Quote:
Originally Posted by southplatte
If you did a self-roll solution, you would be able to tie directly into your existing systems, since you obviously have heavily modified them, you should be familiar enough with the code to tie into the places necessary. If you use an off-the-shelf solution, you then have the fun of learning that systems code, where it can tie out to the existing system and in the long run may save time creating your own.
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Hi Southplatte,
Thanks for this. You've mentioned and validated many of my thoughts regarding the project. One point that this raises though, is the long-term vision for the site.
What I mean is that I've always approached the site with the view that it is a work in progress. The college is still learning what IS and what ISN'T useful or valuable (from a visitor, graduate, administration &
SEO perspective).
This particular part of the site seems likely to be valuable, as are most of the others that I mentioned in the original brief, but there are other ideas as well, that have yet to be tried.
My vision has always been to keep expanding the functionality of the site until we feel that we've got everything we need to make it well-rounded and valuable to all.
My current thinking is that, at that point it will make sense to commission a completely custom-programmed solution that provides all the same functionality as well as filling in any gaps or flaws that the currently cobbled-together version of the site presents.
So, with that in mind, I can live with some limitations and with minor maintenance headaches.
Does this approach to site development make sense (given that the college doesn't have unlimited funds for testing and development) or does it seem I'm building a many-headed monster that will never be tamed by a custom solution?