check out this year's top ten movers-and-shakers in WordPress to see who made the list. 👀

themeisle.com/blog/wordpre...

#WPDrama #WordPress2024 #WordPressInfluencers
10 WordPress Influencers Who Made Waves in 2024
In a year that was defined by personality clashes, these are the top 10 movers-n-shakers who had the biggest influence on WordPress in 2024.
themeisle.com
December 28, 2024 at 2:26 AM
Reposted by Martin Dubovic
I was excited to try OpenAI’s Sora #AI, but it’s not available in Poland yet. Luckily, Martin from our team in the US reviewed it - and while us in the EU might be eager, we’re probably not missing much. 🎥

Mostly fun but far from practical. Read his take: wpshout.com/open-ai-sora...
I Tried OpenAI's Sora Video Generator…It's Mostly Unusable
OpenAI finally launched their much hyped Sora AI video generator. I took it for a spin and made 20+ videos. Here's my honest review of it.
wpshout.com
December 23, 2024 at 11:20 AM