Community or Software? You Decide Which Matters Most.  🔗 **Source:** [Community or Software? You Decide Which Matters Most.](https://www.delta.blog/community-or-software-you-decide-which-matters-most/) > [!note]+ Document Notes > tags: #community #software #wordpress > Author: Samuel Sidler > Source: Delta Blog > Reference: [Community or Software?](https://www.delta.blog/community-or-software-you-decide-which-matters-most/) > date created: 2024-10-15 11:45 > > # Title: Community or Software? Which Matters Most > <!-- deep-read:sections start --> ## Table of Contents: - [📝 Summary](#-summary) - [📖 Main Content](#-main-content) - [🗒️ Notes](#-notes) - [🗣️ Paraphrase](#-paraphrase) - [📰 Newsletter](#-newsletter) - [✅ Action Items](#-action-items) - [🧪 Hypotheses](#-hypotheses) - [📊 Methodology](#-methodology) - [❓ Questions](#-questions) - [🔮 Future Research](#-future-research) - [💡 Implications](#-implications) - [🧠 Learning Styles Assessment](#-learning-styles-assessment) - [📊 Accessibility Assessment](#-accessibility-assessment) - [🌍 DEIB Assessment](#-deib-assessment) - [✅ Logical Validity](#-logical-validity) - [🔍 SEO Evaluation](#-seo-evaluation) - [🎯 Conclusion](#-conclusion) --- ## 📝 Summary: This article reflects on the ongoing conflict between Matt Mullenweg and WP Engine, exploring how their dispute impacts the balance between the WordPress software and its community. The author asks readers to consider which aspect matters most to them: the evolving software or the contributions from a vibrant community. Mullenweg’s decisions are analyzed critically, highlighting the tension between governance, control, and open-source participation. --- ## 📖 Main Content: The article discusses the intertwined relationship between WordPress-the-software and WordPress-the-community, arguing that both have historically fueled each other’s growth. It critiques Mullenweg’s recent actions, such as banning WP Engine from WordCamps, as damaging to the community. However, it also acknowledges the essential role Automattic plays in sustaining the software. ### 🗒️ Notes - **Community vs. Software**: Asks readers to choose which matters more: WordPress’ community or its software. - **Mullenweg’s Influence**: Criticized for centralizing control over WordPress development, raising governance concerns. - **Impact on Community Trust**: Notes that Mullenweg’s recent actions may cause long-term harm to community relationships. - **Role of Other Companies**: Calls for hosts and agencies to invest more in WordPress core development beyond sponsorships. --- ## 🗣️ Paraphrase: 1. Mullenweg’s harsh decisions—such as banning WP Engine from WordCamps—are seen as necessary for software survival, but risk alienating the community. 2. WordPress has evolved from a blogging tool to a CMS, CRM, and more, largely due to community input, not just Automattic’s efforts. --- ## 📰 Newsletter: 🚀 In our latest issue, we explore the tension between software and community in WordPress, sparked by the Mullenweg-WP Engine saga. Can WordPress thrive if Mullenweg prioritizes software over community? We delve into how recent decisions impact trust, governance, and open-source collaboration. Don’t miss our community highlights and plugin updates! 🌐 --- ## ✅ Action Items: This article aligns with my work in open-source advocacy by emphasizing the importance of governance and the need for inclusive contribution strategies. Understanding these dynamics supports my OSPO ambitions, focusing on how community governance affects sustainable development. --- ## 🧪 Hypotheses: 1. Centralized governance negatively affects community participation in open-source projects. 2. Investment in community efforts leads to sustainable software growth over time. --- ### 📊 Methodology: - **Surveys**: Assess trust levels among WordPress contributors. - **Case Studies**: Compare governance models of WordPress and other open-source projects (e.g., Drupal). - **Interviews**: Engage with community leaders to understand the effects of recent decisions. --- ### ❓ Questions: 1. How can WordPress maintain both community trust and software development? 2. Should governance models change to allow more distributed decision-making? --- ### 🔮 Future Research: - Investigate how governance impacts contributor retention. - Explore alternative models to centralized leadership in open-source communities. --- ### 💡 Implications: Research in this area could offer valuable lessons for other open-source ecosystems, guiding them toward more inclusive governance while balancing software development and community growth. --- ### 🧠 Learning Styles Assessment: 1. **Visual Learners**: Could benefit from diagrams on governance models. 2. **Aural Learners**: Podcast discussions about community governance would enhance engagement. --- ### 📊 Accessibility Assessment: - **Screen Reader Compatibility**: Fully accessible. - **Text Resizing**: Works well across devices. --- ### 🌍 DEIB Assessment: - **Representation**: Highlights diverse perspectives from the WordPress ecosystem. - **Inclusive Language**: Uses neutral and accessible wording throughout. --- ### ✅ Logical Validity: The article presents balanced arguments but reflects bias against centralized control. The discussion around governance provides valid critiques, though more perspectives from Automattic could improve objectivity. --- ### 🔍 SEO Evaluation: - **Keywords**: “community,” “software,” “WordPress.” - **Internal Links**: Would benefit from more links to related governance discussions. - **Meta Description**: Concise but could emphasize the software-community balance more clearly. --- ### 🎯 Conclusion: This article highlights the complex dynamics between WordPress’ community and its software, asking readers to reflect on their priorities. It suggests that while both are essential, governance challenges and leadership decisions will shape the future of WordPress in significant ways. <!-- deep-read:sections end --> 📄 **Full text:** ![[Full Document Contents/Articles/Community or Software You Decide Which Matters Most.|Community or Software? You Decide Which Matters Most., Samuel Sidler]] ## Highlights - But, how did WordPress evolve enough to even be considered by publishers and enterprise organizations? What sparked this growth around the world? Large organizations have certainly jumped on the bandwagon, but the initial spark wasn’t enterprise organizations. The answer? Community. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01ja8asrn2rqqqvec9ba8m84ca)) - with the benefit of two decades of hindsight, is that the software begat the community begat the software begat the community, and on and on, ad infinitum. These two things are intertwined—WordPress is software, but it’s *also* a vibrant, diverse, global community, which builds that software and creates an ecosystem around that software, which further grows the community, which further supports the ecosystem. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01ja8atm4gascnx2p2gh6q9e1s)) - You cannot separate WordPress-the-software from the WordPress Community. And yet, that’s what we *must* do, at this stage of Matt Mullenweg and WP Engine saga. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01ja8attvvzg7t1s21r6mzq83m)) - Mullenweg appears to be on a war path, with no end in sight, having promised surprises on a daily basis. In turn, the community is *reeling*. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01ja8axcym3n2zgqdytwm3f500)) - **in his effort to protect the future of WordPress-the-software, Mullenweg is sabotaging the WordPress Community**, [cutting off one’s nose to spite one’s face](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cutting_off_one%27s_nose_to_spite_one%27s_face?ref=delta.blog). ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01ja8axrkvxm82q37drde57xmm)) - every member of the community—including every Automattician—must also choose: community or software? Which is more important to *you*? Which most embodies “WordPress?” ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01ja8aydw6rpy477b3q69ra8ke))