Comments on: Poll Results: Goodbye Dolly

By: Chip Bennett

Chip Bennett — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 15:55:29 +0000

I still stand by my comments at WPT in support of removing Hello Dolly.

I would like to add, though: Hello Dolly is *only* useful to plugin developers (if at all). It is not at *all* useful to normal users.

So, what percentage of WordPress installs represent plugin developers, versus general users? One percent?

There is absolutely no reason whatsoever that a plugin useful less than one percent of the install base should be installed by default.

I rank the default inclusion of Hello Dolly up there on my list of pet peeves with seeing random travel pictures from ma.tt in the official Planet WordPress feed.

By: Jeff Starr

Jeff Starr — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 16:03:16 +0000

I think Chris is doing the next poll, but after that, it’s definitely a possibility. It would be interesting to see what others think of these ideas.

By: Carlos

Carlos — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 01:01:34 +0000

A compromise should be made. If the user wants to delete it once and for all, have a delete permanently button and a leave it alone button. If upgrades where made, the protocol would be followed whether to not have it or to have it.

By: Micah

Micah — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 18:23:50 +0000

I think there should be a way to delete multiple, inactive plugins at the same time. Hello Dolly is of no use to me, but I don’t want to delete each plugin one by one if I can help it!

Baris, you should support this ticket I’ve opened: http://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/10753

I agree that TinyMCE is bloated and the functionality could use an upgrade too.

By: Steven Rossi

Steven Rossi — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 17:28:00 +0000

Look at that – I’m quoted. What an honor. ;-)

By: Baris Unver

Baris Unver — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 17:22:59 +0000

I think the Automattic team should also consider converting TinyMCE to a plugin which is active by default. I’m a huge fan of TinyMCE but WordPress is becoming more and more bloated and some features can be presented as active plugins by default. It would work for good in two ways:

1. Other plugins can replace the feature; like CKEditor instead of TinyMCE or some other nifty image gallery plugin instead of the garbage in WP core files

2. WordPress core would be lighter than ever; can even compete with v1.5 :).

They could even set seperate update options (NOT plugins) for stuff like jQuery, Scriptacuolus, Thickbox etc.. That way, users can be up to date and wouldn’t worry about weird/malicious flaws and whatnot.

Would it be too much to ask if I wanted you to open up another poll about this issues, Jeff?

By: Jeff Starr

Jeff Starr — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 16:38:29 +0000

My pleasure, Jeffro :)

If anything, it would be nice to be able to permanently delete the plugin if it is not wanted, such that it would not re-appear with each new WordPress update.

I think something like that would make the upgrade process cleaner and easier for everyone.

By: Jeffro

Jeffro — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 15:47:55 +0000

Thanks for linking over to the discussion on WPTavern. A number of people who read the site are consultants with clients who hate seeing that plugin. The results speak for themselves though. However, the only way that plugin will be removed is if Matt says so. Don’t see that happening anytime soon.