Pressbits 006: How to evaluate plugins in the directory

Pressbits on WPCandy

Pressbits episode 006 awaits you. This time was slightly different, as Ryan and I were both on this episode. We held a very brief conversation about how we look for and decide to use a plugin in the repository.

You can listen to it here:

Download audio file (Pressbits-0006-Evaluating-plugins-on-dot-org.mp3)

If you would rather download it directly you can do that, or subscribe to this show via RSS or on iTunes. If you would prefer a written summary, you can also read that just after the jump.

How we evaluate new plugins

This episode spawned from a conversation we were having on Skype discussing how we decide a plugin in the repository is worth downloading. Specifically, I was looking for an Amazon s3 integration plugin.

Ryan recommended one to me that I had already ignored because it only had a three star rating. Ryan doesn’t look too much at the star ratings, as he (well both of us really) considers them flawed. I don’t look at them exlclusively, but do tend to use the star rating as a simple early filter.

We both pay close attention to when a plugin was last updated, and what version of WordPress it is compatible to. Ryan tends to jump to the forum for a given plugin earlier than I do, and I tend to put more weight on downloads than he does.

Also, neither of use are ashamed to crowdsource for opinions and ideas via Twitter, when necessary.

How do you decide a plugin is worthwhile? Do you use the same methods as we do, or do you just look at the code, or do you do anything at all?

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