Forking WordPress
[[3. Resources/Readwise/Full Document Contents/Articles/Forking WordPress|Full Document Contents]]
## Document Notes
---
tags:
- #Forking
- #WordPress
- #CommunityLeadership
Author: [John Jacoby]
Source: [WordSesh 2024]
Reference: [Forking WordPress Transcript](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Y6HcQcQWXU)
date created: {{2024-09-26}} {{21:00}}
---
# Title: Forking WordPress: Community, Contributions, and the Future
## Table of Contents:
- [[#📝 Summary:]]
- [[#📖 Main Content:]]
- [[#🗒️ Notes]]
- [[#📖 References:]]
- [[#🗣️ Paraphrase:]]
- [[#📰 Newsletter:]]
- [[#✅ Action Items:]]
- [[#🧪 Hypotheses:]]
- [[#📊 Methodology:]]
- [[#❓ Questions:]]
- [[#🔮 Future Research:]]
- [[#💡 Implications:]]
- [[#🧠 Learning Styles Assessment:]]
- [[#📊 Accessibility Assessment]]
- [[#🌍 DEIB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging) Assessment]]
- [[#✅ Logical Validity]]
- [[#🔍 SEO Evaluation]]
- [[#🎯 Conclusion]]
### References:
- [Forking WordPress Transcript](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Y6HcQcQWXU)
## 📝 Summary:
In his WordSesh 2024 presentation, John Jacoby discusses the concept of forking WordPress, community contributions, and the future of the open-source platform. Jacoby shares insights on how forking can be a positive force for innovation rather than a divisive issue. He emphasizes the value of community-driven development, decentralized decision-making, and understanding the motivations behind why contributors might fork WordPress. Forking, according to Jacoby, is not inherently negative; it represents an opportunity for growth, exploration, and the diversification of the WordPress ecosystem.
## 📖 Main Content:
Jacoby starts by recounting his personal journey in WordPress, including his experiences with BuddyPress and BBPress, both of which are forks of WordPress. He argues that forking should be seen as a natural and potentially beneficial practice that allows developers to experiment and push boundaries without being constrained by the core project. He describes the importance of decentralized leadership, especially in open-source communities, and advocates for creating distinct distributions of WordPress to serve niche needs—such as those focused on higher education or enterprises.
Jacoby reflects on the challenges of maintaining backward compatibility and the necessity of sometimes taking risks by creating different "flavors" of WordPress to address particular requirements. He also speaks about the emotional aspects of forking and the community dynamics that can sometimes make this challenging. He concludes by emphasizing the shared values of openness and collaboration, which should guide the decisions of those involved in WordPress, whether they are leading, forking, or contributing.
### 🗒️ Notes
- **Forking as a Tool for Growth**:
- Forking is a way to improve WordPress by experimenting and trying new approaches.
- It allows contributors to address needs that aren't currently met by the core.
- **Community and Leadership**:
- Decentralized leadership is vital for an open-source project to thrive.
- Maintaining backward compatibility can hinder progress, and sometimes new versions must be created to innovate.
- **Different "Flavors" of WordPress**:
- Jacoby encourages distinct versions tailored to specific needs, like educational or enterprise use cases.
- Examples include custom versions of WordPress with default configurations for LMS or multi-network capabilities.
- **Emotional Dynamics of Forking**:
- Forking is often seen as negative, but it can be a way for individuals to explore their vision for WordPress.
- It’s essential to maintain community cohesion and not see forking as inherently divisive.
## 📖 References:
- [Forking WordPress Transcript](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Y6HcQcQWXU)
## 🗣️ Paraphrase:
1. Jacoby discusses how the concept of forking is often misunderstood as a negative reaction to dissatisfaction. Instead, he frames forking as an opportunity to reimagine WordPress and pursue different paths of development that may not align with the core at a given time.
