b2/cafelog

b2/cafelog was an early open-source blogging application developed by Michel Valdrighi from 2001. Written in PHP and using MySQL for storage, it allowed publishers to manage posts, comments, categories, and links through a web-based interface. It was one of the tools that made personal publishing possible without relying on a proprietary platform provider.

After development had slowed, users looked for a reliable way to continue the software. Matt Mullenweg proposed a fork in January 2003, and Mike Little joined him. Using the b2 codebase, they developed WordPress, whose first public version 0.7 was released on 27 May 2003. Shortly before that release, Michel Valdrighi described WordPress as the official b2 branch. Another major fork, b2evolution, also emerged from the project.

Today, b2/cafelog is primarily historically significant. Many of its core ideas—dynamic posts, comments, categories, templates, and browser-based administration—continued in later publishing and content management systems. The original software should not be used for new or production websites because its architecture, dependencies, and security assumptions belong to an early era of the web. Its lasting importance lies in its open codebase and its influence on modern blogging and CMS platforms.

  • Developed by Michel Valdrighi from 2001
  • Open-source blogging software built with PHP and MySQL
  • Managed posts, comments, categories, and links in a browser
  • Provided the technical foundation for WordPress 0.7 in 2003
  • Also led to the major fork b2evolution
  • Historically important but unsuitable for production websites today

Frequently asked questions

b2/cafelog was open-source blogging software developed by Michel Valdrighi from 2001 and built with PHP and MySQL.

Matt Mullenweg and Mike Little used the open b2 codebase as the foundation for WordPress in 2003. The first public WordPress version 0.7 was released on 27 May 2003.

b2/cafelog is unsuitable for new or production websites. It is historically important, but it is not maintained to modern standards and does not meet current security requirements.
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