Author: Swati Bansal

There can be endless libraries of code and applications geared up to use and implement them into a business environment. In addition, this post is like a debate, lots of discussions have been held on this from time to time. One of the colleague Myles Eftos has been discussing the use of open source applications and there implementations. Well consider,

1. Sometimes the client requirements are simple enough to understand and the open source solution rendered well over the stated feature completely set the client needs.
2. Then, getting a reliable developer, which has the experience and not going to charge you $15,000 for 2 weeks work is a problem. Thus, lot of time it takes on using open source solutions to fulfill at least few client requirements.
3. May be, he come down to delivery under a fixed budget, here the usage of open source software, even if it is not the best code but help in getting out of the project and making client happy. A happy client is the most essential thing.
4. It’s true, support is an issue. So, I have to find out a developer that would stand by their code and not doing other jobs on his side. Therefore, you are going to get bad support and documentation until, you get paid for it.
5. Skinning can be an issue. But, if you pick up an open source application i.e. the base shell with a bit or no base presentation layer styled then your job is much easier.
6. The sign of good developer is the capability to understand other developer’s code. The more brilliant developer has the ability to modify and adapt to other developer’s code without forcing any rewrite of all the code in a module. Well, it’s not like all open source developers are like that, but they are mostly available in the full variety from good to well unemployable.
7. I have also done various developmental solutions that allow me to easily create CMS and extended applications via several frameworks and like. This is like a custom development. I really enjoy the creativity of using open source implementation. Though, usually open source applications are embraced more, when the business requirements call them.
8. Now the industry has changed. For all code development, you require to take as many short cuts as you can. Its resources, when the time to delivery came.

What is your take ?