The Blog Herald logo

  • News
  • Features
  • Guides
  • Editorial
  • Interviews
  • Blog Tips
  • More
    • General
    • Blog Conferences
    • Contact Us
    • Terms & Privacy
    • Disclaimer

WordPress And WordPress MU Will Merge: Good Or Bad?

June 5, 2009 by Thord Daniel Hedengren

WordPress MU is the multi-user version of WordPress, which basically means that you can run several WordPress blogs within one WordPress MU installation. It is in many ways similar to WordPress, but adds this functionality along with some other small things that is needed for being your very own blog host. The most well known WordPress MU sites are WordPress.com and Edublogs.

And now, finally, WordPress MU and WordPress will merge. The MU lead developer Donncha O Caoimh said this on his blog:

Basically, the thin layer of code that allows WordPress MU to host multiple WordPress blogs will be merged into WordPress. I expect the WordPress MU project itself will come to an end because it won’t be needed any more (which saddens me), but on the other hand many more people will be working on that very same MU code which means more features and more bugfixes and faster too.

Is this good or bad?

It is good.

  • I can roll several blogs on one install.
  • It means that cool MU projects like BuddyPress will come to the WordPress masses.
  • It will strengthen the WordPress platform.
  • The former MU users will finally benefit from the swiftness of the single user community.

No, it is bad.

  • More stuff within WordPress means more clutter for the user. This is a pro thing.
  • The WordPress community will be confused with all the old lingo.
  • A lot of unknowns: How will current MU installs convert to the new version, will old MU plugins work, will this force an admin interface revamp?

Personally, I’m positive to this. One of the things I love with WordPress competitor Movable Type is the ability to roll several blogs in one install.

Most likely this code merge will happen in 3.0, which makes sense and feels right. However, it might even be in 2.9, we’ll have to wait and se about that. Meanwhile, there will be a WordPress MU 2.8, and a traditional WordPress 2.8, so for now this is all plans.

Is merging WordPress and WordPress MU into one project a good idea?

Author: Thord Daniel Hedengren

Thord Daniel Hedengren is a designer, writer, and blogger, and also the former editor of The Blog Herald. He used to be a hotshot in the gaming industry in Sweden, but sold everything and went International. Most recently he wrote a book called Smashing WordPress: Beyond the Blog, and does loads of kickass design.

Related

Filed Under: Features Tagged With: Donncha O Caoimh, featured, WordPress, WordPress MU

Like & Share this Article

Comments

  1. Michael Leung says

    June 5, 2009 at 5:50 pm

    Well, about time!

  2. Elijah says

    June 7, 2009 at 9:46 am

    I think this is what should be done. Developing two projects which are so similar is unnecessary. It is a smart means to move forward.

    As for the backend becoming more complex for newbies, well a simple option to turn on or off MU capabilities will be a feasible solution.

    This change will only make the community larger and more devoted to ensuring WordPress is the most powerful open source blogging platform available.

  3. Sorunsuz Hosting says

    June 8, 2009 at 3:31 am

    Sorunsuz Hosting, Linux VPS Hosting, Web Hosting, Reseller Hosting, Dedicated, RAID-10 Servers

  4. deuts says

    June 8, 2009 at 8:31 pm

    I may have to add to the “bad”.

    Shared webhosting sites, just like Dreamhost, may now get reluctant to have WordPress (as the merged codebase) in stalled in your server. Why? Because just like Dreamhost in paper they basically don’t allow you to install WordPress MU into their server, because of some resources issues. Especially if you’ll be opting for the subdomain instead of the subdirectory option.

  5. Joe Pea says

    June 16, 2009 at 2:50 am

    Yes! VERY GOOD IDEA! I can’t wait!! I will be able to do much more with BuddyPress and multiple blogs. This will make WordPress the most powerfull open source blogging platform ever!

  6. Joshua Parker says

    June 18, 2009 at 5:37 am

    There are definitely some pro and cons to this, however, in the long term, this will be the best move WordPress. Most popular blogging platforms have multi-user functionality built in such as Movable Type as was already mentioned. I believe this will help bring two communities together into one in order to build a stronger and better community and support. I love forward to the merger.

  7. Mike T says

    June 24, 2009 at 2:15 am

    It’s a sad statement about the state of WordPress that it actually needed to be forked in the first place to add this sort of feature.

  8. Sergio says

    July 13, 2009 at 8:06 pm

    Definetely YEES!

  9. James Bullis says

    July 18, 2009 at 8:41 pm

    Personally I am looking forward to this so I can streamline new clients. I believe that in order for projects like BuddyPress and bbPress to gain mainstream exposure that this merge is necessary.

  10. Piczasso says

    September 5, 2009 at 7:20 pm

    Definetely yes,yes yes! :)

  11. Sergio says

    September 5, 2009 at 7:37 pm

    YES! Of course.

  12. Jack says

    September 24, 2009 at 7:52 am

    This is good, can’t wait until this happens.

  13. Andy Bailey says

    September 25, 2009 at 9:05 pm

    can you imagine a newbie getting the power of Mu?
    1000 spam comments x 1000 spam blogs = 1,000,000 x more b/w!
    (and about 1,000,000 more support questions)

    People should have to pass a “basic knowledge” test before they can activate Mu on their blog! :-)

  14. will says

    November 16, 2009 at 7:56 pm

    I think I agree with Andy above, bloging for newbies is complicated enough and the internet is becoming over cluttered with rubbish as publishing becomes easier.

    Maybe delivering a cut down version within the main multi user version might be a better alternative. Sort of WordPress standalone within wordPress Enterprise.

  15. Ryan Bickett says

    December 3, 2009 at 6:09 pm

    I think it is a good idea, however, I don’t want to have to wait. :-) I am in the beginning stages of building a niche website network on WPMU. Now, I wonder if I should wait? How difficult do you think the transition from WPMU to WordPress will be? Am I better going back to plain WordPress for my project?

  16. vb grup says

    December 13, 2009 at 12:54 am

    am using a new free web hosting provider that has been excellent for my needs. They have a free script installer that will install wordpress for you and I have not experienced any downtime w

  17. uggs says

    January 11, 2010 at 9:19 am

    about time!,very good!

  18. Lasse Heindorff says

    January 12, 2010 at 1:54 pm

    This brings two important questions to mind:

    Will the new WP have the “old ordinary” WP’s vulnerabilities or the degree of security WPMU has?

    In potential lieu of a secure system, will we be able to remove footprints to lower the risk of hackers finding our sites?

    Regards, Lasse

  19. FFXIV Gil says

    June 11, 2010 at 12:51 am

    oh yeah, this is a good idea, i am very like.

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Top Posts

  • 30 Blog Disclaimer Examples
  • 15 Great Sites for Legal, Free Content
  • How To Write Comments
  • 6 Domain Buying Strategies to Skyrocket Your Digital Revenues
  • 3 Ways to Make Your Blogging Practices Highly Sustainable
Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy

The Blog Herald © 2021 Splashpress Media