Episode 15 - The Future of WordPress: Open Source vs. Private Equity

The Boost

Introduction:

In this episode of The Boost, Leon and Pablo dive deep into the ongoing drama within the WordPress community surrounding Matt Mullenweg, WP Engine, and the effects of private equity on open-source software. The controversy kicked off from some cryptic tweets by Matt Mullenweg, founder of WordPress, and escalated during his keynote at WordCamp, where he called WP Engine the "cancer of WordPress." The discussion spans the larger issues of open-source sustainability, private equity's impact on software development, and the future of WordPress itself.
Hosts:

• Pablo Calvo: Linkedin
• Leon Hitchens: Linkedin & X

Find Us:

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBoostChannel
• Website: https://theboost.fm

Key Points:

1. Matt Mullenweg’s Criticism of WP Engine and Private Equity:
   • Matt Mullenweg criticized WP Engine and private equity firms for undermining open-source projects, claiming they destroy the open-source spirit by prioritizing profits over community contributions.
2. WP Engine’s Response:
   • WP Engine denied these claims, emphasizing their role in supporting the WordPress community. However, tensions escalated, leading to WP Engine being cut off from the WordPress plugin repository, which prevents their customers from easily updating plugins.
3. Private Equity in WordPress:
   • The discussion broadened to the role of private equity in the WordPress ecosystem, drawing comparisons to the decline of other open-source projects when private equity took control. The concern is that WP Engine’s private equity backing could lead to the deterioration of the open-source community.
4. The Business Impact of WordPress on Small Businesses:
   • Pablo highlighted how WordPress has been crucial in helping small businesses thrive by providing a low-cost, open-source solution. He emphasized that WP Engine’s premium services, although costly, have benefited businesses by offering fast speeds and reliable support.
5. Potential Forking of WordPress:
   • A key concern discussed was the possibility of WP Engine forking WordPress (creating a separate version of the software). This could lead to a fragmented ecosystem, which might harm the open-source community and the long-standing collaborative nature of WordPress development.
6. Community Reaction:
   • The hosts expressed surprise at the WordPress community’s mixed response, with many not fully supporting Matt Mullenweg’s stance. The episode also touched on how WP Engine and other hosts have integrated themselves into the WordPress ecosystem, blurring the lines between what’s part of WordPress and what’s an external service.

Conclusions:

1. Open Source Sustainability:
   • The debate between profit-driven companies and open-source projects is ongoing. The hosts speculate that more legal battles are inevitable as Automattic (Matt Mullenweg’s company) tries to protect the integrity of WordPress from private equity-driven influences.
2. Business Impact on WP Engine Users:
   • WP Engine users may face disruptions, especially regarding plugin updates, but agencies and developers are already preparing to adapt by moving to alternative hosting solutions.
3. Future of WordPress:
   • The podcast concludes with a reflection on WordPress's future. Despite the drama, Leon and Pablo believe that Matt Mullenweg’s intentions are to pro