As a developer who’s been writing software for Joomla for over a decade, I’ve had my share of proud moments. But recently, I stumbled across something that truly took me by surprise—and filled me with gratitude. While combing the web (as one does when checking on unresolved reputation quirks), I found my Authentication - Email plugin listed in the Git repo of none other than volunteers.joomla.org—a Joomla core site!
Discovering My Plugin in Action
I found it in the Joomla GitHub repo here:
For those who don’t know, volunteers.joomla.org is a hub for the Joomla community’s dedicated volunteers, a place where the spirit of open-source collaboration shines. To see my plugin—a piece of software I poured my expertise into—powering authentication for that site feels like an incredible honor. The manifest file, versioned at 2.4.2, credits me (Michael Richey) and my site (richeyweb.com), bundling both the authentication plugin and its companion system plugin. It’s a small but meaningful validation of the work I’ve been doing for this CMS I love.
A Decade of Joomla Devotion
I’ve been a core contributor to Joomla for years, contributing code, ideas, and time to a project that’s been a huge part of my professional life. Over that time, I’ve built extensions, tackled bugs, and shared in the community’s ups and downs. But there’s something uniquely special about seeing my software woven into the fabric of a site like this. It’s not just a personal win—it’s a reminder of why I’ve stuck with Joomla for so long: the chance to build something useful, share it freely, and see it make a difference.
Gratitude and Looking Ahead
I’m not here to toot my own horn (well, maybe just a little). Mostly, I’m here to say thank you—to the Joomla community for being a place where developers like me can grow, contribute, and occasionally get a humbling surprise like this. I’ll keep writing software, keep pushing updates, and keep supporting this CMS that’s given me so much. And who knows? Maybe this is just the start of more exciting discoveries.
Let’s Celebrate Together
What’s next? For now, I’m just soaking it in—and maybe cracking open a celebratory drink (it's after 4pm, so it's just water). If you’re a Joomla fan too, drop me a line—I’d love to hear your story.
