Some Thoughts On Community

[chipbennett]

I am 101% completely against you trying to defend the guy...

I realize it was a long post, but please, actually read what I wrote before accusing me of something that is clearly untrue.

I was quite explicit that what he did was wrong, and that his tactics were wholly unacceptable.

What I addressed was the inability to forgive people when they relent, and decide to change their unacceptable behavior.

...who forced people into subscription into his marketing e-mail list, which some got daily e-mails. The majority of marketing lists ARE spam. Daily marketing e-mails ARE spam.

I consider those unwanted also, but regardless of the subjectivity of the definition of "spam", that definition, unequivocally, must include the criterion that the email is unsolicited. If you request to receive the email, it is by definition not spam.

People who downloaded their plugins did not want the e-mails, specially the ones who got them daily.

People who force users to subscribe to their website/e-mail lists, force users to add links on their sites to the author's site shouldn't be on the community.

I agree with all of that. In fact, if you look around the internet, you will find that I was one of Pawan's most vocal opponents.

But he had changed his mind. He had decided that being a part of the community was more important that forcing his email list on users of his plugins.

My entire point was that he was not given the opportunity to redeem himself.

Also people who put base64/code64 crap.

I choose to keep the link on the theme that I am using on my sites.

So according to you this guy should be let back in, even though he did something bad.

Absolutely, and without hesitation or reservation. His use of base64 encoding was an honest mistake, and one that he readily corrected. In fact, in order not to give any wrong impression, he has completely removed the link from his plugin - not even making it optional, and turned off by default, but removed completely.

Why are you so unwilling to forgive him? Your attitude perfectly exemplifies the attitudes about which I was speaking in my post.

What about those base64/code64 authors? How would you feel if you download a plugin that has some encrypted crap that will randomly post links on your sidebar to the author?

The arrogance is you who is trying to defend this guy for what he did. In more than just this thread.

I disagree with your understanding of the term arrogance.

How is it arrogant to say that people can and do change - or can and do learn - and that they should be given a second chance?

[MiroslavGlavic]

No. KnxDT

Another plugin removed from WP.org extend directory [Me too]

This is the thing, we have some rotten apples in the community.

A big one was 2.6.4

Mark Jsomething said if your plugin forces a link to the author's website, bye bye (not in those exact words).

What is acceptable? what if I create a theme that you use and I put my affiliate text links? Would you find THAT acceptable? basically I would be making $ out of your website.

The "lines" are often not defined. It's WordPress Inc. who decides what those "lines" are. Some "crimes" are bigger than others.

I would ban lifetime those 3 guys that copied the twitter/facebook looks for their themes. THOSE are HUGE crimes.

[Ryan]

IMO the story in a nutshell is that evil people should be treated accordingly.

Unfortunately some people have been considered evil, when in reality they were just misunderstanding what is acceptable and what isn't.

One of my best friends argued with me the other night that they're allowed to take any photos from any site on the internet and upload them to their FaceBook profile. She's not evil, just misunderstood how things work. Many of these WP cases are similar in nature.