Trying to think back to the previous contributors of WordPress core and plugins, it is difficult to remember any of them. I only remember Robin, because that core developer left after I joined the WordPress community. There are many other WordPress developers that contributed a lot that are probably forgotten by those who joined after they left.
It is interesting, not all of the work that went into WordPress were by the core developers, therefore that means that many of the bugs that has increased the stability of WordPress were made by those heros without names. I suppose we can give them our respect to whoever they are. Perhaps they only fixed one bug or fixed 100 or 500 or added a grand new feature, such as the Plugin API. Those unsung heros, who gave so much only to be forgotten with time.
Thinking back, it is hard to comprehend why some members of the WordPress community left to create Habari. It would make a good story, since hardly anyone really knows why they left. They probably have good reasons and there have been many times I thought it wasn’t worth the time and effort I put into WordPress. Thankfully, no one needs me to be in the WordPress community.
I went to the WordCamp Dallas and only a few people recognized my name from the WordPress mailing list. Although, back in those days I sort of bought up many heated arguments, unintentionally of course. It is difficult to know exactly what is going to push people in argument or action.
However, I seriously doubt that after I’ve left the WordPress community people will remember my name. Sure my name is in the WordPress core and on the WordPress codex, but the significance will be lost over time as better contributors join the WordPress community and fill the open slots in the community.
Doesn’t exactly mean that more people couldn’t help in several areas. There are almost a 1000 open tickets on the WordPress Trac that needs a developer to show it some love and care. There are many areas of WordPress, both user and developer that could be written about on the WordPress codex. There are probably many other areas that I don’t know about that needs someone out there to feel compelled enough to do something about it.
However, while it is fun for the short term to have your name out in the world, it is mostly just 15 minutes of fame. That is all you’re going to get, unless you stay in the community for the long haul. Not that you shouldn’t do it, there are many people in the community I respect and will continue to respect. The drive to join the community should be to fix a problem as you see fit. Fix enough problems and you’ll gain respect. Do it long enough and maybe one or two people remember your name.
Seems good enough for me! It is nice to know that even if I left others will join and be there to fix issues I can’t or won’t fix. It is humbling.
Possibly Related Posts:
- Bullet: E-Book Library Management and Content Server
- Using ZendFramework 2 beta1 For Directory Project
- The Way of Kings and Cosmere Theory
- “In Time” Movie Premise Flawed
- Completing HTTP Library For PHP
And can I ask you what was your reason to leave? (I didn’t find the answer around…)
I haven’t left.
I’m still going and going and going. The answer will be Browser Game Development, but I’m finding that I can use the core of WordPress instead of building something from the ground up.
It doesn’t look like I’ll be leaving the community anytime soon. Just fade from supporting as much as I’ve have.
Brevity isn’t one of my strengths.
Basically, what I’m saying is that, 1) contributors don’t do so to be recognized, and 2) if your goal is to be recognized, then you will only be so as long as you contribute.
I was pondering my post and came to realize that someone who actively contributes is different from the person who fixes and problem for themselves.
I’m sorry, my knowledge of english language is still far from precise.
Some of the explanations for WordPress leaving-Habari joining may be here: http://wiki.habariproject.org/en/Why_Habari%3F.
Excellent point, Jacob. My grandmother had a favorite saying that went, basically, as "Put your hand in a bucket of water. Splash it all around. Take your hand out of the bucket and the whole left remaining is a measure of how much you will be missed."
Sounds dreadful to see it written, but her point was better made by George Carlin. Life is a continuing force. It just keeps rollin’, rollin’ rollin’ along. We are all cogs in the wheel of life, and we all keep it going in the direction we are going as we travel through this life.
You will be remembered, but the point you really want to make is that we shouldn’t be doing this for the recognition nor fame it might bring. The hardest workers are the ones that are not remembered. Barely have names. They are the ones who put their heads down and did what needed to be done. They are the ones we need to celebrate and forget, paying attention to the noise makers.
I honor those constantly who make the least amount of noise, but it’s a fine line. Many of those want to stay hidden behind the curtain even though they are pulling the cords. These are the folks that make WordPress the powerhouse it is and I’m eternally grateful, even if I can’t brag about them all the time.
Trust me, my grandmother’s saying aside, you would be missed and your contributions have been well respected and appreciated, in all their forms. Just because they don’t recognize you or your name, especially with all the pseudonyms going around, doesn’t mean you are adored.
Virtual hugs.
I would rather be a “code ninja” someone who sneaks in, fixes the problem conflicting the other workers and sneaks back out with no one knowing any better. However, I’m not yet ready for the Code Ninja School of Awesome. One day, hopefully.
In my experience, those who are say, “Don’t you know who I am?”, no one really does. To gain respect in those circles you have to prove yourself and until you do so, then no one knows who you are. I like that better, because you don’t get too full of yourself.
If you don’t know you are a big shot, then you never start acting like one. Indeed, being taken down by someone bigger isn’t a great feeling. It is not something that looks good to watch, let alone being the person it is happening too.
Coupled with the fact that there is always someone better, one should strive to be better like that person.
The only time I wished I had a reputation is when someone is doubting me and I know for a fact that I’m correct. Those times, I wish, “Oh yeah, Master Jacob says it therefore it is true.” Oh well, it will eventually come to them sooner or later, however it will be later than sooner in that instance.
It is difficult being humble, but I enjoy it. There are too many expectations when you have a big reputation, whether it is a good expectation or a bad one.
For instance, I have a lot of respect for Dion and Peter Westwood. And others for whom I will not name. Those people to me are totally awesome and I’ve come out to say it. However, there are others that I haven’t, but I recognize who they are. I can only hope that I can achieve the level of skill that Dion and Peter have.
Very well put Jacob.
In my opinion, contributing is never about recognition but always about making things better, giving back.
In general, in all walks of life, people should contribute because they have skills and information that they want to share to help other improve – not because they want recognition.
Recognition is obviously caused by contributing, but contributing does not automatically earn you recognition.
Within the WordPress community, we try very hard to give the appropriate recognition to the people that do contribute both through the commit messages and the release announcements.
Jacob, if you have the time, your contributions however large or small are always welcome!
Actually, something else to add to the above.
Contributing is also about learning.
In my experience the best way to learn how to do something is to try and do it and to listen to the feedback that you get.
I’ll remember you when you leave Jacob !
(but don’t leave now, right?