Another good plugin ruined

  • Until version 1.6.2, we had a super-light plugin, with no useless stuff, following the WordPress design language. The plugin weighed 13.8 KB.

    Now the version 2.0.0 weighs 36 times more (507 KB), the design language changed, having to load more styles in the backend and adding more probably unnecessary stuff.

    I totally understand the creators, they want to improve the plugin. But I don’t think this is the right way. A new plugin should’ve been created and leave this one as it was. It’s following the same path as ExactMetrics, from an awesome and light plugin it became a monster.

    Not only that, after the plugin you are redirected to a huge page “welcoming” you to the new changes and how you can change the old interface (but still using more resources). Not cool. But expected from a big company. Coming soon: a pro version for a few $ per month.

    Edit: Called it, now WPCode is called WPCode Lite. And you can get the Pro version paying. Hilarious.

Viewing 2 replies - 1 through 2 (of 2 total)
  • Plugin Author Syed Balkhi

    (@smub)

    Thank you for your feedback. It’s unfortunate that you’re unhappy with the additional features which are all free. We made the plugin at least 100x more powerful with conditional logic, more granular control, snippet library, code generators, etc.

    The plugin file size alone is not a good indicator of weight because the front-end output remains the same, and you have full control over it. The plugin’s frontend footprint is very light-weight.

    We even added the option to keep the Simple Mode for those who don’t want the additional functionality in the dashboard.

    As the creator of this plugin, we wanted to balance user requests for new features while maintaining the simplicity of design.

    I hope you give the new features and honest chance to see the value that we have added.

    Thread Starter Gerard Blanco

    (@sixaxis)

    Hi Syed,

    I know and understand everything you have said. It makes sense. But the same way there are users who want every single feature packed in a single plugin (that’s sometimes the cause of why WordPress become slow among non-experienced users), there are other users who want to keep the site as simple and light as possible.

    I don’t fully agree with the plugin file size. Yes, the footprint is very light-weight. But not the same as before. And from someone who has pretty basic understanding of plugin development, I don’t think that making the plugin 36 times bigger will keep things exactly the same way.

    I gave the plugin an honest chance, and my honest experience reflects in this honest review. I don’t think 1 star is deserved, but 2, yes, simply because of what the plugin is and what it was.

    I appreciate your politeness and it’s nothing against you guys. It’s just a review about a plugin.

Viewing 2 replies - 1 through 2 (of 2 total)
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