Open source designers?

[Princess1983]

Hi guys,

I've just done a search for "open source designers" and other combos and cannot find what I'm looking for so apologies if what I am about to ask has been asked so many times you no longer want to discuss it!

Are there any 'open source experts' or 'designers' on these boards? I'm looking for a new website and as I know have a 'bespoke' website will go well into its thousands I am opting for the more sensible option that is affordable to me. However I am struggling to find someone to take on the project.

If anyone can recommend someone that would be great!

Instead of clogging up the board maybe people could message me instead?

Thanks folks

[FireFleur]

Creative commons maybe what you are after.

Open Source is not about doing things for free, it is more to do with licensing software in such a way as to allow others to view and alter the source, and once distributed allows a user to convey to who they like.

So, if you hire a developer to build a site, and you say I want it open source, they will charge you the same amount, transfer copyright to you on payment, and you can license it open source.

But, as soon as you distribute it open source to anyone else they gain the ability to convey that to anyone else or use it themselves.

To be honest open source is more of a unix thing, and is used primarily in the development eco system, there is no support, there is no comeback if you use opensource software.

But, for a developer it makes a lot of sense, so say you want a database PostgreSQL easily replaces Oracle, Python easily replaces .Net, and those savings are generally just passed over to the client so you will see a smaller bill, but the bespoke development is still there. Opensource is used primarily to support bespoke software development.

Developers don't go great I will write your spec as open source and just give it away :) Developers go hmm I would like this really technical feature, and I will release it to others if they want to work on it as well. Or, as in TCP/IP, a government body comes along and dumps a load of cash saying make this software and put a BSD Licence on it, that is done to create a standard.

So, what you are looking to do is, replace the components you are paying licence for with OpenSource software, and build bespoke from there, that reduces total cost.

[JElder]

'scuse the late reply

Have a look at Joomla, and search for Joomla developers.

It is an open source website management system, and in theory allows you to build the site yourself. In practice, it may well pay to get a developer to build it all, then teach you how to add articles and updates.

[Simon-M]

Stick a post in the tenders section of what you need and your budget and I am sure you will find a suitable supplier.

Simon

[Galloglaigh]

Will not look at Rentacoder or Scriptlance. Its a bit like Ebay where the designers are rated. You could likely find one with a good rep local to Karachi as well as plenty from Romania, India and if you intend to use the latest OS west coast USA

[me&em graphic design]

Hi Princess1983

Following on from JElders comment, i would suggest the Joomla route, i've built some sites with Joomla and would definitely recommend it. It has some minor limitations but on the whole it is entirely possible to affordably build a site that is bespoke to your brand that you can manage and update yourself.