Of course the Core looks at all other similar projects out there and constantly makes changes to improve. The installer is a perfect example. Other portal software had installers so we wrote one (a very good one too (in my opinion)).

But, the "competition" between Joomla and DNN is about PHP vs. ASP.NET. From what I can see PHP has a very string foothold and perhaps is "leading" that battle.

However, Microsoft is coming out with "all guns blazing". XAML (used from everything from Silverlight to Windows Workflow Foundation) LINQ, ect. mean that Microsoft will at least keep up if not outspend all their competitors. Remember Cold Fusion? When classic asp came out Cold Fusion programmers would laugh at Microsoft asp. Now look what happened. ASP.NET is clearly superior.

In my opinion (I do not speak officially) DNN is the flagship ASP.NET portal. We are "catching up" but we WILL catch up and I believe we will surpass the competition.

As a "end user" you may find that DNN will be able to do things with ASP.NET 3.5+ that do not exist for PHP. I believe that in the years to come Silverlight will change how we view the web. PHP can run JavaScript based Silverlight, but DNN will be able to run assmbly based Silverlight and (crossing our fingers) if we get Silverlight databinding and 3D in a future release we will be able to create a user experience where an "avatar" is able to walk through your portal in virtual reality.

Yes you can do it with Javascript but at 2-5 times the time and cost (this is the situation you have with JAVA vs. ASP.NET now).

Again, all this is my own opinion. I do not speak for the Core or for Microsoft.

---

Michael Washington
http://ADefWebserver.com

A Free Open Source DotNetNuke Help Desk Module

OK -- I was just saying I found so many flaws in people's arguments here that it just reminded me of a gamer forum where people try to explain how "Paladins" are better than "Warriors." Or how about "plastic bags" are better than "paper bags" at the grocery store? Amiga vs. PC back in the day.

It just sounds like a lot of people are just loading up DNN and unleashing it on their clients or users without fully evaluating it. I don't think this evaluation can even begin to happen in the forums in my opinion.

DNN is just one of those things where YOU have to match the solution to your own needs. If you just go into it without properly examining this for yourself and just take the word of others, you're in for it. Even though it may appear that a person you talk to is using DNN the same way you are, don't be so quick to take their advice. You will find a completely opposite experience in many cases. If you apply this rule to selecting your modules and skins, whether to build a new module from scratch or whether to use DNN or not -- match the solution to the specification -- you'll be in good shape.

Of course, it's good to start out with a spec! We always have a good spec right? ;)

---

Jason Honingford - Web & Software Developer
www.PortVista.com

Interesting reading ...  always curious about other technologies 

I chose DNN because it is Microsoft based ..  and being a developer

(off topic ..  but why in the middle of this when Nina posts (some negative aspects) would she get her moderator role taken away..   interesting..   poor timing)