Open Source or Standardized? Assessing .NET for start-ups
Just like Coke vs Pepsi or Mac vs PC, an information-age old question is what type of source code is best for developing new software. As a technology consultant for venture capitalists, this question arises fairly often. Since my VC clients often have to review business plans for tech start-ups, gambling their competitive advantage on the programming language they use can be risky. A VC friend of mine who has a minimal technology background asked my opinion regarding an SaaS (software as a service) start-up that came his way. The firm's software product was built on Microsoft's .Net Framework and was designed with VB Net. His question : what did these technical terms really mean to him as a possible VC backer? Once again, another strong case for performing technology due diligence on a potential target tech firm. My answer: while it is difficult and dangerous to rate the market validity & viability of a software package via its language, there are some very important thi