Before you can answer what language to use, you have to choose which OS platform.
Linux is FREE, but support is not. Hence you may need to pay a lot of money for a good admin. Windows is easy to administer than linux (relatively) but you'll incur higher start-up costs. I'm sure you can also find a decent Windows admin for a lower price than a Linux one. After you decide on the platform you can decide on the language: If the organization is non-profit PHP is definately a possiblity - however, I found that PHP is still a bit rough. I found that some functions are still too raw (ie URL redirection, and session management). Also with PHP you need to account for some security issues not present in ASP and CF. If you can't decide on what platform... ColdFusion is a good programming language. ColdFusion will run on a variety of platforms such as Linux, Windows and Coblat Servers!. That way you can easily port your application from one platform to the next : ) (This is gonna take some flak, but) ASP is a good compromise since it is "bundled" with Windows. Also, .NET looks really tempting with it's feature set. Another advantage of Windows is that you can go ASP, .NET, CFML, PHP, PERL or even Java. Another possibly solution could be a Sun Cobalt server? They're not too expensive, easy to maintain, and you can get a lot of software for it (PHP, ColdFusion, Java, etc): http://www.cobalt.com/splash1.html *I would avoid Lotus notes if possible*. In the future should they wish to deviate from Notes, it's all but impossible. There are some Lotus->ODBC bridges, but they cost money and to do a conversion will take a lot of time, money, and expertise. Development costs should be about the same for all languages (excluding licenses). .NET and Java will cost the most (being the most complex languages). An ASP programmer maybe a bit cheaper than a ColdFusion programmer since ASP more prevelant. Basically it's a tough choice: 1. Save Money - Go with Linux but you'll need to find a good administrator 2. For Easier Maintenace I would suggest Windows since it's easier to maintain than Linux (debatable... but probably true) - but you'll pay $$$ for it. 3. Go with a Cobalt Server - Cheap Low Cost Solution all in a box - it maybe limiting in the future. How about getting shared/paid hosting? That will only cost the organization $30 - $100+ per month depending on the requirements? P.S. MySQL is a nice database, but it can't even compare with Access (or SQL Server) feature wise 1. No views <YUCK> 2. No relations/FK support <ARGH> 3. No stored procedures <sigh> 4. and more... (row locking is one I think) At 02:25 PM 06/02/2002 -0500, Erik Fenkell you wrote: >If cost is an issue, money can be saved by using Linux, CF and MySQL as the >database. (Apologies if I have stated the obvious). The only costs are >hardware and CF (No cost for the OS or RDBMS). > >Even more money could be saved by using PHP (but we're talking ColdFusion >here). > >Best to all, >Erik > >-----Original Message----- >From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On >Behalf Of Graham Faulkner >Sent: Wednesday, February 06, 2002 2:26 PM >To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >Subject: [CFTALKTor] "big picture" question > > >Hello again, > >I have to apologize right at the start that I don't have nearly enough >details to ask the following intelligently, but I will try. =) > >Long story short: > >A non-profit company I work with is about to set-up a Lotus Notes DB to >handle all the non-accounting data collection/reporting in and through their >office. It was suggested to them by an accounting firm that now does some >Notes development on the side. It doesn't sound too reassuring. =) Anyway, >a consultant that was there for non-IT-related issues, but with a solid IT >background, is trying to point out the dangers of going down that trail. He >asked if I could get some feedback from the CF community in Toronto re: the >following (again, not as specific as I'd like): > >1. What is the cost of setting up a ColdFusion server in an office with >about 60 employees? >2. What is the cost of allowing that server to post information on the web >in a secure fashion? This non-profit organization has over 100 personnel >all around the world. The personnel would not only receive info via the >website, but would also post information. >3. What is the going rate for CF programming? i.e. what would it cost the >organization to hire a CF shop to set-up an entire database system to >replace an 80's-era system? (sorry, I honestly don't have more details...I >did ask for more but haven't heard) >4. The presenters of the Lotus Notes 'solution' keep telling the officers of >the organization that it is the lowest cost alternative. True? False? >Misleading? Insert your $0.02 here. >5. What is the cost of an MS SQL Server (or equivalent) system in the >environment I specified above? (They would be able to take advantage of the >charity license I assume). >6. Lastly, what about an Active Server Pages solution instead of CF? What >is the going rate for an ASP shop to create such a solution? > >If you wish to post your replies to me offline, that would be fine. Again, >I'm sorry if this is totally out in left field and shouldn't be posted. You >could perhaps just email me your contact information if you want to chat >with the consultant himself. > >Blessings, > >Graham > > >------------------------------------------------------------ >Graham Faulkner, BBA >President >Global Audience Communications > >Web design with YOUR world in mind! > >Web: http://www.GlobalAudienceCommunications.com >Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > >Tel./Fax: 519-880-9184 >Cell: 519-496-0887 > >- >You are subscribed to the CFUGToronto CFTALK ListSRV. >This message has been posted by: "Graham Faulkner" ><[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >To Unsubscribe, Please Visit and Login to http://www.CFUGToronto.org/ >Manager: Kevin Towes ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) http://www.CFUGToronto.org/ >This System has been donated by Infopreneur, Inc. >(http://www.infopreneur.net) > >- >You are subscribed to the CFUGToronto CFTALK ListSRV. >This message has been posted by: "Erik Fenkell" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >To Unsubscribe, Please Visit and Login to http://www.CFUGToronto.org/ >Manager: Kevin Towes ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) http://www.CFUGToronto.org/ >This System has been donated by Infopreneur, Inc. >(http://www.infopreneur.net) > > >-=-=- >SBG-Priority: 3 (Normal) http://www.internz.com/SpamBeGone/ - You are subscribed to the CFUGToronto CFTALK ListSRV. This message has been posted by: Michael She <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To Unsubscribe, Please Visit and Login to http://www.CFUGToronto.org/ Manager: Kevin Towes ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) http://www.CFUGToronto.org/ This System has been donated by Infopreneur, Inc. (http://www.infopreneur.net)
