With the release of Drupal 8, the core blocks system is now a powerful publishing system for content in sidebars or landing pages. Blocks have types, fields, revisions and many other benefits now that they are full Entities. If you are a coder, you'll be happy to know that these block types can also be created and extended using OOP techniques.

If you still use Drupal 7, have no fear! The Drupal 8 Block improvements are largely a port of the Bean module (Block Entities Aren't Nodes). Many of the techniques outlined in this session will be applicable to Drupal 7 with Beans.

This monthly vodcast series gives you an opportunity to participate in an open conversation with industry experts about the latest strategies and tools for developing visualizations and interactive experiences! Our first vodcast, on February 20th, will be co-hosted by NASA’s visualization expert, Robert Simmon who will discuss best practices for creating visualizations for NASA’s Earth Observatory. From use of color, to image choice, to use of symbols in mapping, Rob will take us through his tried and tested process for visually communicating data about our world.

WASHINGTON, DC- JUNE 28 Portrait of playwright Brian Feldman at Fringe in Washington, D.C. on June 28, 2012. Brian Feldman, a performance artist that includes his audience in "It could change your life. Perhaps the most conceptual offering in Capital Fringe history, BFF explores friendship through two hour "friend building" excursions. Only 50 people can attend these one-on-one experiences, hanging out with one of DC's top performance artists. (Photo by Marvin Joseph/The Washington Post)