Tools
This blog is not called open source dot com mogul for nothing. All content for this blog is created using open source software. Yes all content, from the word processor I am using right now, to the OS that is running the site you are viewing.
First let’s talk about what you need in the closed source world to create and host a web site. I would also like to document the cost to license the closed software. This way you can get a dollars and cents reason that you might want to use open source software.
You have this killer idea about a blog or website that you want to start, what do you need to do to get things started?
First you will need a PC, I’m going to leave that price out of this and the reason is this will be constant across both systems, hardware is and will be closed source.
Most people will use Windows OS, some would use OSX. Others would need both, one for graphics and one for the server. We won’t get into that,for simplicity.
- Let’s say that you are going to use Windows Vista. $399.99
- You will need some sort of antivirus. Let’s go with Norton. $69.99
- What work can you get done with out office? $679.99
- That leaves art software Adobe CS. $1199
- Last but not least the back end. $2149.99
This is just a rough estimate, but compared with the sexy price of free with open source, come on. Wouldn’t you like to know if your site is going to make any money before you kick down that kind of cash?