2. He also elaborates on the importance of creating different distributions of WordPress to meet unique needs—whether that’s for educational institutions, enterprises, or developers who want certain capabilities built-in by default—so that users don’t have to reinvent the wheel for specific use cases.
## 📰 Newsletter:
**🚀 Exploring Forking: The Key to WordPress' Future?**
In his latest WordSesh talk, John Jacoby made a compelling case for the value of forking WordPress—arguing that it’s not just about diverging from core but about creating room for innovation. From tailored versions for higher education to multi-network default setups, the potential for custom distributions is vast. Want to know how forking could shape the next decade of WordPress? Dive into Jacoby’s vision for a more experimental and dynamic future for the platform.
👉 [Watch the full talk here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Y6HcQcQWXU)
## ✅ Action Items:
- Reflect on how forking could play a role in diversifying the WordPress community.
- Explore potential use cases where a custom distribution of WordPress could better serve niche needs.
- Consider how the concept of decentralized leadership could be applied within your contributions to foster a more inclusive and experimental community.
## 🧪 Hypotheses:
1. Forking WordPress to create specialized distributions can lead to increased adoption in underserved sectors like education and enterprise.
2. Decentralized leadership within WordPress could result in greater contributor satisfaction and increased innovation.
### 📊 Methodology:
- **Surveys**: Distribute surveys to WordPress developers to understand their attitudes toward forking and decentralized governance.
- **Case Studies**: Analyze other open-source projects that have successfully implemented forks to understand best practices and outcomes.
### ❓ Questions:
- How can forking be encouraged in a way that supports both individual creativity and the cohesion of the overall WordPress project?
- What specific features or use cases would benefit from a dedicated distribution of WordPress?
### 🔮 Future Research:
- Investigate the long-term impact of popular WordPress forks on the core project.
- Study the role of forks in other open-source ecosystems to identify transferable lessons for WordPress.
### 💡 Implications:
Encouraging forking could lead to a richer ecosystem of WordPress installations, each optimized for specific use cases, which could make WordPress more attractive to new markets and contribute to its sustainability as a leading open-source platform.
### 🧠 Learning Styles Assessment:
1. **Visual Learners (Spatial)**:
- **Present**: No diagrams or visual aids are provided.
- **Improve**: Add flowcharts or diagrams showing different pathways that forks can take.
2. **Aural Learners (Auditory-Musical)**:
- **Present**: The talk is available in audio format.
- **Improve**: Provide an audio summary or integrate discussion prompts that users can explore in group settings.
3. **Verbal Learners (Linguistic)**:
- **Present**: The presentation is rich in explanations but lacks analogies.
- **Improve**: Include storytelling elements or relatable analogies to help explain complex concepts.
4. **Physical Learners (Kinesthetic)**:
- **Present**: No interactive components.
- **Improve**: Suggest practical exercises for attendees, such as creating their own basic fork to understand the process.
5. **Logical Learners (Mathematical)**:
- **Present**: Logical progression of arguments is present.
- **Improve**: Add data or case studies to strengthen the logical flow.
6. **Social Learners (Interpersonal)**:
- **Present**: Encourages community involvement.
- **Improve**: Include group discussion prompts or link to community forums.
7. **Solitary Learners (Intrapersonal)**:
- **Present**: Offers reflection points on why someone might want to fork.
