[wp-hackers] State of WP

[Brian Layman]

> WordPress is being actively developed 100% == 
> WordPress isn't lacking in terms of development.

There we go, that works for me.  Stick with that. ;)

On the other hand, the original was perfect(!) sales pitch lingo.  I was
certain it was straight out of a WordPress marketing brochure.

OK, Kevin, I'll get back to your topic here.  The requirements you've
mentioned are significant.  100,000 sites, running out of any central
system, will require significant resources and optimizations.  AFAIK, any
existing blog/CMS system that you choose will require customization to scale
to that level of deployment.  

MySQL, to be brutally honest, is not a very mature database system. (Does
anyone else here have a transactions-check mark shirt from the 4.1(?)
deployment?)  MySQL IS rapidly improving.  So, I've got to ask you if your
100,000 site quote is an eventually goal, or a realistic appraisal of your
current planned deployment.  (BTW, either way, I believe WordPress will give
you a good foundation.)  The size of the initial deployment, may be the
biggest factor in deciding what you want to do next.

DrMike has already told you that MySQL cannot handle that capacity.  So, if
you are deploying at that size, you need to invest design and implementation
into converting the database over to something that can handle that scale.
For example, Interbase or Firebird should handle that with out a problem and
doesn't limit your platform, but you'll have to over come issues like how to
handle the missing MySQL InsertID feature.  MSSQL is another option, of
course, and there are others beyond that.

If, in the near term, your actual needs are significantly smaller,
implementing your site in phases, maybe the key to success. Take advantage
of improved compatibility with the WordPress core by deploying under MySQL.
You could then use the first phase to determine if what your scaling
problems will be and THEN decide your best avenue of attack. WordPress and
MySQL will have matured further, you will get a number of improvements by a
quick upgrade to the current system, you will be more proficient with the
actual WordPress code, and then you can switch over to the actual end system
that is capable of handling the workload you've mentioned.

That's my take on the whole thing without knowing more about the why's and
wherefore's of your actual plan.  And please don't take the grumblings and
gripes on a news list as large red flags.  The core folks who live and
breath WordPress each day are a good bunch of people who give every change
request due consideration.  

As for how many developers there are, that varies.  There are a large number
of people that contribute.  Each has their own special concern, point of
view, and desired goal.  That's the nature of open source.  The number of
people who can commit the changes that are submitted is smaller number, oh,
around half a dozen, I guess.  They take a look at how WordPress is being
used today, and just as importantly, how it isn't being used.  The then the
development to the benefit of the community as a whole.

WordPress is being adopted for ever larger deployments and is the core
technology of an increasingly larger number of media outlets.  You would not
be alone in your choice of WordPress for your foundation and I expect the
choice would serve you well.

I hope that answers some of your questions.

_______________________________________________
Brian Layman
http://www.TheCodeCave.com