Why I chose CodeIgniter <= 3

Why would they compete with the most popular blog framework?

Adding software features to Codeigniter defeats the purpose of Codeigniter. The framework, imo, is for developers who can code vs. script kiddies who need a system to tweak.

Whatever feature like that added becomes a liability to the framework (as in, which blog system is the best, which authentication system is the best, which XXX is the best and so on). It also causes maintenance issues (now, instead of focusing on the framework, you focus on security holes, features, scope creep, battling standards, new tech advances in the areas of the features and that requires considerable manpower)

The beauty of Codeigniter is that is allows for a developer to create their own system style without being forced to adhere to the framework author's ideals about what is "best" for a certain feature. Certain constraints apply, but by in large, I can do about anything I want all the while maintaining the CI frameworks "flavor" so that the next team member can pick up work and maintain code I create with little guidance.

Once a framework starts to setup "best" features, like adding a blog, the framework becomes bloated and will continue to grow, morph and creep until it is a mess that requires teams of people to work on specific features all the while reducing the ability of the developer to create anything outside the canon of the code.