- **Impr
> [!note]+ Document Notes
> tags:
> - #Forking
> - #WordPress
> - #CommunityLeadership
> Author: [John Jacoby]
> Source: [WordSesh 2024]
> Reference: [Forking WordPress Transcript](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Y6HcQcQWXU)
> date created: {{2024-09-26}} {{21:00}}
>
> # Title: Forking WordPress: Community, Contributions, and the Future
>
<!-- deep-read:sections start -->
## Table of Contents:
- [📝 Summary](#-summary)
- [📖 Main Content](#-main-content)
- [🗒️ Notes](#-notes)
- [📖 References](#-references)
- [🗣️ 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 (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging) Assessment](#-deib-diversity-equity-inclusion-and-belonging-assessment)
- [✅ Logical Validity](#-logical-validity)
- [🔍 SEO Evaluation](#-seo-evaluation)
- [🎯 Conclusion](#-conclusion)
### References:
- [Forking WordPress Transcript](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Y6HcQcQWXU)
## 📝 Summary:
In his WordSesh 2024 presentation, John Jacoby discusses the concept of forking WordPress, community contributions, and the future of the open-source platform. Jacoby shares insights on how forking can be a positive force for innovation rather than a divisive issue. He emphasizes the value of community-driven development, decentralized decision-making, and understanding the motivations behind why contributors might fork WordPress. Forking, according to Jacoby, is not inherently negative; it represents an opportunity for growth, exploration, and the diversification of the WordPress ecosystem.
## 📖 Main Content:
Jacoby starts by recounting his personal journey in WordPress, including his experiences with BuddyPress and BBPress, both of which are forks of WordPress. He argues that forking should be seen as a natural and potentially beneficial practice that allows developers to experiment and push boundaries without being constrained by the core project. He describes the importance of decentralized leadership, especially in open-source communities, and advocates for creating distinct distributions of WordPress to serve niche needs—such as those focused on higher education or enterprises.
Jacoby reflects on the challenges of maintaining backward compatibility and the necessity of sometimes taking risks by creating different "flavors" of WordPress to address particular requirements. He also speaks about the emotional aspects of forking and the community dynamics that can sometimes make this challenging. He concludes by emphasizing the shared values of openness and collaboration, which should guide the decisions of those involved in WordPress, whether they are leading, forking, or contributing.
### 🗒️ Notes
- **Forking as a Tool for Growth**:
- Forking is a way to improve WordPress by experimenting and trying new approaches.
- It allows contributors to address needs that aren't currently met by the core.
- **Community and Leadership**:
- Decentralized leadership is vital for an open-source project to thrive.
- Maintaining backward compatibility can hinder progress, and sometimes new versions must be created to innovate.
- **Different "Flavors" of WordPress**:
- Jacoby encourages distinct versions tailored to specific needs, like educational or enterprise use cases.
- Examples include custom versions of WordPress with default configurations for LMS or multi-network capabilities.
- **Emotional Dynamics of Forking**:
- Forking is often seen as negative, but it can be a way for individuals to explore their vision for WordPress.
- It’s essential to maintain community cohesion and not see forking as inherently divisive.
## 📖 References:
- [Forking WordPress Transcript](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Y6HcQcQWXU)
## 🗣️ Paraphrase:
1. Jacoby discusses how the concept of forking is often misunderstood as a negative reaction to dissatisfaction. Instead, he frames forking as an opportunity to reimagine WordPress and pursue different paths of development that may not align with the core at a given time.
2. He also elaborates on the importance of creating different distributions of WordPress to meet unique needs—whether that’s for educational institutions, enterprises, or developers who want certain capabilities built-in by default—so that users don’t have to reinvent the wheel for specific use cases.
## 📰 Newsletter:
**🚀 Exploring Forking: The Key to WordPress' Future?**
In his latest WordSesh talk, John Jacoby made a compelling case for the value of forking WordPress—arguing that it’s not just about diverging from core but about creating room for innovation. From tailored versions for higher education to multi-network default setups, the potential for custom distributions is vast. Want to know how forking could shape the next decade of WordPress? Dive into Jacoby’s vision for a more experimental and dynamic future for the platform.
👉 [Watch the full talk here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Y6HcQcQWXU)
## ✅ Action Items:
- Reflect on how forking could play a role in diversifying the WordPress community.
- Explore potential use cases where a custom distribution of WordPress could better serve niche needs.
- Consider how the concept of decentralized leadership could be applied within your contributions to foster a more inclusive and experimental community.
## 🧪 Hypotheses:
1. Forking WordPress to create specialized distributions can lead to increased adoption in underserved sectors like education and enterprise.
