Where would WordPress be right now without Jeffro?

[ptahdunbar]

With all the recent hirings at Automattic, I was just wondering where the WordPress community would be without Jeffro on the scene. He's touched so many lives and filled so many roles as a community member that he should practically be on their payroll. I mean WordPress without Jeffro would literally be deserted. Such an important person in the community should be recognized and awarded. Where else would we hang out at, get the latest news about all things automattic, listen to the best WordPress podcast, look forward to meeting at WordCamps, and beat the crap out of when he mentions gaylord street (inside joke :p)!

This is a serious question you guys should really think about (read: Automattic, because I know you're reading this!). As for everyone else, keep supporting jeffro in all of his endeavors until he gets snatched up!

[chipbennett]

With all the recent hirings at Automattic, I was just wondering where the WordPress community would be without Jeffro on the scene. He's touched so many lives and filled so many roles as a community member that he should practically be on their payroll. I mean WordPress without Jeffro would literally be deserted. Such an important person in the community should be recognized and awarded. Where else would we hang out at, get the latest news about all things automattic, listen to best WordPress podcast, look forward to meeting at WordCamps, and beat the crap out of when he mentions gaylord street (inside joke :p)!

This is a serious question you guys should really think about (read: Automattic, because I know you're reading this!). As for everyone else, keep supporting jeffro in all of his endeavors until he gets snatched up!

I would absolutely love to see Jeff financially rewarded for all his contribution to the WordPress community.

That said, I think Jeff best serves his purpose through his independence. I think having him on the Automattic payroll may prove to be counter-productive.

[andreasnrb]

Yep he is a valuable member of the community but I don't think he should be on the Automattic payroll. He will soon venture over to the darkside of WP where I and Chip resides. I've seen it in his posts that he wants too ;).
If the WP foundation want to do a good thing they could sponsor him =).
Jeff needs to explore more monetezation options.His review posts with affiliate links disappear into history. He should have a review post section on his blog so people have easy access to old reviews and a quicker way into his wallet.

[andrea_r]

Jeff could do a lot of good on a WordPress Foundation payroll though. (broad hint there ;) )

He serves as a good person between the community at large and the PTB.

[Jeffro]

Thanks for the kind words everyone. I don't feel as though I should be added to the automattic payroll. There are various reasons for this but although it would be a dream job to just act as a liason between the development of the project with the community I think that role is already partially filled. Furthermore, I think I have a lot to learn still. In fact, I've been treating wptavern as practice for the role you're suggesting. I've thought about it and if offered some sort of community liason position for the sake of doing it for the community, I would need to turn it down although it would royally suck since I need cash to pay for a wedding.

As for being financially rewarded for what I do, the only person who controls that is me and those who buy through the affiliate links. For the most part, I control my own destiny and whether wptavern will succeed in one of it's major goals, that being a full time job with full time income.

Matt has been very supportive of my work and has been very surprised to see what the wptavern community has become. He has rewarded me both with a gift to do video interviews and automattic purchasing advertising on the site. Its pretty cool to have that kind of support from the founder of the project.

As long as I continue to be supported like this from you guys and the wider community, I'll just keep trucking along and hope for opportunity to knock. Maybe even create a few opportunities myself.

[andrea_r]

Well stick more affiliate links everywhere then. :P

[Jeffro]

I'm well on my way to doing that.

By the way, automattic renewed their ad which is an additional 300$ and the backup buddy affiliate link has generated Orr 400$ enough money for another wordcamp :)

[ptahdunbar]

I'm well on my way to doing that. ...enough money for another wordcamp :)

WordCamp SF?

[Jeffro]

No, I have other travel plans around that time. Next year for sure

[hafiz]

I've thought about it and if offered some sort of community liason position for the sake of doing it for the community, I would need to turn it down although it would royally suck since I need cash to pay for a wedding.

Aww man.

But seriously, you've done a lot to the community and I've nothing but well wishes for your future plans.

Long live Jeffro and WPTavern!