WordPress Drama Unfolds
Automattic CEO and WordPress co-creator, Matt Mullenweg, has recently deactivated several WordPress.org members’ accounts, a move that stirred controversy within the WordPress community.
The Beginning
The storm began when Mullenweg accused WP Engine, a commercial host for WordPress, of profiteering with little return. When WP Engine was blocked from important WordPress assets and subsequently sued, a court ordered the restoration of the access.
Quotes from Community Leaders
Amid the uproar, Yoast SEO tool creator and former WordPress Foundation marketing lead, Joost de Valk, shared a vision for a fresh WordPress era. He suggested “federated and independent repositories,” an idea echoed by Crowd Favorite CEO, Karim Marucchi, in another post. However, they both stated that no plans to launch a new WordPress fork are in motion.
Reduced Contributions and Reactions
The drama heightened as Automattic declared a cutback in its contribution to the WordPress open-source project. De Valk and Marucchi, who together contribute about 10 hours a week, were then barred from their WordPress.org accounts by Mullenweg, who encouraged like-minded individuals to join their new venture.
Fallout
Simultaneously, Mullenweg deactivated three other accounts without providing detailed reasons. This incident caused shockwaves and speculations in the community, with some suggesting Mullenweg targeted critics of WordPress’s governance.
Potential for a New WordPress Fork
In the wake of the controversy, Mullenweg suggested a new WordPress fork and welcomed the innovation that might follow. Despite the deactivated accounts, which prevent those users from contributing through WordPress.org, the initiative still thrives on GitHub.
Mullenweg concluded by expressing his hopeful curiosity towards the potential creative endeavors from Joost and Karim, positing the possibility of benefiting from such innovative developments.
Fonte original: Leia a matéria completa no TechCrunch
