Witango-Talk: .NET vs Witango vs. Oracle

Thu, 19 May 2005 17:05:11 -0700

I have been working with a large client where I built a complex system at http://www.peachdirect.com/ . The system consists of several parts.

1. A consumer driven website for purchasing products, with warranties, and upgrades and addons, and lots of custom bells and whistles.

2. A call center "dashboard" completely for internal use, that pushes/forces call center reps through product orders with phone in customers based on millions of mass mailings.

3. Return system and RMA.

4. Complete parallel test environment.

5. all code and site files are managed via subversion with user level security and a witango built admin console to manage it all.

This whole system (MS SQL backend) dumps data at night into a Oracle hosted system, where they do some order management, fulfillment, and reporting.

When I was first brought in, the system was only the consumer site, and it was not live, and a mess, with parts written in JSP and .NET, with a MS SQL. At first they wanted me to just make the current code work, and get it live, which they were not able to do in over a year. It took me about a month.

Then they came to me about rewriting it in one language. I gave them quotes on 3, JSP, .NET, and Witango. Witango was cheaper, with a faster timeline. I told them it performed as well, but much quicker to get from idea to deployment. But I told them I would do it in any language.

They mentioned they had this idea with the Dashboard/Call Center. And how long/cost to develop. I gave them the same answer with respect to Witango.

They eventually chose Witango, and I got the whole thing done, with the Dashboard, in a few months. I did it by myself, replacing 3 or 4 developers.

We have been going along (over a year), with many changes, and there has been a huge difference, in how fast I get things done, and how fast the oracle developers get things done. So much so, that they have been entertaining dropping oracle completely, and keeping all functionality in SQL and with my apps.

Now this sounds like a great story for witango, and kick ass and all that. In the process of exploring this move, they have bought in more of there management and some consultants. The phrase of the day has become, "What the hell is Witango?".

Even with all the evidence before them, because no one has heard of it, and because they all think a REAL application should be writtin in .NET, or JSP, or PHP. We are also working on a redesign, and the designers are also giving the same kind of input. Cuz dreamweaver doesn't interface with it or some crap like that.

In the end, just had a meeting, and it looks like they are moving forward with dropping oracle, but at the same time, want the whole thing rewritten in .NET. The good news is, they want me to do it.

My point to all this is this:

I definitely think Witango is superior to all the languages mentioned. And I can write in all. And I think the level of my work has got me in a lot of places, where I normally would not find witango welcome. They have wanted my work, and didn't care what I wrote in.

But as my clients have gotten bigger, and my work has become more recognized, this kind of pressure is actually getting worse, when I thought it would get better. The good thing, is they don't leave me, they just want to force me to leave witango.

Another example is with another large site, eventpix.com. This site has gotten the attention of the likes of Fuji, The Wedding Channel, Adobe, Brides Magazine, and others. The question has been brought up about the sale of assets, and their value. It has been put to my attention, that the value of these assets is significantly less, just cuz they are written in witango and the new owner will most likely have to rewrite. This has been enough of a problem, that when I have been in discussion with places like Adobe, or others, I may say it is written in .NET, thinking if I have to, I will rewrite for this deal, so I don't hurt the deal.

Now What?

I am not trying to dog witango. I am frustrated cuz I love the tool. I am frustrated cuz I don't see it making much headway into the mainstream. So what can we do about it? I have done what I can to get the word out, and have made myself available to help newer developers. Maybe I could do more, but I have to feed my family first.

I don't think I am the only dev dealing with this, and have seen a few developers drop off, and a few distributors. I am not sure what the answer is. I have kept my licenses for .NET studio and webobjects handy, is that the only option? to abandon witango? I haven't grown out of it, it is very powerful, but I have not seen a significant change in the perception of Witango since pervasive torpedoed it.

What can Witango Inc., or Ent. do? Maybe a year or so of offering the standard server for $600, and the dev environment for less. It seems to me, that in order for witango to escape this moniker, and to be not considered a tool for hobbyists, it needs to get out there in more mass.

Also, just the name seems to be an issue. I can't tell you how many times I have to say, "Not WINtango, Witango". I have gotten to the point, where I don't correct anymore. I don't mind the name, but it gives people the impression that it is a hobbyist tool. I don't think it would be as much an issue if it was called "ProApp" or something. Although I don't think changing the name would solve the problem alone.

Am I wrong?

Sorry for the rant, but I am really interested in what you all think. In the past I have been at this juncture, and the choice was my own, and I stuck with witango. This time, I am at this juncture, and I think I may not have a choice.

Please forgive any grammar errors or misspellings, I think quicker than I type.

--�

Robert Garcia
President - BigHead Technology
VP Application Development - eventpix.com
13653 West Park Dr
Magalia, Ca 95954
ph: 530.645.4040 x222 fax: 530.645.4040

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