The premise of the presentation was to demonstrate that it is completely possible to create .NET solutions (specifically an ASP.NET web application) using free and open source tools. I used a GNU/Linux based laptop (Ubuntu) with the following tools:

• Mono (gmcs compiler)
  
• MonoDevelop
• DBDesigner
• Dia
• OpenOffice.Org (Writer and Impress)
  
• GNUnit2

The result of the demonstration was that while it is entirely feasible to live in a .NET world with all free and open source tools your efficiency will not make up (YET!) for the cost of a more integrated and mature toolset. However, the tools I used are progressing rapidly and there is no reason why they can't benefit you now and in the near future. I would recommend evaluating the cost of ownership ranging through your server environment, development environment and office environment.

The slides, code and documents are all freely available for download here. Use them however you want (at your own risk, of course ).

If you have any questions or comments please feel free to drop a comment on this entry!

On April 8, 2006, we will be having the first (as far as I know) Code Camp in Pittsburgh. As both an organizer as well as a presenter, I encourage everyone in the area to attend this free event.

There are no corporate sponsors and all of the presenters are from the community doing presentations and demos for the community. There will be free lunch (I think) and plenty of free information!

For more information, please check out the Code Camp website:
http://www.pghdotnet.org/CodeCamp/default.htm.

My presentation will be on creating .NET solutions using free/open source tools! It was interesting to create the demo so I hope that remains when I actually give the presentation.