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?

The post Pressbits 006: How to evaluate plugins in the directory appeared first on WPCandy.