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by Volundr 522 days ago
> wp engine doesn't contribute to open source themselves

At minimum they contribute Advanced Custom Fields, one of the most heavily used plugins. I make no judgement on if they contribute enough, but it's not like they give zero back to the ecosystem.
1 comments
cies 522 days ago
it's not for you to decide, but for Automattic to decide how much contribution is needed for them to allow you to use their services.

the code of WP is free software. free-as-in-freedom.

the services are not, and never were... they were free-as-in-beer.

RMS taught us about this, and it comes in handy again.

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Volundr 522 days ago
I don't recall voicing an opinion either way. In fact I specifically said I don't know if it's enough, but saying they contribute nothing is factually incorrect. And no lack of contribution would justify taking over ACF in what is essentially a supply chain attack like they did.
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cies 522 days ago
The contribute to the ecosystem, a little to the WP code, but use for free the services that Automattic provides.

It's the services that they got cut-off from. They are separate things that to the layman are seen as "wordpress".

> I don't recall voicing an opinion

Well, you mention they contribute to the ecosystem. If it is not your supply chain, you cannot dictate how it is run. You call it an attach, they call it a commercial endeavour.

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