Friday, 15 May 2009

The Challenges of Open Source

One of the challenges inherent in using Open Source software has been bought home over the past weeks. In building a new website, an intermittent error has shown itself in the Content Management System (www.silverstripe.com) that is being used as a framework.

Consulting the forums has been unhelpful, with zero response from the community. The question lurks - is this because it is so obvious that no-one can be bothered pointing the developer in the right direction, or is it so obscure that no-one can suggest a direction of investigation?

Interestingly, while the software itself is distributed under an open source license, there is a company based on it's development and utilisation in a commercial environment.

In the end, we come back to the conclusion that while Open Source has a number of inherent benefits, users must be prepared to get their hands dirty in the detail. It seems a deeper level of skill/knowledge is an implicit requirement when compared with other options.

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