Releasing under GPL hurts me
Not that I needed another reason to find fault in Pure GPL “Free Software” thinking, but I’m just about ready to rip down the Order Posts plugin.
This is a rant and at least a slightly over-exaggerated one at that - hope you don’t mind.
I originally built the plugin to solve a problem I had on Wez’s website and thought I was doing the world a service by releasing it publicly for those who have/had a similar problem. Now, I should point out that it’s been pretty popular with over 800 downloads and plenty of quality linkage. But all the traffic counts for zip really, which doesn’t bother me so much, except that the amount of support I’ve had to do, puts me at a loss.
I know I haven’t delivered on a number of the feature-updates that I wanted to make, but I simply haven’t had time or a need considering that the person I built it for is more than happy with the current version. However, I released the plugin for free (no price tag) and I’d hoped that at the very least the balance sheet would remain balanced.
I just don’t get how people do this… Release their code (and most programmers are pretty precious about their code), with their only return being an inbox full of issues and bad news about their work; This scenario doesn’t resemble anything of the dream I had when I got started. At least at my day-job I get payed to deal with disgruntled customers.
So… I’m thinking very soon that I’d like to pull down the Order Posts site and probably also the plugin. If anyone out there is willing to pick up the project, feel free to contact me and I’ll throw you all the code and details you need.
August 28th, 2007 at 12:07 pm
Hi,
Please do not take it off. You may not have realized, but you have done a great service to the wp community, your pulgin fills a void, just try searching for post order on the wp support forums, and you’ll see how many people have looked for a plugin like yours, as this is the only thing missing from wp which would turn it into a full fledged CMS.
Yes some of its features could be improved, and obviously you must be bombarded with suggestions, but even as it is, it is an unique and precious piece of code.
György
October 8th, 2007 at 12:45 pm
PLEASE do not remove this plugin. I’ve used it for SEVERAL clients so far & it’s terrific. I’m currently compiling a list of my favorite WP plugins for a blog post & yours will top the list.