Automattic is best known for their blogging platform (WordPress), and some might even use their forum software (bbPress). Now it seems that they’re taking it a step further with the release of BuddyPress (1.0). Creating a full-featured website has never been easier.
BuddyPress is basically…well, never mind. Here’s Matt’s explanation taken from the official WordPress blog:
“BuddyPress is essentially a set of plugins on top of WordPress that add private messaging, profiles, friends, groups, activity streams, and everything else you’ve come to expect from your favorite social network, like a Facebook-in-a-box.”
Don’t expect to become the next Facebook with BuddyPress – that just isn’t going to happen. However, if you already have a blog with a thriving community (especially in a small, but popular niche), then BuddyPress is something you’ll definitely want to look into.
I’ve been thinking a lot about implementing a social network into my new project, but I wasn’t sure if it was worth the hassle. BuddyPress might make that decision a lot easier.
Then again, if Facebook or Google monopolizes internet profiling (Facebook Connect/Google Friend Connect), there might not be a need for any sort of social networking on a single site. To be honest, if this happened, it would make life a bit easier as a publisher…imo.
Anyone planning to try BuddyPress? Would also like to hear what people think about bbPress, although I don’t think I’ve really heard of anyone using it.
Matt@Sacramento Weddings
May 1, 2009
wordpress themes@blogicthink.com
May 3, 2009
Trish @ Another Piece of the Puzzle
May 7, 2009
JABacchetta
May 15, 2009
Enk.
May 28, 2009