Comments on: WP Plugins is The WordPress App Store!

By: Lance

Lance — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 03:23:54 +0000

BTW – to clarify my second point about “copy and send to all your friends”, I was thinking in terms of sharing a download link or login on a service much like app store. They could set a policy to forbid sharing a login or download link. I guess technically that is the wishes of the distributor NOT the original author.

Anyway, may main point was the GPL does not require you give away the app for free or FACILITATE making copies of the app for your friends.

As such a service like this could be quite valuable if done well thus making it easier to buy quality apps than to get a copy from a friend. After all, one reason Apple App Store is successful is it is soooo easy to use (both the buy & install process); at least as easy as getting a copy from a friend. :)

By: Lance

Lance — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 03:00:38 +0000

Some good points here guys, but there are some inaccuracies in your assumptions about GPL. GPL does not require you to give away our application for free NOR does it allow someone to pay for a copy and then distribute it freely. In fact the later part is a violation of distribution rights, which is different than following the “free to modify” and “free to request the source code” mantra that is the core of GPL.

Hopefully this help clarifies that common misconception that software covered by GPL must be given away at no charge or that software covered by GPL is ok to copy and send to all you friends without following the purchase and distribution wishes of the original author:

http://www.gnu.org/licenses/old-licenses/gpl-2.0-faq.html

By: Red Reynolds

Red Reynolds — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 17:46:32 +0000

Wow, respectfully, you guys are coming out somewhat strong on this. I don’t disagree with your arguments, but it is really their app store to make successful or not isn’t it? I know I have spent way too much of my time sifting through the 8,000+ plugins on WordPress.org to find just what I needed, only to find the plugin was old, abandoned, or would not run securely/completely. Most of the time I had difficulty finding a plugin developer interested in me paying them to update the code for recent WP versions because the particular plugin didn’t scratch their itch or they were scared of getting off into someone elses code and not being able to meet my budget.

Having a clear place to find solid plugins that are current is worth every dime I will spend here. Forget about how you feel about their business model and either join in or skip out. The proof will either be in the app store pudding or it won’t. As an agency/consultancy with no time to spare, I find this a welcomed retreat from other approaches.

By: bob

bob — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:49:47 +0000

I have to disagree with the concept of an app store for wordpress plugins. For the plugin developers who do want to make money, plugins give developers exposure. If they wrote a particularly good plugin, companies looking for wordpress developers will take notice and contact developers about contracting and employment opportunities. I for one have never heard of any plugin developer who got in it for the money. There’s simply no need to make plugin development “fair.” Everyone already accepts plugins for what they are, and the development associated with them. If you want it to be “fair,” you’re going about it the wrong way and should probably get a real job.

By: Joss Winn

Joss Winn — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 13:41:46 +0000

You can’t compare an App Store of GPL’d uncompiled scripts like yours to the iPhone App Store which sells proprietary, compiled code. The commercial model for iPhone apps is completely different to the model for WordPress plugins.

As you know, all WordPress plugins must use a GPL compatible license which means that anyone could buy a plugin here and redistribute it to others for free (http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-faq.html#DoesTheGPLRequireAvailabilityToPublic) You can’t do that with paid-for iPhone apps.

And all WordPress plugins are scripts. The source code is the same code that is run and not compiled, so the buyer does not have the same dependency on the developer of the plugin code. They can buy it once and read the code and do what they like with it under the terms of the GPL. You can’t do that with paid-for iPhone apps.

These two things: readable code and the GPL license, make your App store a very different proposition to developers than the iPhone App store model does.

I don’t have a problem with what you’re trying to do. I just think you need to do it a bit differently. Why not allow free access to the plugins but charge developers a ‘tenancy’ fee for use of the support forums and advertising you provide. That way, the plugins get greater exposure, which should mean more people wanting premium support through your paid-for service.

By: Aaron

Aaron — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:43:43 +0000

All plugins uploaded to WP Plugins must be GPL as per the WordPress license.

By: Fabian Rodriguez

Fabian Rodriguez — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:46:37 +0000

What will be the licensing of such applications ? Will one be able to freely share / resell downloaded apps ?

One big reason WP plugins and WP developped into what they are today in the first place was availability and sharing of such code. I’d like to know how both ideas will remain compatible.