Can I take over a plugin development?

  • Hi there,

    there is this little neat plugin for simple chat in a widget:
    https://www.ads-software.com/plugins/simple-ajax-shoutbox/

    But, the plugin is quite old and last updated almost 6 years ago. It has compatibility issues with current versions of WP etc.

    Anyway, for some time I have myself updated the plugin, kept it compatible with the development of WordPress and also added some new functionality to it (support of gravatars, support for oembed etc). The updated chat is running all the time on my website https://ninty.cz/ — you can check yourself.

    I don’t want to keep my modifications for myself, I am ready to give them to the public. Of course I know I can fork, i.e. ask for a new plugin repository and put it there. But I was thinking it would be better if I could take over the development of the original plugin, so all the users coming there get it updated etc.

    I even tried to contact the author of the original plugin (I have found him on Twitter) with such request to take over, but no reply.

    So, here I try to contact the administrators of the WP plugins repository with such request — is it possible to take over the development of this plugin? As you can see, it is not updated for several years, it has unsolved issues in support page etc. I have updates to it available for immediate commit. You can check my profile and see that I have several plugins of my own for WordPress, so I have some knowledge in developing plugins for WordPress.

    Thank you. Honza

Viewing 3 replies - 1 through 3 (of 3 total)
  • Moderator Jan Dembowski

    (@jdembowski)

    Forum Moderator and Brute Squad

    @honzaskypala Please do not create duplicate topics or bumps. Both get deleted when found as I have just done.

    I am not on the plugins team but I do know that unless you obtain permission from the author then you cannot take over that plugin in the repository here.

    However, it is all GPL code. There is nothing that will prevent you from updating the code, addding features, etc. and submitting it to the plugin repository as your own. You will have to give it a new name and a new plugin slug (Simple Ajax Shoutbox Reloaded?) but as long as you follow the plugin guidelines then it should all be good.

    Edit: These plugin guidelines.

    https://www.ads-software.com/plugins/about/guidelines/

    This is good too.

    https://www.ads-software.com/plugins/about/faq/

    Thread Starter honza.skypala

    (@honzaskypala)

    Hi Jan, thank you for your answer.

    I understand the possibility to fork (mentioned already in my first post), just thought the overtake of the repository could be a benefit also for the users of the old (not updated) plugin.

    Is there a way to directly contact the plugin team? Or can you notify them?

    Moderator Jan Dembowski

    (@jdembowski)

    Forum Moderator and Brute Squad

    Is there a way to directly contact the plugin team? Or can you notify them?

    You can always contact them via plugins [at] www.ads-software.com but please be patient for a reply. They’re a busy group. ??

Viewing 3 replies - 1 through 3 (of 3 total)
  • The topic ‘Can I take over a plugin development?’ is closed to new replies.

Tags