Fair Plugin version 0.4.0: Decentralized Installation!

We're excited to announce FAIR Plugin version 0.4.0, which introduces the foundation for truly decentralized plugin installation in WordPress. This release brings DID-based identity, multisite support, and several important improvements.

DID-based installation

The headline feature of 0.4.0 is DID-based installation. Decentralized Identifiers (DIDs) provide a way to verify the identity of package authors without depending on a central authority. When you install a plugin through FAIR, the package's signature is verified against the author's DID, ensuring authenticity and integrity.

You can test this feature using the test DID:

did:plc:deoui6ztyx6paqajconl67rz

This DID is set up for testing purposes and can be used to verify that the installation and verification flow works correctly on your site.

Multisite compatibility

FAIR Plugin 0.4.0 introduces full WordPress multisite compatibility. The plugin can be activated at the network level using network activation, making it available across all sites in a multisite installation. Settings can be managed centrally by the network administrator while individual site administrators retain the ability to browse and install packages.

Avatar management

Plugin author avatars are now managed locally by the FAIR Plugin. Instead of relying on external avatar services for every page load, avatars are fetched once and cached locally. This improves page load performance and reduces the number of external requests your WordPress site makes, enhancing both speed and privacy.

IndexNow on deletion

When a plugin is removed from a FAIR repository, the system now sends an IndexNow notification to search engines. This ensures that search results are updated promptly when packages are no longer available, preventing users from finding and trying to install removed packages.

Browser checks

Version 0.4.0 introduces independent browser compatibility checking. Instead of relying on the WordPress Browse Happy service (which sends user agent data to wordpress.org), the FAIR Plugin uses its own browser detection based on the Browserslist project. This provides accurate, up-to-date browser information without any external data transmission.

Getting started

Download FAIR Plugin 0.4.0 from the GitHub releases page and install it on your WordPress site. If you're upgrading from a previous version, simply upload the new version and it will replace the existing installation.

We welcome feedback and contributions! Visit our GitHub repository to report issues, suggest features, or submit pull requests.