2. Decentralized leadership within WordPress could result in greater contributor satisfaction and increased innovation.
### 📊 Methodology:
- **Surveys**: Distribute surveys to WordPress developers to understand their attitudes toward forking and decentralized governance.
- **Case Studies**: Analyze other open-source projects that have successfully implemented forks to understand best practices and outcomes.
### ❓ Questions:
- How can forking be encouraged in a way that supports both individual creativity and the cohesion of the overall WordPress project?
- What specific features or use cases would benefit from a dedicated distribution of WordPress?
### 🔮 Future Research:
- Investigate the long-term impact of popular WordPress forks on the core project.
- Study the role of forks in other open-source ecosystems to identify transferable lessons for WordPress.
### 💡 Implications:
Encouraging forking could lead to a richer ecosystem of WordPress installations, each optimized for specific use cases, which could make WordPress more attractive to new markets and contribute to its sustainability as a leading open-source platform.
### 🧠 Learning Styles Assessment:
1. **Visual Learners (Spatial)**:
- **Present**: No diagrams or visual aids are provided.
- **Improve**: Add flowcharts or diagrams showing different pathways that forks can take.
2. **Aural Learners (Auditory-Musical)**:
- **Present**: The talk is available in audio format.
- **Improve**: Provide an audio summary or integrate discussion prompts that users can explore in group settings.
3. **Verbal Learners (Linguistic)**:
- **Present**: The presentation is rich in explanations but lacks analogies.
- **Improve**: Include storytelling elements or relatable analogies to help explain complex concepts.
4. **Physical Learners (Kinesthetic)**:
- **Present**: No interactive components.
- **Improve**: Suggest practical exercises for attendees, such as creating their own basic fork to understand the process.
5. **Logical Learners (Mathematical)**:
- **Present**: Logical progression of arguments is present.
- **Improve**: Add data or case studies to strengthen the logical flow.
6. **Social Learners (Interpersonal)**:
- **Present**: Encourages community involvement.
- **Improve**: Include group discussion prompts or link to community forums.
7. **Solitary Learners (Intrapersonal)**:
- **Present**: Offers reflection points on why someone might want to fork.
- **Improve**: Add journaling prompts to help individuals think about their role in the community.
8. **Naturalistic Learners**:
- **Present**: No references to nature.
- **Improve**: Use analogies to natural ecosystems to explain the concept of diversity within forks.
### 📊 Accessibility Assessment:
- **Screen Reader Compatibility**: Assess if all sections of the article are accessible with a screen reader.
- **Improve**: Ensure that all headings are correctly tagged, and that any images or graphics have descriptive alt text.
- **Keyboard Navigation**: Check if the content can be navigated solely using the keyboard.
- **Improve**: Ensure that interactive elements are accessible via keyboard commands.
- **Contrast and Readability**: Evaluate if the text meets contrast requirements.
- **Improve**: Recommend using a high-contrast color scheme for better readability.
### 🌍 DEIB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging) Assessment:
- **Cultural Relevance**: No diverse cultural perspectives provided.
- **Improve**: Include examples from various geographic and cultural backgrounds to make the discussion more inclusive.
- **Inclusive Language**: The language is generally inclusive but could use more explicit gender-neutral terms.
- **Improve**: Avoid phrases that assume a male default and include examples that reflect a range of experiences.
- **Neurodiversity Support**: The content is complex and could benefit from clearer structure.
- **Improve**: Use bullet points and headers to break down complex arguments.
### ✅ Logical Validity:
- **Sound Deductive Reasoning**: Arguments for the value of forking logically follow from examples provided.
- **Logical Flow**: The progression of Jacoby’s argument is coherent, moving from personal experiences to broader implications for the community.
- **Fallacy Identified**: **False Dilemma**—Jacoby sometimes presents forking as either positive innovation or community-alienating, without acknowledging nuanced middle paths.
