Speaker Spotlight: Ben Fox

Ben Fox is an entrepreneur, consultant and tech skills instructor. He and his team are based out of the Ryerson Digital Media Zone in Toronto. A self-described geek of all trades, he’s that guy you call when {insert technology here} doesn’t work. Ben is the Co-Founder of SIDEKICK, the first guided and interactive help & support plugin for WordPress and WPUniversity, a free and open-source learning centre for WordPress.

Ben is presenting: How to Effectively Teach WordPress

1) Why do you like using WordPress?
It’s free, easy to use, open-source and a lot like Lego. What’s not to like?

2) Why did you decide to speak at WordCamp Ottawa?
I’ll take any chance I have to join the WordPress community educating ourselves and others. I’m just flattered you’ve chosen to have me at the front of the class instead of in it. Thank you.

3) What is the one thing you want people to walk away with from your talk?
Not everyone looks at technology through a pair of rose coloured glasses. I know it’s hard to believe but there are people out there that think of things like WordPress as simple a tool they have to learn to accomplish their goals. Teaching them to use WordPress takes a little finesse.

4) What is your favourite WordPress plugin or theme? Why?
You mean besides SIDEKICK?
Definitely Masterpress It makes planning and developing a site in WordPress easier. If you build Custom WordPress sites, you definitely want to try it out.