Comments on: The Hidden Costs of Open Source http://www.donloper.com/web-development/the-hidden-costs-of-open-source.html Thu, 09 Feb 2012 01:06:09 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Russell Page http://www.donloper.com/web-development/the-hidden-costs-of-open-source.html/comment-page-1#comment-735 Russell Page Wed, 05 Apr 2006 18:10:15 +0000 http://72.47.194.140/uncategorized/the-hidden-costs-of-open-source#comment-735 Not to argue. Just to make the point on No. 2 Jordy, but open-source faces the same issue because people stop supporting a software when a better one comes along. Not to argue. Just to make the point on No. 2 Jordy, but open-source faces the same issue because people stop supporting a software when a better one comes along.

]]> By: jordy http://www.donloper.com/web-development/the-hidden-costs-of-open-source.html/comment-page-1#comment-734 jordy Tue, 04 Apr 2006 04:58:05 +0000 http://72.47.194.140/uncategorized/the-hidden-costs-of-open-source#comment-734 2 more reasons you may choose to use open source: 1) Although this might not apply to many people for whom the out-of-the-box solution works adequately, the extensability of open source software is very helpful to companies that need to do X and are willing to pay for somebody to get under the hood to add extra functionality. This applies to companies that have real specific needs which are not served by the propriety software. 2) Assurance of future availability. Companies go out of business, discontinue product lines, etc. This is probably not an issue if the alternive is Microsoft, but for smaller companies, or those with less "commoditized" products, the assurace of future availability can be very important. When features are comparable, I always choose an open-source solution, because if I'm going to learn a platform, I want it to be around for future use. Just some thoughts. Good post. 2 more reasons you may choose to use open source:

1) Although this might not apply to many people for whom the out-of-the-box solution works adequately, the extensability of open source software is very helpful to companies that need to do X and are willing to pay for somebody to get under the hood to add extra functionality. This applies to companies that have real specific needs which are not served by the propriety software.

2) Assurance of future availability. Companies go out of business, discontinue product lines, etc. This is probably not an issue if the alternive is Microsoft, but for smaller companies, or those with less “commoditized” products, the assurace of future availability can be very important.

When features are comparable, I always choose an open-source solution, because if I’m going to learn a platform, I want it to be around for future use.

Just some thoughts. Good post.

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