If u create a website as a business, is there any reason(s) why you would NOT use

[--__--]

open source/free technology? Hi,

I would like to see as many reasons as possible about why you would NOT use free technologies like MYSQL, PHP..

Basically I also would like to know if any of you have experienced problems using free/open source technologies to create a website.

Thanks in advance for your time.

[Echocomputers]

I use open source lke mysql and php all the time. never had a problem with it.

[Green-Moo]

I can't think of any reason why I'd have a problem using open source technologies. Why?

[That1TyGuy]

PHP and MySQL are used widely on many websites there is nothing against Open-Source its usually that depending on the script that commercial can be safier and sometimes have more features than an open-source script but not always.

But Open Source is always nice. :-)

[chocoguy]

I haven't been able to use Mysql before. How can you use it? Can anyone help me out on using it?

[Matt]

A lot of larger corporates historically use Microsoft, Oracle or <Insert commercial product here> due the the support. Until recently, Open Source software has been a bit behind in features and lacking in enterprise level support for the end user.

This is now changing with many company's offering commercial support for their open source packages (for a price). We are also seeing more and more Open Source projects offer "paid for" versions of their offerings which come with enterprise level support and more features.

[Matt]

I haven't been able to use Mysql before. How can you use it? Can anyone help me out on using it?

MYSQL is a database server software. You will need a Linux or windows based server to run it on.

You can run it on your home desktop if you want to play around with it.

It is mostly used for powering websites like this one as an example.

All the posts you make here are saved to the database and stored. When someone views this page, it goes to the database, finds the posts for this topic and displays them on this page.

[steve]

Nice bit of knowledge there Matt. Thanks.

[Echocomputers]

You can download mysql for windows as part of the WAMP package. This will install Apache Server, Mysql, PHP 5, PHP My Admin all in one go on your machine. It is also compatible with Vista

http://www.wampserver.com/en/

[Andrew C]

Nice link Echo. Ive been playing with it on my home machine. :)

[Echocomputers]

makes things nice and easy!

[Kaz]

And that's the way we like it! I like open source...i sell the world's first open source cola! It's sooo tasty...;)

[Matt]

Ah! Welcome to the dark side. You will soon be installing Linux on an old 386 and compiling custom kernels! Wa Ha Ha Ha!

[Ice794]

Thanks for the link Echo, I've been looking for something like WAMP.

People generally went for commercial packages because of the support offered, and because of the features.

These days however, free support forums are popping up all over the place and it's normal users of the software that are providing a lot of the support (and generally you'd pay this back by providing your support if somebody needs your help).

OpenSource and Free software is great. There's no reason you shouldn't use it. Also, it saves a lot of money...especially if you are a large company.

I've had various web businesses, and I've gone Open Source and GPL (General Public License) all the way.

[Oigen]

Use open source technologies that are proven to be reliable and usefull. This way you're going to save a lot of money that you'd be otherwise wasting. Like open office vs Microsoft office. They both do the same thing, and the first is free.