Found an Interesting post in the recent Telerik RadControls Integration in DNN.

http://265.tumblr.com/post/345870218/...

I first use DNN is because it is free and the flexibility of its framework etc...now I've spent more than USD500 in DNN and its related products and the budget is keep rising.

No matter you are a developer or end users, you are going to pay for DNN:

Eventually there are established module developers going to use Telerik Rad Control to build their module which provide faster, easier, less compatibility issues and better User Interface that eventually makes more people to buy your module.

 

 Hello Cathal,

This is slightly OT for this thread, but it might be worth having a read of the thread I posted here today and then reviewing the link on the Telerik site that I posted also. 

I am as happy as can be with telerik and DNN, but I still lost 1/2 day today in panic when found that I could not upgrade to DNN 5.2.2.

As I say, I am a happy customer, but over the next few versions, it might be worthwhile listening for this dll hell type issue and maybe streamlining the upgrade process a little.

Again thanks for everything from Kildare, 

Mark Breen

DNN is not free. Here is what you can expect:

1. The forums module is still broken (sorry Chris) so you have to buy Active Forums - $100
2. The newsletter feature has to be upgraded if you need it - $100
3. Annoucements module must be upgraded - $25 to $100
4. Several of the basic parts of the framework are lacking. For instance registration - which is why Data Srings's Registration module is always in top ten at snowcovered. User directory, login, etc.  So figure on Data Springs package - $350
5. Simple items such as a tabs module, rotator module, etc. are not included so add $100 - $300.
6. Figure on buying a skin - $100
7. The Forms and Lists module will work for basic stuff but most people will need something more.  -  $150
8. Odds & Ends / Luxury Items - $200

Average DNN CE site - $1,325.00

I think the above has become a bigger issue in recent years. In the past upgrading or fixing items in DNN wasn't as much of an issue since third party modules were generally $20 - $50.  Now they are $100 - $200 each. And many of them have activation.

There have been a couple of bright points recently. The biggest being the addtion of Telerik - a huge thanks to DNN Corp for including it in CE for us low level community members. The Events module team has also been doing a great job - the core Events module is very close to what you can get third party.