- **Improve**: Highlight how forks can coexist alongside the core without either being inherently good or bad.
### 🔍 SEO Evaluation:
1. **Keywords**: The keywords like "forking WordPress" are underused.
- **Improve**: Increase keyword density, including variations like "WordPress forks" and "open source community."
2. **Meta Description**: Lacks a meta description.
- **Improve**: Add a concise summary of the talk's key message.
3. **Title Tag**: The title tag is appropriate but could include more keywords.
4. **Headers**: The headers are structured well but could benefit from more keyword placement.
5. **Internal and External Links**: Few links provided.
- **Improve**: Add links to related WordSesh talks or articles on forking.
## 🎯 Conclusion:
Jacoby’s presentation underscores that forking WordPress should not be viewed as a divisive action but as an opportunity to foster innovation and explore new directions for the platform. By creating different distributions tailored to specific needs, the community can ensure WordPress remains adaptable and inclusive, thereby continuing its growth and relevance in the evolving digital landscape.
Short Summary for [Forking WordPress](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Y6HcQcQWXU) by [Merlin](https://merlin.foyer.work/)
Title: WordPress Community, Contributions, and Open Source: A Discussion with the Project Lead of BuddyPress and bbPress
[00:08](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Y6HcQcQWXU&t=8) Getting ready to kick off the fourth annual WordSesh
[02:28](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Y6HcQcQWXU&t=148) Exploring the concept of forking WordPress
[07:05](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Y6HcQcQWXU&t=425) Forking WordPress allows for customization and problem-solving.
[09:04](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Y6HcQcQWXU&t=544) Forking WordPress for different direction and improvement
[13:30](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Y6HcQcQWXU&t=810) WordPress installations are inherently forks of WordPress.
[15:51](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Y6HcQcQWXU&t=951) Fully understanding WordPress components for success
[19:41](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Y6HcQcQWXU&t=1181) WordPress forks aim to improve the platform for specific needs.
[21:38](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Y6HcQcQWXU&t=1298) Fork of WordPress for flexibility and customization
[25:27](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Y6HcQcQWXU&t=1527) Encouraging the development of official forks and distros of WordPress with specific configurations.
[27:21](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Y6HcQcQWXU&t=1641) Matt has given away the WordPress software.
[31:22](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Y6HcQcQWXU&t=1882) Desire to fork WordPress due to limitations and challenges.
[33:19](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Y6HcQcQWXU&t=1999) Forking WordPress allows for specific problem-solving tailored to different audiences.
[37:27](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Y6HcQcQWXU&t=2247) Diverse implementations and forks of basic protocols exist for customization.
[39:22](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Y6HcQcQWXU&t=2362) Forking WordPress allows for customization and innovation.
[43:02](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Y6HcQcQWXU&t=2582) Ensuring a safe, secure, and accessible web for all
[45:08](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Y6HcQcQWXU&t=2708) Supporting the bedrock and roots builders
---------------------------------
Detailed Summary for [Forking WordPress](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Y6HcQcQWXU) by [Merlin](https://merlin.foyer.work/)
Title: WordPress Community, Contributions, and Open Source: A Discussion with the Project Lead of BuddyPress and bbPress
[00:08](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Y6HcQcQWXU&t=8) Getting ready to kick off the fourth annual WordSesh
- Excited to talk about community, contributing to core, crowdfunding, open source, and raising money
- Plans to speak about personal journey, the WordPress community, and the software itself
[02:28](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Y6HcQcQWXU&t=148) Exploring the concept of forking WordPress
- Discussing reasons behind forking software based on personal values and goals
- Reflecting on the mindset of 'us versus them' in the WordPress community
[07:05](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Y6HcQcQWXU&t=425) Forking WordPress allows for customization and problem-solving.
- Forking WordPress occurs when someone has different ideas for WordPress than the current state.
- WordPress mu and multi-site were examples of forking WordPress to cater to specific needs like hosting multiple sites.
