>
> That's not an inherent problem with OSS, more a problem with the
> quality of the coders who've been working on it
In the case of OsCommerce and the variations of that platform this really is
only partially true.
I agree in the fact that code contributions are only as good as the
contributers, but I think the base OSC platform never really had a solid
foundation for implementing plugins.
There are so many ways to do things and no real standards for their
requirements, so one module will use the existing language files,
install/remove routines and the next wont-- If there were actual
requirements or conventions that always had to be followed it would still be
convoluted to even a good PHP coder.
CRE loaded and Zen cart tried to move past those limitations and they were
somewhat successful but the documentation was limited.
Anyone who has learned how the RCO and RCI (runtime include/override)
systems; And the actual template systems in CRE Loaded will tell you that
that idea was half baked into an already convoluted code base.
> I do find it a little ironic that there's an objection to paying even
> a few hundred dollars for something of value
I do agree with the point that no-one should reject a few hundred dollar(or
more) fee for a solution, I have gone down that path as well with several
projects.
But out of the box everything needed just as much work as the free
offerings, and frankly they were no better--
Actually when it came to implementing new features, OSC was always the best
even with its shortcomings, once I got to know it. I feel like that
was purely because there was community help, and you were working with a
code base that had hundreds of examples.
And when something was needed that I couldn't understand, I could always pay
for help.
That is what people are really looking for, not just free code-- but a
community of people that have forums/groups with examples and documentation
of common pitfalls and "duh" moments.
I have seen a few company's spend thousands++ on proprietary solutions only
to find out the code was hugely complex, and there was no forums/community
support at all.
Only the company sells 200$/hr support, and will be available sometime next
month.. maybe.
(so I suspect some of the difficulty expressed in this thread also comes
> from an inability to understand halfway complex code)
This sorta go's without saying, but this also the same reason people use an
IPhone, it is simple and just works, it may not do everything for you but
you don't need a manual and a month to understand how to use it.
It is not so much the complexity of the applications or that fact they
are procedural, it is the simple fact that you cant just add a simple
feature without understanding a huge portion of the code-base or without
causing errors in completely unrelated code.
Though this is partially a good thing since once it is installed you are
getting plenty of work in maintenance fees,but it sorta sucks for the new
people, or the 22 yr old webmasters who inherit some legacy apps.
Apache/Tomcat/PHP/MySql/Railo/OpenBd/CFML are simple to install, simple to
use, and above all simple to get involved with-- that is what inspires new
developers-- if we make things complicated to use, only complicated people
will use them.
People do want things that are easy, that is why FW1 has taken off so well,
the concepts are relatively easy to grasp and you don't have to be a genius
to use it :)
I think the future of web based software really sits on this type of
service, like the type of model Railo has-- give the application/code for
free, but also sell support packages--
If someone is really living hand-to-mouth as a software developer and
> can't afford a few hundred dollars on software, then they need to go
> get a new career. Software pays well and if you can't make money at
> it...
haha.. American Idol would never be watchable if they didn't all get some
actual good advice from Simon-- ("don't quit your day job-- because frankly
you are a terrible singer-- simply awful")
Though it sounds so much better with an accent.
This is very true Sean, that is one thing I learned years ago-- it costs
money and takes time to be a programmer-- if you think you can do it for
free and easy, then get another career.
This wont happen for free, that is why I offered money and time-- and my
own experience.
I am happy we are getting some varied input on this, maybe the heat of
conversation can give the idea some momentum.
--
/Kevin Pepperman
"They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety,
deserve neither liberty nor safety." - Benjamin Franklin
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