Web Hosting Talk : Web Hosting Main Forums : Hosting Software and Control Panels : DotNetPanel to WebsitePanel, why the switch to open source?

[TowerOfPower]

I've been trying to figure out the reason behind this move.

So far I've heard everything from the company switching business models to "freemium", to rumors of Microsoft paying them to kill the software and go open source, to having CPanel's own version of Duke Nukem Forever (aka Enkompass) scaring every Windows' based panel right out of the water.

Having personal experience with open source and commercial endeavors, and looking at what little info has been left behind on the site ... I don't see anything to support the freemium model.

The MS rumor just seems bunk to me.

The only reason I can come up with is that they made no money and have quit.

Does anyone have inside info on this?

[HF-Paul]

I too would like to know the core reason, I think DNP owe it to their (ex)paying customers.

The only way the MS rumour makes sense is that they want to catch up with Linux hosting, and a powerful free control Panel would go a long way to helping them reach their goal. DNP was part of MS's WebsiteSpark program, however all mention of DNP now seems to be gone from the programs site and as of yet no mention of WebSitePanel.

The not making money is the only other explanation IMO, but I can't understand how that could of ended up being a cause, the panel is by far (again IMO) one of the best Windows panels out there, especially with the Enterprise modules. There is some evidence that this is the reason- releases have been getting fewer and farther between and staff input ( as well as perceived numbers on their forums) have dropped significantly over the last 12 months.

[realvaluehosting]

I don't think, "Not making money" is a valid point considering there are only 3 Windows control panels available, Plesk, Hosting Controller and DNP. DNP is the only control panel support mutli server environment.. they are not having competition in this segment. I am 100% sure that they were making good money.

I think, Feodor got some personal issues due to which is not able to devote required time so instead of selling it to Plesk company and get it killed by them like they did with HELM, he opted to go Open Source way.

Is there anybody on the forum who knows him personally? He might be able to shed some light on this.

[boonchuan]

Open source is actually great for Windows, we have lots of good Linux open source controlpanels. Dotnetpanel is the only one that is of commercial quality. This will certainly help does Microsoft users who are looking for an affordable controlpanel.

[WebGuyz]

[QUOTE=realvaluehosting;6780330]I don't think, "Not making money" is a valid point considering there are only 3 Windows control panels available, Plesk, Hosting Controller and DNP. DNP is the only control panel support mutli server environment.. they are not having competition in this segment. I am 100% sure that they were making good money.

QUOTE]

The problem with a control panel is if you don't have recurring income, then your sunk. Cpanel does it right and only leases their CP, but Helm and DotNetPanel would sell a license once and then there is no more (or a small amount on renewal) of income. Without those magic words 'recurring income' then all businesses are eventually doomed.

[TowerOfPower]

Originally Posted by HF-Paul

The only way the MS rumour makes sense is that they want to catch up with Linux hosting, and a powerful free control Panel would go a long way to helping them reach their goal.

In all honesty, I don't think Microsoft is or has ever been in a competition with typical Linux hosting. The MS market and the Linux crowd are completely different. You use the Microsoft stack for the support, the specific tools, and the integration they offer. You use Linux hosting for cheap prices on one side, and for "hackability" on the other side.

Different client needs; different solutions.

I can't imagine there was a profit goal to reach here with typical $1-$10 hosting accounts (when typical MS solutions generate 10-100s of times more profit). Maybe possibly a goal of just giving some type of a "cpanel" along with what the IIS Manager UI offers to appease those who are not in-the-know.

Originally Posted by HF-Paul

DNP was part of MS's WebsiteSpark program, however all mention of DNP now seems to be gone from the programs site and as of yet no mention of WebSitePanel.

I don't think DNP would have derived any type of direct revenue from the program. Only increased support costs.

MS gives you free licenses and then 3 years later you pay MS $100 (maybe, if, you're biz is successful).

I'd say MS probably traded the free publicity for DNP for getting a distribution license.

And if DNP created problems for users... They would have been dropped.

I think, Feodor got some personal issues due to which is not able to devote required time so instead of selling it to Plesk company and get it killed by them like they did with HELM, he opted to go Open Source way.

Is there anybody on the forum who knows him personally? He might be able to shed some light on this.

This guy claims to know him...
http://www.smartertools.com/blog/arc...d-why-now.aspx

...but it's mostly a post trying to rationalize it all with more speculation and a grand conspiracy against MS.

In my personal opinion, no one closes up their website, open-sources their app, offers nothing more (support, paid features, etc), and put's it on sourceforge, unless they have lost the game.

A note: sourceforge used to be called "cold storage" back in the day, a place where projects would go to die.

Either he quit, or he's under an NDA.