[09:04](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Y6HcQcQWXU&t=544) Forking WordPress for different direction and improvement
- Development of bbPress and BackPress as forks of WordPress to solve different problems
- Efforts to make a better version of WordPress through forking and code improvements
[13:30](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Y6HcQcQWXU&t=810) WordPress installations are inherently forks of WordPress.
- WordPress installations use a variety of plugins, themes, and features which are forks of the core WordPress.
- Forking WordPress allows users to customize and tailor their WordPress experience to their specific needs and values.
[15:51](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Y6HcQcQWXU&t=951) Fully understanding WordPress components for success
- Importance of internalizing WordPress functionalities for problem solving
- Perseverance in finding creative solutions rather than giving up easily
[19:41](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Y6HcQcQWXU&t=1181) WordPress forks aim to improve the platform for specific needs.
- Forks of WordPress occur when individuals or companies modify the software to suit their specific needs, such as adding extra caching plugins or unique features.
- This customization can result in different versions of WordPress, like the tailored version used by WP Engine or the unique version on wordpress.com.
[21:38](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Y6HcQcQWXU&t=1298) Fork of WordPress for flexibility and customization
- A fork of WordPress allows for complete customization by getting rid of drop-ins and making everything pluggable.
- Users can exercise freedom by choosing versions and components, making WordPress infinitely flexible.
[25:27](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Y6HcQcQWXU&t=1527) Encouraging the development of official forks and distros of WordPress with specific configurations.
- BuddyPress could potentially ship with WordPress to provide a turnkey installation experience.
- It's important for the future of WordPress to embrace the concept of various forks and distros with specialized solutions.
[27:21](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Y6HcQcQWXU&t=1641) Matt has given away the WordPress software.
- Matt has worked hard to ensure the community is okay with the state of things.
- It's remarkable to have the opportunity to create something and then set it free.
[31:22](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Y6HcQcQWXU&t=1882) Desire to fork WordPress due to limitations and challenges.
- Challenges in the current state of WordPress due to its responsibility to maintain backwards compatibility and stability.
- Interest in the concept of forking WordPress based on prior experience with forks like multi-site and back press.
[33:19](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Y6HcQcQWXU&t=1999) Forking WordPress allows for specific problem-solving tailored to different audiences.
- Forks of WordPress are similar to distributions of Linux, each with specific package managers and ideologies.
- The concept of forking WordPress is analogous to having multiple options for car dealerships, banks, and coffee shops, allowing users to find joy in their choices.
[37:27](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Y6HcQcQWXU&t=2247) Diverse implementations and forks of basic protocols exist for customization.
- Apple refines open-source components like WebKit for sophistication and simplicity.
- Cars are built using off-the-shelf components from various companies, allowing for custom designs.
[39:22](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Y6HcQcQWXU&t=2362) Forking WordPress allows for customization and innovation.
- Forking involves reimagining and modifying suspension components through fabricating, writing plugins, or using existing tools.
- Having separate forks and distributions of WordPress is essential for growth and allowing individuals and groups to customize WordPress according to their needs.
[43:02](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Y6HcQcQWXU&t=2582) Ensuring a safe, secure, and accessible web for all
- Making web usage easy and accessible to everyone
- Developing a safe, friendly, and encouraging web environment
[45:08](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Y6HcQcQWXU&t=2708) Supporting the bedrock and roots builders
- Discusses negative interactions between bedrock and roots builders, emphasizing that the output is what matters most.
- Encourages support for bedrock and roots builders and their contributions to the WordPress community.
<!-- deep-read:sections end -->
## Highlights
- and so uh it's depending on how you and what your definition of the word fork is to you or what it means and i think in the wordpress community that um that the word fork has somehow uh somehow have a a negative connotation to it as in i'm i'm going to take my ball and go home or as in i don't like the way that things are here and so what would a what would a
fork of wordpress look like ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01j8tq7n9z4746gn8c3nxvb9kr))