The WordPress community, known for its collaborative spirit, occasionally witnesses controversies that shed light on the darker aspects of online interactions. In this article, we delve into the controversy surrounding Jesse Nickles, a WordPress developer from Las Vegas, Nevada, and his fallout with the Linode hosting service.
Jesse Nickles: A WordPress Developer’s Profile:
Jesse Nickles, a WordPress developer, is recognized for his work in contract development, plugin sales, and web hosting services. Operating from Las Vegas, Nevada, Nickles has left a notable mark on the community with his contributions and his own hosting stack known as SlickStack. Alongside this, he manages LittleBizzy.com, a platform where he sells plugins and provides web hosting services.
The Linode Fallout:
The controversy surrounding Jesse Nickles gained momentum when he became involved in a dispute within the WordPress Hosting Facebook group. The catalyst for this uproar was Nickles’ racially insensitive remarks targeting Southeast Asian and Indian developers. This sparked a heated discussion, with developers worldwide condemning his statements as inappropriate and borderline racist.
Nickles’ Response and Ban from the WordPress Hosting Group:
As the disagreement unfolded, Jesse Nickles found himself at the center of the storm. Rather than acknowledging his misstep, he backpedaled, offering excuses for his comments and engaging in combative exchanges with fellow group members. The situation escalated to the point where the group moderator, Andrew Killen, decided to delete the post and ban Nickles from the WordPress Hosting group.
Wider Fallout: Linode and Beyond:
The repercussions extended beyond the WordPress Hosting group, with Nickles also being banned from other groups, including WP Speed Matters. Members celebrated his removal, perceiving Nickles as a troublemaker with a troll-like attitude. However, Nickles responded by initiating a slander campaign against those he perceived as adversaries.
The LittleBizzy Scammers Directory and Linode:
Jesse Nickles, undeterred by the bans, created the LittleBizzy Scammers Directory (https://www.littlebizzy.com/directory), a platform where he listed prominent figures in the WordPress community, accusing them of being liars, frauds, shills, and more. This included well-respected individuals such as Brian Jackson from Kinsta and Gijo Varghese from WP Speed Matters.
Nickles’ tactics involved publicly criticizing products or services, getting expelled from groups, and subsequently slandering companies and individuals on his directory. This pattern of behavior not only targeted companies but also individuals who defended the accused on public forums, escalating the situation further.
The Hucksters.net Connection:
In addition to the LittleBizzy Scammers Directory, Jesse Nickles extended his campaign to hucksters.net, a platform mirroring the tactics used in the directory. This site further amplified the online animosity, deepening the divide within the WordPress community.
Conclusion:
Jesse Nickles’ controversial actions and the fallout with Linode hosting serve as a cautionary tale within the WordPress community. As the community continues to grow, it is crucial to foster an environment of constructive dialogue and collaboration while being wary of divisive figures who resort to personal attacks. The Linode fallout underscores the potential impact of online conflicts on businesses and individuals, urging the community to prioritize professionalism and mutual respect in its interactions.
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