We know you might be curious about the recent news surrounding WordPress and WP Engine. Here at withdigital, we want to reassure you that we’re keeping a very close eye on the situation, and proactively taking steps to limit any impact on our customers.
For background – WordPress and WP Engine have differing views on licensing, open-source contributions, and how plugin updates should be managed. While this might sound a bit distant from using WordPress day-to-day, it’s important to understand it has a wider impact on the ecosystem surrounding it. As an example the situation has evolved over the last week where popular plugins have disappeared from, or been replaced on, the WordPress plugin directory – impacting the ability to use this to keep them up-to-date.
WordPress remains a robust and versatile platform, and we’re still actively using and supporting it. We’re confident that, for the foreseeable future, we can continue to offer the same level of service we’ve always offered, despite this turbulence. That’s because we’re taking proactive steps to support our customers, such as:
- Actively monitoring the situation and any developments that may arise.
- Updating our internal processes to ensure your website’s plugins are always updated correctly, regardless of the source.
- Continuing to make your website’s security and performance our top priorities.
- Being here to support you and answer any questions you may have.
So, while we hope the parties involved manage to reach agreement soon, we want to reassure you that we’re on top of the situation and have already adjusted our processes to ensure your website remains secure, updated, and performing optimally. Your website is our priority, and we’re committed to providing you with the best possible experience, no matter what happens.
There are a number of posts on the website of Automattic (the owner of WordPress) where they share their side of the story, starting with: https://automattic.com/2024/09/25/open-source-trademarks-wp-engine/.
The same goes for WP Engine’s websites, starting with https://www.advancedcustomfields.com/blog/acf-plugin-no-longer-available-on-wordpress-org
Rich Bishop
Rich started writing software from the age of nine. He turned it into a business at 16, and has now been working with SMEs and larger businesses in the UK and overseas for the last 17 years. He also sits on the Council of BCS (the Chartered institute for IT) and is the Chair of the Industry Committee of the Worshipful Company of Information Technologists – where he works with both organisations to set the future direction of leadership in the IT, digital and cyber sectors.
Rich hasn’t always just been in software though. He has run business in retail, food, accounting, financial advice, education and broadcasting. He’s also campaigned for the small business community through roles with the FSB (Federation of Small Businesses), and now sits on committees of the CBI (Confederation of British Industry). He is also a Fellow of the RSA (Royal Society of Art, Manufactures and Commerce), and is a Freeman of the City of London.
The primary aim of Rich’s work, through his company withdigital, is to improve efficiency and productivity in businesses so they get the most out of the resources they have. Somewhat counterproductive to his own business, more times than not Rich will talk businesses out of expensive software builds – favouring using tools already out there, and sometimes that they already have. Through this, he also acts as CTO for start-ups. The aim of Rich’s work is to utilise technology and digital skills to do everything computers possibly can – freeing the humans from monotonous daily tasks and allowing them to do what they do best.
