Originally published at: Message from Scott Bowler | ClassicPress
ClassicPress was founded with a simple principle: that all decisions were community led and that a single person couldn’t force through their desires. My goal with ClassicPress was to create an organisation that could flourish without a figurehead and could continue into the future without relying on a traditional power structure (and to avoid…
So desperately sorry to hear that. But rather than being sorry, Scott should be proud. He’s given us ClassicPress. He’s also given us hope.
And I hope we see him back here soon!
While I knew that there had been a personal problem, I didn’t know what it was. The fact that I still don’t is testament to the integrity of the ClassicPress committee. And the community as a whole.
Scott suddenly disappeared and not many people ever seemed to ask where he had gone or why. The fact that the founder had gone MIA never made it to the media. For something like that to not attract attention from the press or WP die-hards is extraordinary.
I am glad Scott has made this announcement, before the rumours started. It would not have been an easy decision and shows the humility of the man.
I wish you all the best Scott and hope that one day you can rejoin the community as the founding father.
I’d realised I’d not seen Scott around for a while, but hadn’t thought much about it as the project carried on with the committee making decisions and taking it forward as it was set up to do.
I wish Scott all the best.
Well, good man, you succeeded in that! Take all the time you need, and know you started something beautiful, and the community will carry it for you!
Hello Scott: You and I talked via private message on Twitter long ago and I, periodically, wondered where this nice gentleman had disappeared. While there’s plenty of science that says we need to see people’s faces and body language to truly understand the who of them, there are rare individuals who come along whose value system, personality is immediately discernible. I felt that of you, so I missed getting to know you better.
That said, if there is anyone here who says they have not had periods in their lives where they felt they were walking through hell, they are lying. I’m fairly awful at remembering the lyrics to songs but the chorus forever super-glued to my brain is:
If you’re goin’ through hell keep on going
Don’t slow down, if you’re scared don’t show it
You might get out before the devil even knows you’re there
Yeah if you’re goin’ through hell keep on movin’
Face that fire walk right through it
You might get out before the devil even knows you’re there
You’ve kept going. And on top of that, you did what many humans don’t have the guts to do: own it and make a decision, then say it.
I’ve been chased by the devil through hell, myself, at various times and I know it’s hard to do the saying it part. Damn hard.
I’m proud of you.
Now I believe that those who give, get. You have a universe here of people with their own networks, skills unspoken, faces unseen, resources unknown. My question to you is: Is there anything anyone could do for you that would help you? I bet everyone here would jump to help if there was any help that would be a game-changer for you.
Next question: Have you considered an emeritus status instead of 100 percent exit? Pull nine toes out and keep one toe connected?
Final question: As desirable as community driven is – and should be – I’ve lived a long time and come to the conclusion that every group needs a leader. Geese need someone flying in front, dog packs have an alpha, football teams have a top coach, Catholics, well, we have the Pope, lol. I, too, was horrified by the WordPress dictatorlike situation, but that does not mean that some type of leader is not needed (oops for the double negative there). Has that been discussed?
My best to you, Scott.
I took my time to think.
At a certain point Scott, you disappeared.
I know life can throw curve balls fairly enough, and that people have a right to privacy.
But you made an impression on me, a very good one.
So from time to time I went online, to see if there were traces, breadcrumbs.
Asking, in my way of seeing thing, is like soliciting someone to say something when maybe this is not appropriate. So I kept silent, and watched out.
I thought that the best way to help you was to get involved here.
Nobody builds a legacy to see it crumble down.
You wrote once that ClassicPress is your legacy. Something you want to pass onto future generations.
ClassicPress evolved thanks to the seeds you planted. Your values and vision are engrained inside the project and have guided us along.
It’s your right to have privacy, I respect that.
It’s your right to decide to step out.
Know that I truly respect you as a person, and I’ll never question these decisions.
But I want to let you know also a couple of things:
ClassicPress has given me more than I thought possible when first switching my site.
It’s not about me, but know that it helped me across one of my darkest times.
I believe this is because of the seeds you planted in it.
So I decided to step up and roll my sleeves even more… And again, ClassicPress gave me more than I expected.
All because of you.
So, please, do remember you have a friend in Italy. Whatever this friend can possibly do for you, just ask.
Because, man, you really built a legacy. And that legacy started to change people’s lives for the better. Or at least, it changed mine.
Stay safe, take care.
Remember you have friends supporting you.
I’d like to wish Scott well and express my appreciation for his creation of ClassicPress.
Best wishes to you Scott. ‘Life happens’ (often life is replaced with more colourful words ) and I can imagine stepping back wasn’t an easy decision.
Thank you @scott for bringing us ClassicPress. You have indeed created a legacy, a democratic community, and a viable software platform. Any one of those on it’s own is no easy task.
You have now given us a platform that agencies such as ours, can fully consider as serious alternative for WordPress. I will be pretty excited when we build our first client site with it.
I watched ClassicPress from its first days, when it was an idea on Twitter and a petition to WP. And look how far CP has come!
I understand life can throw curve balls. So, whatever the reason, I wish you the best, and see you back here when you decide that time is right.
Cheers
Avrom