Comments on: Revolution Themes Go Open Source

By: Jaypee

Jaypee — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 19:10:24 +0000

@archondigital - Same here. I'm glad that Brian took the open source path. This decision definitely raises the standard for free themes and will also create a new market for premium themes. Although I'm not sure if other premium theme authors would follow suit and start releasing themes under the GPL license.

This is a win-win situation for Brian and his team and also for WordPress users. :D

By: archondigital

archondigital — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 19:09:52 +0000

I support Brian Gardner’s decision in making the switch to offer his themes for free. This will raise the standard for free themes.

In this move they would not be losing money but instead open more avenues of income as they will have more time getting high-paying consulting jobs and more paying clients instead of being stuck playing tech support with themes purchased previously purchased from them

By: Jaypee

Jaypee — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 01:10:08 +0000

@fruityoaty - Really? Good for you! I wish I can attend an upcoming WordCamp one of these days. The problem is, most of the time they have it in SF which is like 8 hours away from my place. I hope they have one in LA soon.

You got to talk to Matt too? Darn it, now I envy you more. Hehe Did you take pictures? Please do share!

By: fruityoaty

fruityoaty — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 01:06:46 +0000

I actually saw Craig Tuller, the other guy (along with Brian Gardner) responsible for developing those fantastic Revolution themes. He was sitting right behind me @ the recent WordCamp Toronto. He actually announced during Q&A sesssion (after Matt Mullenweg’s presentation) that Revolution themes were going open source.

WordCamp Toronto was so awesome… seeing these people behind all the great plugins I’ve been using.

Got to sit at the same table during lunch time with 3 Automattic developers. And briefly got to talk with Mr. WordPress himself. Fun event, WordCamp.

By: Jaypee

Jaypee — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 05:17:13 +0000

@jhay - I was thinking the same thing too but that's not the case according to Brian.

This is absolutely not true - in fact, sales have been as steady as ever. My theory is that the amount of people who were purchasing premium themes grew, so the market in general was increasing. There wasn’t a reduction in % split in the market for premium designers, it probably stayed the same, just more people buying them.

I guess this decision is more of personal thing and his desire to contribute to the WordPress community but of course, this move also would attract more users and potential Revolution theme customers.

By: jhay

jhay — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 02:05:43 +0000

I think it’s the natural cycle for paid premium themes, since demand and interest in them has dwindled this past years, going open-source is a better alternative to closing up shop.

The free themes that overwhelm the paid premiums ones win again. Either way, it’s all good for us consumers. :mrgreen: