I am looking for an unbiased analysis of the pros and cons of using
the most common website server development tools (ASP, ASP.NET, PHP,
Coldfusion, others?) produced in laymen's terms (I do not have a
background on the subject) - these pros and cons would include cost,
how powerful each is, stability, expandability, etc, etc.  I also need
to know which are most common out in the field today and any unbiased
reviews out there.

In this process, I'd like to know what are the benefits of hiring a
developer on staff versus outsourcing the development of the project
to an external company.

If I hire an external company, I am concerned about hiring somebody
without enough experience due to my lack of knowledge on the subject. 
Therefore, is there a way I can hire a third party to help me make
that decision?

If I hire someone on staff, what is the best way to find somebody
qualified given my lack of industry knowledge and how much should I
expect to pay someone with reasonable experience?

Thanks for the help!!!!

Brent

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Clarification of Question by superhero9-ga on 14 Dec 2004 12:41 PST

Thanks for the initial comment!  My real issue is that I have
discussed website design with a few developers, but each contend their
own processes can handle the job and are the best on the market.  I
have no way to accept or dispute their claims.  Therefore, I need the
basic pros and cons of each from an unbiased source as well as
research for unbiased reviews I haven't found on the web.

As for the rest of my initial question (beyond the first paragraph), I
suppose I have already made my decision regardless so they are
unnecessary, with the exception of, "Is there a way I can hire a third
party to help me find the appropriate website developer?"

I appreciate the help and I hope that simplifies things!

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Clarification of Question by superhero9-ga on 15 Dec 2004 10:28 PST

I appreciate the input you all, but I think we are talking in circles
here, unfortunately.  Thanks for the help though!

I think you might like to break your question into multiple questions
and bid them according to importance to you.

I'm also not certain the responses to your questions would be helpful
to you. That is to say, the information is probably *good*, but if
you're trying to build web presence, the best way to handle it is to
see what you like on the web, find out who does it, and say, "I want
something like that," and allow the web designer use whatever tools
(s)he needs to use to create what you request. It would, of course,
assist any web designer to have an inkling of your existing offline
presence, as well as your target audience, coupled with your wanted
and expected traffic.

The difference between staff and third party is an incredible
budgetary decision. If you work to set up a site that has a CMS
(Content Management System), most changes can be done in real time,
even perhaps by an administrative assistant, directly via a web
browser. Meanwhile, heavy duty content layout really should be handled
at a per-job basis by a web designer. For many businesses, it can be
likened to an architect or sign builder. Once the structure is
erected, the job is done. Minor tweaks can be called in on demand, but
you probably don't have a contractor on your payroll.

You should expect to pay what you want to pay. The market is highly
competitive, and still, you get what you pay for, most of the time.
Get this, though: you might end up paying $300/month for hosting and
design (rather high number, IMHO), or up front about $2k-$5k and
choose your own hosting. Compare that with payroll, and well, you can
see for yourself the difference.

This is a free comment.

Hello crythias-ga and superhero9-ga,

crythias-ga is right the best way to get what you want is to find what
you want and then find the person that made that site. This way you
know your going to get something that you like, because you have
already seen them in action.

For ... "pros and cons of using the most common website server
development tools (ASP, ASP.NET, PHP, Coldfusion, others?)"

In my view you really need to know what you?re looking for ... what
kind of site/system are you needing? E-commerce, CMS, Plain site just
to get your information out to the world ... what?

every system has its ups and downs, windows/Linux servers (control
panel preferences) ... you have to pick this kind of thing 1st. sounds
small but it can make a big difference in the long run if you ever try
installing software/scripts that need PHP, mySQL, .NET, MS SQL ...
your going to need one or the other most of the time.

There are pros and cons for every system; you?re going to have to pick
one (group ?Windows or Linux) based on what sites you like already and
what they are built with.

3rd party ? No. Sounds like you would be hiring a designer to pick a
designer ? almost. Best bet is to look at a few different designers?
portfolios and pick the best one.