Re: OpenSource vs. Commercial

Danijel Tkalcec (RealThinClient) wrote:

Let's say there are 2 similar component sets for Delphi/BCB which do something you will need in your next application. One is Open Source, the other is Commercial, but not too expensive. Let's also say those components are not trivial and your product's success depends on those components stability, flexibility and robustness. At the moment, both component sets seem to offer the same, but there's a lot of things you would like to be added in the future.

What would you choose?
A) The Open Source project (free with source code), or
B) not-so-expensive commercial product (also with full source code)?

The most important thing in my opinion is the licensing. If the component set is licensed per-pc, it won't work for me. If the components have run-time royalties, it's a no go.

In my case, extracting cash from management is painful. It's also problematic - how many small vendors accept PO's? How many will mail an invoice to a government entity, and wait 30 days for payment? Oh, it's a new vendor, you're not in our AP system, we need x, y, and z.

Generally, if the O/S project is good enough, I'll take it, rather than deal with the hassle. However, if for some reason I've got a windfall, I'd rather purchase a commercial license.

-Brion
.

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